Sri Lanka is a rewarding destination for Canadian travelers who want to experience tropical warmth, rich cultural heritage, and abundant wildlife without venturing too far from familiar comforts. As a Canadian passport holder, you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to Sri Lanka. The application is completed entirely online and most approvals come through within 24 to 72 hours.
The ETA for Canadian citizens costs $50 USD (approximately $68 CAD) and allows a stay of up to 30 days. This can be extended to 90 days at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo. While there are no direct flights from Canada to Sri Lanka, excellent connections are available through Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai and Doha, as well as through Asian gateways such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Total travel time from Toronto or Vancouver is typically 18 to 22 hours including layovers.
Canadian visitors will find Sri Lanka to be an excellent value destination where the Canadian dollar stretches further than in many other tropical countries. The island offers an extraordinary range of experiences within a compact area, from ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Cultural Triangle to misty tea plantations in the Hill Country, and from pristine beaches on the south coast to leopard safaris at Yala National Park. The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time for Canadians to escape the winter cold and enjoy Sri Lanka's sunny south and west coasts.