Currency, ATM, Tipping etc, new to this !

I hope that you will forgive questions that must have been asked so many times before but my excuse is that we are not seasoned travellers and this is our first visit to SriLanka, and we are really looking forward to it.

We shall be there for the last two weeks of January, with Kuoni, exploring the island for the first week and then relaxing at the Jetwings Beach for the second week.

From what I have read it is not possible to take local currency into SriLanka and so it appears that we either join the scrum at the airport to change sterling to rupees or queue at an ATM. My own preference would be to wait until we have reached our first day hotel, the Taj Samudra in Colombo, and then seek out the nearest ATM to get cash that way. Are there any ATM%26#39;s close by ? After that we are touring but am sure that we will find the odd cash point somewhere !

Tipping, - not wanting to cause offence so what is the usual amount for this, taxi drivers, airport baggage handlers, hotel/room staff and beach waiters etc, any suggestions welcome.

As you can see, very inexperienced in this !

Cheers and thanks

Brian

Currency, ATM, Tipping etc, new to this !

Hi Brian,

Okay good questions!

1) At walking distance from the hotel, towards south (Galle Road) and towards the north (Fort area), within 10 mins walk you%26#39;ll find a few ATM%26#39;s. Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and the international ones HSBC and Standard Chartered.

2) There%26#39;s a lemma for this in our FAQ but not sure how up-to-date it is. Simply work from the assumption that their monthly salary of Rs 10,000-15,000 or so %26#39;supposedly%26#39; comes for at least half from tipping, and you end up with something like Rs 30-50 for small jobs like room cleaning and like Rs 100 for longer luggage carrying. If the tip is in addition to a bill already paid that does not include Service, e.g. restaurants, 10% is a good indication.

Hope this helps as a start, no doubt others will come with more precise guidelines esp. for tipping.

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

Currency, ATM, Tipping etc, new to this !

Hi Brian

Don%26#39;t be put off taking at least some money out at the airport. The rate there is as good as any, there are numerous different banks and it%26#39;s far from a scrum .. I have never had to queue yet. And it%26#39;s easy to ask for a number of small denomination notes which come in handy for tipping.

Sue

I normally get 拢100 changed at the airport to get started. like the above said not seen any scrum at all in my 3 visits. There are plenty of ATMs but make sure your card is ok in the country as I have seen some not work ie. Nat West. As for tips 50/100 and I give my favorate bar men 200/300 a week and my shirts when cleaned. my wife leaves all the deodrants and shampoo etc. Hope this helps

Hi Brian

Remember to inform your card issuer that you will be using the card in Sri Lanka, and also the period. Otherwise they may block your card for unusual spending behaviour.

Hans

Hi,

Bladesboy claims not to hbe able to use a Nat West card in Lanka.

My Nat West, Maestro debit card works perfectly well and has done for many years.

It%26#39;s not the main card I use, thats a Nationwide card as the transactions through Nationwide debit cards are completely free of all charges and commissions.

I%26#39;ve used both everywhere in Lanka from Colombo to Baticaloa and from Trinco to Matara, never had any problem.

Rod.

Hi Rod%26amp; aLL It was not just myself with the Nat West It was several others who needed the money to pay there guide for trips they already was doing. We was ok as we had other cards but they did not. Dont know what happened to these guys. I know one was complaining he had been on the phone to the bank for over 20 mins. To all on trip HAPPY NEW YEAR

curly hair