Known by a flotilla of aliases, the Resplendent Isle is one of gorgeous beaches, tea plantations and ancient cities. Scuba dive, visit an elephant orphanage and a lagoon of singing fish, explore dense jungle, shrines and temples. Situated just 20 miles off India, the island formerly known as Ceylon is home to 20 million people and six World Heritage sites.

At present, the only way of getting to Sri Lanka is to fly. To get to Sri Lanka, you can fly directly into Colombo, the capital city, from major airports worldwide.

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo is the main gateway to Sri Lanka. It serves as the primary hub for international flights and is located approximately 35 kilometers north of Colombo, the capital city. Some popular airlines include:

From USA/ Canada: Travelling often entails a connecting flight. Some popular options include Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways through Doha, or Singapore Airlines with a layover in Singapore.

From UK: Direct flights to Sri Lanka are available from several airports. Carriers like SriLankan Airlines, British Airways, and Emirates operate frequent flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and other major airports to Colombo. Connecting flights are commonly found through hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi.

From Europe: Direct flights to Sri Lanka can be found from major cities in Western European countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France operate popular routes straight to Colombo. Countries like Italy and Spain have indirect flight options to Sri Lanka with layovers in European or Middle Eastern hubs.

From Australia/ NZ: Direct flights from major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane will take you straight to Colombo. Airlines such as SriLankan Airlines, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines offer direct services. If you're coming from New Zealand, airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Emirates offer connecting services from cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch to Sri Lanka.

From Asia: If you're coming from India, Sri Lankan Airlines offer regular nonstop flights to key cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and many more. From China, you can take Sri Lankan Airlines from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. From Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia, you’ll find there are frequent direct flights between Colombo and these countries.

To enter Sri Lanka, passports should have at least one blank page and must be valid for no less than six months from the date of arrival.

All travellers apart from the following countries will need some form of visa before they can enter the country.

As per the guidelines from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, you have to obtain a BUSINESS VISA in order to participate in seminars, conferences, symposiums and workshops in Sri Lanka.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system allows you to apply for a visa online before your trip, and for some nationalities, visas can also be obtained on arrival at the airport. Visas typically grant a stay of up to 30 days in the country. It's recommended that you apply for visa before you travel.

Nationals from SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan) pay less for tourist and business visas.

Please Note: Foreign travellers must complete an Arrival/ Departure e-card. This can be filled out no earlier than 72 hours before entry.

Sri Lanka has been a popular tourist destination for decades, attracting visitors from around the world and is indeed a safe destination for travellers. While the country has navigated through periods of turmoil, as of the time of writing this Sri Lanka remains generally calm.

While no destination is entirely devoid of petty crime, Sri Lanka's incidence of such incidents remains low. By taking simple precautions such as safeguarding belongings and travelling light, you can ensure a smooth and worry-free trip.

Petty theft & Mugging: Petty theft is less common than in many other parts of Asia, though you should still take sensible care of your belongings. Pickpockets sometimes work in crowded areas, while thefts from hotel rooms are occasionally reported. Many hotels ask guests to deposit valuables in their safe, and it’s sensible to do so when you can.

If you do experience crime in Sri Lanka, report it to the police. If you have anything stolen, there’s little chance the police will be able to recover it for you, but you’ll need a report for your insurance claim. Given the fact that you might not find any English-speaking policemen on duty, you better try to get someone you can trust to come along as an interpreter

Traffic danger: An altogether more prosaic but much more serious source of danger in Sri Lanka is traffic. As a pedestrian you’re at the very bottom of the food chain in the dog-eat-dog world of Sri Lankan road use – some bus drivers are particularly psychotic.

Danger of drowning: Currents can be strong and beaches may shelve off into deep waters with unexpected steepness – and there are no lifeguards to come and pull you out if you get into trouble. Always ask local advice before venturing into the water anywhere that is obviously not a recognized swimming spot. The only warning signs of dangerous swimming conditions are the red flags posted on the beaches outside major resort hotels. Sensible precautions include always keeping within your depth and making sure that someone on the shore knows that you’re in the water.

