travelling to sri lanka money

Best ways to spend travel money in Sri Lanka: Debit and prepaid cards

Learn more about the best card to use, if you should use a uk debit card and other ways to take spending money to sri lanka..

In this guide

Low-cost travel money options for Sri Lanka

• What's the alternative?

What currency can I use in Sri Lanka?

How many rupees should you bring on your trip, exchange rate history (gbp to lkr), should it be a travel card, a credit card, or a debit card, get familiar with the sri lankan rupee, exchanging money, hotels and street money changers, withdrawing cash from an atm, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Be free to explore Sri Lanka’s breathtaking landscapes and rich history by organising your travel money before getting on the plane. You’re not strapped for options when it comes to accessing your funds overseas, but the right one for you will depend on a number of factors. Use this guide to learn how you can take your money with you on your next holiday in Sri Lanka.

How we chose these accounts

Using credit cards.

A credit card is another option to consider when travelling in Sri Lanka. Like all travel money options, it has its benefits and drawbacks. Consider some of the following factors associated with using your credit card overseas:

• Currency conversion fees. Most UK credit cards will charge a currency conversion fee of around 3% if you use your card to make purchases in a foreign currency. To reduce your expenses, look for a credit card designed for overseas use that doesn’t charge these fees.
• ATM withdrawals. Credit cards aren’t designed for cash withdrawals, so you’ll probably accrue a high cash advance fee if you use your card for ATM withdrawals in the UK or overseas. As you’re most likely to use cash in Sri Lanka, you may want to consider carrying a debit or prepaid card for cash withdrawals and leave your credit card for large or emergency purchases.
• Acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Sri Lanka, so you should have no problem using this type of card while you’re travelling.
• Rewards. Some credit cards are linked to a rewards or frequent flyer program, which could be a smart way to earn points on your holiday purchases. Some cards even offer bonus points for overseas transactions.
• Insurance. Credit cards designed for overseas use often come with complimentary travel insurance for you and the family members travelling with you. You may be required to pay for a percentage of your travel costs with the card to qualify, so make sure to read over the insurance policy.

Using prepaid travel cards in Sri Lanka

You can load pounds on to a prepaid travel card, which can be transferred to multiple supported currencies. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks you should consider:

• Supported currencies. A small number of UK prepaid cards support LKR, so you’ll hopefully be able to avoid currency conversion or foreign transaction fees if you use a compatible travel money card in Sri Lanka.
• ATM withdrawals. Travel cards charge different ATM fees depending on the currency you’re withdrawing. You can check the review page or product disclosure statement (PDS) relevant to your card to see how much ATM visits will cost you.
• Locked-in exchange rates. Prepaid travel cards lock in your exchange rate at the time of loading the funds, so your money is protected against negative exchange rate fluctuations while you’re travelling.
• Access to your own funds. Unlike a line of credit, a prepaid card carries preloaded funds from your savings account. This can help curb overspending and give you a more realistic understanding of your travel budget when you’re overseas.

Using travel money debit cards

Debit cards can be a good way to access your savings overseas, but there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of. Consider some of the benefits and restrictions below:

• ATM alliances. Some UK debit cards belong to ATM alliances, so you can withdraw funds from specific ATMs overseas without incurring a withdrawal fee. Unlike a credit card, you can also enjoy withdrawing cash without the burden of a cash advance fee.
• Currency conversion. Unless your card is designed for overseas use, you’ll be charged a currency conversion fee if you use your card to make purchases in a foreign currency.
• Use your cash. Like a prepaid card, a debit card only has access to your savings. This can help you keep your travel budget in check and prevent you from overspending.

Taking cash in Sri Lanka

It’s prohibited to bring more than a small amount of LKR into and out of Sri Lanka. At some point, you will need to get money changed or make an ATM withdrawal.

What’s the alternative?

Digital banking apps are definitely worth considering. You can use them to manage your travel money anywhere in the world, and many don’t charge any transaction or withdrawal fees.

The official and only currency of Sri Lanka is the rupee (LKR). The Sri Lankan government has tight control over the national currency and there are strict limits on the amount of rupees you can bring in and out of the country (up to LKR 20,000). You’ll need to change pounds to LKR or withdraw rupees from an ATM when you arrive.

*2024 price is an average up until 25 April. Back to top

Are you travelling to Sri Lanka and looking to find the best way to take your travel money? Let’s compare prepaid travel cards, credit cards and debit cards to help you determine which option is right for you.

Most digital banking apps , which are a great option owing to very low transaction and withdrawal fees, come with either a Visa or Mastercard bank card . They work as normal bank accounts do, so the “topping up” process simply consists of transferring money into the account.

A quick summary of your travel money options in Sri Lanka

This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.

The Sri Lankan rupee comes in the following denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000. 10 rupees is the lowest denomination banknote.

You should wait until you arrive in Sri Lanka to get the bulk of your money changed. Money exchange offices in Sri Lanka can change pounds to rupees. You can bring up to LKR20,000 to Sri Lanka from abroad, which is approximately £75, or you can bring up to the pound equivalent of US$10,000.

LKR is a minor international currency. Exchange offices in the UK charge a higher commission compared to getting your money changed when you arrive in Sri Lanka. Exchange offices at Colombo and Hambantota airports offer rates that compete with what you can get on the street, so don’t be afraid to get your cash changed as soon as you get off the plane. Exchange offices at Colombo airport are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Licensed money changers such as jewellers and designated exchange offices may offer a better rate than banks. The rate may change depending on the denominations you want to change. For example, you may be able to get a better rate exchanging £50 notes compared to multiples of £10.

If you can, avoid changing money at your hotel. Hotels usually offer a worse rate than banks and dedicated money changers, and a commission may also be applied to the transaction.

Street money changers may offer an attractive rate, but there’s a higher chance of being ripped off. These people are practised at sleight of hand and have been known to short-change tourists. It’s better to be safe than sorry and get your money changed at the airport or at a bank. Spend a few extra pounds to ensure you end up ahead.

• Tip: Be sure to keep your exchange slip when you get money changed so you can re-exchange cash when you leave the country.

The other option to get LKR is to withdraw cash from an ATM when you arrive. Cash withdrawals using your credit card (not recommended) or debit card are subject to the Visa or Mastercard foreign exchange rate. The Visa and Mastercard rate is close to the interbank rate. The downside is the charge for using an international ATM. A local ATM operator fee and international ATM fee will apply.

The banks to use to withdraw cash

Not all banks accept foreign cards. You can make cash withdrawals using your UK card at these popular Sri Lankan banks:

• Sampath Bank
• Commercial Bank
• National Bank
• Standard Chartered Bank

Make sure you check to see whether the ATM takes your card. The Visa and Mastercard logo should be displayed on the front of the machine.

There is no single best travel money strategy, as the right one will ultimately depend on where you’re travelling, how you’re spending your money and what you can afford. For example, if you’re going to be making a lot of cash withdrawals, consider a debit card with an ATM alliance or a prepaid card with low withdrawal fees over a credit card.

Given Sri Lanka’s relatively strict limits on the amount of physical cash that can be brought into or taken out of the country, it may make sense to wait until you arrive in the country before trying to get your hands on LKR bank notes.

As LKR is a relatively minor international currency, you’re unlikely to find overly competitive exchange rates if using an exchange office in the UK to get LKR cash. UK-based exchanges are also likely to levy higher commission, when compared to getting your money changed as soon as you arrive in Sri Lanka.

How can I send money to Sri Lanka from the UK?

What’s the best way to get lkr in sri lanka cash or card, what’s the best place to exchange cash in sri lanka, when are banks open in sri lanka, how much can i withdraw from an atm in sri lanka, what do i do with my leftover lkr, how much should i tip when i’m in sri lanka.

A tip can be a great way to show your appreciation for a job well done. It’s not compulsory to tip, but there is some expectation of a reward for most direct services such as room cleaning, carrying bags, drink and food service and guided tours. An additional ‘service charge’ is included in some bills, like when you dine out at a restaurant or when you settle your hotel bill. This additional charge is collected by the owner of the business and the money may not end up in the hands of the people who have served you. Tip waiters, cleaners or staff directly to make sure they get the money.

Guidelines for tipping:

Tip restaurant and bar staff and drivers 10% of the total bill, 100 rupees a day for cleaners and 50 rupees (per bag) for porters. If you’re visiting a temple or shrine, tip shoe minders 20 rupees. Island car tours will expect a little more, but it’s your decision to tip as much as you feel is necessary to show your gratitude for a service well (or not so well) done.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use . When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

Jason Loewenthal

Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio

More guides on Finder

We delve into the data behind the September effect and stock market performance – what are the best and worst months?

We explore Cheddar’s free-to-join finance app and its range of cashback incentives at popular retailers.

Solicitors may be keeping millions in client interest. They hold client money for inheritance and other reasons, but some firms offer minimal interest (less than 1%) while earning higher rates themselves.

Nearly half of UK students plan to commute due to rising costs. The most affordable city is Stoke-on-Trent (£1,047/month), while London is the most expensive (£2,210/month).

The government-backed Growth Guarantee Scheme aims to improve the terms of business loans on offer

If you need funding for your Scottish business we look at the type of business loans and financing available to you.

Compare different uni towns and cities with your home town and see the cost of living in each area.

Find out how to grow traffic to your small business website using an analytics tool. We’ve used Semrush as an example. Paid content.

Solicitors are pocketing millions in interest on their clients’ money. The watchdog has warned them to be fair. Here’s what you need to know.

Discover the Amazon Barclaycard: enjoy 0% interest on purchases, earn rewards and get Amazon gift vouchers. Is it the right card for you?

4 Responses

How much foreign cash (USD) are you allowed to bring into Sri Lanka? This is for a driver.

Thanks for reaching out to finder.

There is no restriction in bringing foreign currencies into Sri Lanka. However, if the total amount exceeds USD 15,000, that sum must be declared to Sri Lanka Customs.

On the other hand, if you wish to take out of Sri Lanka more than USD 5,000 in currency notes, out of the money you brought in, you will need to declare the total amount of the currency you brought in even if it is less than US$ 15,000.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Charisse

If I take cash to sri lanka is it a good way of getting a fair deal?

Thank you for your inquiry.

While we cannot recommend what is best for you, we can offer you a general information. As per checking you already in the correct page, what you can do next is to review and compare the offers that will best fit your personal requirements.

I hope this information has helped.

Cheers, Harold

How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Advertiser Disclosure

finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

Learn how we maintain accuracy on our site.

Cost of Travel in Sri Lanka: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Sri Lanka is one of my favourite countries in the world, and one that instantly captured my heart.

After two decades of internal conflict, a tsunami that killed tens of thousands, and an economic crisis that saw the country run out of basics like fuel, tourism is finally starting to pick back up in this beautiful teardrop-shaped island off the south coast of India.

Now, visitors have the opportunity to fall deeply in love with the islands’s laid-back beaches, stunning train rides, delicious cuisine, and welcoming locals. Sri Lanka is a fantastic place to travel through, whether you’re a backpacker on a shoestring budget or a luxury traveller in search of excellent value.

My best friend is Sri Lankan, so I grew up hearing stories of her homeland and seeing photos of the most beautiful tropical beaches. I couldn’t wait to visit. As soon as I booked my flight into the country, I was therefore pestering her for travel tips and advice, then taking everything she recommended on board so that I could plan the perfect Sri Lanka itinerary .

And did Sri Lanka meet my already-sky-high expectations? Did it ever!

Without a doubt, Sri Lanka has some of the most incredible natural landscapes I’ve ever seen and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I built a deep bond with one family in particular, but that’s not unusual — every visitor to Sri Lanka seems to form a connection with the locals as they travel around. Whether it’s being invited to stay with a family in their home, being begged to play a spontaneous game of cricket, or being offered home-cooked food on yet another spectacular train journey, you’re going to feel so loved while you’re in this country.

And the fact that it’s inexpensive while offering great value for money? That’s just the cherry on the top.

I never felt like I was pushing my budget during my time in Sri Lanka and most things felt very affordable. Depending on where you’re flying in from, flights could be pricier due to the island’s location. But don’t let that scare you off, because once you land, you’ll find it to be one of the best-value budget destinations in Asia. 

What’s Included in This Article

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food while I travelled around the country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of Sri Lanka as this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from.

The amounts in this guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. but I also included some prices in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR), as this is the local currency that you’ll be using within the country. 

Okay — let’s get started!

How I Spent Two Weeks in Sri Lanka

To give some context to my budget breakdowns, I always like to share how long I spent in the country and where I visited. In Sri Lanka, I spent two weeks travelling in the southwest of the country. This is the region that offers up the vast majority of tourist attractions, so you’ll likely be hitting up all of the spots that I did.

Most visitors to Sri Lanka choose to circle the southwestern parts of the island in a clockwise direction. I, however, recommend doing the exact opposite. When you travel counter-clockwise, you’ll see all of the epic parts of Sri Lanka, but the transportation will be way less crowded. In particular, on the famous train between Kandy and Ella, you’ll have a much easier time getting tickets if you’re travelling in the opposite direction to everybody else. Tickets on this route sell out every single day, so having less competition makes for a less stressful trip and a higher chance that you won’t have to miss out and take the bus instead.

Here’s how I spent two weeks in Sri Lanka:

• Day 1: Colombo (A quick in-and-out! I didn’t love Colombo and minimised my time there)
• Day 2: Galle (I love Galle! Spend your time here wandering through the beautiful fort)
• Day 3: Galle (More wanderings, interspersed with shopping, tea-drinking, and admiring the architecture)
• Day 4: Mirissa (A hub for backpackers, with epic beaches)
• Day 5: Mirissa (Take a surf class or kick back and relax on the sand)
• Day 6: Tangalle (Less overrun with tourists — this is another great beach)
• Day 7: Yalla National Park (Take a safari to see wild elephants and leopards!)
• Day 8: Yalla National Park (One safari is never enough, so venture out on another one!)
• Day 9: Ella (Hill country! One of my favourite parts of the country, surrounded by tea plantations)
• Day 10: Ella (Spend today hiking or touring a plantation)
• Day 11: Ella — train to Kandy (You must take this train while you’re in Sri Lanka!)
• Day 12: Kandy (Sri Lanka’s capital — worth a night to take a look around)
• Day 13: Sigiriya (Sri Lanka’s iconic rock fortress — a must-do!)
• Day 14: Sigirya – day trip to Dambulla (Take a day trip to Dambulla to see the cave temples)
• Day 15: Negombo (A beach town close to Colombo, but much nicer! Plus, the airport is right here)
• Day 16: Time to leave!

With that out of the way, let’s take a look now at how much you can expect all of this to cost.

The Cost of Accommodation in Sri Lanka 

From my experience, the best accommodation options in Sri Lanka are Airbnbs or homestays, with the occasional splurge in a nice hotel. Sri Lanka has a reputation for outstanding hospitality and you’ll encounter this especially in smaller, family-run places. 

When I stayed somewhere that was family-run, I always felt at ease—something that’s incredibly valuable as a female traveler. Not to mention, for only around $30 a night , you’re supporting a local family while getting a home-away-from home experience. On top of that, you still get your own clean, private room.

If you’re on a tight budget, housesitting  is a great option for  free  accommodation. This is where you’ll take care of somebody’s house while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year.

If you  do  have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while. I have friends who have housesat in castles before! For free!  Trusted Housesitters  is the best site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings. There aren’t a lot of them in Sri Lanka in general, but it’s worth a look: opportunities definitely do still pop up!

If you feel like luxing it out a bit more at a fancy hotel, it’s fairly easy to find something that’s still within a reasonable budget. You can stay at some pretty decadent hotels or private villas for $75-125 per night . 

Here’s a list of my favourite accommodation options in Sri Lanka. All prices are for two people staying in a double or twin room:

Colombo — OYO MotelVIP ( $31 a night ): To start off your time in Sri Lanka, spend a night or two in the capital at this comfortable, clean and welcoming motel. It couldn’t be better value for money. Not only is the location great for travelers (you’re close to the beach and some good restaurants), but each standard double room is equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a fridge, and a very comfortable mattress. This place hits the mark by being both budget-friendly and high quality. There’s a shared lounge, kitchen and garden for you to enjoy, plus the couple that owns it will thoughtfully respond to your requests and help you plan anything you need help with! 

Galle — Khalid’s Guest House ( $85 a night ): For the price, location, and quality—you can’t get much better than this charming guest house! It’s a beautifully furnished hotel in a restored heritage building situated right in the centre of the historical Galle Fort. So you can wake up and easily explore the walled remains of the old Portugese fortress and all the quaint corners. Even better, a delicious breakfast is included in your stay, an added bonus to the clean and comfortable rooms. The host and his staff are also incredibly hospitable and can help arrange any tours or transport that you need. 

Mirissa — D Canal House ( $77 a night ): This is a little piece of paradise in Mirissa! It’s a quiet and calm hotel located about a 10-15 minute walk from the main strip, but this tranquil oasis is worth it. The rooms and interior design are beautiful and comfortable. And on the outside, you’re basically surrounded by a jungle. You’ll quickly settle into the peace and joy of waking up to the sounds of birds singing around the lush ecosystem around you, enjoying a fresh Sri Lankan breakfast on your private balcony and getting some good R&R in by the gorgeous swimming pool. Nevertheless, if you want to go to the beach or into town, a free tuk tuk service to the main road is included in your stay! 

