Updated Booking Requirements

We look forward to welcoming you very soon. In the interests of protecting the health and safety of all our guests, please see our booking requirements below.

The below procedures apply to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka under a tourist visa, and optional for dual citizens, valid resident visa holders and Sri Lankan citizens who opt to come under the tourism route.

No prior approval required from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Civil Aviation Authority. There is no minimum duration of stay in Sri Lanka. Please visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for the most updated travel and tourism updates from the Sri Lankan Government.

1.0 Prior to boarding, travellers are required to:

  • Have a pre-confirmed booking at a ‘Safe & Secure’ L1 hotel and if applicable, a Safe & Secure (non- L1) Hotel; depending on the duration of your stay and vaccination status.
    • The hotel booking could be made directly with the hotel or through a travel agent or an online booking site (OTA). Guests are allowed to move within Level-1 hotels and use all facilities of the hotel upon the negative result on arrival PCR and then, move into a ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel.
  • Have a COVID-19 local travel insurance cover of USD 12 – the policy covers up to USD 50,000 for a period of one month. This is mandatory for all visitors including children below 2 years.
    • The travel insurance needs to be pre-purchased and charged by the hotel upon reservation.
    • A banking fee of USD 5 per booking will be charged per booking.
  • Pay for PCR tests – each PCR test will cost USD 40 each, per person. The number of tests depends on the status of your vaccination.
    • The cost of PCR tests conducted during the stay period must be pre-paid to the hotel soon after the hotel reservation.
    • All PCR tests are performed in-hotel for your convenience by a private-sector laboratory approved by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health.
  • Have a valid tourist visa. All visas must be applied for online at eta.gov.lk.
  • Have negative PCR test results, received within 72 hours prior to embarkation (children below 2 years are exempt). Please check your airlines requirements as well.

    Airport transfers to be arranged by either the respective Certified Safe & Secure hotel/ Certified Safe & Secure travel agent OR a Certified service provider.
  • All travellers should undergo an on-arrival (Day One) COVID-19 PCR test.

Child Policy

  • Children between 2 and 12 years of age will be exempted from on-arrival (Day One) PCR testing ONLY if they are following the non-vaccinated route.
  • Children below 2 years are exempt from PCR testing. However, if the parents/guardians develop symptoms or result in positive PCR test reports, children will undergo PCR tests.

2.0 Please produce the following on arrival at the airport:

  • Evidence of a negative PCR test (in the English language) from an accredited laboratory taken no longer than 72 hours before boarding of flights (all travellers excluding children below 2 years).
  • Original vaccination certificate / card
  • A certified copy of an English language translation is required if the certificate/ card is not in English or if relevant data is not indicated in English. Otherwise, verifiable evidence of vaccination needs to be produced.
  • Completed health declaration form.

3.0 Procedure for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

  • Travellers who have completed the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccination, arriving after 2 weeks after the completion of vaccination will be considered as fully vaccinated travellers. Any vaccination type accepted by the country of origin is acceptable.
  • On-arrival PCR test
    • Stay at a Certified Level 1 hotel until the on-arrival PCR test is performed (for 24-48 hours).
    • Upon a negative on-arrival (Day One) PCR test report, vaccinated travellers can leave the bio-bubble and move into a Safe & Secure (non- L1) Hotel. The respective L1 hotel doctor will issue a “Discharge Document’’ upon verifying the status of vaccination and PCR test results.
    • Unvaccinated children between 2 and 18 years may leave the bubble with fully vaccinated parents upon a negative on-arrival PCR test.
    • After leaving the bio-bubble, travellers are not allowed to come back into the tourism bio-bubble (i.e. stay at ‘L1 Safe and Secure Certified’ hotels not permitted upon leaving the bubble). If you decide to leave the bio-bubble, it is strongly recommended to use the ‘Safe and Secure Certified’ hotels (non- L1) for the rest of your journey.
  • Fully vaccinated travellers who have NO travel history (including transit) to any travel-restricted countries in the past 14 days (India, South American countries and South African countries: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and discharged from a Level 1 Safe & Secure Certified hotel with an on-arrival (Day One) negative COVID-19 PCR report, are exempted from 2nd PCR test.
  • Unvaccinated children between 2 and 18 years who have been released with fully vaccinated parents should undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on Day Seven after arriving in Sri Lanka. All PCR tests are conducted from a Ministry of Health–approved Private Sector or State Sector Laboratory and the results are immediately informed to the area Ministry of Health official by telephone or email.

