Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Tell me more about Holidays2srilanka?
Holidays2srilanka has been in the travel business for nearly 10 years and have had the pleasure of serving thousands of satisfied customers
Q: Is Holidays2srilanka ATOL and IATA protected?
Yes Holidays2srilanka is protected by both ATOL and IATA
Q: How can I make payments?
You can pay by Bankers cheque, Bank deposit, Cash, Cheque, Credit card and Debit card
Q: Can I make online bookings?
Yes you can book online from our website www.holidays2srilanka.com
Q: How secure is my transaction for online payments?
We can assure you that all online transactions are encrypted and secure
Q: Can I make a cancellation once a booking has been made?
All the cancellation policies will be endorsed on the ticket and will vary from airline to airline
Q: Can I get a full refund if I cancel?
It would depend on the individual ticket endorsements
Q: What happens if the tour is cancelled?
The tour is subject to cancellation policies and will vary from package to package
Q: How safe are some of the destinations being advertised on this site
While we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our clients, there can be instances where there can be civil unrest in some places after a tour has begun as such all customers are advised to check the Foreign Office website for information on the destination that they wish to travel to prior to booking
Q: How will you notify me of my booking?
The confirmation page that you get on making payment is your booking receipt for some airlines and for other airlines the ticket will be emailed to the customer
Q: What are the payment methods?
As mentioned earlier you can pay by Bankers cheque, Bank deposit, Cash, Cheque, Credit card and Debit card
Q: What do I need to check in at the hotel?
Most hotels will require a Hotel Voucher to be produced by you at check in. Your booking confirmation email acts as your Hotel Voucher. Please bring your booking confirmation email.
Q: Can I make a group booking?
Yes of course you can make a group booking
Q: What are your call centre opening times?
You can call our call centre from Monday to Thursday 9AM to 8PM , Friday to Saturday 9AM to 6PM and Sunday 10AM to 6PM and our customer care advisors will be pleased to help you out.
Q: Where is your office in case I have a query or need to visit?
You can visit us at our office below:
Holidays2srilanka
Unit 5 Metro Centre,
Ronsons Way,St Albans Rd,
Sandridge,St Albans,
Hertfordshire
AL4 9QT
Q: How competitive are the prices in your site?
We constantly monitor market prices and strive to give the best price to our customers, hence you can rest assured that you’re getting the best possible price
Q: Who can book holidays from us?
Anyone over 18 years of age can book holidays from us
Q: Is it a must to take travel insurance before I go?
It’s not a must that you need to take travel insurance when you book, however we advice you to take travel insurance to protect against any contingencies
Q: How do I get a Visa to travel to Sri Lanka?
If you are a national of a Schedule A country, you will be granted a visit visa on arrival in Sri Lanka, with leave to remain in the country for 30 days. For a full list of Schedule A countries, please visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration’s web-page
Tourists holding all other passports are required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Sri Lanka from your nearest Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission (consulate or embassy).
To apply for a Tourist visa, you will require:
A completed visa application form available online from the Department of Immigration and Emigration website
A photocopy of the personal data page of your passport, which must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended date of travel.
Two passport-sized photographs
Visa application fees, applicable by country
As a tourist to Sri Lanka, you are required to possess a return air-ticket and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
For more information on Visa procedures, please visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration webpage of the Government of Sri Lanka.
Q: What are the customs regulations for holiday-makers?
Entering Sri Lanka:
You will be asked to fill out a goods declaration form on arrival at the airport. Declare valuables such as gems and jewellery upon arrival. If you are carrying more than $15,000, you must declare it to Customs.
If you have nothing to declare, you may use the “Green Channel” for customs clearance.
Tourists travelling to Sri Lanka are entitled to the following items duty-free:
2 regular-sized bottles of wine
1 ½ litres of spirits.
Perfumes/ Colognes up to 250ml intended for personal use or not exceeding the value of US $250.
Leaving Sri Lanka:
Tourists departing the island will be able to take anything they declared upon arrival, and valuables such as gems and jewellery purchased in Sri Lanka (in non-commercial quantities) for which purchase receipts will be required. You may also carry up to 3kg of tea out of the country, free of duty. Additionally, do convert unused Sri Lankan currency upon departure. For a list of items prohibited to be carried out of Sri Lanka, do visit the Sri Lankan High Commission website
Important:
Transporting commercial quantities of cigarettes is prohibited by law.
Narcotics’ trafficking is considered a capital offense in Sri Lanka.
For more information on baggage, customs and duty-free regulations for tourists to Sri Lanka, visit the official web-page of Sri Lanka Customs.
Q: Should I get any vaccines or inoculations before travelling? Am I likely to get ill?
Health risks and precautions:
It is recommended that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy with medical coverage during your stay in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s tropical climate does mean that mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue and malaria are not uncommon. It is recommended that tourists complete a course of anti-malaria medication before they travel, especially if they plan to go outside major cities such as Colombo, Galle and Kandy.
