Sri Lanka is a complete package. Considered the tear drop of the Indian Ocean, the beautiful Sri Lanka has a broad range of experiences, despite its small size. In the latest update, the country has enabled visa-free travel for 40 countries, including the UAE.
Featuring golden beaches, ancient temples, lush green landscapes and plenty of flora and fauna, Sri Lanka is no less than a tropical paradise. Colombo recently expanded its visa-free travel policy from 7 to 40 countries.
The visa-free regime has already been in place since March 2023 for nationals of India, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia. The latest expansion has brought in multiple other countries from different parts of the globe, including the UAE, US and the UK.
Explore more: Schengen visa guide for UAE residents here
What does visa-free Sri Lanka travel policy for UAE passport holders mean?
In simple terms, UAE passport holders enjoying visa-free travel to Sri Lanka means these people do not need to apply for a visa or pay any visa fees before entering the country. Getting to Sri Lanka from the UAE is as simple as packing your bags, grabbing your passport and jetting off.
For Emirati travelers who are interested in island destinations, Sri Lanka has become a cheaper and much more accessible option. Imagine, there are hardly any detailed documents to fill out to enter the country. Get into Sri Lanka for free and soak in the tropical ambience of the country at ease.
The expanded policy is expected to help Sri Lanka bring in more tourists from different countries. Besides the UAE, the rest of the GCC countries also enjoy visa-free travel to Sri Lanka. Isn’t it incredible?
Explore more: Top hassle-free e-Visa Destinations for UAE Travelers here
Which are the best flights from UAE to Sri Lanka?
Since the expansion of Sri Lanka visa-free travel policy, UAE passport holders are finding it much easier and simpler to explore the beautiful country in the Indian Ocean. Let us take a look at some of the best flight routes from the UAE to Sri Lanka.
1. Emirates Dubai to Colombo Flights
| Flight Number | From | Departure Time | To | Landing Time | Frequency | Duration |
| EK 650 | Dubai | 2:40 am | Colombo | 8:35 am | Daily | 4 hours 25 minutes |
| EK 654 | Dubai | 10:45 am | Colombo | 4:50 pm | Thursday to Tuesday | 4 hours 35 minutes |
| EK 654 | Dubai | 1:20 pm | Colombo | 7:15 pm | Wednesday | 4 hours 25 minutes |
| EK 648 | Dubai | 4:10 pm | Colombo | 10:10 pm | Daily | 4 hours 30 minutes |
For more information: Click Here
2. Etihad Abu Dhabi to Colombo Flights
| Flight Number | From | Departure Time | To | Landing Time | Frequency | Duration |
| EY 392 | Abu Dhabi | 2:20 am | Colombo | 8:30 am | Daily | 4 hours 40 minutes |
| EY 390 | Abu Dhabi | 9:15 am | Colombo | 3:25 pm | Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 4 hours 40 minutes |
| EY 396 | Abu Dhabi | 2:20 pm | Colombo | 8:35 pm | Daily | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| EY 394 | Abu Dhabi | 8:40 pm | Colombo | 2:50 am | Daily | 4 hours 40 minutes |
For more information: Click Here
3. Air Arabia Sharjah to Colombo Flights
| Flight Number | From | Departure Time | To | Landing Time | Frequency | Duration |
| G9 508 | Sharjah | 8:20 am | Colombo | 2:20 pm | Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| G9 587 | Sharjah | 9:05 pm | Colombo | 3:05 am | Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| G9 587 | Sharjah | 9 am | Colombo | 3 am | Wednesday | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| G9 502 | Sharjah | 10:25 pm | Colombo | 4:25 am | Daily | 4 hours 30 minutes |
For more information: Click Here
Top places to explore and things to do in Sri Lanka
Like I already mentioned at the beginning of this article, Sri Lanka is a complete package. It is one of the best tropical paradises to explore across the globe. Thanks to the extended visa-free policy, getting to Sri Lanka has become much easier and cheaper.