Tangalle — Amour at Turtle Beach ( $32 a night) : After Mirissa, I made my way further along the coast to Tangalle, which is a little less touristy and a lot less expensive. And while I was there? I stayed in one of the best-rated guesthouses in the entire country! My double room was clean and spacious, and I was only a short walk to the beach. But it’s the local host family that lives behind this home that makes this place memorable and special. They never hesitated to make me feel at home, whether it was driving me to a nearby attraction or welcoming me to a family birthday dinner. 

Ella — Happy Horizon Homestay ( $36 a night ): If you plan on taking the famous train ride to Kandy (you know, the one where you see people leaning out of windows overlooking lush greenery), then Ella will definitely be a stop on your Sri Lanka trip. This small mountain town is the perfect place to chill out, and Happy Horizon Homestay the ideal accommodation to do it in, with clean, simple rooms and gorgeous mountain views from the balcony. The family hosts are also incredibly welcoming and accommodating, happy to help with anything from tuk-tuk rides, to laundry to suggestions on what to see. They also make a wonderful Sri Lankan breakfast! Book at least a few nights here—you won’t regret it. 

Kandy — Riverview Kandy Room 2 ( $19 a night) : I decided to stay in an Airbnb during my time in Kandy, and I’m so glad I stayed in this one. The location is a little outside Kandy’s city centre, but not far enough to make it a problem for exploring the city: tuk-tuks are inexpensive and always available. When you’re waking up to peace and tranquility along the river, the extra few minutes it takes to get into the heart of the city will definitely feel like they’re worth it! Each room in this beautiful bungalow has its own private balcony for admiring that river view, and the host is incredibly friendly and will make you a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast during your stay. This place truly felt like a home away from home—it’s no wonder I stayed for a week!

Sigiriya — Nice View Lodge ( $26 a night ): Sigiriya is a small town most known for the ancient rock fortress that stands nearby. One look out your window and you’ll understand why Sigiriya means “Lions Rock”; it looks like something right out of “The Lion King”. You’ll likely only need a night in Sigiriya, but you should still stay somewhere memorable. Nice View Lodge is a well-maintained property only a few minutes from the famous rock, with a great terrace overlooking gorgeous rice fields and gardens. The warm, friendly family are happy to arrange anything you need, from scooter rental to onward transport, and cook up a mean breakfast each morning as well. 

The Cost of Transportation in Sri Lanka 

Transportation around Sri Lanka is easily accessible and very affordable. It’s also quite a small country, making it easy to get from place to place in a short amount of time. There’s really no need to fly domestically: there are limited options, and it just doesn’t make sense logistically. Besides, it’s a beautiful country that’s worth seeing through ground transportation. 

Here are the most common forms of transportation in Sri Lanka: 

Tuk-Tuk — Also known as auto rickshaws, tuk-tuks are a common and economical way of getting around the various towns and cities in Sri Lanka. They’re basically everywhere and take the place of taxis. 

The most important thing to be wary of is tuk-tuk drivers that scam you into overpaying for a ride because you’re a tourist. Before going anywhere, talk to the locals that work at your accommodation about the average costs. Or better yet, ask if they have a reliable driver that they partner with to take you places, then negotiate a fair price before you get in. Even though all tuk-tuks should charge based on their meter, this isn’t always the case. 

If you want to hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around for the day, then an honest price would be around $25 (8000 LKR) . And an average one-way ride should cost you around $0.35 (100 LKR) per kilometer for short trips, with a cheaper per-km rate for longer journeys. 

You can also download PickMe, Sri Lanka’s version of Uber, to book a taxi or tuk-tuk from your phone. This way, the cost is already calculated on the app, and there’s no need to negotiate. You can use PickMe in cities like Colombo or Kandy, but in smaller rural towns, you’ll have to hail on the street. 

Train — A Sri Lankan train journey is like no other, especially the famous Kandy to Ella route. Taking this particular iconic train ride is more about the experience than getting from point A to point B, but since the rail system in Sri Lanka runs throughout the entire country, you’ll likely use it several times during your stay.

Trains in Sri Lanka have three classes. First class is air conditioned and has numbered, cushioned seating. Second class has cushioned seats and no air conditioning, but the windows are usually always open. Third class has benches and might fit three people per row as opposed to two, but it’s still not a bad option.

I took third class from Kandy to Ella and it surprisingly wasn’t that busy. I found it fun being able to freely get up, move around, and stand beside the doors watching the tea plantations go by…not something you can do on most trains these days!

Depending on which train you’re on and which class you’re in, you can expect to pay anything between $5 and $20 for your seat when booking online . You’ll probably save a small amount by doing it in person at a train station, but on this route in particular, you’ll want to book well in advance.

I ended up having to push my departure from Ella back by a day, just because I couldn’t get a seat on any train for the next three days when I enquired at the station on the afternoon I arrived. The journey is scheduled to take seven hours, but often takes anything up to ten. 

As you can see, train travel is relatively affordable. At the end of the day, choose your ticket and class based on your comfort level and price range, and book well in advance for popular routes or if you want to be seated in first class.

Buses — There are some instances where taking the train isn’t possible, either because it just doesn’t go anywhere near your intended destination, or because you need to jump on a bus for the final part of your journey. These buses are just as affordable as the train, but tend to be a bit more crowded and definitely have less room for luggage.

I took the bus a few times in Sri Lanka and never had a bad experience! Added bonus: you’ll have plenty of opportunity to chat with your fellow passengers. Dave spent several hours immersed in a conversation with one man about the respective fortunes of the New Zealand and Sri Lankan cricket teams on a bus ride from Tangalle, which ended with an invitation to stay the night at his house instead of continuing on to Ella!

Short trips in the city only cost around 20c (70 LKR) , while long journeys that take several hours still only set you back around $3-4 (950-1250 LKR) .

The Cost of Food in Sri Lanka

Local Sri Lankan food isn’t just cheap, it’s incredibly flavorful and appetizing. I’m literally just licking my lips right now thinking about the food I ate in Sri Lanka. 

Of course, you have classic rice and curry dishes, both vegetarian and meat-based, and you’ll find them pretty much everywhere. My favorite is probably kottu roti, which made using shredded pieces of roti bread mixed with spices, vegetables, seafood, and/or meat. It’s then all chopped up together, stir-fried, and tossed with hot sauce. You’ll quickly become familiar with this popular street food dish once you’re in Sri Lanka: the sound of intense metallic chopping will be heard from a mile away. 

I was also pleasantly surprised by how good a typical Sri Lanka breakfast is, and looked forward to it every morning, especially when it was freshly prepared at a homestay. The star of this meal is the string hoppers, which resemble noodles made from rice flour. You take the hopper with your hand and dip it into side dishes of coconut or onion sambal, curry, and/or dahl. Sometimes breakfast will also include egg hoppers (a thin fried pancake with an egg in the middle) or sweet roti pancakes. 

Seafood features heavily on the menu all around the coast, with fish or shrimp curries often appearing on the menu, along with devilled fish and rice, calamari, and, sometimes, grilled whole fish options as well. In the interior, you’re more likely to see chicken or vegetables instead; they’re probably the safer option anyway, as you can’t always guarantee how well refrigerated the seafood was on its journey to your restaurant!

Prices vary throughout the country, and you should expect to pay more in tourist-heavy locations like Galle Fort than elsewhere. As an example, though, here’s what you can expect to pay for various breakfast, lunch, and dinner options in a restaurant in Sri Lanka:

• Local breakfast of hoppers and a cup of tea or coffee: $4
• Western-style breakfast of avocado toast and coffee: $8
• Chicken kottu rotti: $3.50
• Devilled fish and rice: $5
• Grilled fish or calamari and fries: $7-10
• Seafood platter to share: $16-25
• Burger: $5-7
• Large bottle of local beer: $3.25
• Large bottle of water: $0.50

Because breakfast is included with most accommodation, if you stick to street food and small restaurants that are popular with locals rather than tourists, you can easily go a day spending only around $10 (3000 LKR) for food. If you eat at Western-style cafes or restaurants and have a couple of drinks with your meals, you might spend closer to $30 (9500 LKR) per day. 

I found a good mix between the two while I was there, and usually spent around $20 (6300 LKR) per day if I ate one local meal and one more Western-style meal. 

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Sri Lanka   

Sri Lanka has plenty to see and do, and I loved the variety of activities that were possible. From cooking classes to temples, hiking, surfing, or just lazing around on the beach—there’s a lot of fun and adventure to be had in this country, no matter what you’re into.

One of the more popular activities, and a personal highlight, was going to Sigiriya Rock. But instead of climbing the rock itself, I’d recommend hiking up nearby Pidurangala Rock instead. You get an epic view of Sigiriya Rock from the top, and it’s a fraction of the price!

I found that the interior of Sri Lanka was a great place to do hikes, cooking classes, and safaris, while the south is perfect for lazy beach days and water activities. I’m not much of a surfer, but I did indulge in a couple of surf lessons to learn the ropes a bit more. If surfing is your jam, then the southern beaches will be right up your alley. 

One of my favorite experiences was doing a cooking class while I was in Kandy. My guide took me to the market first to pick up our ingredients, and then we cooked up about half a dozen Sri Lankan dishes from scratch. I love spending money on a cooking class: not only do you get to learn more about the traditions and food culture of a place, you also get to eat everything afterwards!

Here’s a breakdown of some popular attractions in Sri Lanka and their respective costs: 

• Sigiriya Rock / Pidurangala Rock: $30 / $3
• Surf Lessons: $12-20 per hour 
• Scuba Diving: $75 for two dives
• Whale watching in Mirissa : ( $71 )
• Cooking Class (Kandy) : $28 
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Kandy): $6.50
• Nine Arch Bridge (Ella): FREE
• Little Adam’s Peak (Ella): FREE 
• Private safari with an experienced guide (Udawalawe National Park): $85 
• Half-day safari at Yala National Park ( $153 )

The Cost of Miscellaneous Expenses in Sri Lanka

A local SIM card:  I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

This year, I started using  Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM card online  before  you arrive in Sri Lanka, and then as soon as you land in the country, you can switch on your data and start using it. It’s worked flawlessly for me and now, I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. You’ll pay  $7 for 1 GB of data  or $13 for 5 GB for Sri Lanka and can also top-up through the Airalo app.

Make sure you have an e-SIM compatible phone before purchasing — all recent iPhones and many Androids are.

Travel insurance : If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many GoFundMe campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Sri Lanka. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Sri Lanka? 

It’s time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs!

• Accommodation: $44 per day for two people ( $22 per person)
• Transportation: $7 per day
• Food: $21 per day
• Activities/Entrance Fees: $24 per day

Average amount spent in Sri Lanka: $74 a day!

Related Articles on Sri Lanka 💰 Scammed in Sri Lanka: the Shady Tuk-Tuk Driver

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

Related Posts

What’s it Like to Travel in Kazakhstan?

The Cost of Travel in Mauritius: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

The Cost of Travel in Thailand: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

2023: My Travels in Review

The Cost of Travel in South Korea: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Delhi: An In-Depth Itinerary

What a lovely, useful post Lauren! I’ve been to India several times before but I can’t wait to visit Sri Lanka (and Nepal too!). It seems like Sri Lanka is beautiful with friendly people and not as stressful as India!

Thank you so much, Sadye! That means a lot :-) And you’ve got it right — Sri Lanka is wonderful and definitely not as stressful as India. I often have referred to Sri Lanka as India Lite for travellers. If you want to travel around India but feel intimidated, Sri Lanka is a great stepping stone for dipping your feet into South Asia travel!

Of course, Sri Lanka has plenty to offer in its own right, so spend as much time there as you possibly can. It’s such a beautiful country.

Hi Lauren, Thank you for your post. It was exactly what I was looking for. I’m going to be traveling in Sri Lanka for the next three weeks and wasn’t sure how much I should expect to spend while I’m there. This gives me a really good idea and has left me itching to get there so I can start exploring. And start eating all of that delicious food!

Amazing, amazing! Three weeks is a great amount of time in Sri Lanka and you’re going to have the absolute best time while you’re there. And the food! You’re going to love it. Prepare your mouth for plenty of spicy food :-)

Hey Lauren – what time of year were you in Sri Lanka? What’s the best time for weather, etc. Thinking about going in November or December but I’m a bit worried about the monsoon. What do you recommend?

Well. First of all, Sri Lanka is pretty interesting because different parts of the country get the monsoon at different times of year. This makes it impossible to plan a trip that allows you to see the entire island without encountering some rain!

So, here’s a primer:

*In the south-western parts of the country (Like Colombo, Negombo, Galle, and Mirissa), the monsoon occurs between May and September, with the dry season coming around between December and March.

*In the north-eastern parts of the country (Jaffna, Dambulla, Trincomalee), you’ll encounter the monsoon between October and January, and the dry season runs between May and September.

*On top of that , there’s a mini-monsoon season between October and November, where the rains can occur anywhere across the entire island.

*The best weather for visiting the entire island is between December and April — primarily because most tourists don’t venture into the north east of the country as much as the south west.

I visited the southwestern parts of the country in August and September, so during the monsoon season, and I was totally fine. While it certainly did rain, it’s like much of the tropics in its nature: heavy rains between around 3 and 5 in the afternoon, but blistering sunshine at any other part of the day. It didn’t disrupt our plans at all while we were there.

So if I was you, I’d aim for a December trip and plan to spend most of your time in the south-western parts of the country :-)

Great post!! I was wondering if you’d advise pre-paying for activities before going to Sri Lanka, or can you arrange and book when you’re there easily i.e. cooking classes, safari?

Thanks Lauren,

Excellent tips. Much appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to give a detailed insight into the price of different items. I’m feeling a lot more prepared for our upcoming holiday to Sri Lanka! I was just wondering whether it’s possible to pay USD for common entrance fees (eg national parks, sigiriya)?

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Destinations
• Get a US Passport
• Become a Partner
• Developer Portal

Discover Agola

Travel money sri lanka: a guide to banking, money, & currency.

While traveling in Sri Lanka , the currency you’ll use for goods and services is the Sri Lankan rupee. The official currency of this island nation, the Sri Lankan rupee is visually stunning, with lovely colors and images of local birds, landmarks, and important people.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Sri Lankan rupee and local customs involving money, from where to get currency to tipping culture.

Travel Money in Sri Lanka: Everything You Need to Know

Sri lankan rupee basics, denominations, sri lankan rupee exchange rates, how to get sri lankan rupees, currency exchanges, cash advances at atms, exchanging currency at a local bank, cost of goods and living in sri lanka, importing and exporting sri lankan rupees, counterfeit sri lankan rupees, using us dollars in sri lanka, using credit cards in sri lanka, credit card fees, cultural sensitivities around money, tipping etiquette in sri lanka, bargaining and haggling, preparing for your sri lanka trip.

In this guide to banking, money, and currency in Sri Lanka, you’ll get our best travel money tips, from finding the best exchange rates to breaking down the average prices of local goods and services. Read on for all the details on navigating the local currency and banking system in Sri Lanka.

• Currency Code: LKR
• Symbols: /Rs. (English), ரூ (Tamil), රු (Sinhala)
• Forms: Banknotes, coins
• Division: 1 Re. = 100 cents

Sri Lankan rupees are available in two physical forms: banknotes and coins.

• Banknote denominations: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000
• Coin denominations: 1, Rs.2, 5, 10, 20

It’s recommended to compare rates and fees at different banks and currency-exchange offices to ensure you get the best exchange rate.

The current exchange rate for USD to LKR is: US$1.00 = Rs.320.03, though it constantly fluctuates.

Because they are subject to change, it’s essential to check the rates before making any currency exchanges. Use an exchange rate calculator to check the current exchange rate, both before and during your visit, to better track your spending. It’s also recommended to compare rates and fees at different banks and money changers to ensure you get the best value.

Since Sri Lankan rupees aren’t widely circulated, it’s unlikely that many currency exchanges in the United States or at major international airports will have them available. It’s easiest to get LKR once you arrive. Most international travelers arrive in Sri Lanka at the Colombo Airport, which has official currency exchanges and ATMs.

The best way to get the national currency is from money exchanges and ATMs. Some hotels can exchange your USD for LKR, but they’ll likely charge hefty fees and offer an unfavorable exchange rate, so it’s best to avoid this option.

Currency or money exchanges are among the most reliable and trusted places to get Sri Lankan rupees. You’ll find these in airports and major cities. If you’re unsure about where you can safely exchange currency, use this list of approved money changers around Colombo from the Department of Foreign Exchange.

Another fast, easy, and trusted way to get Sri Lanka currency is from an ATM. Local ATMs are readily available in major cities, but it’s best to stock up on cash before heading to rural or less populated areas. Not all ATMs will accept foreign debit cards, but you can withdraw LKR from the following Sri Lankan banks: National Bank, Sampath, Hatton, Commercial Bank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank.

It’s best to only take out money in busy, well-populated areas. Practice common sense and be aware of your surroundings when making ATM withdrawals to make sure someone isn’t watching you, and examine the machine for card readers that can capture your debit card data.

It’s also smart to check with your bank regarding hidden fees (such as foreign transaction fees and international ATM fees) before you leave.

If you don’t feel comfortable using currency exchanges or ATMs to withdraw rupees, some banks, including the People’s Bank, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, BOC Bank, and Hatton, offer money exchange.

With such a favorable USD to LKR exchange rate, American dollars go a long way in Sri Lanka. US travelers will get a lot of bang for their buck here, making it a fantastic destination for both budget travel and high-end trips that don’t break the bank.

Here are the average costs of some expenses you may have as a traveler:

• Average daily expenditure: 6,145 for a budget trip; Rs.15,360 for a high-end excursion
• Bus ride: 40
• Overnight Trains: 230
• Three-star hotel in city center: 6,145 to Rs.9,215 per night
• Meals: 3,070 to Rs.4,610 for a mid-range meal; Rs.7,680 for higher-end dining

It’s illegal to bring more than Rs. 5,000 into the country without an exchange receipt or declaring it. When leaving the country, you can only take up to Rs. 20,000 without an exchange receipt or declaration.

