Original content owned & copyrighted by Green Global Travel.
Good news for ecotourists! Sri Lanka reopened its borders on June 1st after a brief shutdown to contain its COVID outbreak.
However, despite that, there are still a few things that you need to be prepared for before packing your bags and boarding your flight. The country still has some restrictions in place and knowing where to plan around them could be crucial to your visit.
That said, it’s worth the effort. Sri Lanka is one of the best ecotourist destinations in the world and in this article we’ll explain the 5 key things to be ready for whilst traveling there in summer 2021.
READ MORE: Conserving Sri Lanka Wildlife Using Poachers as Protectors
Elephants on Sri Lanka via Canva
1. You’ll Need a Sri Lanka ETA Before You Fly
Practically all foreign visitors to Sri Lanka need a visa before they can enter the country. Luckily though, it’s easy to do this online with a Sri Lanka ETA.
To meet the Sri Lanka ETA requirements you’ll need to be from an eligible country, you’ll need your passport to have 6 months remaining from the date you arrive, and you’ll need an email address.
Once you’ve filled out the application form online you should receive your ETA confirmation within a few minutes. It’s best, however, to fill everything in at least 48 hours before traveling just in case, so everything can be processed correctly.
READ MORE: 55 Interesting Facts about Elephants
Sigiryi Rock Sri Lanka via Canva
2. Be Ready to Meet the Health Requirements At the Border
Whilst the border is open for Sri Lanka, you will need to be ready for a few health checks when you arrive. You’ll need to provide a few key pieces of evidence to do so.
The extra documentation you may need to provide includes:
A negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel
Your vaccination certificate for COVID-19
Proof of adequate health insurance
A completed Health Declaration form
All travelers also need a PCR test on day one of arrival. If you’re fully vaccinated and test negative during the test, you won’t need to undergo quarantine or further tests whilst in the country.
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers however, will need another PCR test on their 7th day after arriving in Sri Lanka.
Be aware though, you also won’t be able to enter the country at all if you travel through a South American country or any of the following nations within 14 days of arrival in Sri Lanka:
Angola
Botswana
India
Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Swaziland
Zambia
Zimbabwe
READ MORE: Saving Endangered Asian Animals: The 10 Best Wildlife Conservation Programs
Sri Lanka Batik Shop via Canva
3. There are Still Local Restrictions in Sri Lanka
COVID is still a reality in Sri Lanka and as a result you should be prepared to follow the current regulations and restrictions in the country.
At the moment these health and safety measures include:
The banning of state ceremonies and public gatherings
Mandatory mask wearing in public places
Recommended social distancing of 1.5 m
Night curfews between 11 pm and 4 am
These are set to run until September. They’ll then be reviewed again and adjusted depending on the numbers of cases being reported in the country.
READ MORE: 20 Best Festivals in the World (For your World Travel Bucket List)
Buddhas in Sri Lanka via Canva
4. Remember to Dress Appropriately When You Arrive
You don’t have to dress up in a tux to visit Sri Lanka but you do need to dress modestly. Don’t go around in your swimming gear whilst out on the street or you’ll cause a major stink with the locals.
The people in Sri Lanka find it offensive to show off too much skin on the street, so to avoid upsetting locals make sure to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Luckily though, these social customs don’t apply at or around the beach, where you can wear your normal swimming gear as you would usually. Although, nude sunbathing is still a no-no.
READ MORE: The Best Fair Trade Clothing & Ethical Clothing Brands
5. Check the Latest Travel Information
We’ve all got used to hearing about how these are unprecedented times, but the pandemic is still a reality in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka. Quarantine rules both at home and abroad are subject to change with little notice.
Keep an eye on the travel advisories for Sri Lanka provided by the Department of State as well as the CDC’s latest health advice on travel to Sri Lanka for the best picture of the current situation.
However, as long as you stay up to date with the latest travel info up to your day of departure you’ll be able to adjust your plans accordingly.
We could all use a vacation after the last 18 months and Sri Lanka is the perfect choice for your first trip after lockdown. By keeping the five essential tips above in mind you’ll be able to make sure your trip goes without a hitch.
The post Sri Lanka Has Reopened For Tourism: 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Go! appeared first on Green Global Travel.
Original content owned & copyrighted by Green Global Travel.
Good news for ecotourists! Sri Lanka reopened its borders on June 1st after a brief shutdown to contain its COVID outbreak. However, despite that, there are still a few things that you need to be prepared for before packing your bags and boarding your flight. The country still has some restrictions in place and knowing Keep Reading
The post Sri Lanka Has Reopened For Tourism: 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Go! appeared first on Green Global Travel.Read MoreAsiaGreen Global Travel
