FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sri Lankan FAQs

Sri Lankan FAQs

Play Video

We’ll give you all the information you need: date and place of arrival, so that you can book the flight that’s right for you, on your end.

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) can be obtained easily and quickly online.

  • For stays of less than 30 days, the ETA can be obtained on arrival (Colombo airport).

 

  • For stays of more than 30 days, you must apply for a 180-day visa on the ETA website. (https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/). The visa fee is USD 50 (children under 12 are exempt). The 180-day visa application must be made online and the visa must be obtained BEFORE departure. Please note the deadlines.

 

To find out about visa fees, you can download : https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/images/Chart%2001.pdf

For more information, visit the website, diplomatie.gouv.fr and get the most up-to-date information on visa requirements.

Before travelling to Sri Lanka, it is advisable to consult a health professional to check whether you need certain vaccinations.

Recommended vaccines may include those against :

  • Hepatitis A and B,
  • Typhoid: can be contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
  • Rabies: in the event of close contact with animals, particularly dogs, vaccination against rabies may be recommended.

More information on the website of thePasteur Institute..

Yes, Sri Lanka is a country where there are a certain number of mosquitoes! We recommend that you take mosquito repellent and after-bite cream with you..

All our projects are located in a malaria-free zone, and specific preventive measures, such as taking anti-malarial medication, are generally not necessary in this region.

However, it is always important to consult a professional for advice tailored to your situation and the length of your stay.

 

More information can be found at the Pasteur Institute.

It is recommended to bring any medication you may need for the duration of your stay.

It is also advisable to consult your doctor before your trip for advice on the medicines you should take with you, particularly if you have any special health conditions or if you are taking any prescription medicines.

It is also advisable to keep your medicines in their original packaging, with the label bearing your name and dosage instructions, to avoid any problems during airport or border security checks.

 

We recommend that you bring a small basic first-aid kit with commonly used medicines, such as analgesics, antipyretics (fever reducers), stomach remedies, antihistamines, plasters, disinfectants and mosquito repellents.

It’s still important to check the requirements for specific medications before your trip, particularly if there are any restrictions or regulations on certain medicines you may be taking.

For all international projects, Real-step requires you to take out travel insurance to cover accident, illness, repatriation and civil liability.

Please note that public liability insurance is included in the insurance policies offered by our partner Chapka Cap Student, et Cap Working Holiday because it is compulsory for internships and studies abroad. If you take out your Cap Student or Cap Working Holiday insurance online with our partner Chapka, you will benefit from an immediate 5% discount by clicking on one of the 2 links above!

If you take out other travel insurance, we will ask you to send us a certificate in English.

 

We require a sufficiently high level for assignments, internships and training courses. This is absolutely necessary to understand the instructions and directions given on site by your coordinators.

You will also be in contact with people of other English-speaking nationalities, making English essential for communicating and exchanging with them.

The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese and Tamil, but many locals also speak English!

It can be useful to learn a few polite words in the local language, such as :

  • Hello : “Ayubowan” (pronounced ah-yoo-bo-wan)
  • Goodbye : “Gihin ennam” (pronounced gi-hin-en-nam)

These greetings are commonly used in Sri Lanka, where ‘Ayubowan’ is an expression of welcome and wishes for longevity, and ‘Gihin ennam’ is used to say goodbye!

The local currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

You can use your bank card throughout Sri Lanka.

However, it is also advisable to carry some srilankan rupee cash for small expenses, local markets and smaller shops that may not accept bank cards.

ATMs are widely available in towns and tourist areas, allowing you to withdraw cash in Sri Lankan rupees.

Make sure you check withdrawal charges with your bank before you leave.

The cost of living in Sri Lanka is significantly lower than in France !

Local food in small restaurants and street stalls is very affordable, offering a variety of delicious dishes at reasonable prices (expect to pay around €3-4).

A fast food menu costs an average of €2.70.

Transport, such as buses and trains, is also very inexpensive, costing between €1 and €5 on average.

Wifi is generally available on our projects in Sri Lanka, please refer to the brochure according to your programme.

We advise you to buy a local SIM card with internet when you arrive in the country, at the airport.

There’s also a 4.5 hour time difference in winter, and a 3.5 hour time difference in summer compared with France!

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, with fairly warm temperatures all year round.

Our projects are available all year round, and all seasons are great fun!

The off-season periods are May-June and September-October, when there are fewer tourists.

It is generally not advisable to drink tap water in Sri Lanka. Tap water is not considered safe for direct consumption due to the potential risks of bacterial contamination.

To avoid water-related health problems, we recommend drinking sealed bottled water, filtered water, or using the filtering fountains available on certain projects.

Yes, you have to buy an adapter to be able to connect the devices.

Sri Lanka uses D, M and G type electrical sockets. D-type plugs have three round pins, M-type plugs have three wider round pins, while G-type plugs have three rectangular pins.

The standard voltage is 230 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz.

The laundry options vary from project to project and are usually set out in the guide provided by each project.

Some projects include a laundry service, while others use an external service for a small fee.

In any case, there are ways to wash your clothes during your stay.

To visit Buddhist temples, you must have your shoulders and knees covered. In the streets, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, ostentatious or too short. Respect the modesty of the locals in Sri Lanka, similar to many countries in Asia.

 

Please note that for educational and medical projects, you will be asked to cover any visible tattoos. A long-sleeved gown will be provided on site.