If you’re bringing more than US$15,000 in cash into the country, you’ll need to declare it upon entry.

Counterfeit money does circulate widely through the Sri Lankan economy, so it’s important to be vigilant and careful with your money. Only exchange or withdraw cash from official currency exchanges and bank ATMs. The risk of accidentally acquiring counterfeit LKR is greater with high-denomination notes, so you can avoid this by taking out bigger amounts of smaller bills.

There are several ways you can tell if your Sri Lankan rupees are counterfeit or not:

• Feel: Official LKR is printed on roughly textured cotton pulp, while counterfeit bills are lower quality.
• Watermark: Check the note against the light for a watermark (it’s usually on the bottom left and a mirror image of the bird on the right-hand side of the note).
• Raised prints: Official Sri Lanka rupee notes will have raised intaglio print, while counterfeit notes will not.
• See-through images: Hold the note against the light to check for see-through images.
• Security thread: Hold the note against the light to check for a thin, black vertical line

If you suspect you’re in possession of counterfeit money, keep it and go to the nearest police station to report it. There you’ll be asked to provide a description of the person you acquired the money from as well as currency note details. You can also report any counterfeit notes to the Currency Counterfeit Bureau of the Sri Lankan government.

Although some hotels, restaurants, and stores in major tourist areas may accept USD, it’s not widely accepted throughout the country. The same is true for other major currencies, like Australian dollars and British pounds. It’s best to avoid using foreign currency and only use LKR when paying in cash.

If you prefer to pay with card instead of cash, credit cards are widely accepted around Sri Lanka. In tourist sites and major cities, like Colombo, plus many towns, you can pay for things like restaurant bills, hotels, and other services using your credit or debit card. Visa and Mastercard are among the most commonly accepted cards, and contactless payment options are becoming more widely available as well.

It’s important to know that credit card fraud is a widespread issue. Because of this, it’s best to pay in cash as much as possible. You’ll want to carry plenty of local banknotes on you, especially when traveling in rural areas or visiting non-touristy establishments, like markets. You’ll also need to carry cash for things like cabs, casual shopping, street food, and tipping drivers and guides for their service.

Traveler’s checks can be cashed at Sri Lankan banks, but as they aren’t as widely used anymore, you may need to wait a long time for the transaction to be approved. For that reason, it’s best to avoid using traveler’s checks and stick with cash and cards.

However, it’s important to note that it’s illegal to make card transactions in a foreign currency. When paying with a card, always specify that you’re paying with Sri Lankan rupees.

Before traveling to Sri Lanka, remember to inform your credit-card company where and for how long you’ll be abroad. That way your transactions won’t be marked as fraudulent, which risks you losing access to your cards while traveling.

If you opt for a cash advance, you may be subject to foreign transaction fees or currency conversion fees. Out-of-network ATM cash withdrawals can also incur a service charge.

As a traveler in Sri Lanka, here are some customs and points of etiquette you should know.

Tipping is customary, welcome, and appreciated in Sri Lanka, as it’s a nice supplement to low wages. In restaurants, you should tip waiters an additional 10%. You don’t need to tip your taxi or auto rickshaw driver, but it’s always appreciated; usually you can just round up the fare.

It’s also customary to tip hospitality industry workers like hotel staff, drivers, chauffeurs, and guides. For hotel staff, Rs.5 to Rs.10 per day is appropriate; for guides, you can tip an additional Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,500 per hour or 10% of the tour fee. For drivers, between Rs.3,500 and Rs.4,500 is a good amount.

As with many other countries in Southeast Asia, bargaining and haggling are widely practiced in Sri Lankan society. As a traveler, you may get the opportunity to try it yourself when shopping in local markets or negotiating auto rickshaw fares. Here are some tips on how to be a good and respectful haggler:

• So you don’t aim too high or low and risk offending the proprietor, research some common prices and rates or ask your guide or hotel concierge for the going rate of basic items.
• Start the exchange with a smile and friendly rapport. Throwing in some Tamil or Sinhala words is a good way to spark conversation.
• Use walking away as a negotiating tactic, as the seller will likely go down to your price.
• Have fun and don’t take the process too seriously. This is their livelihood, so it’s ok to overpay sometimes without feeling ripped off.

Haggling is a fun way to shop and interact with the locals while in Sri Lanka, so don’t take it too seriously. Be respectful, do your research, and know your limits.

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a Sri Lanka visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to Sri Lanka , including travel restrictions, local laws, and health and safety , visit our Sri Lanka content hub.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory September 5, 2023

Sri lanka - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review with updates to protest information. 

Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to civil unrest , and terrorism.

Country Summary: Protests over the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka could erupt at any time. In some instances, police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, that could turn violent with little or no warning.

Terrorist attacks have occurred in Sri Lanka, with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote areas. 

 Read the  country information page . 

 If you decide to travel to Sri Lanka: 

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities. 
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information. 
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Crime and Safety Report  for Sri Lanka. 
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. 
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Must be valid for six months from expected date of departure from Sri Lanka.

One page required for entry stamp. 

Yellow fever vaccine is required for individuals above nine months of age who are traveling to Sri Lanka from a country designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have a risk of yellow fever transmission, including transit more than 12 hours in an airport located in such a country. For more information, please refer to WHO .

Foreign currency over USD 15,000 must be declared.

If exiting with foreign currency over USD 5,000, the full amount brought in or acquired in Sri Lanka must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy colombo.

210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka Telephone: +(94) (11) 202-8500 Fax: +(94) (11) 202-7345 Email:  [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Sri Lanka for information on U.S.- Sri Lanka relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens visiting Sri Lanka must have either an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa to enter Sri Lanka. 

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for purposes of tourism or transit require an approval notice from Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System), onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. The ETA system is available online or at the port of entry; however, visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry. This travel authorization allows entry for up to 30 days.  

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for short-term business activities such as participating in business meetings, engaging in business negotiations, or attending conferences and workshops are required to obtain a business ETA. Business ETAs are not available online. Business travelers must obtain travel authorization either from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate before arrival in Sri Lanka, or at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for religious or volunteer work or for local employment must obtain entry visas from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate before arrival in Sri Lanka. These visas are not available at the port of entry or through the online system.

All visitors staying beyond the expiration date of their visa must obtain a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo and pay the relevant visa fees.

Specific inquiries regarding entry and exit requirements should be addressed to the  Embassy of Sri Lanka , 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington DC 20008, telephone (202) 483-4025, fax (202) 232- 2329. Contact the Sri Lankan Embassy by  e-mail ; the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Los Angeles at 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2180, Los Angeles, CA 90010, telephone (213) 387-0210; or the  Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations  in New York City, 820 Second Avenue, 2 nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 986-7040, fax (212) 986 1838. There are several honorary Sri Lankan consuls general and consuls in the United States. Visit the  Embassy of Sri Lanka website  for current visa information.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Sri Lanka. 

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

The last terrorist attack in Sri Lanka occurred on April 19, 2019, when terrorists carried out coordinated bombings of hotels and churches in Colombo and Batticaloa, killing more than 250 people and injuring more than 500 more. The terrorists were Sri Lankan nationals associated with the Islamic groups National Thowheeth Jama’ath Millathu Ibraheem. Authorities believe the perpetrators of the attack are dead or have been captured. Many hotels and shopping areas increased their physical security presence in response to the bombings and security screenings of guests and bags has become standard in many locations.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Most crimes against U.S. citizens continue to be petty crime and crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing, hotel room thefts, and fraud). There is some organized criminal activity, which can involve drug-related crimes and gang-on-gang violence, but these events do not tend to involve foreign travelers.

There are occasional reports of credit card fraud. Authorities have arrested foreign nationals and organized groups for complicity in financial crimes. Avoid situations where your card is removed from your view. There have been reports of employees at reputable businesses (e.g., restaurants or chain grocery stores) wearing data skimming devices in their clothing and scanning a victim’s credit card or using other methods to steal credit card information. ATM skimming is also a threat. If you use an ATM, be on the lookout for skimming devices. Cover keypads with your hand.

Street hustlers are common around popular hotels, shopping areas, and other tourist sites. There are occasional reports of snatch and grab theft of purses or jewelry owned by tourists, but no recent reports of armed robberies.  Beware of tuk-tuk or taxi drivers offering “special” tours or access to festivals or gem shops. This common scam often results in tourists being heavily pressured to buy “gems” that are either cut glass or are worth much less than the price being asked.

Likely due to Sri Lanka’s economic situation, there is a scam in which a tuk-tuk driver charges your ride using an app on their phone, claiming the meter is broken. When you get close to the destination, the phone either slips down or the app closes, and they charge a much higher amount than the routine cost. If a tuk-tuk does not have a meter, agree on a price before beginning the ride, and try to have the correct amount of cash so you do not need change.

Surf schools are known to run scams where they claim renters damaged their boards and demand exorbitant prices to repair the damage. Examine and take pictures of your surfboard before taking it into the water.

Sexual harassment is pervasive. Both foreigners and locals, more commonly women, report instances of cat calls and physical harassment (grabbing of body parts) while in crowded areas and/or public transportation.

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Past demonstrations have turned violent. Police may deploy water cannons and/or tear gas in response to violent protests.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

In general, demonstrations in Sri Lanka are peaceful, resulting only in traffic congestion. However, some have ended in violence between the protestors and police or opposition groups. Demonstrations can involve confrontations with police, resulting in the use of water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds. Large political rallies are common. These rallies are generally peaceful but can disrupt traffic.

International Financial Scams: See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams occasionally occur in Sri Lanka. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited text messages and WhatsApp messages. Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating 
• Contracts with promises of large commissions 
• Work permits/job offers

Tips to avoid scammers:

• Look for red flags like their location is far away, their profile was recently created or seems too good to be true, the pace of the relationship is moving too quickly, or they ask for money.
• Set up a phone call/video chat in the initial stages.
• Do a reverse image search on the profile picture.
• If they ask for help, you should refer them to the closest U.S embassy or consulate so we can assist them.

Be cautious of using dating apps/online dating websites abroad as U.S. citizens can be targeted by scammers. Make sure to inform your friends and family of your whereabouts, meet at a well-known public location, and do not consume suspicious food or drinks. Avoid traveling alone to bars or nightclubs.

Technology Usage Abroad: Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and physical damage anywhere in the world. Best practices prior to traveling abroad are keeping all software (operating system and apps) updated, and use virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications if possible. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact both the tourist police (hotline: 1912 or 011-242-1451) and the U.S. Embassy (011-202-8500) for assistance. Report crimes to both the tourist police and the U.S. Embassy. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care ;
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation  and following its conclusion;
• Provide a list of local attorneys ;
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• Help arrange flights home; and
• Replace a stolen or lost passport .

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. If you break local laws in Sri Lanka, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not where you travel. 

In places like military checkpoints, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. When arriving in Sri Lanka, ensure your luggage does not contain prohibited or restricted items, such as weapons, ammunition, explosives, gold, narcotics, and pornography. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sri Lanka are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the Cultural Prosperity Act and the Antiques Ordinance, the unlicensed export of antiques from the country is considered a criminal act.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries and they may be illegal according to the local laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety. You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Special Circumstance : Sri Lanka recognizes limited  dual nationality . For further information, please contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Consulate General in Los Angeles, or the Sri Lankan Mission to the United Nations in New York City.

The Sri Lankan police and military maintain several checkpoints throughout the country. U.S. citizens are advised to always carry identification such as their passports with them while in Sri Lanka. Photography is prohibited in designated high security zones and near many government facilities such as offices and military installations.

U.S. citizens who arrive by yacht or private boat should be aware that all marine harbors are high security zones. Travelers arriving by sea should be prepared for Sri Lankan Navy officials to inspect their vessels and should always wait for radio clearance before coming into port. 

Religious Laws: Tourists should be mindful of restrictions and observances when planning to visit any religious establishment, whether Buddhist or Hindu temples, mosques, churches, or other locations considered sacred by the local population. Posing for a photograph with your back to a statue of Buddha is a serious offense in Sri Lanka, punishable by a fine or arrest. Travelers should also be cognizant of displaying religious imagery, including tattoos of Buddha, while traveling to and transiting within the country, as foreign nationals have been arrested or denied entry to Sri Lanka due to such tattoos.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports

International Volunteers:

• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Women Travelers: If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you are encouraged to call the tourist police immediately (hotline: 1912 or 011-242-1451) and follow up with a call to the U.S. Embassy (011-202-8500). We can sometimes connect you with a non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka that may be able to provide assistance.  If you are victimized overseas, you may be entitled to receive compensation for counseling and/or other services such as relocation back to the United States. For further information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women .

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed in Sri Lanka. See our tips for  Women Travelers .

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

LGBTQI+ Travelers : See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Sri Lanka, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The Sri Lankan Supreme Court has directed that steps be taken to provide easy access for persons with disabilities to public buildings. Although there are regulations on accessibility in place, lack of wheelchair access in most buildings limits access for people with disabilities. Potholes and sidewalks in poor repair can make movement very difficult. The road network in Sri Lanka is improving, but many roads remain in medium to poor condition. Sidewalks and road crossings in most major towns tend to be congested with vendors, stray dogs, and groups of people loitering on street corners. 

Ambulance Services: For ambulance services in the Sri Lanka, dial 1990.

Ambulance services are widely available, but response times vary, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulances are typically not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little medical equipment. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We highly recommend that all travelers review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health webpage and general Traveler Advice for Sri Lanka. 

• Review all sub-sections including the Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Stay Healthy and Safe, Healthy Travel Packing List, and After Your Trip.  
• Reasons for Travel (for example: Adventure Travel, Spring Break Travel)  
• Travelers with Special Considerations (for example: Allergies, Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates)  
• General Tips (for example: Traveling with Medications, Travel Vaccines)  

The Department of State, U.S. embassies, and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

The Department of State strongly recommends supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Medical Facilities: There are six large hospitals in the Colombo area, including four facilities with emergency medical and trauma service: Asiri Surgical Hospital; Lanka Hospital; Asiri Central Hospital; and the government-run National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Medical facilities outside Colombo are limited. Hospitals and doctors typically require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. The availability of medical supplies is uneven; therefore, travelers should always carry any prescription medications with them. Serious medical conditions can require evacuation to the United States or to a nearby country with more advanced medical facilities, such as Thailand or Singapore. Neither Thailand nor Singapore require U.S. citizens to have entry visas.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Pharmaceuticals: Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescriptions in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. Please visit U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health to ensure the medication is legal in Sri Lanka.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Water Quality: In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Infectious Diseases: Several mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, Chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are present in Sri Lanka. Dengue fever, in particular, is widespread in Sri Lanka’s Western Province, where the capital Colombo is located. Adequate mosquito protection is strongly advised to prevent this serious illness.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended vaccines that are specific to this region include Japanese encephalitis and typhoid (and rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis for some travelers).

For additional health information about Sri Lanka, please visit:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: While in Sri Lanka, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Vehicular traffic in Sri Lanka moves on the left (British style). Traffic in Colombo can be congested. Narrow two-lane highways, overloaded with trucks, poorly driven buses, and a variety of conveyances on the road, ranging from ox carts and bicycles to new four-wheel-drive vehicles, make driving dangerous. Unexpected roadblocks and one-way streets are common and may not be clearly marked. Many visitors hire cars and drivers for long trips through the country. Individuals who choose to hire three-wheeled vehicles (“tuks” or “three wheelers”) should use metered vehicles or negotiate prices beforehand to avoid confrontations upon arrival. If you are renting a vehicle, you should specifically request one with working seatbelts.

Heavy rains sometimes cause flooding which can make roads inaccessible for several days and bring with them the risk of landslides.

GPS Navigation Apps are helpful in getting U.S. citizens around in a foreign country. Prior to using the GPS app make sure you research the route to make sure it is safe. The GPS navigation app may give you the shortest route without safety considerations.

Public Transportation: While public buses are readily available, the U.S. Embassy does not recommend using them due to safety concerns.

See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Sri Lanka’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Sri Lanka, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Sri Lanka should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For Additional Travel Information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, sri lanka map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

•   Argentina
•   Australia
•   Deutschland
•   Magyarország
•   Nederland
•   New Zealand
•   Österreich
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
•   United States
•   繁體中文 (香港)
•   简体中文 (中国)

5 Best Travel Cards for Sri-Lanka

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Sri-Lanka can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Sri Lankan Rupee. You'll be able to easily top up your card in USD before you leave the US, to convert seamlessly to LKR for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from the US heading to Sri-Lanka, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

5 best travel money cards for Sri-Lanka:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Sri-Lanka with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the US:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Sri-Lanka.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Sri-Lanka. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in USD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Sri-Lanka or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in LKR, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
• Spend seamlessly in LKR when you travel
• Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
• Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
• Manage your account and card from your phone
• 9 USD delivery fee for your first card
• ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
• Physical cards may take 14 - 21 days to arrive

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise  travel card in the US:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 9 USD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 14 - 21 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Sri-Lanka, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

• Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
• Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
• All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
• Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
• You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
• Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
• Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
• Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave the US and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Register by adding your personal and contact information

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

Chime travel card

Use your Chime account and card to spend in Sri-Lanka with no foreign transaction fee. You’ll just need to load a balance in USD and then the money is converted to LKR instantly with the Visa rate whenever you spend or make a withdrawal. There’s a fee to make an ATM withdrawal out of network, which sits at 2.5 USD, but there are very few other costs to worry about. Plus you can get lots of extra services from Chime if you need them, such as ways to save.

