Frequently asked questions
Travel & Entry
Q: Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
A: Most travelers need a visa to Sri Lanka, but the rules change rapidly so check the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before your trip. If you need a visa, it usually takes just a couple of days to process. For Norwegian travelers, check out Landsider.no for updated information about visa and about travel to Sri Lanka. NOTE that your passport needs to have 6 months validity from the date you leave Sri Lanka.
Q: Which airport should I fly into?
A: You need a flight to the main international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located near Colombo.
Q: How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
A: There are taxi services in the entry hall that works perfectly for most travellers. They can seem a bit eager, but they give you a fair price and will not scam you. Note that you should download the location of your accomodation on Google Maps (or similar) since some of the drivers might not be too familiar in the city. You can also book an Uber car to pick you up (book a premier car for the most comfortable ride). If you are traveling with children you should ideally bring your own car seat as taxis will not have this. You can also contact your hotel to see if they can arrange a car for you and possibly they have cars with childseats, but I would not count on it. Some taxis might also not have long enough belts for the childseats, but most Uber Premiers and hotel taxis do.
For more information about travel in Sri Lanka, check out this page.
Q: How do I travel around Sri Lanka?
A: We do recommend hiring a car with a driver to take you safely around the country. You can also rent your own vehicle, but this is only for the brave as driving in Sri Lanka takes a little practice. These drivers typically charge 70-90 USD per day and will stay with you the enitre time you book them. They will find their own accomodation along the way and manage themselves. Many are also great guides and can give you tips along the way. We have some driver contacts, so please WhatsApp Johanna for more detials (+4797502373) and secure your drives early.
It is also possible to travel by train, but it does require a bit more planning and patience. We do however recommend the scenic route between Ella and Nuwara Eliya if you venture out to these areas. Check this page for more details on what to do while you are in Sri Lanka.
Another great mode of transport is to rent a TukTuk. Super fun if you have the time to do it and you do get to see a different side of the country for sure. Check out Tuktukrental.com for more details.
Q: How do I get data for my phone?
A: You can buy a local Sim Card at one of the Telecom stands at the airport. We do recommend Dialog. There you can buy a special tourist package, and I beleive you can top up data for this by downloading the Dialog app. Another option is to use the Airalo app to buy an e-sim for Sri Lanka for your trip. This might be more pricey than a local Sim, which is fairly cheap.
Q: What should I pack for the trip?
A: Pack for summer and sun! The weather in Sri Lanka is tropical and typically around 30 degrees (Celsius). It can rain a lot, so an umbrella is wise and some areas and evenings might be slightly cooler, so you need a ligth sweather of a shawl. Don’t forget:
Swimwear & flip flops
Sunscreen & bug spray
Appropriate attire if visiting temples (cover shoulders/knees)
Please also check the dresscode for the varuious evenings of the wedding.
Q: Should I bring cash or cards?
A: Credit/debit cards are accepted at hotels and bigger shops/restaurants. But it’s handy to have some Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) for tuk-tuks, tips, and small vendors.
Accommodation
Q: Where should I stay?
A: Please check the “Hotel & Accomodation” page to see our suggestions for where to stay during the days of the wedding. For hotel recomendations for the rest of your travels, please check out this suggestion page.
Q: Can I stay at the wedding venue?
A: It will not be possible to stay at the actual wedding venue in the south of Sri Lanka. If you stay in Mirissa or Weligama area you will be 15 minutes car ride from the venue. In Colombo, ideally you should stay at the recommended hotel.
Wedding Events
Q: When and where is the wedding?
A: Check the Wedding Celebration page for more information and details about all the wedding events.
Q: What’s the dress code?
A: Check the Wedding Celebration page for the dress code for various events.
Q: Will the ceremony and celebrations be indoors or outdoors?
A: It will be a mix, so please check the Wedding Celebration page for more information regarding the various events.
Q: Are kids welcome?
A: Kids are most welcome and we will make sure to have fun activities for them. Please let us know to which events you plan to bring your kids or if you have any questions about travelling with kids to Sri Lanka. Tips for kids travel and activities can be found here.
Q: Should we bring a gift to the wedding?
A: Please don’t worry about bringing anything to Sri Lanka — we truly just want to celebrate with you. BUT we do wish for your to participate in our Wedding Gift Challenges!
Q: How do I get to the wedding venues?
A: Don’t worry. We will make sure you make it there and more details will follow.
Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Q: What can I do while I’m in Sri Lanka?
A: So much! From stunning beaches and tea plantations to safaris and temples. We’ll include a list of our favorite spots and excursions on the site.
Q: How long should I stay?
A: We recommend staying at least from 18th February morning to 21st evening (But even better to stay until Sunday 22nd so that you can really enjoy the Recovery Party). If you want to participate in the welcome event, you need to arrive early morning the 18th the latest. But we recommend longer if you can — it’s a long journey, and there’s so much to see!
