Volunteering in Sri Lanka - The Preparation

The reach your volunteer destination, you have to make your way to the Bandaranaike International Aiport (CMG) in Colombo. From this airport, you will get picked up and brought to your accommodation.

One of the easiest connections from Europe is Sri Lankan Airlines. With this airline, you can fly directly to Colombo depending on your home airport. There are also other airlines which fly with only one stopover to Colombo.

A visa is required to enter Sri Lanka. This visa must be applied for online as "Electronic Travel Authorization" (ETA). This visa costs 35 USD. For further information on visa requirements, please visit the website of the Sri Lankan embassy in your home country.

Buses are the best way to get around Sri Lanka, as crossing half of the island will cost you only around one euro. However, the style of driving is often quite adventurous and the equipment of the buses is very simple. There are also better-equipped buses that offer slightly more comfort.

The better option here is public railways. These drive regularly but are very quickly overbooked. If you want a seat, please book your train ticket in time.

While at your volunteer project in schools please always keep your shoulders covered and make sure that your skirt or pants cover your knee. This dress code also applies if you want to visit a temple. In general, please keep in mind that very revealing clothing is not appropriate in Sri Lanka. For this reason, we would like to advise you to wear rather conservative clothing.

Before you start your journey to Sri Lanka, please make sure that you are up to date on your vaccinations. You will need the following ones:

diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, rabies, typhoid

Do's

Please take off your shoes before entering someone's house

It's common to bargain in small shops and markets in Sri Lanka

Use only the right hand for shaking hands, and eating

Bring a small gift during a visit

Dont's

Don't point at people or things with your foot, as well as stepping across someone. The feet, as in many Asian countries are considered unclean and seen offensive.

Don't drink from the small bowl next to your plate, it's used to wash your hands

Don't turn your back to a Buddha figure as it's seen disrespectful