Sri Lanka, Bentota

Cinnamon Bentota Beach - Signature Selection 5^*

From rice fields to tea plantations, take in the photogenic 50 shades of green on a trip to Sri Lanka. Take a train across the country and discover its magnificent scenery at a slower pace, chatting to the friendly locals along the way. Dive into the warm sea and swim among schools of colourful fish. Climb to the top of Sigiriya for a splendid panoramic view of the valley.

Customs and traditions

Religion plays an important role in the lives of Sri Lankans, influencing every aspect of their daily lives. Buddhists make up around 70% of Sri Lanka's population, reflecting the country's long Buddhist tradition, partly due to its geographical isolation. Other religious communities, such as Hinduism, Islam and Catholicism, are also in the minority.

Sri Lanka celebrates many festivals associated with the country's deities and history, especially in July and August. Sri Lankans regularly celebrate with parades and traditional dances.

Sri Lankans are very welcoming and warm. However, they are modest and shaking hands is not common. Greetings are often made with hands clasped across the chest, leaning slightly forward, and are often accompanied by a generous smile.

Modesty being the order of the day, public displays of affection are frowned upon.

As a general rule, you should dress decently, even in high temperatures. Nudism is forbidden on the beaches. Visitors to religious monuments are expected to cover their legs and shoulders and remove their shoes.

In the latter, don't touch or point at any religious insignia. Avoid turning your back to the Buddha. Don't take photographs, either of yourselves or of religious decorations and images. And if you want to take a photograph of a Sri Lankan, ask their permission first.

As in many Eastern countries, use your right hand to grasp an object or to eat.

Tipping is not obligatory, but it is very common. Sri Lankans have a strong sense of service and it is highly appreciated, especially by people working in the tourism industry  : guides, drivers, hotel staff... In restaurants, it is included in the bill. However, it will be appreciated if you leave one.

Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places in Sri Lanka, including restaurants, bars and on the streets. The only places where smoking is theoretically allowed are hotels (sometimes only in rooms), cars and some restaurant terraces. Offenders risk a fine of around $30 or even a visit to the police station. We recommend that you comply with the regulations.

Time difference

London, United Kingdom time is 4:30 hours behind Sri Lanka

So when it's 12pm in Paris, it's already 3:30pm in Colombo in summer, and 4:30pm in winter.

Electricity and internet access

Access to electricity in Sri Lanka is generally good in urbanised areas. There may be occasional power cuts, but these are relatively rare. Internet connectivity in Sri Lanka is good in urban and tourist areas. Hotels, cafes and restaurants often offer free Wi-Fi access to guests, although this may be limited to communal areas and not available in rooms. In some remote or rural areas, internet coverage may be poor or non-existent.

As for internet access, Sri Lanka offers good connectivity in cities and tourist areas. Hotels, cafés, and restaurants often provide free Wi-Fi for customers; however, access may sometimes be limited to common areas and unavailable in rooms.

Safety

Apart from a few small scams aimed mainly at inexperienced tourists (touts, fake guides...), Sri Lanka is generally not a dangerous country. It is advisable to take some basic precautions: never leave money, papers, cameras or mobile phones in your room. Put them in a locked suitcase or leave them in the hotel safe.

Pickpockets tend to operate in crowded areas such as beaches or during religious ceremonies that attract large crowds. Keep your pockets well closed, avoid carrying all your money and papers with you, and ideally make copies of your identity documents to keep at your hotel.

Stray dogs are common. Although most are used to people, avoid feeding or touching them as they can carry diseases. The same applies to primates and rodents. We strongly recommend that you do not leave any items in areas accessible to animals, such as gardens or terraces.

Last but not least, we advise you to be discreet and wear sober clothes, for both men and women, to avoid attracting attention. We also advise you not to go out alone in an isolated area after dark.

Pickpockets usually operate in crowded places such as beaches or religious ceremonies that attract large crowds. Keep your pockets securely closed, avoid carrying all your money and documents with you, and ideally make copies of your identification documents to leave at the hotel.

