Ayubowan from Sri Lanka!
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At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, we passionately believe that this world is meant to be explored, including this beautiful little island that is Sri Lanka. And whenever our valuable guests feel comfortable to do so, we’re ready to safely welcome them through our doors once more for a holiday that they truly deserve, that is truly inspiring.

Ensuring the safety of our staff that continue to work diligently and that of guests who continue to patronise Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts island-wide and abroad, we have successfully conducted one of Sri Lanka’s largest vaccination drives to be undertaken by a hospitality provider, in preparation of welcoming guests with fully vaccinated staff.

We are very glad to have been identified as one of the leading travel destinations to receive the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of the stringent safety protocols being put in place across the country, to offer international travellers a peace of mind when they visit our country.

And that’s not all, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts was one of the first Sri Lankan hotel chains to receive the ‘Safe & Secure’ compliance certification awarded by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). This certification is awarded by the SLTDA to hotels that have successfully implemented the COVID-19 operational guidelines and health protocols introduced by them.

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You are 'Safe & Secure' with us

Must Knows when visiting Sri Lanka

Is Sri Lanka open for Tourists?

Yes, Sri Lanka is open and ready to welcome international travellers once again. Bandaranaike International Airport [BIA] and Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport [MRIA] are both fully operational.


Who can visit Sri Lanka?

All nationalities can visit Sri Lanka


Who is Considered a “Fully Vaccinated Traveler”?

Travelers who have completed the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and arriving 2 weeks after completion of vaccination will be considered as a fully vaccinated traveler. Any vaccination type accepted by the country of origin is acceptable.

Children of 18 years and below, who have obtained at least a single dose of a recognized vaccine and departed after the 14 days post-vaccination period will also be considered as “Fully Vaccinated”.


What are the protocols if I am a fully vaccinated traveler?

We are happy to announce that “Fully-vaccinated” travellers are exempted from pre-departure PCR/Rapid Antigen testing from 1st March 2022.

Children of 18 years and below, who have obtained at least a single dose of a recognized vaccine and departed after the 14 days post-vaccination period will also be considered as “Fully Vaccinated”.

Travellers who have received the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine should carry the original certificate/ card as verifiable evidence of vaccination.

Travellers who have departed from abroad less than two weeks of completion of the recommended doses of vaccination should perform an on-arrival PCR and undergo quarantine at a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel until completion of 14 days post vaccination period.

Travellers who are discharged from Level 1 hotels have to submit clear details of the places of stay in Sri Lanka up to their departure date to SLTDA. Diplomats, Dual citizens, Sri Lankan passport holders who are following the tourism route can submit details of their local residence.

Transport must be arranged only from SLTDA authorized travel agents, tourist transport providers or via the ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 01 hotels that the travellers are staying at.

All travellers are required to adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures imposed by the government throughout their stay in Sri Lanka.


What are the protocols of travelling to Sri Lanka for non-vaccinated travellers?

As you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be required to stay in a Level 1 ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel until the completion of 14 days. All Level 1 hotels comply with the COVID-19 health protocols and the tourism operational guidelines.

Non- vaccinated travellers should undergo an on-arrival (Day 1) PCR test and are allowed to use all facilities of the hotel upon receiving an on arrival negative PCR test report. Travellers are allowed to stay at any number of certified ‘Safe & Secure’ Level 1 hotels and can visit approved tourist sites within a bio bubble.

A bio-bubble is created for travellers staying in Level 1 hotels to visit multiple sites in Sri Lanka. This is done to ensure that their safety and wellbeing is given the highest priority and they also get to enjoy their stay with peace of mind.

Visit for more information www.srilanka.travel/helloagain. All non-vaccinated travelers will perform the 2nd PCR (Exit PCR) on Day 14. If the particular traveler departs the country before Day 14 from arrival, 2nd PCR is NOT required.

Children below 2 years are exempted from exit COVID-19 PCR test. However, if the exit PCR test of an accompanying traveler of the child is positive for COVID-19, child will also be subjected to PCR test subsequently.

Upon negative exit PCR test result, travelers can leave the bio-bubble on completion of Day 14 and go into the community. The respective Safe & Secure L1 Hotel doctor will issue a “Discharge Document” and release the travelers from bio-bubble.

Travellers who have obtained the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but have not completed the 2 weeks prior to arrival in Sri Lanka will be entitled for a shorter bio-bubble period.

  • These travelers will undergo the 2nd PCR test on the completion of 14 days from the recommended doses of vaccination and upon negative PCR test results, they shall leave the bio-bubble.
  • Unvaccinated children below 18 years can be released with the parents. Children of 2 - 18 years shall perform exit PCR tests on similar dates as their parents' and should have negative reports. Unvaccinated children of 2-18 years who have been released within the first 10 days after arriving in Sri Lanka with the parents who have completed two weeks post-vaccination period after arrival in Sri Lanka, should undergo a PCR test on Day 10 (if not subjected to a PCR test between Day 6 -10 after arrival in Sri Lanka).
  • Children under 2 years are exempted from PCR tests; However, if the exit PCR test of an accompanying traveler of the child is positive for COVID-19, the child will also be subjected to PCR test subsequently.


After verifying the status of vaccination and the 2-week completion of the recommended doses of vaccination and negative PCR test results, the respective Safe & Secure L1 Hotel doctor will issue a ‘’Discharge Document’’ and release the travelers from bio-bubble.

