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FAQs Sri Lanka
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application
- You can either apply online or download the application and mail it to us after filling out the form. To complete your application process, we’ll need an application fee of $200. Without the fee, you’re application won’t be complete and we will not process it.
• Your application will then be forwarded to the country coordinator of Sri Lanka for processing. The coordinator will thoroughly check your application and search for the project you mentioned. The coordinator will also fix the details regarding your accommodation and meal. Your accommodation will either be fixed in a home stay, where you’ll stay with a Sri Lankan family and enjoy local food, or you’ll be accommodated in a project hostel.
- After the country coordinator finalizes the details of your program, the information is then passed on to us. We then forward the details to you, along with the final invoice. You will have to make your final payment six weeks before the start of your program. If your application has been expedited, the payment has to be settled as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information, which you can use while applying for Sri Lankan Visa or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
- You’ll then start to prepare for your trip to Sri Lanka. You’ll have to immunize against diseases found in Sri Lanka, get a visa to enter the country (for details on this, check the Visa section of FAQ) and book air tickets. If you want to contact us any time during your preparation, we’re only a phone call away and eagerly waiting to help and advise you.
- Once you have confirmed your tickets and arrival details please pass on the information to us (US Office). We’ll inform your flight timing to the Sri Lankan country coordinator and you will be picked up at the airport, upon arrival. You can also email the country coordinator directly.
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| Visa : |
Even though you can get a visa upon arrival at the airport in Sri Lanka, we don’t recommend this. You should get it from the embassy or the consulate of Sri Lanka in your home.
Visa is issued on arrival for stay up to 30 days. Extension can be arranged at the Immigration Office in Colombo . Visit www.projectvisa.com o r the below address for more information.
http://www.immigration.gov.lk/html/visa/fees.html |
| Health and safety : |
Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Sri Lanka . We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
WHO Sri Lanka ( http://www.who.int/countries/en/ )
Tips for visitor to Sri Lanka (http://colombo.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html)
General Health Tips for volunteer/travel in Sri Lanka
- Avoid drinking tap water directly. Do not also drink fountain drinks and ice cubes. Always drink bottled or boiled water or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles.
- There have been cases of many fake bottled waters being sold in Sri Lanka. They don’t stand up to the standards. Make sure the seal of the bottle isn’t tampered with.
- Do not eat hot or very spicy food. They can create stomach upset. Stay away from salads also as leaves not cleaned properly can contain bugs also. Eat for good, clean restaurants and don’t try your luck with roadside vendors.
- Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to Sri Lanka) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
- If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
- If you need doctor, ask your host family, hotel or our country coordinator. You’ll find plenty of helping hand. Most of the towns and villages in Sri Lanka have pharmacies and chemists, if you want to purchase any medical supplies. The medication and the fees for the doctors are usually low.
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| Vaccination : |
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm#vaccines)
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in some of the countries in this region. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia .
- Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
Required Vaccinations
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| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollar? Can I use debit card and/or credit card? Should I bring traveler's check?
Find the Exchange Rate of Sri Lankan Rupee http://www.xe.com/ucc/
The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee. You can change your money upon arrival to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. There are many bank counters at the airport. We suggest you change $400 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near to our office).
Most major international credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in the main establishments, although outside the cities, facilities may be limited. Traveler's checks may also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and travelers are advised to have cash on hand. ATMs are available in the main cities.
Carrying extra money depends on your personal spending habits, and you may want some extra money for personal expenses, sight-seeing, souvenirs, etc. Generally speaking, we recommend bringing about $100/week (USD), or an emergency credit card as a back-up resort.
Carrying cash is not safe; therefore, don't carry a large surplus of cash with you. Important Reminder: Retain your receipts whenever you exchange any currency or traveler's checks to Rupees. You may be asked to show proof of the exchange. Without receipts, you will not be able to exchange The Sri Lankan currency back to any other currency upon your departure. |
| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Our local staff will stay in touch with you once your volunteer program starts. Our staff will visit you every 2 weeks (in Galle). If the season is busy and your placement a long distance away from our office, we’ll call you to inquire about how you’re doing. You’ll have access to country coordinator’s mobile phone and in case of emergency, you can call anytime. You’ll also be helped by your host family. They’ll have experience hosting international volunteers before. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
Bring your mobile phone with you. Insert local sim-card once in Sri Lanka and you’re then ready to receive phone calls from your home country. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel office in Sri Lanka . |
| Climate of Sri Lanka: |
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
The weather in Sri Lanka is tropical: hot and humid. There are summer monsoons which can be refreshing, and the hottest month precedes these rains, in May. In the cooler months it can get to be a bit chilly, though never winter-like. |
| Materials to Bring |
Most of stuffs of daily use are available in India at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things.
• Camera
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito repellents
• Insect repellents
• Sun-block
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
• Some books about Sri Lanka
• Map of Sri Lanka
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Electricity adopter/converter
• Sun glasses
• Footwear (for work and travel)
• Towel |
| Gift for Host Family and Project |
Before you fly to Sri Lanka, you’ll be given details of your host family. The detail will usually contain information like how many members there in the host family and what age they are. If you feel like bring something for the kids, you’re most welcomed to do so. In fact, many volunteers bring small gifts. It’s a common courtesy. Some of the things you can bring are: box of chocolate, t-shirt, pens and post cards.
You can also bring gifts for your project. |
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