Updated on 6 february 2021
Sri Lanka tourism and travel safely
Good news for traveling to Sri Lanka during and after COVID 19
Valid for arrivals from 15th January 2021
Health protocol for arrivals to Sri Lanka
Fully Vaccinated Travellers
With the VACCINATION certificate you can travel to Sri Lanka almost normally.
In addition to vaccination certificate, you need a PCR test done 72 hours before taking the flight.
PCR text is no longer required upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
After that, you will be able to travel freely around this paradise island.
1. Fully vaccinated travellers
It applies to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka on tourist and optional dual citizenship visas, valid residence visa holders, Sri Lankan citizens who choose to enter the tourist route.
The prior authorisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Civil Aviation Authority is not required.
There is no minimum length of stay in Sri Lanka.
This protocol applies to travellers who do not arrive or have no travel history (including transit) in any country with travel restrictions in the past 14 days.
Tourists arriving from India (including transit) have a separate health protocol, please visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain. for more details
2. Prior to boarding, travellers are required to:
a) Obtain a valid tourist visa before taking the plane.
All visas must be applied for “online” via the page eta.gov.lk.
b) Before applying for a visa, make sure you have the following:
i. Fully vaccinated travellers are EXEMPT from obtaining mandatory local COVID-19 insurance coverage.
However, travellers should ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance covering health and other COVID-19 related expenses should it be needed, as the Sri Lankan government will not bear any resulting costs.
ii. A confirmed reservation in a “Safe & Secure Certified” level 1 hotel for up to 15 days, depending on the length of stay and vaccination status.
Hotel bookings can be made directly with the hotel or through a travel agency or OTA certified for “Safe & Secure”.
Visitors can move around Level 1 hotels and use all hotel facilities after negative PCR on arrival.
c) Perform a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding (children under 2 are exempt).
In addition, it is convenient to consult the requirements of the airlines.
Transfers to the airport will be arranged by the respective “Safe & Secure L1” certified hotel or the “Safe & Secure” certified travel agency.
a- Children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be exempt from the PCR test upon arrival (on the first day) ONLY if they follow the path of the not fully vaccinated.
b- Children under 2 years of age are exempt from the PCR test. However, if the parents / guardians develop symptoms or test positive for PCR, the children will be subjected to PCR tests.
3. At the airport produce the following:
- Negative PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours of boarding (all travellers, except children under 2 years of age).
- Original vaccination certificate / card (along with a certified copy of the English translation). Also, for travellers who have recovered from Covid 19 with a dose of the vaccine, present a valid document (in English) certifying the information.
- Complete health declaration form.
4. PCR test on arrival
i. A PCR test is not required upon arrival in Sri Lanka for “fully vaccinated” travellers.
ii. Unvaccinated children:
• Children under 12 are free from PCR, being able to travel with their parents already vaccinated.
• Unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 18 must undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the Ministry of Health approved laboratory at Bandaranaike International Airport or a Level 1 “Safe & Secure” certified hotel .
If the PCR report is negative, they will be able to travel with their parents.
iii. A second PCR test is not required for fully vaccinated travellers.
5. Accommodation and airport transfers
Fully vaccinated travellers can make their own reservations for accommodation, airport transfers, and local transport.
However, we recommend that you use certified safe accommodation and travel agencies certified with the “Safe & Secure” seal to ensure your health and safety.
Travellers with a past history of COVID-19
In addition, those people who have passed COVID and have ONE DOSE of their vaccine, will also be accepted as fully vaccinated people to follow the ROUTE OF Fully Vaccinated Travellers
1. Travellers Recovered from COVID-19
It applies to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka on tourist and optional dual citizenship visas, valid residence visa holders, Sri Lankan citizens who choose to enter the tourist route.
The prior authorisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Civil Aviation Authority is not required.
There is no minimum length of stay in Sri Lanka.
This section refers to travellers with a Covid-19 history in the past 3 months and who are fully vaccinated or traveling to Sri Lanka after getting a single dose of the recommended Covid-19 vaccine in the country of origin (e.g. Astra Zeneca / PFizer BioNtech / Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik Light & etc.).
Recovered travellers from Covid 19 who are vaccinated but have not passed 2 weeks since the last dose are not considered fully vaccinated.
These travellers can travel under the safety of bio-bubble tourism and will be entitled to a shorter and more flexible period in the “Safe & Secure, L1” hotel.
2. Prior to boarding, travellers are required to:
a) Obtain a valid tourist visa before taking the plane.
All visas must be applied for “online” via the page eta.gov.lk.
b) Before applying for a visa, make sure you have the following:
i. A confirmed reservation in a “Safe & Secure Certified” level 1 hotel for up to 15 days, depending on the length of stay and vaccination status.
Hotel bookings can be made directly with the hotel or through a travel agency or OTA certified for “Safe & Secure”.