Can I travel within Sri Lanka?

Yes, fully vaccinated travellers can travel within Sri Lanka without any restrictions adhering to the COVID-19 health protocols and the tourism operational guidelines imposed by the government.

The non-vaccinated travellers can visit selected tourist sites under the safety of the bio-bubble. Travellers who have completed the 14 day quarantine period in the bio bubble are permitted to travel between districts.

Transport must be arranged only from SLTDA authorized drivers/ assistants for airport transfer and excursions and permanent employed drivers of ‘Safe and Secure’ certified Level 1 hotels or travel agents.


Making a Reservation at Cinnamon Hotels

Safe and Secure Level 1 Hotel Booking

If you are not a fully vaccinated traveller, you are required to stay in a Level 1 ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel upon your arrival to Sri Lanka. All Level 1 hotels comply with the COVID-19 health protocols and the tourism operational guidelines, taking care of travellers in their initial phase of the visit.


Applying for Visa

All visas must be applied online. When applying for your visa, you would need a pre-confirmed hotel booking at a Level 1 ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel. For more info visit eta.gov.lk


COVID-19 Insurance

Prior to your visit to Sri Lanka, you would need to obtain a COVID-19 local travel insurance for USD 12 covering a policy of USD 50,000 for a period of one month. The cost of the insurance cover can be paid directly to the hotel when making the reservation at your preferred Level 1 hotel.

Travellers can also pay directly for their Travel Insurance through the online portal visitsrilanka.gov.lk ( instead of paying to the hotel or travel agent) and receive their Unique Tourism Reference Number required to apply for visa. If your stay exceeds 30 days, you should extend your insurance cover.


PCR Testing

We are happy to announce that “Fully-vaccinated” travellers are exempted from pre-departure PCR/Rapid Antigen testing from 1st March 2022.

For non - vaccinated travellers;
A mandatory cost of USD 40 per person will be charged per PCR test by the hotel prior to the arrival and the number of tests to be carried out will vary based on the number of nights booked at the hotel.

If the traveller stays up to 14 days or more, a second PCR test will be conducted between on Day 14. Once the on arrival (Day 1) PCR test results appear negative, travellers are allowed to visit the approved sites in the bio security bubble.

If the travellers who are in the bio-bubble at an ‘L1 Safe & Secure Certified’ hotel want to travel to a foreign country (during the bio-bubble period), they have to undergo a PCR test (Pre-departure PCR test) and obtain negative results. The ‘L1 Safe & Secure Certified’ hotel is responsible to arrange and ensure the travelers perform this PCR test from the Ministry of Health approved Private Sector or State Sector Laboratory.

If required by the final destination, all travellers have to do the Pre-departure PCR test.

Non-vaccinated travellers can pay directly for their PCR tests through the online portal visitsrilanka.gov.lk (instead of paying to the hotel or travel agent) and receive their Unique Tourism Reference Number required to apply for visa.


Flexible booking policy

Existing and new bookings can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 48 hours prior to arrival.


Our commitment to cleanliness with Cinnamon Care

What is Cinnamon Care?

Now, more than ever, the health and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority, and we’re making sure our hotel teams have everything they need to keep everyone, including themselves, safe.

We have implemented the Cinnamon Standard for Care and Cleanliness through Cinnamon Care to deliver a safe and unobtrusive experience at our properties. These measures are in strict adherence to the domestic and World Health Organization guidelines.


The Cinnamon Standard for Care and Cleanliness

A holistic approach is taken to sanitation across all hotel spaces. Enhanced measures include high frequency cleaning and disinfection of guest areas, use of approved disinfectants against the COVID-19 virus and other bacteria, compliance for supply chain deliveries, and cleaning protocols for culinary and housekeeping areas. We’ve also made modifications to limit contact and maintain the required distance stipulated for physical distancing through seating arrangements in public areas and restaurants. Airport transfers, check-in and check-out procedures, use of hotel facilities such as the pool, the gym and sports activities and banqueting have been enhanced to meet the Standard. Click here to view the full information related to Cinnamon Care.

These strengthened procedures are designed to give you and our hotel teams greater confidence, and the protection needed. teams the protection needed.


Our commitment towards our guests and team members

Enabling the personal wellbeing of guests and colleagues is key. We’ve got clear procedures in place should any of our guests or team members test positive for COVID-19. Click here to view the procedures and protocols we follow at every hotel.


Safety Stamp from World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

Recognizing the safety protocols introduced by the Sri Lankan Government along with standards mandated by the SLTDA to ensure the safety of domestic and international travellers, Sri Lanka was awarded with the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp.

The WTTC’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp is the first of its kind, specifically designed to combat the effects of COVID-19 and similar outbreaks. Recognized and embraced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the stamp allows travellers to explore the globe whilst ensuring their safety.


SLTDA ‘Safe & Secure’ Compliance Certification

We are happy to announce that Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is one of the first hotel chains to receive the ‘Safe & Secure’ certification awarded by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). SLTDA introduced the ‘Safe & Secure’ compliance certification to registered hotels and other service providers in tourism as a preliminary step in preparing the tourism industry to welcome international travellers.

KPMG Sri Lanka is the SLTDA appointed independent professional body to conduct the audit process to ensure that the registered accommodation / service provider has implemented the COVID-19 operational guidelines and health protocols introduced by SLTDA. Upon successful completion of the audit process by KPMG, the final review and certification was done by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka


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