If you’re thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka this fall/winter, then organizing your trip is about to get a little easier.
Why? Because American travelers will no longer need to apply for a visa to visit Sri Lanka!
The aim of this new policy is to simplify the entry process into the country as well as to attract more travelers.
Here’s what you need to know:
Visa-Free Travel To Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has decided to implement a visa-free travel policy for tourists from 38 countries.
This will be effective from October 1 2024.
This policy will apply to travelers from the United States and other travelers who will also be able to take advantage of this new policy includes those from:
- Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, new Zealand, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
If the new process sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is! Sri Lanka has emulated the successful approach taken by Singapore. It has been named the “One Chop” system.
So what does “One Chop” mean? In short, all of the formalities and hoops you’ll need to jump through to enter the country are done in a single step.
This means you’ll get everything you need to enter Sri Lanka (such as your passport stamp) at one desk on your way into the country.
The main benefit of this new visa-free policy is that it will ease the congestion at visa counters that Sri Lanka is so well known for (for all the wrong reasons).
Why Visit Sri Lanka?
Now that getting into Sri Lanka is easier than it’s ever been before, you may be wondering why you should visit.
Honestly, this is a list that could go on forever!
The beaches here are breathtaking, there are ancient ruins and temples to explore, and there are literally hundreds of elephants, meaning you’re sure to see some!
If you want to get up close and personal with elephants in the most ethical way possible, then visit the Elephant Freedom Project, which is considered the only truly ethical elephant sanctuary on the island.
This is a shelter for formerly captive elephants.
You can’t ride elephants here, but you can accompany them on walks. It costs 43 euros ($47.70) per person.
For culture vultures, the Dambulla Cave Temple is a not-to-miss attraction.
This Buddhist temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed in about 80 BC and is considered the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.
There are over 150 golden Buddha statues inside, but the huge gold statue outside the temple is what makes it one of the most eye-catching in Sri Lanka.
The entrance fee for this temple is LKR 1500 ($8).
Finally, Sri Lanka is an epic destination for surfers. Ahangama, Hikkaduwa, and Weligama are well-known surf beaches and great places to grab a board and hit the waves.
There are several board rental stores on the island, and if you want to take lessons then try the Beach Break Surf Camp, which is one Sri Lanka’s most highly regarded. Beginner lessons will cost $20 for an hour or $30 for 1.5 hours.
Getting There
So how easy is it to get to Sri Lanka from the U.S.? And that all-important question, how much will it cost?
Unfortunately there are no non-stop flights available from the U.S. to Sri Lanka this fall, so you would need to take a layover as part of your journey.
But on a positive note, flight prices are more affordable than you might expect for such a long-haul and off path journey.
To travel from New York to Colombia in Sri Lanka from October 14 to October 21 would cost $848 with Turkish Airlines.
If you prefer to use an American carrier then you can book this route with JetBlue for $1,064.
Once you’re on the island, taking the train is the best way to get around Sri Lanka.
These are a wonderful experience in themselves, as well as a way to get from A to B, with scenic routes and incredible panoramic views.
December to April is considered the peak season in Sri Lanka, so if you visit in fall (one of the shoulder seasons for the region) when the visa restrictions are lifted then you’ll find that crowd levels are lower and prices more affordable on the ground too.
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