If you are travelling after the rainy seasons, typically in the summer and autumn months of June and November, there is a risk of dengue fever. For more information on the infection visit the WHO fact sheet on dengue fever.
As a preventive measure, carry a quantity of personal mosquito repellent with you at all times. Most leading hotels and guesthouses will also have in-room mosquito repelling devices and mosquito nets. Diarrhea relief medication such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol is also recommended if you plan to travel around the country. If you intend to spend a lot of time outdoors, it is essential to bring a high-strength sunscreen.
If you are traveling from an area where there is a high risk of yellow fever you will require a certificate of recent vaccination.
Healthcare facilities:
Outside the major cities of Colombo, Kandy and Galle, medical facilities are limited, though there are several pharmacies all over the island. Should you require medical treatment, it is recommended that you visit a private hospital as they are likely to offer better quality care.
Travellers taking prescription medication should ensure that they have sufficient dosage to cover their entire stay as the equivalent medication may not be readily available over the counter.
Should you take the necessary hygiene and safety precautions for travel in tropical country, your time in Sri Lanka will be very pleasant and enjoyable.
Q: Is it safe for tourists to travel around Sri Lanka?
Post-war Sri Lanka is a very safe and secure country and tourists are not under any form of threat anywhere in the island. However travel to the North and Eastern areas of Sri Lanka is restricted for foreign nationals, Foreigners require advance permission from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence to visit the northern areas.
Checkpoints and barricades are common in and around Colombo, so carry some form of valid identification (a passport, or passport photocopy) to be presented if you are stopped.
However, it is important to be aware that pick pocketing and theft may occur, leave valuables in your hotel room safe when travelling, and be aware of your possessions in crowded areas or when using public transportation. For extra precaution, do not carry or leave all your cash in one location. Be aware that while white collar crime is low in Sri Lanka, there have recently been incidents of credit card fraud, so try to limit using your credit card to major retailers, restaurants and hotels.
When travelling by tuk-tuk, consult your hotel or guest house and they will likely be able to arrange a known driver to take you to your destination.
Photography is restricted in certain high-security zones, temples and heritage sites. If you are unsure about using your camera at a specific location, please check with those responsible for these locations.
Tourist police are readily accessible, should you require their services.
Q: What can I expect from the accommodation?
Sri Lanka’s reputation for excellent hotels and resorts is not unfounded. Across the island there are leading 5, 4 and 3 star resort and boutique hotels. Whether you’re in the city, the coast or near wild-life and hill-side regions, you are likely to find a wonderful place that meets your budget.
Private villas are also recommended as they have a high standard of service and cuisine and are often situated in breathtaking locations, offering you a private getaway.
Guesthouses are also an option, but it is very important that you find a reputed one that is known for hosting tourists, as facilities may not be up to standard.
Outdoor accommodation on camping and wild-life trips may not be suitable for families with children as facilities may be rudimentary.
Q: What’s the food and drink like?
Sri Lankan local food is spicy, and if you are unused to regularly eating spice and chillie, you should treat it with caution. Sri Lankan cuisine is reminiscent of Indian food with strong influences from the Malay, Moor, Arab, Dutch and Portuguese who made Sri Lanka a home or trading destination. A staple meal is rice and curry, which can be sampled if you ask your hotel or guesthouse to provide you with milder curries.
Within Colombo you will find almost any type of cuisine——popular in the city are Thai, Italian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese restaurants.
There are several options for vegetarians and seafood lovers in Sri Lanka, and fish and other forms of seafood are a core part of most meals, and coastal hotels and guesthouses specialise in crab, prawns, lobster and kalamari. Certain restaurants in the city do serve Halal food, but if they do not explicitly mention it, it is best to stick with seafood.
Sri Lanka does not have a strong tradition of street-food, and most tourists are discouraged altogether from trying food from street-vendors.
Sri Lanka also has a large selection of tropical fruit—papayas, mango, and rambutans can be obtained in most places; make sure they are prepared hygienically before you dig in.
All hotels, restaurants and bars serve a wide range of alcohol except between the hours of 2–5pm in the afternoon and on certain public holidays, including the full-moon or Poya holidays. The local spirit is Arrack, distilled from the coconut and it tastes somewhat like scotch and rum.
Sri Lanka’s tea is also the finest in the world, and you should try it while you are in the island. For coffee lovers, Colombo has a good number of places where you can get a good coffee or espresso.
For a non-alcoholic refresher on a hot day, do try Thambili or the water of the King coconut.
Q: What are the major religions and languages of Sri Lanka? Can I expect to communicate in English?
Sri Lanka is predominantly a Buddhist country, and most Sri Lankans follow Theravada Buddhist practices. There are also a large number of Hindus, Muslims and Christians, with places of worship and heritage sites dotted all over the island.
Sinhalese and Tamil are the major “official” languages spoken on the island, and in Colombo, most people have at least a fundamental knowledge of English. Outside of Colombo, you will probably find that English speakers are fewer and far between, apart from hotel staff.
