Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on the questions you want an answer to. If your question is not listed here, feel free to contact us.

In short, Yes. Just include your interests in the message you send us and we will get back to you with a tour made just for you. To send us a message through our website click here or email us at info@pearldestinations.com.
He will be holding a paging board with your name on it, and waiting to greet you on arrival at the visitor's lounge of the airport.
Yes, your first point of contact will be your tour guide. If it is an issue beyond the control of your tour guide, we at Pearl Destinations can be contacted 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week. The contact information of one of our tour managers/directors will be provided to you before arrival. For our general contact information, please click here.
Three reasons:
1) The concessionary prices from hotels cannot be received directly by guests; only tour agents are given special rates.
2) You have a name & face to contact in case of an emergency.
3) We take total responsibility and ensure that your tour continues without any worry to you.
Sri Lankans work hard and typically receive a low wage, so tipping drivers, porters, maids and other service staff is a good idea. A small amount should suffice. When in restaurants, add 10% to the bill as a tip if no service charges are billed.
You will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Tourist visas are normally issued for a maximum period of 30 days. Although it's still possible to get a tourist visa on arrival (for certain countries), it's better to get one before you travel. This can be done online at the following website: www.eta.gov.lk

Detailed information and application forms are provided. The process is simple and the cost is USD 20 for most countries.

Passport holders of the following 3 countries however are provided free visas on arrival:
1) Maldives
2) Seychelles
3) Singapore
NOTICE: ONLINE VISA's and VISA ON ARRIVAL have been discontinued until further notice due to emergency laws in place at present!
Internet access is growing in Sri Lanka. Internet cafés are easily found in large cities, but the speed may be slower than what you’re used to.

Mobile phone coverage is generally good in urban areas, but can be patchy and less reliable in rural areas. Ensure global roaming is activated on your phone before you arrive.

We recommend that you get a personal mobile SIM (with 4G connectivity) at the airport, and we will assist you in getting one on request. Please note that still coverage (specially 4G strength) is less reliable in rural areas.
Squat toilets are the most common toilets in Sri Lanka. Always carry your own toilet paper and soap as they are usually not provided. Western-style flushable toilets can be found in upmarket restaurants, most hotels and in some tourist areas.
Credit cards are usually accepted by modern hotels, restaurants and medium to large shops in tourist areas. Smaller shops, cafés, market stalls and places in remote areas probably won’t have facilities that support credit cards, so ensure you have enough cash to cover expenses while in rural areas or when visiting smaller vendors.

The most common electric socket outlets that would be found in Sri Lanka are the old British Type D (5 Amp) and the new British Type G (13 Amp) sockets and very rarely, the old British Type M (15 Amp) sockets. It would be best to carry your own adapters with you if needed.

Important! All electric supply outlets (unless otherwise specified) will be pushing voltages of 220v to 240v.

Type D Wall Socket

Type G Wall Socket

Type M Wall Socket

Well, there are other modes of transport available in Sri Lanka, however specially with luggage and children it is preferred by most of our guests to have their own private vehicle available for them at any time it is needed.

In this digital era, Sri Lanka does also have the globally recognized Uber transport app available as well as PickMe (a local transport app that can be used, but please note: not all drivers speak english) however these are not used for long journeys and are more widely recognized in urban areas. Traveling using such apps could also be quite expensive during peak traffic congession hours of the day.

What we at Pearl Destinations can guarantee by choosing transport with us is a reliable service with backup vehicles provided and more important than everything else is, our drivers are screened for their knowledge of destinations and whereabouts.

Android users may click on the images below to download the apps mentioned above. iOS users may find the same apps available in the app store.

Some of our guests prefer cleanliness over price and this is one reason you would prefer food at hotels, so that you would avoid unnecessary illnesses while on tour with us; as hotels (depending on star category) are approved by authorities.

Most of our guests usually include dinner as well when booking with us, because we as a tour agent receive better rates than you having to pay for dinner seperately at the hotel.

If you opt in for a villa, guest house or apartment without food provided, you may also try out the globally recognized Zomato mobile app or Quickee (a popular local app) for food delivery. However please note that it is usually the higher-end restaurants/food chains that can be found on these apps and are only available in densly populated urban areas. For a view of your surroundings as well a delicious meal, you may ask our chauffeur for recommendations and eat out.

Android users may click on the images below to download the apps mentioned above. iOS users may find the same apps available in the app store.