What tourists need to know about Sri Lanka

It does not matter whether you eat in Sri Lanka on your own or on a ticket, there are things that you should definitely know about. For example, in public toilets and budget hotels there is no toilet paper, there is almost no lighting on the streets, and alcohol can only be purchased in special stores. The following useful Sri Lanka tips will make your stay safer and more comfortable:

• Duty free on arrival. Duty-free shops are available at Colombo airport immediately after passport control and before baggage claim and customs clearance. Prices there are quite reasonable, you can pay with currency and plastic cards. So it is not necessary to carry a bottle of alcohol bought in dutik at home halfway around the world. Just do not forget that the goods purchased in these stores are subject to customs restrictions (see about Sri Lanka Customs rules here...)
• Mains voltage, electricity. The mains voltage in Sri Lanka is the same as ours 220 volts, but the sockets are three-pin. To connect "our" two-pin plugs, you need an adapter, which you can buy on the spot or ask at the hotel reception. If there is no adapter, then you need to shove some pin, such as a pencil, into the upper hole on the outlet, and then you can safely plug the plug.
• Feast Of Singing. According to Buddhist rules, each full moon is considered a holiday and a national day off (Poya-Poya). At this time, banks, many shops and government agencies do not work. Be sure to consider this point when planning a trip. These days, the sale and drinking of alcoholic beverages in public places, including in restaurants and hotel bars, is prohibited in the country. The use of alcoholic beverages is possible only in the hotel room. View Poya's calendar can be found here.
• Where to buy tea. The famous branded Ceylon Tea is best bought during excursions to tea plantations, in specialized stores or in shops. The cost of tea in duty-free is much higher. If you are not a fan of beautiful branded travel packages, you can buy tea in the supermarket: it is cheaper, and almost the same quality.
• Take a flashlight. Even in the popular resorts of Sri Lanka and Colombo there are problems with street lighting, or rather, it is practically absent. Take a flashlight with you on a trip and on vacation, best of all a forehead, it is very useful.
• Alcohol in Sri Lanka. Alcoholic beverages, even beer, are sold only in special stores, which are few in resorts and cities. Find alcohol in supermarkets is unrealistic (except for the largest, where there are special departments), in restaurants and cafes, too, not everywhere. And do not confuse a drink called "Gigner Beer" with alcohol. "Gigner Beer" is just a local ginger lemonade. Learn more about alcohol in Sri Lanka and where to buy it here...
• Price tags. there are no price tags on products in Sri Lanka stores, but the price of the product is always indicated. It is printed in small letters on bottles, bags, packaging. This is the maximum price at which the product is sold. The price may be lower (stock in the store), but not higher. And in most serious stores it happens. Only small private stores sometimes sell goods at their own arbitrary price, but this is rather rare.
• Visiting temples. When inspecting temples, it should be remembered that at the entrance it is necessary to take off shoes and headgear, and also not to go in too open clothes (shorts, T-shirts). To bypass the central sanctuary in Hindu temples, in which the main deity is installed, you need to go clockwise (from left to right). With rare exceptions, almost everywhere you can take pictures without problems, otherwise, you can ask permission or pay (usually no more than 250 rupees for shooting).
• Unexpected surcharges. Sri Lankans are very fond of including all sorts of unexpected fees and taxes in the final cost of any service or product, without warning about it in advance. Therefore, it makes sense, where possible (hotel accommodation, rent) to pay everything in advance. If you refuse to accept money in advance, expect surprises in the form of surcharges at check-out.
• Raincoats. For some strange reason, it is not so easy to find raincoats in Sri Lanka. Therefore, if you prefer umbrellas raincoats, it is better to buy them at home.
• Protection against insects. Repellents bought in Russia are not very effective on local insects, while it is almost impossible to find local repellents in Sri Lanka. Alternatively, buy the most expensive and "thermonuclear" repellents at home. Locals offer coconut oil as a protective agent. But, firstly, its effectiveness is questionable, and secondly, you will almost certainly be slipped it at unreasonable speculative prices.
• Hotel Signs. Not every "Hotel" sign in Sri Lanka really designates a hotel. Under such signs there are also small restaurants, so do not be surprised if you ask for a room, and they will look at you incomprehensibly.
• Toilet paper. In Sri Lanka, toilet paper is not used, it is not in public toilets and budget hotels. Instead, it uses a hygienic shower (very convenient), and where it is not, a simple bucket of water and the left hand (and this is a dubious action). If you do not want to join this practice, take care of toilet paper for the first time at home.
• Left-hand traffic. This is important to know even for pedestrians, because before you cross the road, you need to look not to the left, as we have, but to the right.
• Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes on SHL are very expensive due to high taxes. For example, a pack of cigarettes costs 1800 rupees (5.44 USD, see Sri Lanka currency and exchange rate), a bottle of beer from 480 (1.45 USD), and strong alcohol is 2-3 times more expensive than in other countries. Therefore, if possible, it is better to bring it from your country or buy it in duty-free stores in Colombo airport Upon arrival.