Since the flight schedule from the UAE to Sri Lanka has been taken care of, it is time to arrange a list of best places to explore and best things to do in Sri Lanka. These entries are bound to bring you a fascinating experience.
1. Colombo Herb and Tea Tour
The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is home to a number of tea estates. Going on a herb and tea tour in Colombo should be at the top of the list as you get to learn about tea manufacturing, harvesting and processing – besides the opportunity to click beautiful pictures.
In addition, you can also taste different kinds of tea and participate in blind tea tests. Tea is an important part of Sri Lankan culture and getting to understand the cultural scene of the country you are exploring is the latest travel trend.
2. Camping in Sri Lanka
Yes. Sri Lanka offers a memorable experience to reconnect and explore nature in its glory. There are multiple places for camping in Sri Lanka. It could be a challenging but really calming experience. Yala National Park and Kitulgala Forest Reserve are some of the best options.
3. Sri Lanka National Museum
This is one of the best places to explore in the country to better understand Sri Lanka’s rich history. Founded in 1877, the National Museum of Sri Lanka holds a great collection of exhibits and documents related to the cultural heritage and natural landscape of the country.
4. Yala National Park
Come to Yala National Park for the best jungle safaris in Sri Lanka. Located near Hambantota city, this park is home to a number of distinct flora and fauna species. You can find elephants, crocodiles, leopards and more than 200 distinct species of birds.
5. Sigiriya
Sigiriya is one of the most famous historical monuments in Sri Lanka. It is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District. Each year, thousands of tourists flock to Sigiriya to explore its historical significance.
The site used to serve the kingdom of King Kashyapa (AD 477-495). The ruins of a palace lie at the summit of the rock formation. You can also find fountains, gardens, ponds, remnants of fortification and more at the fortress complex.
6. Thai Pongal
Ready for one of the biggest festivals in Sri Lanka? Thai Pongal is celebrated in the month of Thai, as per the Tamil calendar. This is a celebration of at least a couple of days in honour of the Sun God, Suriya.
During Thai Pongal in Sri Lanka, the entire region turns livelier. Residents and tourists alike indulge in grand celebrations. This is one of the best periods to explore the country and learn more about the local culture and tradition.
7. Bentota
Considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in Sri Lanka, Bentota is a famous coastal paradise. It is recognised for its pristine beaches, calm atmosphere and natural scenery. Some of the best attractions here are Bentota Beach and Turtle Hatchery.
8. Shopping in Sri Lanka
The shopping experience in Sri Lanka is incredible. You can explore a number of marketplaces across the country, including Barefoot for its collection of designer clothing and fabrics; Mlesna Tea Centre for tea shopping in Sri Lanka; and Lakpahana for local arts and crafts.
9. Food in Sri Lanka
You cannot not indulge in Sri Lankan cuisine. Starting from seafood to delicious vegetarian dishes, this country in the Indian Ocean is really famous for its food. There is a Ministry of Crab – such an intriguing name, right? – for the best in crab dishes in Sri Lanka.
10. Sri Lanka Nightlife Scene
Featuring casinos, bars, pubs and more, Sri Lanka’s nightlife scene is still quite underrated. Come to Tula Beach Bar for a great round of drinks, good music and a beautiful sunset. Located in Colombo, Barefoot Garden Cafe is reputed for its music performances.
Final Thoughts
In essence, getting to Colombo from the UAE has become much cheaper and easier – thanks to the expansion of Sri Lanka visa free travel policy. Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical paradise. Multiple airlines from the UAE also operate daily direct flights to the capital.
Because of reduced documentation, Sri Lanka is expected to see a bigger influx of UAE passport holders. It is recommended to check for the best time, as cyclones and similar natural disasters are not uncommon in Sri Lanka.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka also depends on the part of the country you are seeking to explore. This is because monsoon patterns affect different parts of the country at different times. But overall, December to March is considered the best time.
Explore more: Best Travel Agencies in Dubai –ranked by quality, trust and experience here
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