Chime features

Chime travel card pros and cons.

• No Chime foreign transaction fees
• No ongoing charges for your account
• Lots of extra products and services if you need them
• Easy ways to manage your money online and in app
• Virtual cards available
• You'll need to inform Chime you're traveling to use your card abroad
• Low ATM limits
• Cards take 7 - 10 days to arrive by mail

How to apply for a Chime card

Here’s how to apply for a Chime account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Chime website or download the app

Click Get started and add your personal details

Add a balance

Your card will be delivered in the mail and you can use your virtual card instantly

Monzo travel card

Monzo cards can be ordered easily in the US and used for spending in Sri-Lanka and globally. Monzo accounts are designed for holding USD only - but you can spend in LKR and pretty much any other currency easily, with no foreign transaction fee. Your funds are just converted using the network exchange rate whenever you pay or make a withdrawal.

Monzo doesn’t usually apply ATM fees, but it’s worth knowing that the operator of the specific ATM you pick may have their own costs you’ll need to check out.

Monzo features

Monzo travel card pros and cons.

• Good selection of services available
• No foreign transaction fee to pay
• No Monzo ATM fee to pay
• Manage your card from your phone conveniently
• Deposits are FDIC protected
• You can't hold a foreign currency balance
• ATM operators might apply their own fees

How to apply for a Monzo card

Here’s how to apply for a Monzo account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Monzo website or download the app

Click Get Sign up and add your personal details

Check and confirm your mailing address and your card will be delivered in the mail

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a selection of prepaid debit cards you can use for spending securely in Sri-Lanka. While these cards don’t usually let you hold a balance in LKR, they’re popular with travelers as they’re not linked to your regular checking account. That increases security overseas - plus, Netspend offers virtual cards you can use to hide your physical card details from retailers if you want to.

The options with Netspend vary a lot depending on the card you pick. Usually you can top up digitally or in cash in USD and then spend overseas with a fixed foreign transaction fee applying every time you spend in a foreign currency. You’ll be able to view the terms and conditions of your specific card - including the fees - online, by entering the code you’ll find when your card is sent to you.

Netspend features

Netspend travel card pros and cons.

• Large selection of different card options depending on your needs
• Some cards have no overseas ATM fees
• Prepaid card which is secure to use overseas
• Manage your account in app
• Change from one card plan to another if you need to
• You may pay a monthly fee for your card
• Some cards have foreign transaction fees for all overseas use, which can be around 4%
• Selection of fees apply depending on the card you pick

How to apply for a Netspend card

Here’s how to apply for a Netspend account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Netspend website

Click Apply now

Complete the details, following the onscreen prompts

Get verified

Your card will arrive by mail - add a balance and activate it to get started

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised for international use. That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your United States Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

• Travel debit cards
• Travel prepaid cards
• Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Sri-Lanka or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app or on the web.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Sri-Lanka. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

• Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
• Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
• You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
• Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday USD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Sri-Lanka

We've picked out 5 great travel cards available in the US - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Sri-Lanka include:

• What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
• What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
• Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in LKR can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
• Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What makes a good travel card for Sri-Lanka

The best travel debit card for Sri-Lanka really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it’s the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you’re paying when you spend in LKR.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It’s also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Sri-Lanka. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

When you head off to Sri-Lanka you can expect to find you’ll be able to use your card a lot - but not always. Some merchants still prefer cash payments - so choosing a card which is easy to pay with, but which also has simple and low cost ways to make ATM withdrawals should mean you’re covered no matter what happens

Ways to pay in Sri-Lanka

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Sri-Lanka card payments are common in most situations. You’ll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go. It’s still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use LKR?

You’ll find that LKR can only be used in Sri-Lanka. If you don’t travel to Sri-Lanka frequently it’s worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you’re not left with extra foreign currency after your trip. Or pick a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut which lets you leave your money in USD and convert at the point of payment with no penalty.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Sri-Lanka

You’re sure to have a great time in Sri-Lanka - but whenever you’re travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you’re been to Sri-Lanka before it’s worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don’t have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change USD to LKR before you travel to Sri-Lanka if you’d like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in USD and either exchange to LKR in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Sri-Lanka to make an ATM withdrawal in LKR if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave the US so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Sri-Lanka

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Sri-Lanka will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

How does a Sri Lankan Rupee card work?

Getting a Sri Lankan Rupee card can make managing your money easier when you travel to Sri-Lanka.

Your Sri Lankan Rupee card will be linked to a digital account you can manage from your phone, so you'll always be able to see your balance, get transaction notifications and manage your card no matter where you are. Just add money to your account in pounds, and - depending on your preferences and the specific card you pick - you can either convert your balance to Sri Lankan Rupee instantly, or just let the card do the conversion when you spend or make a withdrawal.

If your card gives you the option to hold a Sri Lankan Rupee balance, there's not normally any extra fee to spend the Sri Lankan Rupee you have in your account when you're in Sri-Lanka.

Can I withdraw Sri Lankan Rupee currency with my card in Sri-Lanka?

With some cards, you'll be able to add money to your card in United States Dollar, and then convert to Sri Lankan Rupee instantly online or in your card's app.

Once you have a balance in Sri Lankan Rupee you can spend with your card with no extra fees - just tap and pay as you would at home. You'll also be able to make cash withdrawals whenever you need to, with no extra conversion fee to pay. Your card - or the ATM operator - may charge a withdrawal fee, but this can still be a cheap, secure and convenient option for getting cash when you need it.

With other cards, you can't hold a balance in Sri Lankan Rupee on your card - but you can leave your money in United States Dollar and let the card convert your money for you when you spend and withdraw.

Some fees may apply here - including currency conversion or foreign transaction charges - so do compare a few different cards before you sign up, to make sure you're picking the one which best suits your specific spending needs.

Bear in mind though, that not all cards support all currencies - and the range of currencies available with any given card can change from time to time. If your card doesn't let you hold a balance in Sri Lankan Rupee you might find that fees apply when you spend in Sri-Lanka, so it's well worth double checking your card's terms and conditions - and comparing the options available from other providers - before you travel, just in case.

Why should I get a Sri Lankan Rupee card?

Getting a Sri Lankan Rupee card means you can spend like a local when you're in Sri-Lanka. You'll be able to check your Sri Lankan Rupee balance at a glance, add and convert money on the move, and use your card for secure spending and withdrawals whenever you need to. Best of all, Sri Lankan Rupee cards from popular providers often offer good exchange rates and low, transparent fees, which can mean your money goes further when you're on a trip abroad.

FAQ - best travel cards for Sri-Lanka

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like the Wise and Revolut card options - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise, Revolut and Monzo.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others like Wise and Revolut, let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Sri-Lanka.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their USD / LKR rate to calculate how much Sri Lankan Rupee you would receive when exchanging / spending $4,000 USD. The card provider offering the most LKR is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

• When To Visit
• Experiences
• Travel Tips
• We Recommend

Currency, Credit Cards and Changing Money in Sri Lanka

If you're planning a  holiday in Sri Lanka , this is what you need to know about currency, cash and credit cards.

Currency Sri Lanka's official currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Bank notes come in denominations of 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 rupees, and coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupees.

Taking cash and cards to Sri Lanka It is not possible to obtain Sri Lankan Rupees outside Sri Lanka and to get cash you will have to either change UK pounds or US dollars when you arrive or visit an ATM. ATMs are readily available in the larger towns and cities and accept most major western cards, but if you are heading to somewhere more remote please make sure that you take enough cash with you. Do bear in mind that most ATMs will charge around 3% for cash withdrawals.

Best pre-paid Cards for Sri Lanka Prepaid credit cards are now the safest way to travel with money, and are much more cost effective and convenient than Travellers Cheques (which are slowly becoming obsolete). We recommend the Caxton FX Global Traveller card which offers a fixed exchange rate at 2.75% below the prevailing interbank rate when spending overseas and withdrawing local currency from ATMs. Unlike credit cards the application process is straightforward, but you need to allow 7 days for delivery of the card. 

Using credit cards in Sri Lanka If you travel regularly it will pay to apply for one of the specialist credit cards for travellers that offer excellent rates of exchange and charge zero "load" fees when purchasing items, or withdrawing local currency from ATMs whilst abroad. For up to date information on the best specialist credit cards for travellers we suggest visiting one of the price comparison websites.

See our full range of tours of Sri Lanka . To discuss your travel needs, you can complete an  enquiry form  or call our Asia experts on 020 7720 9285.

Beyond Wild Places

Your guide to the wilder side of life

26 Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the latest “it ” countries to visit in Asia. Whether for a beach holiday, surf trip or a solo backpacking adventure, the small tear shaped island offers such a variety of incredible places, attractions, and landscapes. This blog post breaks down all of my top Sri Lanka travel tips for those planning a trip.

After originally planning on spending a month in Sri Lanka, I soon extended and ended up staying three months. So, you could say I really liked Sri Lanka (a massive understatement). I did little research before landing in Colombo, and there’s plenty of things I wish I’d known before booking my flight. This guide is filled with my top Sri Lanka travel tips, including everything you need to know about visiting the island nation, from transportation to food and budget.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

Quick Facts About Sri Lanka

• Population: 22 million
• Capital: Colombo
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
• Dialling code: +94
• Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil
• Religion demography: 70% Buddhist, 12.5% Hindu, 10% Muslim, 7.5% Christian

Practical Sri Lanka Travel Tips

These are the essential travel tips for Sri Lanka, including the things you need to know before landing. From visas, to climate and internet connectivity, here’s what you need to know.

Organise Your Visa Prior to Arrival

You must arrange an e-visa prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. Head to the official e-visa website to get your visa about a week or two before flying. You will need a valid passport and a digital passport size photograph.

A standard entry visa is for 30 days, costing $75 for non-SAARC countries and $35 for SAARC citizens.

You can now apply for longer visas , including a 1 Year Multiple Entry Visa (90 Days Stay Limit) or 2, 5 and 10 Years Multiple Entry Visas (all with 180 Days Stay Limit). Prices range from $200-1000, available online as well.

Allow Enough Time on Your Itinerary (It’s Small But Packed with Attractions)

While Sri Lanka is a very small country in comparison to many in Asia, it packs a lot of punch with a wide variety of attractions, activities and places to visit. It’s easy to make the mistake of not allowing enough time to really do the country justice; I met plenty of people just visiting for a week or two.

You can easily visit for a week if you’re just looking to relax on the beach somewhere, but if you’re planning on doing much sightseeing, you’ll need more time. I’d recommend  at least a month  to really tick off all the best attractions in both north AND south Sri Lanka. However, if you don’t have the luxury of that much time, then you can stick to focusing on either the north or the south with these itineraries:

• Ultimate 2 Week South Sri Lanka Itinerary
• Essential 10 Day North Sri Lanka Itinerary

You Can Visit All Year Round (But Be Aware of the Monsoon Seasons)

Sri Lanka is incredibly unique in that it can be visited all year round, with no particularly bad time to visit. The island nation has two monsoon seasons, one in the southwest that moves to the northeast, meaning that you can plan your trip to avoid the wet weather.

Southwest Monsoon (May – October):  This is the main monsoon season affecting the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka and is characterised by rainy, humid and cloudy weather. These months are low season in the south, but high season in the north and east of Sri Lanka, including places like Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, and Jaffna, where the weather remains dry for the most part.

Northeast Monsoon (November – April):  The monsoon moves to the north and east coasts from the end of October onwards. The weather dries out along the entire south coast, meaning it’s high season for tourists in places like Galle, Mirissa, and Ella.

It’s Always Hot, Prepare to Sweat

Despite the monsoon seasons, Sri Lanka is hot all the time. Average temperatures range between 26-32 Celsius most months across the country, with humidity almost always high (although higher at the beginning of the monsoon seasons, when the weather is changing).

The heat of the sun is strong, and you’ll find walking around in the middle of the day can be tiring and sweaty work. I recommend planning to do most sightseeing early in the morning (before 10am) or late in the afternoon (after 4pm), with sunrise and sunset being popular times for hikes to avoid the heat.

It can be pretty uncomfortable if you’re doing any long day trips, but you’ll find relief in some places like Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy, where the air is a little cooler in the hills .

Colombo or Negombo When Arriving? Stay in Colombo

The main entry point into Sri Lanka is  Bandaranaike International Airport , which is quite inconveniently about 32km north of Colombo. The airport is in fact located closer to the beach suburb of Negombo, so many travellers opt to avoid Colombo all together and stay in Negombo before/after their flight.

However, I didn’t find Negombo overly nice and unless you’re flying in the middle of the night, I’d recommend heading into  Colombo  to at least explore some of the city’s sights, if you have time. Read my Colombo guide here .

A taxi from the airport into Colombo Fort should cost around 4500 LKR (US$15), but be prepared to bargain hard. Otherwise, the cheapest way to Colombo city centre is  No. 187 bus  which departs from Avariwatta Bus Stand (750m away from the airport) in Katunayake. Tickets cost around 200 LKR (AU$2) per person and the journey takes about an hour. The buses only run from 6am until 8pm, so if you’re arriving in the night, you’ll have to take a taxi.

My accommodation recommendations for both Colombo and Negombo:

• Hostel Republic at Galle Face  // A budget-friendly hostel with dorm rooms not far from Galle Face Green
• Srilax  // A beautiful boutique guesthouse on Independence Avenue and surprisingly affordable at less than $100 per night
• Island Life  // A new, clean guesthouse about 20 minutes from the airport and not far from the beach, perfect for a one night stay at budget prices
• Terrace Green Hotel & Spa  // A boutique hotel ideal for couples with private spas and a classy restaurant, only 20 minutes from the airport

Sri Lanka is Pretty Safe (And There’s Plenty of Solo Female Travellers)

Sri Lanka is one of the friendliest countries you can visit. Local people are incredibly hospitable and welcoming, with petty crime rates quite low. Still, it pays to be careful of your valuables, especially in crowds and in markets. Use your common sense, but you don’t have to be overly on guard.

It’s also worth noting that solo travellers , and in particular solo female travellers, are incredibly common in Sri Lanka. In fact, I met far more solo female travellers in Sri Lanka than almost any other country. It does standout as a particularly great place for first time travellers or solo travellers to gain some confidence and explore alone without too much hassle.

However, it can be worth noting that the occasional sexist slur can be heard. This tends to happen in less visited parts of the country like Jaffna, but I didn’t find it overly intimidating as a female like other South Asian countries can be.

English is Widely Spoken

While the national languages are Sinhala (mostly spoken in the south) and Tamil (mostly in the north), English is also very widely spoken. I was quite surprised to have hardly any problems getting around or communicating in almost any part of the country, with most people of all ages speaking at least basic English.

You’ll find that even bus conductors or staff at local restaurants will speak even a little English, so you shouldn’t have much trouble trying to communicate what you want or need.

WiFi is Pretty Weak, But SIM Cards Work Well

The Wi-Fi infrastructure across the country is not great. In fact, most internet you find in accommodation isn’t very reliable, with exceptions for places that are set up specifically for digital nomads . If you rely on good Wi-Fi, I recommend finding coworking spaces or digital nomad hubs which are basically the only places that have good internet connection.

I highly recommend that you get a local SIM card on arrival in Sri Lanka, because the 4G network is quite good and you’ll be able to use your own internet when Wi-Fi isn’t reliable. I went with Dialog , which is the largest network and best performing company across the country. It’s pretty reasonable, with prices for the SIM card + 50GB data package costing 2000LKR (US$7).

Plan For Some Day Trips

Sri Lanka does have some incredible day trips that you should allow in your itinerary. You’ll find that places like Ella, Sigiriya and Jaffna are good bases to explore deeper into the beautiful nature and get off the beaten track a bit. I highly recommend getting out of the towns and cities and hiring a tuk tuk for the day or navigating public transport to get to see some unique sights.

My favourite day trips include:

• How to Visit Ambuluwawa Tower From Kandy
• Swimming in Diyaluma Falls (Second Highest in Sri Lanka) Near Ella
• Snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park Near Trincomalee
• Day Trip to Polonnaruwa Ruins From Sigiriya
• How to Visit Delft Island Off the Coast of Jaffna
• Yala National Park Full Day Safari

Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Budget and Money

If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget or interested in how much a trip to Sri Lanka will cost, I will break down everything you need to know about money.

Sri Lanka is Affordable (But Not as Cheap as Other South Asian Countries)

Sri Lanka is an incredibly affordable country to travel in and you can live quite comfortably on a budget. However, it’s not quite as cheap as other South Asian countries like India and Nepal, so you might need to adjust your budget if you’re coming from either of those places.

In general though, I found that the quality of accommodation was high for the average price and you can find some very cheap local eats as well. You’ll find that prices tend to be inflated during the main high season on the south coast (December-February), when things can double pretty quickly. Otherwise, outside of these months, prices are pretty stable.

You can easily save money by staying in homestays or hostels and seeking out local restaurants. But, there’s also plenty of options to splurge if that’s what you’re looking for. Western style cafes and upscale resorts are plentiful on the south coast especially, and still for a reasonable price considering the standard.

On average, this is what you can expect from a daily budget:

• Accommodation: $10-15 for basic guesthouse or hostel, $40 for boutique hotel, or $60+ for luxury
• Food: $5 per meal at budget/local places or $10 per person at more Western style places
• Alcohol: Beer can cost $2 but wine and cocktails are more expensive at $5+ per glass
• Transport: $2-5 per bus or train ride, while day trips with a private tuk tuk can cost $35+

Make Sure You Have Cash (and Keep Small Change)

Cash is still king in Sri Lanka and it’s best to carry local currency, Sri Lankan rupees. However, some of the major tourist attractions such as Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress and Polonnaruwa will accept USD or card payments. Otherwise, I found it much easier to use ATMs and withdraw cash (ATMs are everywhere and easy to use).

