With the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays right around the corner, plenty of folks are eyeing a trip to Sri Lanka. The Chinese Embassy there has put out a practical safety reminder for everyone making the journey: get your preparations done early, follow local laws, and keep yourself safe from start to finish. Before setting off, double-check all visa and entry requirements. A special word of caution for anyone heading over for work: make sure your work visa is fully processed through official channels back home before you fly. Never take shortcuts or rely on informal agents.
Getting around Sri Lanka safely comes down to watching the roads and the weather. Road conditions in remote areas can be rough, so if bad weather hits, stay indoors as much as possible. For long-distance trips, stick to registered travel agencies and licensed vehicles. Many travelers look forward to the famous scenic train rides, but play it safe: stay well clear of the open train doors and never lean your body out to snap photos. Health-wise, dengue fever has been spreading fast lately. Keep plenty of mosquito repellent on hand, keep your room clean, and go straight to a hospital if you start showing symptoms.
If you are planning to go swimming or diving, stick to recognized, safe spots with proper safety measures in place, and stay away from undeveloped waters. Move around in groups where you can, avoid quiet, out-of-the-way areas late at night, and keep your cash, bank cards, and valuables secure. Sri Lanka is famous for its gemstones, but buy only from legitimate shops and always demand an official certificate and receipt. Do not buy gems in bulk on a tourist visa, or customs officers may seize them when you try to leave the country.
The embassy also warns everyone to stay completely away from gambling, scams, illegal drugs, and loan sharks, and never hand your passport over to anyone lightly. When faced with glowing ads for high-paying overseas jobs or lucrative investment projects, step back and verify the identity of the people involved and the truth of the project before putting down any money. If you hit an emergency, reach out immediately to the local police or the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka for assistance.
