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Travel essentials & safety

Weather, health, money, etiquette and emergency numbers: the practical things that make a trip go smoothly.

When to go: two monsoons, one sunny coast

7-day weather forecast

Live from Open-Meteo. Daily high, low and chance of rain. For heavy-rain, landslide and road warnings, see Weather & road alerts.

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Temple & cultural etiquette

Practical information

Emergency numbers

Save these in your phone. From a foreign SIM, dial the full number.

Safety in brief

Sri Lanka is generally safe and welcoming. Petty theft and overcharging are the most common problems.
Rip currents are strong on many beaches. Swim where locals swim, and never in monsoon seas.
Avoid political demonstrations; they can start without warning.
Women travellers: dress modestly away from beaches; harassment is uncommon but possible on crowded buses.
Check your government's advisory (see news & alerts).

Packing list

Light cotton clothes, a scarf or sarong for temples, socks for hot temple floors, a warm layer for the hills (8–15°C at night), rain jacket, DEET repellent, reef-safe sunscreen, a universal adapter, and a copy of your ETA and insurance.