Certain hotels, restaurants and tour operators also have staff who can communicate in German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese or other languages.
Q: How do I dress in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is hot and humid for most months of the year, and light cotton, particularly lighter colored clothing is the most practical. If you travel to the hill-side, do take some warmer clothes as it can get cooler, especially at night. Bring a sunhat, lightweight scarves, sunglasses and open-toed shoes to ensure maximum comfort.
While Sri Lankans are conservative in their dress, they are not fastidiously so, and dressing for a tropical climate, within reasonable bounds of modesty is appropriate.
For evenings in the city, do bring along some formal wear, as flip-flops and shorts are inappropriate at hotels, restaurants and bars.
At places of worship and heritage sites, there is a dress code where both men and women will be asked to wear longer garments, and shirts or tops with sleeves.
Q: What kind of payment systems do they use in Sri Lanka
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), which is 100 cents (£1 = LKR179). The highest denomination is the 2,000 Rupee note. In Colombo and major cities, most merchants apart from corner shops will accept major network-branded credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). Foreign currency—US Dollars, Euros and Pounds Sterling are also widely accepted in major hotels.
Credit card charges will be made in Sri Lankan Rupees, using the daily exchange rate for your transaction. For detailed information on international charges, please contact your Credit card issuer.
In the cities, banks are open from 8am to 3pm, sometimes 5pm, should you wish to change foreign currency, travellers cheques or bank drafts, and there are ATMs at most major commercial areas in town.
Outside of cities and towns, it is essential that you carry cash as there is no guarantee that you will find regular ATMs and merchants enabled for credit card acceptance.
Q: How do I keep in touch with friends and family back at home?
If your cell phone is enabled for roaming, then using text messages may be a good option to stay in touch with your friends and family on the go, depending on your service provider back at home. However there are excellent local phone and internet services throughout the country.
There are several mobile phone service providers in the country (e.g. Dialog, Mobitel, Hutch, Airtel, and Etisalat) with great options for pre-paid SIM and top-up cards which are very reasonable for local and international calls. You can obtain a pre-paid phone connection on arrival in Sri Lanka at the airport through the largest operator, Dialog GSM.
Mobile service operators support GSM technology on GSM 900/ 1800 bands. WAP and GPRS are widely supported. 3G and wireless broadband is available in Colombo. Wifi zones are available increasingly in cafes and restaurants around Colombo.
Most hotels have internet facilities and even out of town, you will always find internet cafés and payphone booths at reasonable cost. If you need continuous connectivity, consider a mobile broadband “dongle” from any of the leading service providers mentioned above.
Q: What type of electrical capacity does Sri Lanka support?
The voltage in Sri Lanka is 220/ 240 volts. It is very useful to bring a universal adaptor with you, but be cautious about plugging in your electrical equipment, do read the manuals on your electronics and electrical equipment to ascertain if 220/ 240 voltages are supported.
Q: Are there any local customs I should be aware of?
Sri Lankans are typically mild-mannered folk, and are not generally aggressive, forthright or confrontational. Patience and courtesy is usually met with friendliness, but brashness or rudeness will not generally get good service or assistance.
The traditional Sri Lankan greeting is with folded palms and the word Ayubowan, meaning “Welcome”, if addressed this way, do return the greeting. Use your right hand when gesturing or eating, as the left hand is not considered clean.
Sri Lanka’s environmental habitat and heritage is strongly protected, and while it is important to share these treasures with the world do be mindful of any customs or rules with regards to any of the areas you may visit whilst there. These include how to interact with animals and wildlife, behavior at heritage sites, and any codes and customs on alcohol, food, dress and smoking. Please do seek clarification from any authorities, tour-guides, drivers or hotel staff if you are unsure about practices at the different places you may visit.
Q: What is the nightlife like?
Colombo’s night life is usually abuzz on the weekends, though Wednesdays and Thursdays are also great nights to go out. Hotel pubs and restaurants often have live music and clubs are usually very busy on weekends. Night clubs usually get going after 11 or midnight, and Sri Lankans love to stay out late on the weekends and grab breakfast on the way home.
In addition to these, Colombo has a fairly active jazz, arts, music and theatre scene and you can request a copy of a monthly or weekly guide to happenings in the city from any major hotel or bookshop. A must visit are the Barefoot Gallery and Paradise Road for some chic and truly Sri Lankan art and design experiences.
Q: How much do I tip?
In Sri Lanka, you will be charged 10% Service charge for food and accommodation, but if you have had good service, it’s customary to tip around 10% of your total bill at restaurants.
In addition, it is also traditional to tip your concierge, bellboys and housekeeping staff LKR 100-200. Your tour guide or driver may also expect a tip of between LKR 500 and LKR 1500 each day, depending on the extent of their service.
Q: Where can I find out more information about the country?
For more detailed information on Sri Lanka, do visit the website of the Ministry of Tourism and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority web pages.
