The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Please be advised that high-standard medical care is unavailable in more remote areas of Sri Lanka. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. Carry a simple travelers’ first-aid kit containing any essential items you feel may be needed, including anti-diarrhea tablets. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink, but please do not drink tap water while traveling in Sri Lanka. Most hotels provide complimentary bottled water or are available for purchase throughout your trip.

The Sri Lankan Rupee is divided into 100 cents in Sri Lanka’s currency unit. It is available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 Rupee; Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10 Rupee. Traveler’s checks and foreign currencies can be exchanged in larger cities and only at authorized agencies such as banks, exchange offices, and hotels. Large banks may offer the best exchange rates. Most hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers accept all major credit cards, but cash may be required in small towns. ATM access is available in major cities such as Colombo and Kandy. Cash is the best (generally the only) option in street markets. Save all receipts from any currency exchange transactions. You may be asked to present them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency. The exchange rate constantly fluctuates. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 140 LKR. For the most updated exchange rate, please check www.xe.com.

The standard electrical voltage in Sri Lanka is 230 volts, 50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

Sri Lanka’s food has a strong influence on British and India. Sri Lanka food mainly are rice, coconut, and spices. The central feature of Sri Lankan cuisine is boiled or steamed rice, served with a curry of fish, chicken, beef, mutton, or goat, along with other curries made with vegetables, lentils, or fruits. Dishes are accompanied by pickled fruits or vegetables, chutneys, and symbols. Especially common is coconut sambal, a paste of ground coconut mixed with chili peppers, dried Maldive fish, and lime juice. A typical dessert in Sri Lanka is kevum, an oil cake made with rice flour and treacle and deep-fried to a golden brown. When dining on your own, reservations for dinner are essential in Sri Lanka, even in hotel restaurants. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. It is advisable to bring antacids or abdominal pain medicines. Avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, unpasteurized milk, and milk products to prevent serious illness. Beware of any food or drink sold by street vendors. Do not use tap water for drinking. It is always preferable and safer to use only bottled or canned water.

In Sri Lanka, the official language is Sinhala (also called Sinhalese or Singhalese), the mother tongue of the Sinhalese ethnic group, which is the largest in Sri Lanka. It is one of the constitutionally-recognized official languages of Sri Lanka, along with Tamil. Tamil is a classical language and the oldest of the Dravidian language family and is spoken by the Tamil population of Sri Lanka.