Travel vaccinations for Sri Lanka
A growing holiday destination from Kent, popular for its beaches, wildlife and cultural sites, with generally lower health risk than some neighbouring countries.
Sri Lanka is popular with holidaymakers and honeymooners as well as those visiting family, and generally has better tourist infrastructure than some neighbouring destinations.
Health risks still exist outside the main resort areas, particularly around food, water and mosquito-borne illness.
Assessed individually
Vaccines commonly discussed for Sri Lanka
- TyphoidSome travellers. Considered for those staying with local families, longer stays or basic accommodationFull course £50
- Hepatitis A and B combinedSome travellers. Considered for those staying with local families, longer stays, backpacking or basic accommodationFull course £195
- RabiesSome travellers. Considered for wildlife trips, cycling or rural travelFull course £240
- Diphtheria, tetanus and polioEveryone - check you are up to date. Booster if it's been over 10 yearsFull course £50
No vaccine for this
Malaria in Sri Lanka
No malaria risk in Sri Lanka. Bite avoidance still matters because dengue and chikungunya are common.
Antimalarial tablets and pricesOnly if arriving via a risk country
Yellow fever
No yellow fever vaccination is needed for travel from the UK. A certificate is only required from travellers over 9 months of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, and for travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in one.
Yellow fever certificates and exemptionsBeyond the jabs
Before you go
- Dengue fever prevention through mosquito bite avoidance
- Food and water hygiene outside resort areas
- Sun protection given intense tropical sun
- Entry requirements
- An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is generally required for UK travellers.
- When to go
- December to March for the west and south coasts; timings vary by region due to two monsoon seasons.
Common questions
Travelling to Sri Lanka
Do I need malaria tablets for a Sri Lanka holiday?
No. There is no malaria risk in Sri Lanka, so tablets are not needed. Mosquito bite prevention still matters because dengue and chikungunya are common on the island.
Is dengue fever a concern in Sri Lanka?
Yes, dengue occurs across parts of the country, so mosquito bite prevention during the day and evening is one of the most useful precautions you can take.
