sri lanka reopening to tourists

Sri Lanka Is Open For Tourism And Dropping Testing For The Vaccinated Visitors

Sri Lanka is open to visitors from most countries but several entry requirements apply.

All foreign travelers will need to acquire a visa, health insurance, and present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no longer than 72 hours before their trip. 

Fully vaccinated travelers visiting from not restricted countries bearing a negative COVID-19 test do not have to undergo quarantine.

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Sri Lanka reopening tourism – Latest Updates

Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

March 4 – Sri Lanka braces for economic disaster as it loses Ukrainian and Russian tourism market

According to local sources, most bookings to Sri Lanka from different countries have been canceled or postponed, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has escalated.

Following the government’s reopening of borders, tourists from Ukraine were among the first to visit the island last year. Russia and Ukraine accounted for nearly a quarter of all tourist visits in Sri Lanka last year. 

“After the pandemic, Central Europe has been a major source of arrivals, especially from Ukraine and Russia…Obviously, that will now not happen because of the conflict,” told Bloomberg M. Shanthikumar, president of the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka.

March 4 – Sri Lanka braces for economic disaster as it loses Ukrainian and Russian tourism market

According to local sources, most bookings to Sri Lanka from different countries have been canceled or postponed, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has escalated.

Following the government’s reopening of borders, tourists from Ukraine were among the first to visit the island last year. Russia and Ukraine accounted for nearly a quarter of all tourist visits in Sri Lanka last year. 

“After the pandemic, Central Europe has been a major source of arrivals, especially from Ukraine and Russia…Obviously, that will now not happen because of the conflict,” told Bloomberg M. Shanthikumar, president of the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka.

February 17 – Sri Lanka, one of the first Asian countries to resume visa on arrival.

Sri Lanka has resumed its has visa-on-arrival program for all foreign tourists but people from 10 nationalities. 

“Issuance of on arrival electronic travel authorization (ETA) for tourists at the port of entry to Sri Lanka has been activated from 8 February 2022,” reads a government statement.

“This is to facilitate the tourists who experience difficulties when obtaining the online ETA due to the time constraints of arranging their journey to Sri Lanka.” 

This service will not be available for travelers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Myanmar, Nepal and North Korea.

Is Sri Lanka open for Americans?

The government of Sri Lanka has announced that all international airports in Sri are now reopened for commercial passenger flights. However, visitors must get a proper visa before traveling.

What is the situation for airports and airlines in Sri Lanka? 

Sri Lanka airports - Travel restrictions

Katunayake and Mattala airports are open to international chartered and commercial flights. Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is open and it has also been certified as safe by the ACI.

COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka

As of March 4, the country has reported 648,993 cases and 16,307 deaths.

According to the CDC, Sri Lanka is at warning level 3 which means that traveling to Sri Lanka is not recommended. (CDC.gov)

Why should Sri Lanka be on travelers’ bucket list? 

Sri Lanka opening for tourists

The stunning landscapes, fascinating heritage, and the warmth of their population have made the small country island of Sri Lanka a must-see for travelers worldwide. Today, when many countries are focusing their efforts on reactivating their economies, we wonder, as travelers probably do too, when we will be able to bathe in the beautiful Sri Lankan beaches again.

Sri Lanka is home to wildlife-packed national parks, sparkling beaches, blue whales and dolphins, tea plantations, and way more. Here are our recommendations for places visitors can’t miss.

Mirissa Blue Whale Watching 

Perhaps we will all be in luck and the country does open in time for us to partake in the miracle that is to personally witness these beautiful animals migrating to better waters to mate from December to April.

Koneswaram Kovil

This temple overlooking the sea is not only a site of Hindu pilgrimage but also a beautiful place for every person looking to be quiet for a moment and enjoy the little magical places where nature and man-made wonders have found a perfect balance. 

Hikkaduwa Beach

Considered one of the best Hikkaduwa surfing spots in Sri Lanka, it has become popular among visitors thanks to its clear and hot waters and because waves size ranges from 4 to 11 feet. Tourists can enjoy the best surfing during its dry season, from November to March.

Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island is a national park home to 100 species of coral and 300 coral reef fish. This natural place is located within the dry zone of Sri Lanka.