Food & Dietary Needs
Q: I have dietary restrictions — what should I do?
A: We will reach out to you in due time to make sure that the chefs follows your dietary restrictions and preferences.
Q: What type of food should I try in Sri Lanka?
A: There is plenty of good food in Sri Lanka, but note that some of the local foods can be spicy (so make sure to ask for milder versions if you prefer that). Some suggestions:
Rice and Curry
The national staple. A plate of rice served with a variety of vegetable, meat, or fish curries. Each region and household has its own version.
Hoppers (Appa)
A crispy, bowl-shaped pancake made from fermented rice flour. Can be plain or served with an egg (egg hopper). Often eaten with sambol or curry.String Hoppers (Idiyappam)
Steamed rice noodles pressed into flat spirals. Usually served with coconut sambol and curry for breakfast or dinner.Kottu Roti
A street food favorite. Chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, egg, meat (optional), and spices on a hot griddle. Loud and theatrical to watch!Pol Sambol
A spicy coconut relish made with grated coconut, chili, lime, and onion. Eaten with almost everything.Lunu Miris
A fiery sambol made with crushed red chili and onions. Not for the faint-hearted!King Coconut Water
A refreshing, naturally sweet drink straight from the orange-colored coconut.Ceylon Tea
World-famous and available everywhere. Try it plain, with milk, or spiced as chai.
Q: Can I drink the tap water?
A: It’s safer to stick with bottled water. Most hotels provide complimentary bottles daily.
Money & Tipping
Q: What’s the local currency?
A: The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). ATMs are widely available, and most places accept Visa/MasterCard.
Q: Should I tip?
A: Tipping isn’t required but is appreciated — around 10% at restaurants, and small amounts for hotel staff or drivers. Service staff is not well paid in Sri Lanka and they do a great job making sure tourists feel welcome here. Please leave a good impression.
Health & Safety
Q: Is Sri Lanka safe?
A: Yes! Sri Lanka is generally safe and welcoming for tourists. As always, be aware of your surroundings and follow local guidelines. There has been turmoil in the past, but now Sri Lanka is a peaceful country and the people will give you welcoming smiles.
Q: Do I need any vaccinations or medications?
A: No specific vaccines are required, but we do recommend making sure your travel vaccines are up to date. Ideally you should have;
MMR (Vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
TP-IPV (Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio)
Hep A & Hep B
Typhoid
BCG
Note that if you have not done a booster of your TP-IPV, the one you got through school in Norway/Sweden 100 years ago will not be working anymore. Make sure to boost up!
For more information about vaccines, you can check here.
Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes! Always! Check Safetywing for easy and fast health travel insurance.
Sri Lankan Culture
Q: Is Sri Lanka a poor country? What is produced there and what do they export?
A: Sri Lanka is classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank. While it has relatively strong health and education systems for its income level, the country has faced major economic challenges in recent years, including:
A sovereign debt default in 2022
Severe foreign currency shortages
High inflation and reduced living standards
So, while it is not among the world’s poorest nations, many Sri Lankans have experienced economic hardship due to the crisis.
Q: What is produced in Sri Lanka?
A: Sri Lanka produces a mix of agricultural goods, manufactured products, and services. Key production sectors include:
Agriculture: Tea, rubber, coconuts, spices (like cinnamon), rice, fruits
Industry: Textiles and garments, rubber products, food processing, chemicals
Services: Tourism, IT and business outsourcing, port and shipping services
Q: What does Sri Lanka export?
A: Sri Lanka exports a range of goods and services. The main export categories are: Textiles & Garments (T-shirts, lingerie, activewear), Tea (heard of Ceylon tea?), Rubber products (tires, gloves), Gems & Jewelry (sapphires, rubies), Coconut products (oil, desiccated coconut), Spices (cinnamon, pepper, cardamom), IT and software services, Tourism services (hotels, eco-tourism, cultural sites)
Q: What religions are there in Sri Lanka?
A: Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country, and religion plays a significant role in the culture and daily life of its people. The main religions are:
Buddhism – Practiced by about 70% of the population (mostly Sinhalese people). Theravāda Buddhism is the dominant tradition.
Hinduism – Followed by around 12%, primarily among Tamil communities.
Islam – Practiced by about 9% of the population, mainly by Sri Lankan Moors.
Christianity – Around 7% (Roman Catholics and various Protestant denominations), found among both Sinhalese and Tamil groups.
These communities generally coexist peacefully, though there have been periods of religious and ethnic tension in the past.
Q: What are the official languages of Sri Lanka?
A: Sri Lanka has two official languages and one link language:
Sinhala – The first official language, spoken by the Sinhalese majority (about 75% of the population).
Tamil – The second official language, spoken mainly in the Northern and Eastern provinces and by Tamil communities across the country.
English – Recognized as a link language and widely used in government, business, education, and law. It is not an official language, but it plays a key role in national communication.
Many Sri Lankans are bilingual or trilingual, especially in urban areas.