Visitors can move around Level 1 hotels and use all hotel facilities after negative PCR on arrival.
ii. Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance at a cost of $12, policy with a maximum of $50,000 valid for one month.
All travellers must have covid insurance coverage (including children under 2 years old).
iii. Pay for PCR tests ($ 40 each) according to the status of your vaccination.
c) Perform a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding (children under 2 are exempt).
In addition, it is convenient to consult the requirements of the airlines.
Transfers to the airport will be arranged by the respective “Safe & Secure L1” certified hotel or the “Safe & Secure” certified travel agency.
a- Children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be exempt from the PCR test upon arrival (on the first day) ONLY if they follow the path of the not fully vaccinated.
b- Children under 2 years of age are exempt from the PCR test. However, if the parents / tutors develop symptoms or test positive for PCR, the children will be subjected to PCR tests.
3. At the airport produce the following:
- Negative PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours of boarding (all travellers, except children under 2 years of age).
- Original vaccination certificate / card (along with a certified copy of the English translation). Also, for travellers who have recovered from Covid 19 with a dose of the vaccine, present a valid document (in English) certifying the information.
- Complete health declaration form.
4. PCR test on arrival
i. A PCR test is not required upon arrival in Sri Lanka for “fully vaccinated” travellers.
ii. Unvaccinated children:
• Children under 12 are free from PCR, being able to travel with their parents already vaccinated.
• Unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 18 must undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the Ministry of Health approved laboratory at Bandaranaike International Airport or a Level 1 “Safe & Secure” certified hotel .
If the PCR report is negative, they will be able to travel with their parents.
iii. A second PCR test is not required for fully vaccinated travellers.
5. Travellers not fully vaccinated
(travellers recovered from Covid 19 who did not complete 2 weeks after vaccination)
PCR test on arrival
i. All travellers must undergo PCR testing upon arrival on day 1 at “Safe and Secure L1 certified” hotels;
ii. Unvaccinated children:
• PCR testing on arrival is not required for unvaccinated children up to 12 years of age.
• Unvaccinated children aged 12 to 18 must undergo PCR testing on the day of arrival in Sri Lanka.
PCR / rapid antigen test on departure
i. Travellers will be subjected to the PCR / rapid antigen test completing 14 days from the recommended vaccination doses and, if the test results are negative, they can exit the bio-bubble.
ii. unvaccinated children:
a) Unvaccinated children under 12 are exempt from PCR / rapid antigen and can follow up with parents.
b) Children between 12 and 18 should have a PCR / quick antigen test to exit on similar dates, since their parents get negative results.
After the finalisation of 2 weeks of the recommended vaccination doses and the results of the negative exit test PCR / quick antigen, the doctor of the Hotel “Safe & Secure L1” will issue a downloadable document online for travellers coming from the Bio-bubble.
6. Accommodation and airport transfers
Fully vaccinated travellers can make their own reservations for accommodation, airport transfers, and local transport.
However, we recommend that you use certified safe accommodation and travel agencies certified with the “Safe & Secure” seal to ensure your health and safety.
Not Fully Vaccinated Travellers
Also those people who are not vaccinated can travel “in bio-bubble” visiting all the monuments, natural parks and most important places of interest in Sri Lanka.
In this case, the difference is that they will have to stay in certified hotels as Level 01 hotels.
1.Unvaccinated travellers
Travellers who have not received COVID-19 vaccination/not completed the recommended doses of vaccination, departed from abroad within less than 2 weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination will be considered as not fully vaccinated travellers.
It applies to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka on tourist and optional dual citizenship visas, valid residence visa holders, Sri Lankan citizens who choose to enter the tourist route.
The prior authorisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Civil Aviation Authority is not required.
There is no minimum length of stay in Sri Lanka.
2. Prior to boarding, travellers are required to:
a) Obtain a valid tourist visa before taking the plane.
All visas must be applied for “online” via the page eta.gov.lk.
b) Before applying for a visa, make sure you have the following:
i. A confirmed reservation in a “Safe & Secure Certified” level 1 hotel for up to 15 days, depending on the length of stay and vaccination status.
Hotel bookings can be made directly with the hotel or through a travel agency or OTA certified for “Safe & Secure”.
Visitors can move around Level 1 hotels and use all hotel facilities after negative PCR on arrival.
ii. Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance at a cost of $12, policy with a maximum of $50,000 valid for one month.
All travellers must have covid insurance coverage (including children under 2 years old).
iii. Pay for PCR tests ($ 40 each) according to the status of your vaccination.
c) Perform a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding (children under 2 are exempt).
In addition, it is convenient to consult the requirements of the airlines.
Transfers to the airport will be arranged by the respective “Safe & Secure L1” certified hotel or the “Safe & Secure” certified travel agency.
a- Children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be exempt from the PCR test upon arrival (on the first day) ONLY if they follow the path of the not fully vaccinated.
b- Children under 2 years of age are exempt from the PCR test. However, if the parents / tutors develop symptoms or test positive for PCR, the children will be subjected to PCR tests.
