Travel Tips

Travel Health and Advice

Start to plan the health aspect of your trip well in advance of your departure, especially if you are considering taking the Anti-Rabies rabies or Japanese Encephalitis vaccines, which must be administered over the course of a month. Generally for visiting Sri Lanka it is recommended that you should be up to date with the following vaccines:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Polio
• Typhoid

In addition, make sure you know your own blood group for emergencies and have purchased adequate medical insurance. Colombo has the best-equipped national and private hospitals.

Should you wish to bring some medical items with you, a typical traveller’s first aid kit may include:

1. 1. Insect repellent (with DEET)
2. 2. Antiseptic cream
3. 3. Calamine lotion, aloe vera or after sun cream
4. 4. Plasters
5. 5. Paracetamol
6. 6. Sunscreen of an adequate factor according to your skin type
7. 7. A course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin for diahorrea
8. 8. Immodium (lomotil) for emergency suppression of diahorrea
9. 9. Rehydration salts
10. 10. Water sterilization tablets or tincture of iodine

Alternatively, you can easily buy almost all of the above-mentioned items or suitable alternatives in the main cities.