Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.)
Sri Lanka has two official languages. Sinhala and Tamil – with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English, and signboards are often in English.
While the monsoon rains might not dampen your enthusiasm for exploring. Bear in mind that experiences can vary wildly depending on the season. Make sure you pick the right time and right places depending on the season.
Main transportation ways in Sri Lanka are trains and busses. If you are traveling long distance it’s always easy to use a train. Especially a train journey through the hill country will be an unforgettable memory. Other than these, there are tuk-tuks. You can use Uber or PickMe apps to get an easy ride.
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees (Rs.). Currency can only be exchanged in Sri Lanka. There will be banks in the airport which you can get the service. Also, most of the shops accept credit cards. You can always use ATMs to withdraw your money.
You will experience that Sri Lankan culture different from the moment you land. Sri Lanka’s genuine hospitality to tourists is renowned. Take care to avoid religious offense. Make sure not to disrespect a monk, do not pose for photographs on religious statues and remove shoes and socks when entering temples. Wearing revealing clothes and materials with Buddha figures are highly offended.
Tap water is not safe to drink, and boiling and filtering are sometimes done too hastily in some hotels and restaurants, so the best solution is to drink bottled water. Make sure you look for SSL certification when purchasing. Sri Lanka beaches can be very sunny if you are going on a beach tour or a hike make sure you wear sun cream, shades, and cotton cloths.