Try to also keep plenty of small change . This will come in handy when dealing with local tuk tuk drivers who often do not have change and get annoyed if you’re trying to pay a 200LKR ride with a 5000LKR note. But in general, bus ticket sellers, shop vendors, and restaurant owners will have change for you.

Entrance Fees For Main Attractions are Steep

One of the biggest changes in the last few years in Sri Lanka has been the sudden and dramatic increase in entrance fees for the major tourist attractions. It’s a common talking point amongst travellers, because the foreigner prices for almost all of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites are very pricey now.

For some examples, Sigiriya Rock Fortress is US$36 for adults, Polonnaruwa is US$30 per adult, and Anuradhapura is US$25 per adult. These quickly add up and for budget backpackers , many are choosing to skip these sights in favour of cheaper options or saving the money all together.

This is a hard topic, because I understand the government’s attempt to make money on these attractions, but there’s always the question of where the money actually goes. Still, I found that the ticket prices were still worth paying for most sights, it’s just a matter of factoring them into your budget.

Tipping Isn’t Really Expected

Tipping isn’t much a part of the culture in Sri Lanka. It’s not an expectation to tip restaurants, accommodation, or tuk tuk/taxi drivers. However, I tended to round up the bill sometimes if it was a small amount, especially at local or family run restaurants in tourist areas. Otherwise, I rarely tipped at all and I wouldn’t encourage changing this culture, as it will only increase expectations of other tourists down the track.

Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Transport and Getting Around

It’s fairly easy to get around Sri Lanka, with ample transport options for such a small country. If you’re trying to plan your itinerary, here’s some tips for using the buses, trains, and tuk tuks.

Use PickMe App or Uber

PickMe is the main app used in Sri Lanka for booking tuk tuks and taxis to get you around. It works very similarly to Uber and will set the price for you for your chosen trip. This does help a lot by avoiding the bargaining that you’d otherwise have to do with local drivers. Some people also used PickMe or Uber to book long haul trips between towns, but this can sometimes be unreliable, with drivers cancelling trips last minute.

If you do end up hailing a tuk tuk on the curb or side of the road, expect to bargain hard with the driver. Always ask the price first and know that it will be inflated to begin with. The official price for tuk tuks is set at 120LKR per km , but you’ll find drivers asking for much more than this. If you stick to this as a guide, you’ll pay close to the local rate.

Buses are Quicker Than Trains (Mostly)

While the trains are definitely iconic in Sri Lanka, the buses are actually quicker and more efficient for the most part. The train network does extend to many corners of the country, but they’re often delayed and slow and the schedule is usually limited to just a few departures per day.

On the other hand, the local buses run to a regular timetable throughout the day for most routes and they tend to leave right on time regardless of how many passengers are on board. I actually found the buses quicker and less stressful to use, especially because you just simply need to rock up at the bus station and hop on the next bus (there’s no need to book in advance).

This is not to say not to use the trains at all (obviously, the Kandy to Ella train ride is famous), but you’ll probably find yourself opting for the buses more often than the trains for the majority of your trip.

Bus Rides Can Be a Little Wild (But Efficient)

I may have just sung the praise of the buses in Sri Lanka, but they can be a little wild. It seems like some bus drivers have a death wish, as they screech around corners and put the foot down to pass every vehicle in front. You’ll also have luggage and passengers all over the aisles, loud music blaring from the TVs and colourful decorations sometimes covering the windscreens. Sometimes it feels more like a party bus.

Some travellers find the buses can be a little too hairy, but in general, I still tended to go for them over the trains. If you do opt for the bus, there are some important tips to know about how they work:

• You simply just have to rock up at the bus station and hop on the bus ( no pre-booking is required)
• Pay for the ticket on the bus (not at the bus station)
• In between bus stations, buses do stop at designated bus stops on the side of the road (not just anywhere like they do in India)
• Each bus route has a number which is displayed on the windscreen to distinguish between them, for example bus #49 is Colombo to Trincomalee, bus #15 is Colombo to Anuradhapura, bus #87 is Colombo to Jaffna etc.
• Luggage compartments are not used in general, so you’ll have to throw your luggage next to the driver (pictured below right)

Get Third Class Unreserved Tickets for the Trains

If you want to experience the trains in Sri Lanka, my top tip would be to simply go for the third class unreserved tickets. It might not be the most comfortable ride, but it is the easiest and least stressful way to get on a train (for the most part).

First class and second class tickets tend to sell out quicker, and in general, you’ll have to book them in advance, especially for popular routes. For the famous Kandy to Ella train ride , for example, first and second class tickets can sell out weeks in advance. On the other hand, third class tickets are plentiful, and in fact unreserved tickets are unlimited and can be bought right up until the train departs.

The downside is that you won’t be guaranteed a seat. So, while these tickets are cheap and easy to get, you may have to stand for some or all of the journey. However, third class carriages have open windows and doors , which also makes it quite scenic.

For short trips along the coast, for example between Galle and Weligama, third class unreserved tickets will be fine. You’ll likely even get a seat. For longer journeys like the 8 hour trip from Kandy to Ella, be prepared to stand for the entire journey if you opt for third class unreserved tickets. The alternative is booking in advance , which you can certainly do if you can plan ahead.

Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Food and Health

Let yourself be surprised by Sri Lankan cuisine; I definitely was. It’s some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had. If you’re wondering what to expect with food, water and other health things, here are my main tips.

Right Hand for Eating (Sri Lankan’s Eat With Their Hands)

One of the little details of eating in Sri Lanka is that locals tend to eat almost exclusively with their hands: the right hand to be specific. Everything from rice and curry to hoppers and dosa is eaten with your hands, no cutlery .

While I was used to eating dosas and other South Indian snacks with my hand, rice and curry took a bit more of getting used to. Most local restaurants won’t even serve cutlery to you, so I suggest to embrace it .

But an important thing to note is to only use your right hand to eat, as culturally the left hand is used for wiping and is considered dirty.

Filter the Tap Water

I met some travellers who drank some tap water in Sri Lanka and were fine, however I wouldn’t suggest it. It is chlorinated, especially on the coast, but I wouldn’t assume that it’s completely safe to drink without filtering. To avoid purchasing plastic bottles, I recommend taking a LifeStraw filter bottle with you.

You can drink any water straight through the straw and it’ll be safe. I’ve used one for years and it’s saved me contributing to the already out of control plastic pollution problem .

In saying that, I drank fresh juices at local restaurants and ate salads and never got sick. Most Sri Lankans understand that foreigners can’t drink the tap water safely and they always used filtered water.

Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free Travellers Will Find Plenty to Eat

The cuisine in Sri Lanka is dominated by fresh produce, plenty of vegetables, and all flavours tends to come from natural spices. This makes it both incredibly healthy , but also great for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free travellers.

For vegans, you’ll be glad to know that basically every curry is made from coconut milk and spices , with no animal products. Meat and poultry is also not heavily consumed, so it’s easy to find plenty of vegetarian dishes on the menu. Fish is common on the coast, but most local restaurants will still have basic vegetable curries on offer too.

Sri Lanka is also one of the best countries to visit for gluten free travellers, in my opinion. Rice is the main staple, plus you also have interesting additions like dosa (savoury rice and gram flour pancake), hoppers (rice flour bowls), and string hoppers (rice noodles). Find more gluten free and vegan food options in my guide below.

Read more: A Complete Gluten Free Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Mosquito Repellent is Essential (Bring From Home)

Mosquito repellent is an essential for any Sri Lanka packing list. With such hot and humid weather, mosquitoes are a big problem almost everywhere across the country. They’re incredibly pesky and every traveller usually finds themselves covered in bites within days.

I suggest bringing your own repellent from home because the quality of the ones available in Sri Lanka is questionable. Try a natural mosquito repellent to avoid toxic chemicals like DEET.

Sri Lanka Travel Tips: History and Culture

Sri Lanka has an ancient history dating back centuries, with a complex and diverse culture that differs from south to north. There are some important things to know about the culture in Sri Lanka before travelling, here are my tips:

Take Shoes Off in Temples and Religious Places (Always Pack Socks!)

Almost all religious sites in Sri Lanka require you to take your shoes off as a sign of respect. There’s usually a shoe rack outside temples or stupas where you can keep your shoes while you explore. You’ll likely get tired of taking your shoes on and off all the time, so it’s smart to wear sandals or something easy to put on and off when sightseeing.

But my top tip is actually to always carry some socks with you, especially when exploring outdoor religious sites. In the middle of the day the ground can be boiling hot and there were many times when my feet were being cooked while walking around a stupa. The best way to avoid this is put socks on, as this is allowed and it will protect your feet (thank me later!).

Culture is Conservative (Dress Appropriately)

The culture in Sri Lanka is still quite conservative. The local population are generally quite religious and devoted to cultural practices , and this is something you’ll observe if you find yourself in any religious sites or festivals across the country.

Most people also dress relatively conservatively , with most women covering their legs and avoiding anything too revealing. I suggest trying to dress appropriately to show some respect to the local communities. While you’ll find tourists wearing bikinis on the south coast, it’s thoughtful if you at least opt to cover up while getting to and from the beach.

While Sri Lankans are incredibly friendly and understanding, it’s about respecting the local people and their culture. Small villages like Hiriketiya Beach have transformed dramatically because of tourism, but they are trying to keep their culture in tact and it’s only fair if we try to respect that.

North and South are Different (Both Worth Visiting)

You’ll often hear people saying that north and south Sri Lanka are quite different, and they’re right. The largely Sinhalese south is predominately Buddhist, while the Tamil north is predominately Hindu and shares more similarities with neighbouring South India. This makes it quite fascinating to visit both the north and south, if you have time.

The south of Sri Lanka is by far the most visited and is definitely what draws the crowds, with its stunning beaches, surf spots, pretty forts and lighthouses and access to the hill country around Ella. However, don’t completely disregard the north of the country.

Jaffna and surrounds are completely raw and authentic, and the locals are welcoming and friendly, especially because they don’t see as many tourists. If you have extra time or are considering a trip to Sri Lanka in the middle of the year, then definitely plan a trip to the north and east coasts – you won’t regret it.

Impacts of the Civil War are Still Felt

The Sri Lanka civil war was a long and bloody drawn out conflict that lasted from 1983 until 2009 . It was mostly fought between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority, with the latter fighting for an independent Tamil state.

Since the end of the war, the country has moved on and people tend to live quite peacefully together. However, the wounds of the civil war are not completely healed, particularly in the north , where you’ll find some people are still bitter with the end result.

I wouldn’t suggest bringing the topic up with locals unless they prompt it. I found people in the north were far more likely to mention the war and share memories of terrifying attacks. But if you’re making a short visit to the south, you may not even hear it being mentioned.

Sri Lanka is Changing Rapidly (Especially the South Coast)

Sri Lanka has burst onto the tourist scene in Asia in the last decade. Since the end of the civil war in 2009, tourists have started to flock back to the beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. However, this of course means that the small country is changing rapidly.

I’ve met those who visited Sri Lanka in 2017 when it was still a little off the beaten track and it’s incredible how much it’s changed just since then. I would say most of the development has happened along the south coast, where small beach towns have exploded into tourist centres with eyesore, large-scale resorts and hotels (looking at you Marriott Resort in Weligama).

Even a small village like Hiriketiya Beach was unheard of until a few years ago when surfers discovered the consistent break in the bay. It’s now become a digital nomad hub buzzing with people. It’s inevitable, but it can be hard to see quiet places transform so quickly.

If you want to be a responsible traveller and support local businesses , I suggest opting for homestays or small-scale boutique hotels over resorts, seeking out local restaurants, finding locally owned surf camps instead of international companies, and hiring local tuk tuk drivers for day trips.

Where to Visit: My Sri Lanka Travel Guides

• Sigiriya:   Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
• Ella:   10 Best Things to Do in Ella: An Essential Guide
• Kandy:   10 Best Things to Do in Kandy: An Essential Guide
• Jaffna:   10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna
• Trincomalee:   Trincomalee Travel Guide: Underrated Beach Destination in Sri Lanka
• Colombo:   Best Things to Do in Colombo in 24 Hours
• Galle:   2 Days in Galle Fort: Best Things to Do in Galle
• Hiriketiya:   Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise
• Weligama:   Layback Surf Camp Review in Weligama
• Delft Island: How to Visit Delft Island: Sri Lanka’s Remote Island Near Jaffna

Pin this post

Share this:

24 Hours in Colombo: How to Visit the Best Things to Do in Colombo

Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise

How to Visit Delft Island: Spend a Night on this Remote Island Near Jaffna

How to Get From Ella to the South Coast, Sri Lanka

beautiful place!

[…] Read next: 26 Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know […]

[…] Read more: 26 Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from beyond wild places.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Published: December 6, 2023

Sri Lanka was a wonderful surprise. I didn’t know what to expect going into my trip, but I ended up loving every bit of it.

It is a divided country, with the south dominated by Buddhist Sinhalese and the north by Hindu Tamils. After the British left in 1948, the Sinhalese controlled the government and enacted a series of laws that limited Tamil participation in society. Eventually, Tamil protests escalated and a 26-year civil war ensued, only ending in 2009.

Though it has been some time since then, Sri Lanka is still very much recovering — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. In fact, my time there was especially memorable due to my experiences meeting and getting to know the incredibly friendly locals. No matter where I went, Sri Lankans welcomed me with kindness and open arms.

Traveling around Sri Lanka is relatively easy and very budget-friendly. English is widely spoken, so once you get used to the chaos, it isn’t too difficult to get around.

With that in mind, here’s my Sri Lanka travel guide so that you can save money, have fun, and make the most of your visit to this beautiful country!

A note on prices and currencies : Costs for attractions in this guide are in USD, while costs for restaurants and accommodations are in LKR. This is to most accurately represent the currency in which you will see prices. Foreign visitors are charged a different price from locals at most attractions, quoted in USD. Registered tourist establishments are required to accept only foreign currency from nonresidents, as part of a governmental scheme to build up the country’s reserves of stronger currencies.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around

How to Stay Safe

• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Sri Lanka

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Sri Lanka

1. Tour a tea estate

When the British colonized the island in the early 19th century, they quickly realized that the central highlands had the perfect climate and topography for growing tea. One of the largest, lasting impacts of colonialism is that a significant portion of the country is still covered in tea plantations or estates.

The town of Hatton is known as the tea capital of Sri Lanka, as it’s the central point of a few regions where the plant is still plucked by hand (and one of the few places in the world where this still occurs). Going on a plantation or factory tour is a great way to learn about this integral part of the country’s economy and culture. Tours are often free, though if there is a fee, it’s only around 250 LKR. Tours usually include a tea tasting at the end.

2. See the wildlife at Yala National Park

This is Sri Lanka’s second-largest and most popular national park. It’s well known for its abundant wildlife, especially the elephants and leopards that make their home here. In fact, it’s the best place in the world to try to spot leopards, as it has the highest density of them! The area is culturally significant as well, with two important Buddhist pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, located within the park. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit these sites each year. While a guide isn’t required to enter the park, joining a safari led by an experienced local guide is the best way to experience Yala, as you’ll be able to ask questions as they point out animals to you. Safaris are quite affordable too, starting at just 8,600 LKR.

3. Hike Sigiriya Rock

Also known as Lion’s Rock, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the country’s most famous tourist attraction. In the fifth century, Sri Lankan ruler King Kashyapa decided to build his fortress on this massive column of granite rock. While it was abandoned shortly after his death, its remote location meant that the palace remained untouched over the centuries, and today it remains a fascinating example of ancient urban planning.

You can hike to the top for stunning views over the lush landscapes below; it takes an hour to walk up, as it’s single file all the way. As it’s one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka, you won’t have this place to yourself. Get there when it opens at 6:30am to avoid huge lines. If you are there after 10am, the crowds are so overwhelming, it’s not worth visiting. Admission is $30 USD ( guided day trips from Kandy that also include visits to the cave temples of Dambulla are $70 USD).

Pro tip: if you’re on a budget, climb Pidurangala Rock instead. It’s much cheaper (500 LKR), plus you’ll actually get views of Sigiriya Rock itself! (Just note that the trail does involve some scrambling at times, while the trail to the top of Sigiriya is steep but easier, with metal steps and staircases.)

4. Take the train

The British built the Sri Lankan railway system in 1864 to transport tea and coffee from plantations to Colombo, where these goods were then shipped out internationally. The train lines are still in use and provide a scenic way to explore the country. There are three main lines, but the ride from Kandy to Ella is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It lasts seven hours and takes you through lush mountains, tropical forests, and endless tea plantations; the picturesque 20th-century Nine Arches Bridge is on this route as well.

If you’d like to take this journey, it’s best to book with a travel agency in advance as seats sell out quickly. Just adjust your expectations regarding timeliness and speed. Don’t be in a hurry when riding the rails in Sri Lanka!

5. Visit Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was the very first capital of Sri Lanka and remained so for around 1,300 years. Today, many of the old ruins still survive and have been restored to their former glory. This archaeological complex and UNESCO site contains many of Buddhism’s holiest places, including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the fig tree where it is believed that the Buddha himself obtained enlightenment. It’s also home to Jetavanaramaya Dagaba, which at 122 meters (400 feet) is the world’s tallest stupa. Most people either rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk to take them around the complex. Admission to the five main temples is $25 USD, though there are many smaller temples and sites that are either free or just a couple of dollars.

