What currency should I bring to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has become a popular destination for tourists from Western countries in recent years. The island country is associated with impressive tea plantations which is one of its unique tourist attractions! We all have tried Ceylon Tea at some point in our life. Sri Lanka also has vast, dense jungles inhabited by exotic species of animals that have been untouched by human activity. So, a trip to Sri Lanka is well justified. Around the most visited by touristic beaches, there are numerous restaurants and smaller pubs that allow tourists to try local specialties containing many exotic and/or spicy dishes, which in turn guarantee an intense experience for the most demanding palates. Sri Lanka is also a must-visit for any archaeology enthusiast. The ancient ruins, historic buildings, and temples located in the area will delight anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge of the preserved monuments that were created during the colonization period. Some of the sites and objects have been preserved to this day and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most popular monuments among tourists include Temple of the Tooth of Buddha in Kandy, Sigiriya, Golden Temple in Dambulla or Anuradhapura.

However, in order to be able to see and feel the uniqueness of this country first hand, one needs to think about the money in Sri Lanka before making a trip there. Therefore, in the article we answer the question, what currency should I take to Sri Lanka?

What currency should I take to Sri Lanka? What is the currency of Sri Lanka?

The current monetary unit of Sri Lanka (currency in Sri Lanka) is the Sri Lankan rupee. The international standard (three-letter currency code) ISO 4217 for Sri Lankan Rupee is LKR.

A brief history of Sri Lanka’s currency

The currently used currency of Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan rupee – is the official monetary unit in force in Sri Lanka from January 1, 1872.

Earlier, in 1825, the British pound became an official monetary unit, displacing the then applicable currency – the Ceylon thaler. In 1836, when Sri Lanka returned to the Indian currency zone, Indian rupees became a common means of payment, however various types of fees, e.g. bills, were still collected in British pounds.

In 1844, the first private bank was established in Sri Lanka, which began issuing Ceylon banknotes – rupees. It was not until January 1872 that the British currency was completely replaced by a rupee.

If you are looking for a place to buy Sri Lankan rupees in Stockholm, you are just in time to take advantage of our offer. The currency of Sri Lanka is available with us on the spot at our locations in Stockholm. Sri Lankan currency can be reserved online and you can book your rate and amount before you can pick it up in person at the nearest Tavex branch. 

The currency of Sri Lanka – how is the Sri Lankan Rupee LKR divided?

One Sri Lankan rupee is equivalent to 100 cents. Currently in circulation are:

• coins often used 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees;
• coins rarely used 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents;
• banknotes often used 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 rupees;
• banknotes rarely used 200 and 2000 rupees.

Sri Lanka currency – what do Sri Lankan rupees look like?

In addition to the theory about what currency is used in Sri Lanka, it is worth practically familiarizing with its banknotes. On the obverse, we can see motifs from selected development projects in Sri Lanka, as well as native butterflies and birds. The reverse of the banknotes, in turn, depict traditional Sri Lankan dancers.

What does the LKR currency of Sri Lanka look like?

How to pay in Sri Lanka?

There are several options for making payments during your stay in Sri Lanka. The most common and acceptable form is cash. In larger cities, restaurants or exclusive hotels, you can pay by credit card. However, it is worth remembering that in smaller towns there may be a problem with the acceptance of electronic payments, so you should have a sufficient amount of cash with you. In addition, ATMs are available in large cities that accept cards such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express. However, you should be aware of the high fees charged by ATMs for currency conversions.

Sri Lankan Rupee – currency exchange Stockholm

To fully enjoy your trip, it’s best to buy cash in Stockholm before you travel. By doing this, you can avoid any inconvenience related to the travel like paying a taxi driver from the airport who accepts only cash. The Stockholm currency exchange Tavex offers Sri Lankan rupee at all its offices. Sri Lankan Rupee is usually in stock at all of our offices in Stockholm. We highly recommend that you pre-book the appropriate amount of Sri Lanka currency and obtain information on the current exchange rate. For this purpose, please contact us by phone on 086782030 or send an email to tavex@tavex.se. For those of you who cannot collect the booked currency from our office at Smålandsgatan 9 in Stockholm, we can offer to pick up at one of our other Tavex branches which you can find here: https://tavex.se/en/contact-us-sweden/

Travel to Sri Lanka – necessary documents

The documents required by Swedish citizens to travel to Sri Lanka are:

• a passport valid for at least 6 months;
• visa

The tourist visa to travel to Sri Lanka can be obtained electronically. The tourist visa can be obtained electronically by completing the application and making a payment of USD 35. This visa is valid for 90 days, and the time to obtain it is 1-2 days. Please note that it is necessary to have a return ticket, as there is a possibility that we will be asked to show it at the airport. In addition, each foreigner is required to have sufficient financial resources to meet their expenses during the stay. *

How to get to Sri Lanka?

Many airlines offer flights to Sri Lanka, including SWISS, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways LOT, Sri Lankan or Lufthansa. The flight on the Stockholm-Colombo route takes about 17 hours, and the route we cover at this time is almost 9 thousand kilometers! Air ticket prices start from around SEK 6000 and depend on the number of available tickets, the date of travel and how long in advance we will buy them.

It is worth getting current information, placed on the websites of various carriers, regarding the current offer and when it is best to travel to Sri Lanka. The capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo – is served by the Ratmalana Airport which is located about 15 kilometers south of the city center.

Interesting facts about Sri Lanka

1. What is Sri Lanka famous for? A delicious tea that is well known and liked all over the world. Sri Lanka is not the largest producer, however, it is at the forefront of producing countries – it occupies 4th place in production volume. Tea did not reach Sri Lanka from China until 1824. Tea production began in 1867 by James Taylor, whose experimental cultivation gave rise to the famous Ceylon tea.
2. Sri Lanka is also called primarily “The Tear of India”, but also “Island of Gems” or “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. Giving all of these names is not accidental. The term “Tear of India” was given to Sri Lanka by Hindus, which is due to the fact that its shape resembles a tear. The next two names refer to the beauty and uniqueness of the island, which impresses with its “gems” and natural wealth.
3. April 13 is the day people in Sri Lanka celebrate the Sinhalese New Year. This public holiday begins at midnight and usually lasts for another 12 hours (it can last up to 7 days, depending on the social status of the family). This specific choice of time to celebrate the New Year is related to the religious influence of Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka. One of the traditions associated with the celebration of the New Year is the anointing of their children with oils by their parents, which guarantees blessing in the coming year.

What currency in Sri Lanka? Sri Lankan Rupee!

Sri Lanka, called the tear of India, is an exotic paradise with many wild beaches with breath-taking views. Beaches surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean make Sri Lanka an ideal place for relaxation for active enthusiasts of water sports, such as diving, water bathing, and surfing, as well as for those who want to relax and lie on the sand.

Buy Sri Lankan Rupees in Stockholm at Tavex offices today

Book your rate today by calling 086782030 or sending an email to tavex@tavex.se

*Travel information is for reference purposes only. Please check the official Sri Lanka visa webpage before traveling. (https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US )