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If you are thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka this autumn/winter, organizing your trip will become a lot 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 and attract more travelers.
Here’s what you need to know:
Visa-free travel to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has decided to introduce a visa-free travel policy for tourists from 38 countries.
This will be effective from October 1, 2024.
This policy applies to travelers from the United States and other travelers who may also benefit from this new policy, including travelers 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 Singapore’s successful approach. It has been given the name “One Chop” system.
So what does “One Chop” mean? Basically, all the formalities and hoops you have to jump through to enter the country are done in one step.
This means that you will get everything you need to enter Sri Lanka (such as your passport stamp) at one counter on the 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 famous for (for all the wrong reasons).
Why visit Sri Lanka?
Now that it is easier to enter Sri Lanka than ever before, you may be wondering why you should visit this country.
Honestly, this is a list that could go on forever!
The beaches here are breathtaking, there are old ruins and temples to explore, and there are literally hundreds of them elephantswhich means you’re bound to see some!
If you want to get up close and personal with elephants in the most ethical way, visit the Elephant Freedom Project, considered the only truly ethical elephant sanctuary on the island.
This is a sanctuary for previously captive elephants.
You cannot 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 an attraction not to be missed.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Buddhist temple was built around 80 BC and is considered the largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.
There are more than 150 golden Buddha statues inside, but the enormous golden statue outside the temple makes it one of the most striking in Sri Lanka.
The entrance fee to this temple is LKR 1500 ($8).
Finally, Sri Lanka is an epic destination for surfers. Ahangama, Hikkaduwa and Weligama are well-known surfing beaches and great places to grab a board and hit the waves.
There are several surfboard rental shops on the island, and if you want to take lessons, try the Beach Break Surf Camp, one of Sri Lanka’s most highly rated. Beginner lessons cost $20 for one hour or $30 for 1.5 hours.
How do you get there?
So how easy is it to get to Sri Lanka from the US? And that most important question: how much will it cost?
Unfortunately there are no non-stop flights available from the US to Sri Lanka this fall, so you’ll need to make a stopover as part of your trip.
But on the positive side, flight prices are higher affordable than you would expect for such a long-distance and off-road trip.
To travel from New York to Colombia, Sri Lanka from October 14 to 21 would cost $848 with Turkish airlines.
If you prefer to use a US airline, you can book this route with JetBlue for $1,064.
Once you’re on the island, taking the train is the best way to explore Sri Lanka.
These are a beautiful experience in themselves, but also a way to get from A to B, with scenic routes and incredible panoramic views.
December to April is considered peak season in Sri Lanka, so if you visit in the fall (one of the shoulder seasons for the region) when visa restrictions are lifted, you will find that visitor numbers are lower and prices are more affordable . land too.
This makes it a very tempting prospect for a last-minute fall trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