4.0 Procedure for Non-Vaccinated Travellers

  • Travellers who have not received COVID-19 vaccination/not completed the recommended doses of vaccination/departed from abroad within less than 2 weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination will be considered as non-vaccinated travellers.

Note: Any travellers who have been previously affected by COVID-19 and have only one dose of vaccination, will also be treated as NON-vaccinated travellers.

  • On-arrival PCR Test
    Stay at a Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotel/s for up to the first 15 days of the visit and undergo an on-arrival PCR test. Travellers are allowed to stay at any number of Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotels and permitted to use all hotel facilities upon an on-arrival negative PCR test report. Travellers are also allowed to visit approved tourist sites in a bio bubble. Visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain.
  • Second PCR Test: Travellers who have not completed 2 weeks after their vaccination
    • Travellers will undergo the 2nd PCR test on completion of day 14 and upon negative test results will leave the bubble. Guests are permitted to check-in to Safe & Secure (non- L1) Hotels.
    • Children between 2 and 18 years are allowed to leave the bubble with vaccinated parents upon a negative exit PCR test done simultaneously with the family. These unvaccinated children between 2 and 18 years if released within less than 7 days of arrival in Sri Lanka, with the fully vaccinated parent, should undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on Day Seven after arriving in Sri Lanka and inform the results to the area Ministry Of Health official by telephone or email.
    • Children under 2 years are exempt from PCR tests; however, if the exit PCR test of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.


5.0 Second PCR Test: Non-vaccinated travellers

  • All travellers will perform the 2nd PCR (exit PCR) on Day 14.
  • If departing the country between day 5 and 14 from arrival, all travellers will perform the 2nd PCR (exit PCR) 24-36 hours prior to departure.
  • Children below 2 years are exempt from exit COVID-19 PCR testing. However, if the exit PCR test of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
  • Upon negative exit PCR test result travellers can leave the bio-bubble on completion of day 14 and go into the community. The respective L1 hotel doctor will issue a ‘’Discharge Document’’ upon verifying the status of PCR test results.


6.0 Transfers and Change of Dates

  • Safe & Secure transfers from international airports to the hotel, transfers between Level 1 and Safe & Secure (non- L1) hotels - and transfers to places of interest / excursions are provided by the hotel or a certified service provider and must be pre-booked.
  • Guests may change dates or change hotels (to any Minor Hotels property in Sri Lanka) up to 24 hours before arrival. This is valid for rates with part or full pre-payment, for stays completed before 20 December 2021 and is subject to availability.

Avani Kalutara Resort has implemented the "Avani Shield" initiative that carries out enhanced levels of sanitation and use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectants against COVID-19 throughout all public areas, including lobbies, reception, fitness centres, pool areas and guest rooms. Please click here for more information.


For more information please contact our reservations department at kalutara@avanihotels.com


Booking Requirement FAQs

What is a Level 1 ‘Safe & Secure' Certified hotel?
  • From all the ‘Safe & Secure’ Certified hotels, these are the accommodation service providers who will provide accommodation services exclusively for international tourists during the first 14 days of their stay.
  • Level 1 hotels can accept bookings from international tourists visiting Sri Lanka under a tourist visa and is optional for dual citizens, valid resident visa holders and Sri Lankan citizens who opt to come under the tourism route irrespective of the vaccination status, as per Government regulations.
How do I apply for a visa?

All visas must be applied online through the Immigration ETA portal. Before you apply for your visa, you need to have a confirmed hotel booking, pre-purchased PCR tests and a mandatory COVID-19 Insurance Cover paid for through your ‘Safe and Secure Level 1’ hotel when making your booking.

  • The hotel will issue a reference number which you need to include in your visa form under the section ‘Contact Details’.
  • There you will be asked for ‘Address in Sri Lanka’, under which you need to indicate your hotel name, address and the reference number issued.
Do I need to pre-purchase PCR tests before I arrive? From where can I get my PCR done after arrival?
A negative PCR test from an accredited laboratory taken 72 hours before boarding is mandatory.
PCR tests conducted during the stay period to be pre-paid to the hotel soon after reservation.