Other Things to See and Do

1. visit kandy.

The country’s second-largest city was also the last capital of Sri Lanka’s monarchy, the Kingdom of Kandy, which arose in the late 16th century and resisted both Dutch and Portuguese rule before finally succumbing to British colonization in the early 19th century. Kandy is known for its well-preserved historic colonial center (now a UNESCO site), as well as the Buddhist shrine the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (supposedly an actual tooth of the Buddha). Many visitors come here because it’s the starting point for the scenic train to Ella, but make sure to spend a few days exploring the bustling streets, enjoying Kandy Lake, and wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya, the nation’s biggest and most impressive botanical garden.

2. Explore Ella

If you take Sri Lanka’s most scenic train ride, you’ll end up in the town of Ella, which, though small, is a popular destination. Even if you don’t take the train to get here, the iconic Nine Arches railway bridge is one of the biggest attractions in the entire country. You can get to the lookout by hiking through the forest, and then waiting for a train to go by if you want that iconic “Sri Lankan postcard” shot. Other things to see and do here include traversing the surrounding rainforests to see stunning waterfalls, hiking Little Adam’s Peak or Ella Rock, and visiting the endless tea plantations.

3. Travel up north

After decades of war, the north has a legacy of destruction that has yet to go away. For that reason, most travelers focus on the southern half of Sri Lanka, with its plentiful hiking and charming beach towns. But seeing the north gave me a more nuanced perspective on a portion of the country without hordes of other tourists. In fact, in my time there, I saw only four Westerners.

As the area is mainly Hindu, you’ll find lots of beautiful temples here, including the impressive Nallur Kandaswamy in Jaffna. The north also offers beautiful yet uncrowded beaches, a plethora of tranquil islands to explore, and delicious food with a strong southern Indian influence.

4. See the temples

Sri Lanka has an astonishing number of impressive temples. Everywhere you go, there’s a beautiful temple! Some of the most famous include Temple of the Tooth (in Kandy), Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam and Gangaramaya (both in Colombo), Dambulla Cave Temple (in Dambulla), and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple (in Jaffna).

When visiting, be sure to dress appropriately, as these are active places of worship. Also, bring flip-flops to temples, since you’ll have to take your socks and shoes off before going inside. Entrance fees range from free to around $10 USD.

5. Take a cooking class

While I didn’t know much about the country’s food before arriving, I quickly became hooked on the delicious curries of Sri Lankan cuisine. Colombo Cooking Class offers three-hour sessions in which you make 10 dishes, including curries, coconut sambol, and papadam. The class takes place in the owner’s home, and it really feels like you’re learning to cook with a friend! The cost is around 20,000 LKR.

6. Hit the beaches

Since it’s a huge island, Sri Lanka’s coastline spans over 1,340 kilometers (830 miles), meaning there are countless beaches to enjoy. There are white-sand shores to stroll on, coral reefs perfect for snorkeling, picturesque sunsets to admire, and breaks great for surfing. No matter what you’re into, there’s a beach for you in Sri Lanka.

Arugam Bay and Mirissa Beach are some of the most well known, mainly as world-famous surfing destinations, but they both have nice beach towns to visit even if you don’t surf.

7. Day trip to Galle

Founded in the late 16th century by the Portuguese and later conquered by the Dutch in the mid-17th century, Galle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a beautifully preserved old fort town that’s worth a visit. A visit here is best spent just wandering around, admiring the Dutch colonial buildings, walking the perimeter of the old fort, shopping at the artisanal craft stores (or taking a workshop to learn how to make jewelry in the traditional style ), touring the National Maritime Museum, and eating fresh seafood.

But as that’s about the extent of what there is to do, I recommend visiting Galle as a day trip from Colombo rather than staying overnight. It’s super easy, as you can take the train directly, which takes about two hours.

8. Climb Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is Sri Lanka’s most sacred mountain and an important pilgrimage destination. Hindus and Buddhists believe the mountain is the footstep of Shiva and the Buddha, respectively, while Muslims and Christians revere it as the first place Adam stepped on earth after his ousting from the Garden of Eden.

But even if you aren’t religious, trekking to the top of Adam’s Peak is a rewarding experience for both the challenge of the ascent and the magnificent views. It is a steep climb, with over 5,000 steps to get to the top, though there are many teahouses to stop at along the way. Most hikers start their climb from the village of Dalhousie around 2am in order to reach the top by sunrise. Depending on your fitness level, the entire journey takes around 5-7 hours.

9. Go whale watching

While countries like Iceland get all the press for whale watching, Sri Lanka is actually one of the best places to view these awe-inspiring creatures. Many species — including the blue whale, the largest animal on earth — migrate annually around the southern tip of the island, swimming closer to shore here than anywhere else in the world.

Mirissa Beach is the best place to depart from, and there are many operators offering tours. Be sure to go with a company that adheres to responsible international whale watching standards, which include stipulations like not getting too close, not feeding the whales, etc. I recommend Raja and the Whales, where an adult ticket is around 20,000 LKR.

10. Explore Colombo

As the country’s capital and location of its major international airport, you’ll undoubtedly be flying in and out of Colombo. This busy city is a bit of everything, with modern cafés and bistros right next to traditional Buddhist and Hindu temples. It’s worth spending a couple days here, getting your bearings and enjoying the cultural offerings.

Sri Lanka Travel Costs

Sri Lanka is cheap to visit. Even when you splurge, it’s not that expensive, especially if you stick to delicious local cuisine, travel on trains and buses, and don’t go crazy with your accommodation.

Accommodation – There is a lot of cheap accommodation throughout the country (and a growing number of hostels), though they’re really basic, with just a fan, mosquito net, and shower. At 2,000-4,000 LKR per dorm bed, you can’t go wrong though. Private rooms in hostels start around 6,500 LKR.

Guesthouses are more plentiful and affordable, with private rooms that have an en-suite bathroom starting at 5,000 LKR per night. Two-star budget hotels start around 8,000 LKR. In both cases, you’ll usually get free breakfast and Wi-Fi too.

You can find some unique Airbnbs in Sri Lanka, though they tend to be pricey. Prices range from 7,000 LKR per night for tree houses and cabins to 25,000 LKR and up for villas and larger properties. Most of the midrange options on Airbnb are hotels and guesthouses.

Food – Incredibly flavorful and packed with fragrant spices, Sri Lankan food is influenced by the culture and cuisines of foreign traders from all over the world. Middle Eastern, Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch flavors are particularly common due to trading routes and the country’s colonial history.

Cinnamon and black pepper are the two most important spices, though cardamom, pandan leaf, and lemongrass feature heavily too. Sri Lankan cuisine can be quite spicy, and dozens of types of peppers are grown and used on the island.

And, as an island nation, it should come as no surprise that fresh seafood plays a major role in many Sri Lankan dishes. Maldives fish (cured tuna produced in the Maldives) is a staple flavoring element. Coconut and rice are also two ubiquitous ingredients that you’ll find on the table at every meal and part of many street snacks.

Popular dishes include various curries (including fish, crab, or lentil), biryani (meat, fish, or vegetables cooked with rice and seasoned), pittu (cylinders of rice flour mixed with grated coconut), kiribath (rice cooked in coconut milk), roti (flatbread made from wheat flour), wattalapam (rich pudding made with coconut milk, jaggery, cashews, eggs, and spices), kottu (roti, meat curry, scrambled egg, onions, and chilies, chopped together with a cleaver on a hot griddle), appam (a thin pancake made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk), lamprais (rice cooked in stock, accompanied by meatballs, and baked in a banana leaf), breudher (a Dutch holiday biscuit), and bolo fiado (Portuguese-style layer cake).

Besides being delicious, food is also really cheap here. At a casual traditional restaurant, starters and snacks like roti or dosa are 240-550 LKR, while biryani costs 450-900 (depending on the meat chosen), and a typical curry dish costs 550-950 LKR. A fast-food combo meal is 750 LKR.

At restaurants with table service or for a more “Western” meal, a pizza is 2,500-3,500 LKR, a pasta dish is 1,500-2,200, and a burger is around 1,100-1,500 LKR. At an upscale restaurant, fish or crab curry is 3,500-4,000 LKR, while a chicken or vegetable curry is 1,000-1,500 LKR.

A bottle of water is 100-150 LKR, a cappuccino is 600 LKR, and a beer is around 500-600 LKR, though don’t expect too many chances to drink alcohol. Outside the coastal touristy beach towns and the capital of Colombo, there isn’t much nightlife or opportunity to drink. While you can always crack a beer at your guesthouse, Sri Lanka isn’t home to a big drinking/nightlife culture.

Some of my favorite restaurants were Balaji Dosai and the Slightly Chilled Bar in Kandy; Ahinsa in Sigiriya; and Upali’s and the Ministry of Crab in Colombo. The last one is an expensive seafood restaurant, but the food is delicious! Sri Lankan crab is famous worldwide — and gigantic. It’s not cheap, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

Backpacking Sri Lanka: Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 9,700 LKR per day, you can stay in a hostel, eat cheap meals like street food (with limited drinking), use public transportation to get around, and do free activities like walking tours, hiking, and hanging out at beaches.

On a midrange budget of 18,000 LKR per day, you can stay in a guesthouse or private room in a hostel or Airbnb, eat out for most meals, drink more, take taxis to get around, and do more paid activities like museum visits or whale watching.

On an upscale budget of 35,000 LKR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel or private Airbnb, eat out pretty much anywhere you want, drink at the bar, rent a tuk-tuk or car to get around, and do as many guided tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in LKR.

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Sri Lanka is very affordable, but there are still plenty of ways to help keep your costs low. Here are my top money-saving tips for traveling in Sri lanka:

• Get your visa in advance – You’ll need to get a visa for entry into the country. You can do this either online starting three days before you arrive, or upon arrival. It’s slightly cheaper if you do it ahead of time, plus you’ll skip the lines at the airport.
• Eat the local food – Outside of the major cities of Colombo and Kandy, you won’t find many non-Sri Lankan or non-Indian food options. What you do find is overpriced, subpar Western food that’s more often than not a chain. Skip it and stick to the local cuisine.
• Bring a water bottle – You shouldn’t really drink the water in Sri Lanka. And since the weather here is really hot, you’ll need to buy a lot of bottled water to stay hydrated (you’ll probably spend 300 LKR per day on plastic bottles of water). Instead, bring a reusable water bottle with a filter instead to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as its bottles have built-in filters to ensure that your water is always clean and safe.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a great way to save money on accommodation while also getting some insight from residents. You might have better luck in the larger cities, but be sure to request early, as they also see the most requests.
• Visit in off or shoulder seasons – Visit during monsoon season or shoulder season to save money. Even though you will experience some rain, it doesn’t rain 24/7, and you’ll still be able to get out and explore.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka

Guesthouses are the most common and affordable option in Sri Lanka, though there is a growing number of hostels here too. Here are my recommended places to stay around the country:

• C1 Colombo Fort (Colombo)
• Palitha Home Stay (Sigiriya)
• Jaye’s Home Stay (Kandy)
• Backpacker Galle Hostel (Galle)

How to Get Around Sri Lanka

Bus – This is the cheapest and most widely used way to get around the country, though it can be a very crowded and at times harrowing experience. There are two types of buses: red Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses that are run by the state, and blue, pink, or green buses that are run by private companies. Private buses tend to be more crowded, as there are more seats, and drivers try to cram on as many passengers as possible.

Since you’ll most likely be flying in and/or out of Colombo, the blue Colombo Express Bus is the cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to the city center. It’s just 110 LKR (the same price as the regular bus), leaves every 30 minutes (5:30am–8:30pm), and takes about an hour. In town, it stops at (and leaves from) the Central Bus Stand, Pettah Fort, and Colombo Fort Station. Alternatively, a taxi is about 2,700 LKR.

Tuk-tuk – All throughout Sri Lanka, you can hire drivers cheaply. Any tuk-tuk driver will let you hire them for the day, for around 10,000 LKR. Moreover, they are pretty honest — except in Colombo, where they may try to scam and overcharge you. Elsewhere in the country, you’ll get a fair deal, so there’s no need to try to bargain hard.

Ridesharing – Uber is available only in Colombo and is often more expensive than taxis, especially during rush hours. PickMe is a local taxi-hailing app that you can also use to hire tuk-tuks.

Train – Train travel, while slower, is the most scenic and culturally immersive way to get around Sri Lanka (plus, the island is so small that taking an expensive short flight doesn’t make sense). Sri Lanka Railways runs all trains, and you can find schedules and make reservations on its website.

There are a variety of classes from which to choose: first, second, third, and reserved or unreserved (third class doesn’t have reserved seating and doesn’t sell out). Seat reservations can only be made up to 30 days prior to departure.

Some typical train routes and their approximate prices include the following:

• Colombo to Jaffna (7–8 hours): 2,250 LKR
• Jaffna to Anuradhapura (2.5–3.5 hours): 1,600 LKR
• Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (3.5–4 hours): 2,500 LKR
• Colombo to Galle (2 hours): 1,600 LKR

For more details on train travel in Sri Lanka, I recommend The Man in Seat 61 . It’s the best resource for train travel information.

Flying – As Sri Lanka is a relatively small island, flying domestically doesn’t make much sense. There is only one airline that even offers domestic routes (Cinnamon Air) and those are expensive, starting at 77,000 LKR for a 30-minute flight. Skip the flights.

When to Go to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is effected by two different monsoon seasons, so if you want the best weather during your trip, you’ll want to keep that in mind.

If you want to visit the beaches in the south and west, go December through March. April to September is best for visiting the north and east.

The good news is that temperatures stay fairly consistent throughout the year. Coastal regions generally have average temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F) while in the highlands you can expect an average of 17-19°C (63-66°F).

While there is a lot of rain during monsoon season, it doesn’t rain 24/7 so you can still enjoy the country. But no matter when you visit, make sure to bring a rain coat just in case.

Sri Lanka is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re a solo traveler. Violent attacks against tourists are rare. Petty theft is the most common type of crime, especially around popular tourist landmarks. Always keep your valuables out of reach on public transportation, in crowds, and at the beach, just to be safe. A little vigilance goes a long way here since most thefts are crimes of opportunity.

The main scam to watch out for is paying the “tourist tax” (elevated prices for travelers). If you’re worried about others, read this blog post about major travel scams to avoid .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe, though verbal (and at times physical) harassment unfortunately occurs more often here than in other countries. It’s a good idea to dress conservatively and avoid walking around alone at night.

Other issues that you may encounter involve civil unrest and the current economic crisis. Stay aware of any demonstrations that may be occurring (usually in Colombo). While they are generally peaceful, like anywhere, there is the potential for these protests becoming violent. Steer clear to avoid getting caught in the middle.

Also be aware that shortages of supplies are common, and fuel is currently being rationed. If you need medications, bring a full supply with you.

Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 119.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. It protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong unexpectedly. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Sri Lanka Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Sri Lanka travel and continue planning your trip:

The Ultimate Guide to Sri Lanka: Costs, Itineraries, and Favorites

Sri Lankans: Making a Stranger Feel Like Family

How to Plan a Trip to a Place You Know Nothing About

Get your  free travel starter kit.

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Where to exchange money in Sri Lanka?

Someone might assume USD, Euro and GBP are widely accepted currencies in Sri Lanka after seeing most hotels and travel agents advertising their rates in these currencies. In reality, travel agents and hotels are the only establishments in Sri Lanka that accept payments in foreign currencies for their services.

Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) is the sole currency used in Sri Lanka. Even if you booked an  all-inclusive Sri Lanka holiday , you would still need some cash in rupees for your miscellaneous expenses during your trip. Therefore, today’s Travellers Isle article is of great importance for anyone visiting Sri Lanka for a holiday.

Without any further ado, let’s get right into the topic!

Best ways to exchange money in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan rupees is a closed currency. You will not get a good rate for them outside of Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is best to exchange your money when you arrive in Sri Lanka. Following is a list of the most reliable places to exchange your money in Sri Lanka.

1. Colombo airport money exchange counters

Many of the local banks in Sri Lanka have money exchange counters at the Colombo International Airport, which are open 24/7. They are convenient and reliable.

Since these money exchanges are owned by local banks, the exchange rates that you get from them are similar to what you get from local banks, which we are going to discuss next.

2. Local banks

Almost all the local banks offer money exchanging facilities in Sri Lanka. The most popular banks in Sri Lanka are Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, BOC Bank, Hatton National Bank and Peoples Bank. Please keep in mind most banks in Sri Lanka are only open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

3. Authorized money exchangers

You can find authorized money exchangers mainly in Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Galle, and Jaffna. Generally, these establishments offer slightly better exchange rates compared to local banks. You can find a full list of companies authorized for money exchange  here .

Would you like a Sri Lanka trip like Beatriz's?

We had the pleasure of assisting Beatriz's family on their two-week holiday in Sri Lanka, and they absolutely loved it. Would you also like a hassle-free family holiday? Please drop us a message specifying your requirements, and we will get back to you with a tailor-made Sri Lanka tour package within 24 hours.

4. ATM machines

There is a good network of ATMs in Sri Lanka. When you withdraw money from your bank account using these ATMs, you will receive the money in Sri Lankan rupees.

Unless your bank has heavy bank charges for overseas withdrawals, the exchange rate that you get from ATMs is similar to the exchange rate offered by the local banks.

If you are planning to use ATMs in Sri Lanka, inform your bank that you are going to Sri Lanka for a holiday before you leave the country. Otherwise, they might block your card when attempting to withdraw money from Sri Lanka assuming it is a credit card fraud.