3. At the airport produce the following:
a) Negative PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours of boarding (all travellers, except children under 2 years of age).
b) Original vaccination certificate / card (along with a certified copy of the English translation). Also, for travellers who have recovered from Covid 19 with a dose of the vaccine, present a valid document (in English) certifying the information.
c) Complete health declaration form.
4. On-arrival (Day 1) PCR test
All travellers should undergo on-arrival (Day 1) COVID-19 PCR tests at ‘’Safe & Secure Certified L1’’ hotels.
Not-vaccinated Children:
- Children below 12 years are exempted from on-arrival (Day 1) PCR testing. However, if the parents / guardians develop symptoms or receive positive results in on-arrival PCR tests, children will undergo PCR tests.
- Children of 12 -18 years need to undergo Day 1 PCR testing.
5. Exit PCR/Rapid Antigen Test
Not-Fully-Vaccinated Travellers (Travellers who have not completed two weeks after the vaccination)
i. Travellers who are vaccinated, yet not completed 2 weeks from the recommended doses of vaccination will be entitled for a shorter flexible bio-bubble period as below;
ii. Travellers will undergo the Exit PCR / Rapid Antigen test on the completion of 14 days from the recommended doses of vaccination and upon negative PCR test results, they will leave the bio-bubble.
Not-vaccinated Children:
- Children below 12 years are exempted from Exit PCR / Rapid Antigen tests and can be released with the parent
- Children of 12 – 18 years shall perform Exit PCR / Rapid Antigen tests on similar dates as their parents’ and should have negative results.
However, if the exit PCR test result of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, the child will also be subjected to PCR test subsequently.
iii. After verifying the status of vaccination and the completion of 2-weeks of the recommended doses of vaccination and negative Exit PCR / Rapid Antigen tests results, the respective Safe & Secure L1 Hotel doctor / in charge will issue a “Discharge Document’’ and release the travellers from bio-bubble.
SRI LANKA EDEN TRAVELS-Viajes Eden Group, we have been authorised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to organise trips to Sri Lanka with the SAFE & SECURE certification that guarantees our clients can travel with the necessary safety and protection during and after the pandemic.
You can finally travel to Sri Lanka after this times of COVID 19.
Thanks to the SLTDA and the independent audit carried out by KPMG, we can do tourism operations in Sri Lanka with the seriousness and commitment that this particular moment needs.
In our tourism agency SRI LANKA EDEN TRAVELS – Viajes Eden Group, we are committed to complying with all the necessary guidelines and protocols that guarantee the safety of all travellers, our employees and all Sri Lankans.
We worked before and will continue to do so to make tourism in Sri Lanka even better than it was. So that the travel experience does not involve any risk; neither for visitors nor for locals.
And that is why we insist that traveling to Sri Lanka is a unique experience that you should not miss. Come to Sri Lanka.
You will love Sri Lanka: GUARANTEED !!!
Is Sri Lanka a tourist destination for families with children?
Sri Lanka is indeed the perfect place for children and for people who like animals and nature.
This country is incredibly green.
It is impossible not to find elephant herds on safari or even on the same road traveling.
It is also very easy to see leopards, macaques and other types of monkeys, giant squirrels, jackals, etc. etc
Furthermore, walking with children and adults through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is a delight. Along with the giant trees and millions of plants, we will also find monkeys and other animals in this immense place.
How can I communicate with Sri Lanka Eden Travels?
We use all the available and easy-to-use technologies to stay in touch with our customers.
Besides the email, the most used method, we are always available by phone and WhatsApp.
It is also possible to communicate via Skype or FaceTime or any other application available to the customer, but only with prior appointment.
We pay a lot of attention in being able to communicate to the customer all the necessary information to offer all the tranquility to you even while you are on Tour.
Living and working in Kandy, facilitates access to privileged information to create new routes and itineraries to Sri Lanka.
This allows us to design exclusive and unique journeys, reaching some places that only we know.
This is why we receive an excellent score in everything related to the design of customised and on-demand trips.
Moreover, we pay a lot of attention to everything related to the management of the booking and assistance, always in English, Spanish and Italian, of your trip to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Beaches
Meanwhile, those who love exotic beaches, full of palm trees and coconut trees, offer beaches in the west of the country such as Bentota, Ambalangoda, Chilaw and Negambo.
You can also swim in the Indian Ocean in the east of the country on the beaches of Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Nilaveli …
If you like surfing you can practice at Arugam Bay, Weligama or Mirissa.
And of course, we have the beaches of southern Sri Lanka such as Tangalle, Unawatuna, Galle, Ahangama, etc. etc
If you like cities, we have Kandy, Jaffna, Galle Fort and Colombo where you can walk and shop among the wonderful shops and restaurants.
In a nutshell, we have a country with a wide variety of climates, places, cultures, religions, etc.
Where we will always find Sinhalese smiling and waiting for us with open arms.