Currency

Sri Lanka's official currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Its exchange rate differs from that of the Indian Rupee. (In November 2024, 1 EUR = 309 LKR).

It is common to see dollar prices in shops and restaurants in tourist areas.

Most banks in Sri Lanka have cash dispensers, even in small beach resorts. It is important to check that the machine accepts your card before withdrawing money. People's Bank generally only accepts Visa cards, while most other machines accept Visa and MasterCard. It's a good idea to check your bank's commission charges before you leave, as they can vary. Local banks also charge a fixed amount for each withdrawal (around $2.50), so it's advisable to withdraw large amounts at once to avoid repeated small withdrawals. However, it can be difficult to withdraw large sums at once.

The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Its exchange rate differs from the Indian Rupee. (As of November 2024, 1 EUR = 309 LKR.)

Weather

On the west coast and in the south, the dry season lasts from December to March. Between May and August, however, the atmosphere becomes sultry and very hot, with high humidity and, above all, the great monsoon makes the weather very unstable. There is a less severe monsoon in the east between October and February. We advise you to avoid these areas during this time. For the north and east we recommend the dry season from April to October.

It is recommended to pack mainly light clothes, but to bring a warmer garment for the evenings in the center of the island and in the mountains, as well as a waterproof garment, if possible, to protect you from possible showers.

Languages

Sri Lanka has 2 official languages  : Sinhalese (mainly spoken in the south and west) and Tamil (mainly spoken in the north and east).

However, British English is widely spoken and taught in schools, so it's possible for tourists with a basic knowledge of the language to make themselves understood in major cities and tourist areas.

We recommend bringing mainly lightweight clothing, but also packing warmer clothes for evenings in the central regions and mountains, as well as waterproof clothing to protect against occasional showers.

Accommodation quality

In general, the quality of accommodation in Sri Lanka is good and travellers can choose from a wide range of options to suit their preferences and budget, from guesthouses to luxury resorts. In major cities and popular tourist areas, you will find hotels of various categories with a range of amenities and services. Luxury hotels offer first-class service and modern facilities.

Please note that hotels are rated 3-, 4- or 5-star according to local standards. Services may not be equivalent to 3-, 4- or 5-star European standards.

However, British English is widely spoken and taught in schools, making it relatively easy for tourists with a basic knowledge of English to communicate in major cities and tourist areas.

Food quality

Accommodation Quality

Sri Lankan food is known for being tasty and varied, often accompanied by a variety of spicy sauces. Travellers can expect tasty cuisine with Indian, Asian and colonial influences, but with a spicy twist. It's also common to eat with the right hand and cutlery is not always provided.

The tropical climate is also conducive to the proliferation of germs and hygiene standards aren't always respected. So take precautions: make sure you only buy bottled, sealed water. And if you're served, make sure it's done in front of you. Avoid tap water and ice cubes. As for food, avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit. Fancy restaurants in the big cities generally follow international standards very closely.

When it comes to street food, it's always a good idea to be careful about the quality and hygiene of the food being sold. Choose vendors who appear to have good hygiene and who prepare the food in front of you. Choose stalls frequented by locals,which is often a good indicator of quality and flavour. Finally, make sure that the food is cooked properly to avoid the risk of contamination.

Food Quality

Food in Sri Lanka is renowned for being flavorful and diverse, often accompanied by various spicy sauces. Travelers can expect delicious cuisine influenced by Indian, Asian, and colonial traditions, though often quite spicy.

It is also common practice to eat with the right hand, and cutlery may not always be provided.

Furthermore, the tropical climate encourages the spread of germs, and hygiene standards are not always strictly observed. Certain precautions are therefore necessary: only buy sealed bottled water, and if water is served to you, make sure it is opened in front of you.

We strongly advise against drinking tap water or consuming ice cubes. For food, avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit. Upscale restaurants in major cities generally follow international hygiene standards carefully.

Regarding street food, it is always advisable to exercise caution concerning food quality and hygiene. Choose vendors who appear hygienic and prepare food in front of you. Opt for stalls frequented by locals, as this is often a good indicator of quality and taste. Finally, ensure that food is properly cooked to reduce the risk of contamination.