Please keep in mind VISA and Mastercard are the most popular ATM cards in Sri Lanka. If you have a different type of card, you might find difficulty withdrawing money from ATM machines in Sri Lanka.

Note – Some hotels in Sri Lanka offer money exchanging services to their guests. However, our recommendation is to not to exchange money from hotels as their exchange rates are often very low.

Frequently asked questions

When I was brainstorming for this article, Roshel, who is one of our Tour Designers pointed out people who asked about money exchanges in Sri Lanka also had questions related to the formality of bringing money to Sri Lanka. So, I thought of answering those questions as well in this article.

1. What is the best currency to take to Sri Lanka?

Bring the currency that you use in your home country. There is no special benefit in converting your money to a specific currency before exchanging it to Sri Lankan rupees.

2. How much money can you take to Sri Lanka?

There is no limit to how much money that you can bring into Sri Lanka. However,

• If you are bringing in more than $10,000 USD to Sri Lanka, you need to declare your money to the Sri Lanka customs.
• If you expect to take out more than $5,000 USD, even if the total sum of money that you are bringing in is less than $10,000 USD, the full amount should be declared to the Sri Lanka customs.

Once you declared the money to the customs office, they will produce you a document that indicates how much money you brought into Sri Lanka.

Note - It is an entry requirement that you bring sufficient money for your Sri Lanka holiday. If you have paid for your trip in advance, you may provide your hotel reservation vouchers and paid invoices to prove that you already have arrangements for your trip.

3. How much money can you take out of Sri Lanka?

You can take out any amount of legally earned money from Sri Lanka. If you are taking out more than $10000 USD from Sri Lanka, you need to declare the full amount to the Sri Lanka customs.

I hope this quick read helps you to decide where to exchange your money in Sri Lanka. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. I am more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.

I invite you to read a few more articles to get more information for your Sri Lanka holiday. A similar read to this would be our article, “ Entrance fees for tourist sites in Sri Lanka ”.

You might also like

Buddhist temples in sri lanka, sri lanka with toddler itinerary, top 10 things to do in galle, sri lanka – indepth guide, top 10 things to do in jaffna, sri lanka – jaffna attractions, the 7 best beaches in sri lanka for swimming, wildlife in sri lanka | what to expect on your holiday, where to see turtles in sri lanka, dress code in sri lanka | what you need to know, top 10 things to do in ella, sri lanka, is sri lanka good for honeymoon, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sri Lanka on a budget: 17 ways to make your money go further

Nov 7, 2023 • 8 min read

From finding the cheapest ways to travel to seeking out budget places to eat, these top tips can help you save money on a trip to Sri Lanka © Bloodua / iStock

Sri Lanka has always been an affordable destination to visit for all kinds of travelers. Even for those with a shoestring budget, the island nation offers travel experiences that don’t break the bank: palm-fringed golden sandy beaches , wildlife adventures, and ancient temples packed with fascinating history. Throw in the island's incredible hospitality, and Sri Lanka is a great place to visit for those on a budget. 

With the Sri Lankan tourism industry slowly recovering from the pandemic, there are plenty of cheap hotel deals available as well as beach hamlets offering an up-and-coming digital nomad scene . Although tipping isn't customary, you may wish to do so to help the waiting staff, cleaners, and drivers. 

Here are some additional ways to cut your expenses and visit Sri Lanka on a budget.

Book your flights well in advance 

For the cheapest flights to Sri Lanka book well in advance. Anytime from three months to two weeks ahead of departure should get you cheaper than average fares. Visitors are likely to fly into Bandaranaike International Airport, about 35km (22 miles) north of the capital Colombo , with major operators like Qatar Airways and Emirates running daily flights from North America and Europe. From the UK, SriLankan Airlines offer direct flight from Heathrow Airport. Across Asia and Australia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are your best bet for a deal.

Consider flying via India 

The cheapest flights to Sri Lanka are from Indian destinations like Chennai , Bangalore , and New Delhi . If you're looking to get a taste of both India and Sri Lanka, flying in from across the Palk Strait could save you money. It's also worth checking if you can save money by flying via India too, even if only as a transfer destination.

Travel off-season for extra savings 

The peak tourist season in Sri Lanka runs from December to April. If you avoid these months, particularly December, January, and April when local New Year and holidays begin, you can save on accommodation. May to September is the northwest monsoon season, but don’t fret: Sri Lanka’s tropical climate means monsoon downpours don't last long.

The monsoon season is also a great time to explore the country’s east coast with sandy beaches, a vibrant surf scene, and abundant wildlife. The period between June and August offers world-class conditions for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya. Things get quiet during the shoulder season in October and November, but you’ll be able to find cheaper accommodation options when the south coast slowly opens up.

Take the airport bus

Small, air-conditioned buses (like Bus 187) run from just outside the airport to the center of Colombo and cost less than Rs 700. The journey takes about 30 minutes. If you are traveling with a backpack and little luggage, this is a great way to cut costs.

Sleep in local homestays and hostels 

Sri Lanka has clean, comfortable local homestays for anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 7,000 per night. Most homestays are available on booking platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb. Not only are they a great budget accommodation option, but they are also the best way to experience Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality. Family-run homestays are typically a safe option for solo women travelers too.

Many budget hostels around the island shuttered permanently during the pandemic, but you will still come across a few options in big cities and beach towns. Hostel beds cost Rs 2,000-5,000. In low season, luxury hotel rooms and villas drop to around Rs 32,000–50,000 per night. 

Don’t book long stays in advance 

Using Airbnb in Sri Lanka is a good way to find self-catering apartments and small houses, which can cost as little as Rs 6,500 a night and go up to a few hundred dollars a night. If you plan on staying long-term, you can get a good deal and avoid unnecessary taxes by speaking to the owner directly once you arrive. Most property owners are happy to give a discounted rate for long-term guests.

Hop on local buses

Sri Lanka has an extensive public transport system , connecting big cities with smaller towns and villages. Most local buses are not air-conditioned and play loud music, but they are cheap. Apart from a few (usually inaccurate) timetables for major routes, there are no real bus schedules. Buses either run late or only set off when they are full. Don’t let that put you off – on most routes there will be a bus every few minutes. Most cost a couple of dollars for a one-way journey. 

Book your train tickets 

Traveling by train in Sri Lanka is economical and comfortable. It also gives you a taste of Sri Lankan culture and the country’s diverse landscapes. Most long-distance trains have both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned compartments. A ticket in the air-conditioned coach costs around Rs 2,000–3,200.

However, keep in mind that you can only reserve your seat in advance at major railway stations like Colombo , Kandy , Nanu Oya (near Nuwara Eliya ), Jaffna , and Ella . You can secure your seats through transport platforms like Bookaway, but once you add on the commission, the same train ticket will cost you two or three times more. 

Travelers also have the option to just show up on the day and buy a cheap ticket that costs Rs 327–982 for a non-reservable compartment. These compartments get crowded during rush hour and weekends.

Board the southern expressway bus

If you are traveling to southern Sri Lanka, take the expressway bus. These air-conditioned buses leave for Galle , Matara , Tangalle, and Hambantota (near Yala National Park ) from Makumbura bus station in Colombo. For a 1–2 hour bus journey, you're looking at a one-way ticket that costs less than Rs 1,600. These buses are also faster than the local train.

Use ride-hailing apps in Colombo and Kandy

Ride-hailing apps only work in Colombo and Kandy, but they are the most practical way to travel within the two cities while saving money. You have the option to book bikes, tuk-tuks, basic cars, and luxury vehicles. 

If you want a little comfort and don’t want to opt for public transport to travel outside Colombo, the homegrown app PickMe is also a great platform to book taxis for longer trips. Services here are 20–30% cheaper than booking pre-arranged taxis through a hotel or tour agency.

Where you can’t use ride-hailing apps, rent a scooter

Outside Colombo and Kandy where ride-hailing apps don’t work, tuk-tuk prices can add up. As most drivers don’t have a meter, you’ll have to pay anything they quote, so be sure to settle on a price before you get in. Rent a scooter instead. These cost Rs 1,600–3,200 a day and are a popular way to beach hop along the south coast. 

Eat from the "hotels"

Join the locals in the small, hole-in-the-wall restaurants called "hotels" to save money on food. You can gorge on a plate of rice and curry for as little as Rs 600–1,300. Hotels also sell snacks – often called "shorties" or "short-eats" – like deep-fried fish cutlets, vegetable patties, and sugar-sprinkled tea buns for less than a dollar.

In more touristy areas like Unawatuna and Ella, food is a little bit more expensive, but most chic cafes, restaurants, and beach shacks offer great value for money. A meal for two with a couple of beers can range be Rs 5,000–8,000. 

Head to the local market for food

If you’re looking to stay put in Sri Lanka for a while, keep in mind that imported products like chocolates, biscuits, cheese, and cosmetics are expensive and hard to find. Shop for local brands at supermarkets and grocery stores. It’s always cheaper to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and cooking ingredients from small stalls by the road or the local market. 

Seek out women-run health food outlets for vegan and vegetarian meals

Look out for Hela Bojun outlets across the country – also known as Ammachchi in the north. If you find an open-air kitchen full of female chefs dressed in green aprons and hair covers, you are at the right place. Run entirely by local women, these restaurants were created by the Ministry of Agriculture to promote regional, homegrown ingredients and healthy eating, while encouraging women's entrepreneurship. They mainly sell nutritious vegan and vegetarian dishes. You can grab a filling meal with a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice or a cup of herbal tea for less than a dollar here.

Join other travelers to save up on wildlife safaris

Sri Lanka’s national parks are a great way to spot wild Asian elephants, leopards, and rare native and migratory birds in their natural habitats. With entrance fees, tax, and 4WD costs, a safari for two will set you back Rs 23,000–33,000. A 4WD typically seats six so consider buddying up with other travelers to share the costs. Avoid any additional transport by staying close to the parks. The same goes for whale- and dolphin-watching tours.

Consider visiting the less popular tourist sites

The entry fee for the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura is Rs 8,200. But there are equally compelling sites to visit that are much easier on the purse. Temples and historical sites such as the Dambulla Cave Temple , Yapahuwa in Kurunegala, Embekke near Kandy, and Mulkirigala Rock Temple near Tangalle still offer some cultural heft, but at a fraction of the price.

Climb Pidurangala instead of Lion Rock

To visit Lion Rock in Sigiriya costs Rs 9,900. Budget travelers should instead climb Pidurangala , which offers clear views of the mighty 180m-high (590ft) column, but is less than Rs 1,000 to summit.

Daily costs in Sri Lanka

Hostel room: Rs 2,000–5,000 (US$7–1) Basic room for two in a homestay:  Rs 3,200–6,500 (US$10–20) Basic hotel room:  Rs 6,500–13,000 (US$20–40) Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb):  Rs 6,500–33,000 (US$20–100) Public transport ticket (local buses):  Rs 325–1,000 one way, (US$1–3) Public transport ticket (air-conditioned reserved trains):  Rs 2,000–3,300 (US$6–10) Coffee:  Rs 650–1,300 (US$2–4) Sandwich:  Rs 325–1,600 (US$1–5) Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant:  Rs 5,000–7,200 (US$15–22) Dinner for two in a fine-dining restaurant:  Rs 13,000–23,000 (US$40–70) Beer at the bar (local Lion beer can 330ml):  Rs 325 (US$1) Rice and curry:  Rs 650–1,600 (US$2–5) A plate of kottu roti:  Rs 1,000–1,600 (US$3–5) Deep-fried vegetable roll:  Less than Rs 325 (US$1)

This article was first published Feb 18, 2022 and updated Nov 7, 2023.

Explore related stories

Budget Travel

Aug 5, 2024 • 6 min read

Tipping is an elusive custom all over the world, and Asia is no exception. Here's what you should know.

Dec 20, 2023 • 11 min read

Sep 4, 2024 • 13 min read

Aug 30, 2024 • 12 min read

Aug 29, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 28, 2024 • 6 min read

Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 8, 2024 • 11 min read

Aug 7, 2024 • 8 min read

A Budget Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka. Empty beaches and crowded cities. Terraced tea plantations and wild jungles. Elephants and leopards, whales and monkeys, friendly people and incredible food.

Ignored by travellers during two decades of civil conflict, tourism is only now starting to reappear on this teardrop-shaped island off the bottom of India.

While package tours are popular, they’re far from the only way to see the best of what the country has to offer. I spent three weeks travelling independently around the southern and central parts of the island by bus, train and tuk-tuk. The experience put Sri Lanka firmly near the top of my list of favourite destinations.

If you’re considering budget travel in Sri Lanka, here’s what you need to know.

Note: this post is long and detailed! I’ve broken it down into several sections, which you can skip to using the links below.

Budgeting for Sri Lanka

First things first: Sri Lanka isn’t a super-cheap destination in the same way as India, Nepal or most of South East Asia. Accommodation and food are more expensive than neighbouring countries, and the entrance fee to major attractions for foreigners is disproportionately high.

Expect a daily budget of $30-$50 per person on accommodation, food, drinks, and transport. That cost is based on staying in guesthouses and homestays, and eating at local restaurants or your accommodation. Hostels aren’t all that common outside the cities, but when you can find them, you’ll save a few dollars if you’re travelling alone.

If you decide to take in most of the main sights, you could easily spend the same amount again on entrance fees and tours. In the end, the high cost of attractions put me off visiting many of them.

Travelling alone for much of my time in Sri Lanka, and unable to split costs, anything that required hiring a driver or guide was out of reach. Luckily, many of the best parts of the country — food, beaches, and people in particular, cost little or nothing to experience.

Sri Lankan keeps the visa process simple. The Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation site isn’t the most attractive in the world, but it works well.

Unless you come from one of a small number of nearby countries, you’ll pay $30 USD for a 30-day double-entry visa. The site accepts credit cards, and you’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours with the details you need.

If you want to be particularly organised, feel free to print it out. I didn’t, and although I’d saved the email on my phone, nobody asked to see it.

Two-day transit visas are free if you’re just passing through, and longer visas are available if you need them. It’s also possible to extend a tourist visa within the country, if you happen to fall madly in love with Sri Lanka and can’t bear the thought of leaving.

The currency in Sri Lanka is the rupee (LKR), which at the time I travelled was worth around 130 to the US dollar. ATMs are common throughout the country, although on one occasion I did need to take a tuk-tuk to the next town a few miles down the road to find one.

All of the ATMs I tried accepted international cards, with only a small fee (around 50c), but withdrawal limits vary significantly by bank. If the machine you’re using won’t give you enough money in a single transaction, just find another that does.

As far as budget travellers are concerned, Sri Lanka is primarily a cash economy. Don’t expect to find credit card facilities in guesthouses or local restaurants. Small bills are always appreciated, and many vendors won’t be able to make change if you hand them a 5000 rupee note.

Like most visitors, I arrived in Sri Lanka via Bandaranaike International Airport around 35km from Colombo. Immigration and luggage reclaim were painless, and the terminal was clean and reasonably modern.

Getting local currency was straightforward, with the staff of several foreign exchange booths vying for attention as soon as I left the baggage area. They offered a competitive rate, but there were several ATMs nearby if you’d prefer to withdraw money instead.

I picked up a local SIM card before leaving the terminal, then headed out to brave the morning heat and taxi drivers. Due to the captive market and distance from Colombo, private transport options from the airport are expensive for budget travellers unless they’re in a group.

You’re looking at around 2500 LKR (~$19) for a taxi into Colombo, and 1500 LKR ($12) for a seat in a shared minivan.

Local buses into the city cost 150 LKR (~$1.20) – there isn’t an airport stop, but should be a free shuttle to the bus station. Luggage space will be at a premium, so don’t expect to get on with large suitcases. You’ll be able to ask an airport official where to catch the shuttle from (and if it’s running).

Since I was taking the train down to Galle the same day, I needed to get to Colombo Fort station. While there is a train service that runs there directly from the airport, it only operates twice a day. The schedule is much more regular from Katunayaka South station, less than ten minutes from the airport in a tuk-tuk.

I couldn’t find a driver who would charge less than 250 LKR (~$2) per person for the journey, but if you’re in less of a hurry and a better negotiator than me, you should be able to pay less.

From there, the third class train into Colombo cost around 25 LKR (20c), and took about 75 minutes to get to Fort station. It ran at least once an hour, and serves as the perfect introduction to Sri Lanka. You’ll likely be the only foreigner on the train as it winds through the countryside and Colombo suburbs.

Sri Lanka has two official languages, Sinhala and Tamil, and you’ll see their gloriously looping forms on signs everywhere. English is also quite widely spoken and usually found anywhere visitors are expected to be.

Bus destination boards, road signs, many shops, and even advertising billboards often include an English translation. Communicating with locals was rarely an issue.

Accommodation

Before arriving in Sri Lanka, I’d been concerned about the cost of accommodation based on what I found online. As it turned out, my concern was only somewhat justified – mostly because in August, it was rarely hot enough for lack of air conditioning to be a problem.

Opting for rooms without a/c bought the price down. I found anywhere near the ocean had a fan and enough breeze to keep things cool.

On average, I paid $20-30/night for a clean private room with hot water and (usually) breakfast. If I’d had my own transport, I could have reduced this a bit -– there were some good options outside the centre of many towns.

Since I didn’t want to have to take a tuk-tuk or walk 30+ minutes in the midday sun every time I went anywhere, however, I generally stayed close to the action.

I often booked a room the day before arriving somewhere new, just so I could ignore the crowd of “helpers” that meet every bus. It’s definitely possible to just turn up and find somewhere to stay, though, and doing so usually yielded a good result.