Women travelling solo to Sri Lanka can find it to be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to acknowledge the challenges they may encounter. Street harassment is unfortunately common, so it's crucial to trust your instincts and take precautions.

Avoiding solitary night outings and opting for taxis, even if it means spending a little more, can enhance safety. With the right measures in place, Sri Lanka can still be a relatively safe destination for female solo travellers.

LGBTQ+ travellers visiting Sri Lanka may encounter a mixed landscape regarding acceptance. While the country is conservative overall, there is some level of tolerance, especially in urban centres like Colombo.

That said, understanding of LGBTQ+ issues remains limited. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples might draw unwanted attention, particularly in more rural areas.

Awareness of the needs of people with reduced mobility remains extremely low in Sri Lanka. It’s entirely possible to have a great trip, but it is likely inadequate infrastructure will pose a challenge.

Pavements – where they exist – are generally uneven, full of potholes and protected by high curbs. Few hotels, restaurants or tourist sites are wheelchair-accessible, although there are plenty of one-storey guesthouses that might be usable – though more by accident than design.

Public transport presents a challenge for anyone but is virtually useless for wheelchair users. If you are such a traveller, it might be best to book a vehicle and a driver who is sympathetic to your needs or hire a specialist.

Sri Lanka is less challenging from a health point of view than many other tropical countries: standards of hygiene are reasonable and medical care is of a decent standard.

You should start planning the health aspect of your trip well in advance. Ensure that you’re up to date with the following standard vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis A. Other jabs you might consider are tuberculosis, meningitis and typhoid.

Avoid drinking tap water. Although it’s generally chlorinated and safe to drink, the unfamiliar micro-organisms it contains (compared with what you’re used to at home) can easily precipitate a stomach upset.

Also avoid ice, unless you’re sure that it’s been made with boiled or purified water.

Mineral water is widely available, although always check that the seal hasn’t been broken – it’s not unknown for bottles to be refilled with tap water.

Though Sri Lankan standards of food hygiene are reasonable, it still pays to be careful, and the old travellers’ adage usually applies: if you can’t cook, boil or peel something, don’t eat it (although if you can’t peel something, you can always wash it thoroughly in purified water).

Sunscreen should always be applied to exposed skin when outdoors; young children are particularly vulnerable to burns and should be kept out of the sun at all times. Older kids should wear the highest factor sunblock and a hat.

For all ages, eyes also need to be protected by proper sunglasses.

A common but minor irritant is prickly heat, usually afflicting newly arrived visitors. Keep cool, shower frequently, use talcum powder on the affected skin and wear loose (ideally cotton) clothing.

Besides the risks of drowning, swimmers are also at a small potential risk of marine stings. Jellyfish are common, and some can inflict painful stings; coral scratches and cuts can also be painful.

The other thing you need to think about is how clean the water is: beaches in the vicinity of town centres are obviously prone to pollution. In addition, parts of some beaches are filthy. Look out for broken glass, fishing hooks, syringes and other rubbish.

If you cut your foot, disinfect it immediately and seek medical advice, since you may need a tetanus booster and/or a hepatitis B vaccine.

Sri Lankans place great emphasis on politeness and manners – raising your voice in a dispute is usually counterproductive and makes you look foolish and ill-bred.

Nudity and toplessness are not permitted on any Sri Lankan beaches. Overt physical displays of affection in public are also frowned upon.

All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples should be appropriately dressed. In Buddhist temples this means taking off shoes and headgear and covering your shoulders and legs.

You should never have yourself photographed posing with a Buddha image (that is, with your back to the image).

The same shoe and dress rules apply in Hindu temples, with a couple of twists. In some, non-Hindus aren’t permitted to enter the inner shrine; in others, men are required to take off their shirt before entering, and women are sometimes barred entirely.