All PCR tests (once in Sri Lanka) are performed in-hotel for your convenience by a private-sector laboratory approved by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health.

  • If your stay is 5 or more days, two PCR tests are required on arrival and exit.
  • If your stay is less than 5 days, no exit PCR is required.
  • Children below 2 years are exempted from PCR testing. However, if the parents/ guardians develop symptoms or result in positive PCR test reports children will undergo PCR tests.
  • Children between 2-12 years undergo only exit PCR tests
Please note that a negative PCR test for all guests (including children) may be a mandatory requirement by some airlines before boarding. The guest is required to confirm this with the relevant airline.
 
Each PCR test costs USD 40 per person.
 
A banking fee of USD 5 per booking will be charged from the guest.

Is there a mandatory minimum stay?
There is no minimum duration of stay in Sri Lanka, but a fourteen-day mandatory Level 1 hotel stay is applicable for all arriving guests under the tourism route, irrespective of the vaccination status and as per new Government procedures.
Can tourists from any country come to Sri Lanka?
People from all countries are welcome unless otherwise specified. Currently due to the prevailing health situation visitors from the UK will have a restriction.
Do I need COVID-19 insurance?
  • Yes, you will need to pay USD 12 for a 1 month’s cover of USD 50,000 offered by People's Insurance PLC. This is a mandatory requirement when applying for your visa. Each guest, including children, should purchase the insurance, including children.
  • Pay your COVID-19 insurance premium of A USD 12 to your 'Certified Safe and Secure Level 1 hotel' when you are making your hotel booking. They will issue you a reference number (once paid for both Insurance and PCR tests), which you will need to process your visa.
What is the procedure for all guests irrespective of vaccination status?

Before applying for a visa ensure you have the following:

  • A pre-confirmed booking at a Level 1 'Safe & Secure' hotel for up to 14 days; depending on the duration of your stay. The hotel booking can be made directly with the hotel, through a travel agent
  • or OTA. Visitors allowed to move within L1 hotels.
  • Obtain a mandatory COVID-19 local travel insurance cover for USD 12 for a policy of USD 50,000 for a period of one month
  • Have a valid tourist visa before boarding your flight. All visas must be applied online by visiting eta.gov.lk.

At the airport, on arrival - please produce the following:

  • A negative COVID-19 PCR report (In English) taken within 72 hours before flight
  • Completed Health Declaration Form

Travel to a Safe & Secure Level-1 Hotel (travel arranged by the hotel, tour operator or Level-1 service provider

  • Stay at a Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotel/s for up to the first 14 days of the visit and undergo an on-arrival PCR test. Guests are allowed to stay at any number of Certified Safe & Secure L1 hotels and permitted to use all facilities of the hotel upon an on arrival negative PCR test report.
  • Guests are also allowed to visit approved tourist sites in a bio bubble. Speak to our Reservations Team to explore the tourist sites accessible to each resort.

Details on the second PCR test during the stay

  • If the stay is more than 14 days – perform second PCR on the 11th -14th day of arrival. Upon negative results for both the PCR tests, guests are allowed to leave the bio-bubble and the respective Level-1 hotel doctor will issue a discharge document upon verifying the PCR test results.
  • However, if the guest is identified as an immediate close contact of a COVID 19 positive, the bio-bubble period will be extended as decided by the Level-1 hotel doctor in consultation with the area medical officers of Health.
  • Once the guest leaves the bio bubble and goes into the community, they will be subject to the general health guidelines of the country.
  • If the stay is between 5-14 days – a PCR test will be performed depending on the date of departure (i.e. 24-48 hours before departure)
  • If the stay is less than 5 days - no exit PCR test is required
Can I use all the hotel facilities? Which tourist attractions and sites can I visit in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Visitors can use all hotel facilities including gym, swimming pool, spa after receiving the on-arrival (Day 1) negative PCR test results.

Guests may enjoy the use of the main restaurant and main bar until the negative PCR test results are informed.

Guests can visit up to 14 approved tourist sites under the safety of a bio-bubble. Please speak to our Reservations Team to confirm the sites available from each resort and as per the current Government guidelines.

Public transportation is discouraged for your safety.

Will there be a dedicated medical officer for each hotel?
Yes. There will be an appointed A medical officer in each of the ‘Safe and Secure’ Certified hotels including the Level 1 hotels.