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Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Posted by John on 30th September 2024
The new Sri Lankan Government has reinstated the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for tourist visas to Sri Lanka, which is effective from 27 September 2024. All foreign visitors must apply for a 30-day tourist visa through the ETA system and the visa fee is US$50 per person for most countries. Children below 12 years receive a free visa along with a select few of other countries' adult nationals.
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Posted by John on 5th August 2024
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued an interim order suspending the Cabinet's decision related to online and expatriate visa operations. Consequently, the current visa application platform has been suspended effective from 02 August 2024 at 17.00 Sri Lanka Standard Time. Until further notice, all travellers should apply for their Visa on Arrival and pay the requisite fees.
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Posted by John on 7th June 2024
Some travellers are having problems applying for their eVisas for Sri Lanka and I hope this week’s update will help iron-out any of these issues. There is only one official Sri Lanka eVisa portal which processes all applications and approves the only valid eVisas for Sri Lanka. Applying is reasonably straightforward so long as you follow the instructions to the letter. One-time passwords (OTPs) and all correspondence will be sent to your nominated email address so please check your spam/junk folder if you haven’t received anything from Sri Lanka eVisa.
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Posted by John on 29th May 2024
Hopefully all of us strive to be sensitive and responsible travellers but there are still incidents of inappropriate behaviour and disregard for local cultures as well as a disconnect with the climate crisis. Yesterday’s Guardian had a much-needed article on how to be a better tourist, from thinking about the experience and impact of your holiday to slowing down and getting off the beaten track. May be consider taking a personal pledge to ‘travel better’, like our Tika Travel Troth, which is a promise to yourself as well as everyone and everything around you to try to improve the world we live in.
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Posted by John on 17th May 2024
With the weather still unpredictable in the UK and massive savings as well as valued additions on offer at quality hotels in Sri Lanka until October, isn’t it the time to make the Pearl of the Indian Ocean your must-visit destination for a tropical summer holiday? Boutique beauties in the picturesque Tea Country, heritage mansion houses surrounded by nature, and luxurious beachside retreats at the coast make for an extra-special summer escape to Paradise!
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Posted by John on 8th May 2024
As of yesterday, the Sri Lanka Government updated the recently introduced eVisa scheme with the launch of a new category of visa specifically for tourists on a short stay holiday. The 30-day single entry Tourist Visa is US$40 per visitor plus a US$10 service fee. The application process remains the same. This will be the required visa for most visitors to Sri Lanka since it is valid for sightseeing and holidaying as well as Ayurveda and yoga.
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Posted by John on 18th April 2024
Sri Lanka has just introduced a new eVisa scheme, effective from 17 April 2024, to supercede the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). All visitors must complete an eVisa application prior to their arrival in the country. The new eVisa scheme differs from the previous ETA system by requiring a scanned copy of your passport and a recent photo. Currently a Standard Visitor Visa is US$75 per visitor plus a US$18.50 service fee, which is valid for 6 months. Upon approval, you will need to download and print your eVisa to present to the Immigration Officer when you enter Sri Lanka.
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Posted by John on 28th February 2024
Beautiful plumage! Sri Lanka is home to well over 500 species of exotic birds with names to match, like the White-throated Flowerpecker, Blue-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Paradise-flycatcher. The joy of bird watching on the island is to see them wherever you travel, although some areas are better than others. You don’t need to be a dedicated ‘twitcher’ to enjoy the bird life across the country as the little peckers seem to come to you! Our new Birdwatching Tika Taster is a guided introduction to the diverse bird life of Sri Lanka.
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Posted by John on 31st January 2024
Apologies for the lack of updates over the past couple of months. Sri Lanka has had a dramatic turnaround in tourism since November and suddenly everyone wants to visit the Resplendent Isle. It has become particularly busy for us since the New Year for immediate holidays as well as ones well into 2025, so the future looks bright. Why not travel in May, June or September when there are great deals on hotels and the island is quieter?
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Posted by John on 26th October 2023
As a follow on from last week’s blog about travel and nature, this update focuses on the progress made by Responsible Travel since its inception in 2001. In its recently published impact report, Tipping the Scales, the trailblazing sustainable travel portal emphasises the three key elements to its fundamental ethos: carbon, nature and people. Ultimately it is a comprehensive overview of how it is working with global partners to minimise tourism’s harmful impact, and maximise the good.
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