Just be prepared to spend some time tracking down a place that works for you, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

Stay in at least one or two homestays during your time in Sri Lanka. They tend to be smaller than guesthouses, often with only a couple of rooms for guests , and entirely family-run.

Breakfasts will almost always be included, and you’ll often be able to have dinner with the family for a few dollars as well. Take up the offer if it’s extended – the food will be even better than in local restaurants.

You can compare prices on Booking.com , which saves a bunch of time on slow Internet connections. You’ll find plenty of those in Sri Lanka.

Ahh, the food. I’ll freely admit I didn’t know much about Sri Lankan cuisine before arriving, naively assuming it’d be similar to that in India. While the basic components of many dishes were familiar — rice, curries, papadums, and roti — that’s about where the similarities end.

Rice and Curry

I don’t think I’ve ever eaten as well (or as much) as I did during my time in Sri Lanka. Other travellers have spoken of getting sick of the ubiquitous “rice and curry”, but god knows I never did. The simple name hides the fact that despite eating this dish at least 30 times during my trip, I was never served the same meal twice.

The meal consisted of a large plate of rice, plus anywhere between four and a dozen different curries in little bowls. There’d usually be a meat option – salted fish or chicken being most common – along with some fluffy dahl, but after that it was hard to predict.

I had fruit and vegetable curries of almost every flavour – potato, pumpkin, beans, jackfruit, beetroot, eggplant, and many others I couldn’t identify. The only similarity was that they were all damn delicious. Every. Single. One.

Breakfasts varied, too, but my favourite was string hoppers. Resembling noodles and made from rice flour, the actual hoppers were pretty bland — but adding a healthy spoonful of the coconut or onion sambal that came with it made a life-changing culinary explosion go off in my mouth.

I wasn’t as excited by egg hoppers (a thin fried pancake with an egg in the middle) or the sweet, sticky roti pancakes. What I did learn, though, is that there are at least a million different ways to use a coconut at breakfast time.

I won’t go into detail about everything I ate in Sri Lanka, but there’s no way I couldn’t mention kottu roti. You’ll likely hear the distinctive metallic chopping sound of its preparation long before you order it, serving as a beacon for hungry passers-by.

It’s simply shredded pieces of roti bread mixed with spices and vegetables, seafood, or meat. Chopped up, stir-fried, and served with a hot, spicy sauce, it’s the perfect street food, and goes down extremely well with a cold bottle of Lion beer. Say, for example.

It’s the spices, though, that will always remind me of Sri Lanka. Cumin was ever-present, but my uneducated nose and taste buds struggled to identify the complex mixtures after that. Coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and undoubtedly many more.

Chilli, both ground and chopped, always made an appearance. I like spicy food, and only rarely found a meal too hot to handle, but if you’re not a fan of chillies you’ll want to mention that when you order.

Food prices varied widely depending on where I chose to eat. It wasn’t unusual to see prices as high as 1200 LKR (~$10) for rice and curry in the most tourist-friendly parts of town, but following the locals yielded better food for a dollar or two.

As always, look for the crowded restaurants and street stalls, and don’t worry about the state of the furniture. It’s the popularity and fast turnover that keeps you happy and healthy, not the presence of a tablecloth.

Many well-heeled visitors to Sri Lanka hire a car and driver for their stay, but if you’re a budget traveller and not in too much of a hurry, there’s really no need.

The rail system dates back to colonial times and is extremely slow. It’s also cheap, reliable, and travels through some spectacular countryside.

There are first class air-conditioned carriages on a few routes, but they quickly fill up with tour groups. If you’d prefer to save money and spend your journey chatting to locals instead, buy a second class ticket. The breeze blowing in through the open windows and doors cools all but the most crowded trains.

Many shorter routes only have a third class option, which is basic but fine. You’ll also be able to take much better photos from the cheaper carriages, especially if you’re happy to hang out the door to do so.

Some trains on the popular Colombo to Badulla route include a fancy, privately-operated carriage that can be booked online, but tickets for the government-run carriages need to be purchased at a station.

Advance tickets go on sale ten days before departure, but you may not be able to buy them from the smaller stations. I was advised to go to Matara or Galle when trying to book a ticket in Weligama, for example.

The trip from Ella to Kandy is widely regarded as one of the most scenic rail trips in the world, and has the popularity to match. Every ticket for the famous observation car was sold out for the next ten days, so I booked the last second-class seat for a train leaving three days later.

Long story short: if you’re planning to take that train journey (and you should, because it’s amazing), book your outbound ticket from Ella as early as possible.

Unfortunately, the train lines don’t run everywhere in the country, so at some point you’ll end up on a bus. These are far more plentiful, and will get you close to anywhere you want to go. They’re as cheap as the train, often more crowded, and will always involve plenty of time on the wrong side of the road.

Most buses will have limited space for your luggage, either beside the driver or sometimes in the back. Sri Lankans seem to travel light around their own country, so as long as there aren’t many other foreigners on your bus, you’ll find somewhere to stow a backpack or small suitcase.

Failing that, you may be able to buy an extra ticket and put your bag on the seat beside you, or resign yourself to having it in your lap for a few hours.

Timetables do exist, but as buses leave when full they’re more of a guideline than a rule. The easiest option is to ask your guesthouse owner how often buses run to your next destination, then turn up at the station with time to spare and ask around.

Random strangers are usually incredibly happy to help out the lost-looking foreigner. They’ll often do everything from showing you where to stand to keeping an eye out for the bus for you, waving it down, explaining to the driver where you’re trying to go, and helping you with your luggage.

Even if you’ve been told you’ll need to change somewhere, it’s always worth asking if there is a direct bus to your destination. Sometimes they only run once or twice a day, if they exist at all, but you never know.

It’s worth keeping a collection of small notes and coins handy to pay for your ticket. Expect to pay as little as 30 LKR for a short journey between neighbouring towns, and 200-300 LKR for a trip that takes several hours.

Other Options

If you don’t want to hire a car and driver, but dealing with long days on public transport doesn’t sound appealing, there are a few other options.

I met a French couple who had hired a small car and driven around much of the country with it. They said it was nerve-wracking most of the time, but the freedom and flexibility made it worth the occasional scream.

I also ran into a British couple who had just finished a multi-week motorbike trip. They’d rented a 250cc bike that was appropriate for getting well off the main roads, but scooters are also available if that’s more your style.

And, of course, there are auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks). These take the place of taxis in much of the country, and you’ll see them everywhere.

While many of the tuk-tuks look much the same, every driver is different. They’re not all out to scam you, but many do love to overcharge foreigners. I was told by a guesthouse owner in Mirissa that the going rate for tourists was double the local price.

You can always bargain, and will usually get a cheaper price when you do. Be very clear about where you’re going however, and what the final price will be.

You may even want to write the address and price on a piece of paper to show your driver for their agreement. And to use as evidence if you still end up having an argument at the end of the trip.

Finally, if you love the sound of a tuk-tuk but not the idea of haggling with drivers all the time, you can rent one to drive around the country yourself. Some fellow travel bloggers did exactly this , and put the idea in my head for my next trip to Sri Lanka. Because, seriously, how amazing does it sound?

I found Sri Lankans to be some of the warmest, friendliest, and most helpful people I’ve ever met. Strangers on a train or bus would strike up a conversation within a minute. If I was travelling alone, restaurant staff would want to know if I had a girlfriend. If Lauren was with me, they’d ask when we were getting married.

I barely had a chance to look lost before someone would approach to see if I needed help. If they didn’t speak English, they’d call a friend who did and get them to translate. Kids, families, old men and women would break into smiles when I wandered past, and it was almost impossible to walk more than a block without someone calling out a greeting.

In some parts of the world this kind of interaction with locals seems a little forced, but in Sri Lanka it rarely did. There seemed to be a genuine interest in talking to visitors, finding out what they thought of the country, and what had bought them to Sri Lanka.

The only real exceptions were tuk-tuk drivers, but that’s fairly common anywhere in the world. Even then, I had a couple of great experiences.

There was the guy in Galle, for instance, who serenaded us with Bob Marley songs as we zipped through the streets in his bright pink rickshaw. A few days later, hearing I was interested in renting a tuk-tuk of my own, a driver in Mirrisa insisted we swap seats so I could get some practice ahead of time.

Travelling as a Solo Female

As I’m not a woman, it’s hard for me to gauge what travelling as a solo female is really like. However, although Lauren and I travelled together for most of her time in the country, she did spend 24 hours on her own as she made her way back to Colombo. She had quite a different experience to when she was with me, and I quote it in full below:

I felt incredibly safe in Sri Lanka with Dave by my side but sadly didn’t feel the same when venturing out alone. While wandering around by myself, I noticed stares from 90% of the local men I passed, and the majority of them would try and strike up a conversation with me.

This didn’t happen when I was with Dave, when I was mostly ignored. It was a huge difference and one that greatly unsettled me.

I took a solo train journey, where I was sat by the window, and at each train station we passed, the local men on the platform would see me and gather by my window, staring. Not saying anything, not doing anything, just relentlessly staring. A huge crowd! It spooked me so much that I stopped using public transport alone and went with taxis instead for the rest of my time in the country.

So, it’s tricky. I can’t say it’s unsafe for solo female travellers when nothing bad happened to me. Nobody even attempted anything untoward. But the stares? They left me uncomfortable and feeling vulnerable.

Yes, cricket. That odd sport played by Britain and its former colonies. The only game that can last for five full days and still end up in a draw.

If you’re from a cricket-playing country, you’ll have immediate common ground with any Sri Lankan male old enough to hold a bat. If you know the slightest thing about the sport, you’ve pretty much made a friend for life.

My time in Sri Lanka happened to coincide with a cricket tour by the Pakistan team, and I ended up being in Galle for the first four days of a match. In an inspired move by the authorities, ground entry was free. I could just turn up to lie on the grass and watch the game for a few hours each day, coming and going as I pleased.

Vendors walked past with spiced peanuts, ice-cream, cold drinks, and a random selection of fried goods, and there was always a group nearby to share the twists and turns of the match with.

Blissed out in the sunshine, listening to the sound of bat, ball, and an assortment of out-of-tune instruments, I was about as happy as I’ve ever been on my travels. Best of all, Sri Lanka won in the dying minutes of the final session. Perfect.

Power and Internet

Wi-Fi was available in all of the places I stayed, as well as many restaurants, bars, and cafes. Speeds varied much more than I expected, from an astonishing 17Mbps connection at a guesthouse on the beach near Tangalle, to some that were too slow to load a web page.

Typical speeds were around 3Mbps download and half that for uploads, which was fast enough for anything I needed to do online.

Note that Colombo Airport doesn’t officially provide free Wi-Fi, but there is a coffee shop in the transit area that offers a glacially-slow connection if you buy their overpriced beverages.

I wrote an entire post about the process of buying and using a SIM card or eSIM in Sri Lanka . Briefly, though, prices were reasonable, coverage was good, and speeds were quite quick.

Power, too, wasn’t a problem. Over the course of three weeks I experienced two blackouts, once for a couple of hours after a huge storm in Ella, and the other for a few minutes in Tangalle.

Seasons and Weather

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka experiences very diverse weather. The island has two distinctive monsoon seasons, one in the southwest and one in the north and east.

I visited the southern coast during the monsoon. Despite being prepared to change my plans if the weather was causing problems, however, there was no need. While there were some heavy downpours overnight and some afternoons, they didn’t stop me from doing anything I’d planned.

Temperatures on the coast were hot and relatively humid, although sea breezes made a big difference. In the highlands, temperatures were somewhat lower during the day and much cooler overnight, with fog and rain not uncommon in the afternoon in Ella.

Pack sunscreen, a hat, walking shoes, and a rain jacket, and you’ll be fine pretty much everywhere!

Cruising Along the Coast

Sri Lanka is renowned for its glorious beaches, and I made a point to visit several along the southern coast.

After only planning to spend one night in Galle, the gorgeous old colonial buildings and cricket match I mentioned forced me to return for another few days. Galle Fort, the UNESCO-listed part of town, was by far the most touristed place I visited in Sri Lanka, with food and accommodation prices to match.

I spent most of my time in the city exploring the old town, wandering along the walls, and admiring the restored buildings. When I wasn’t sightseeing I was watching cricket from inside the ground or atop the ramparts.

If there isn’t a game on (or you’re a bit strange and don’t love cricket), you only need a couple of nights in town to see the best parts before leaving for somewhere a little more budget-friendly.

I’d highly recommend eating outside the walls of the fort, both for the savings and the quality of the food. I found a little place between the train and bus stations offering fish, rice, and curries for 200 LKR ($1.50.) The food was plentiful, delicious, and definitely not toned down for foreigners. There wasn’t much English spoken, but pointing and smiling worked just fine.

Where I Stayed

It was hard to find a decent private room for under 4000 LKR in Galle Fort, although there were also a few places offering dorm beds. I stayed in two different rooms at Inn64 in the heart of the old town, and preferred the room overlooking the road — it was a little smaller, but being able to sit out on the balcony was great.

This was one of the few places I stayed that had air-conditioning, but it wasn’t really necessary. The wi-fi was fast, the owner was friendly and it was in a great location. All in all, I liked it a lot — although it was expensive by Sri Lankan standards, it was good value for Galle. We paid 4500 LKR ($35) as a walk-in rate.

How I Got There

The train from Colombo Fort to Galle took a little over two hours, and a second-class ticket cost 180 LKR (~$1.40). It was pretty crowded, so I had to stand up for most of the journey, but the coastal views were enough of a distraction from my aching feet.

A little further along the south coast lies Mirissa, a laid-back little coastal town. We spent most of our days on the long, narrow strip of beach, watching the surf endlessly crash onto the sand. The waves were impressive during monsoon season, and more than a few minutes in the ocean left me feeling like I’d been put through a spin cycle.

The big tourist draw in Mirissa is whale watching, but it wasn’t really the right time of year to see them when I was there. Prices seemed reasonable enough at around 6500 LKR ($50) for a half day excursion, but I amused myself by wandering round the harbour chatting to fishermen instead.

There weren’t all that many dining options, but it wasn’t hard to find a couple of decent places. Most lunches consisted of a beer, rice, and curry on the sand at Central Beach Inn. Dinner was from Dewmini Roti Shop, a great little place a few minutes off the main road.

We spent three nights at Bon Accord , a small, immaculately-kept guesthouse near the western end of the beach. The owner cleaned the entire place twice a day, and it could well be the most spotless accommodation I’ve ever had in Asia.

The multi-course breakfasts were outstanding, and playing with the puppies while watching peacocks land on the neighbour’s roof each day was an added bonus. We paid 4500 LKR ($35) for a fan room with balcony – again, expensive for Sri Lanka but worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Buses run regularly through Mirissa from the main station in Galle, and take around 40 minutes. I don’t recall the exact cost, but it was around 50 rupees (40c).

I spent the remainder of my time in Sri Lanka travelling solo, starting with three nights just east of Tangalle. There wasn’t much to the town itself, but the beach was remarkable.

There were miles of almost empty sand, broken up only by the occasional hotel or shack of a seafood restaurant. The surf was even heavier than in Mirissa, if that’s possible, so I observed it from the safety of my towel.

There was little else to do without taking a tuk-tuk back into town, and that suited me just fine. I whiled away my days reading, snoozing in the hammock, and trying to digest the enormous meals coming out of the guesthouse kitchen.

I stayed at Lonely Beach Resort , where I passed on the ocean view and picked up one of the cheaper fan rooms for 2800 LKR (~$21) per night. It overlooked a nearby swamp instead, but it was clean and spacious, had a large balcony and there was always enough breeze to deter the bugs and keep me cool.

Wi-Fi was patchy in the room, but very fast when sitting in the restaurant with a beer – so that’s exactly what I did when checking emails. I’m not sure if the beer was a requirement to get the faster speeds, but I wasn’t prepared to risk it.

The food at the guesthouse seemed a little expensive, especially given breakfast wasn’t included in the room rate, but it was uniformly excellent. I also ate at the hotel restaurant next door a couple of times, which had a slightly better view and slightly worse food.

The bus ride from Galle to Matara lasted a couple of hours, and after a short wait, the next bus to Tangalle took about the same amount of time.

Each ticket cost under a dollar – as usual, the ten minute tuk-tuk ride to my final destination cost more than the several hours of buses that preceded it.

Two weeks after leaving the coast to head inland, I returned for my last few nights in Sri Lanka. Negombo is the closest stretch of coast to the airport, and felt like it. Prices were generally higher, restaurant food was generally worse, tourists were more plentiful, and touts were more persistent than elsewhere in the country.

The beach, though, was impressive – long, wide and empty, at least at the northern end of town where I spent most of my time. Locals played football and cricket in the evening, with only complete darkness ending those simple pleasures.

I did manage to find a great little rice and curry restaurant on the main road, half the price and twice as good as anything else I’d walked past on that long strip of souvenir shops and travel agents.

It says something about the lack of decent alternatives that despite the restaurant being a half-hour walk from my guesthouse, I went back again for lunch the next day.

I spent three nights at Suriya Arana Hotel , a family-run place with clean, large a/c rooms, and an included breakfast. It was totally worth eating dinner there as well – the meals weren’t all that cheap, but they were very good.

A recent storm meant the Internet wasn’t working during my stay, but the couple that run the place were both lovely, and I’d happy stay there again. It was good value for Negombo, at 3000 LKR ($23) per night.

My homestay owner in Sigiriya dropped me off at the bus stop in Dambulla, where a crowded bus negotiated endless roadworks to drop me in Kurunegala for 180 LKR ($1.50) a couple of hours later.

An air-conditioned minivan then took me on to Negombo for around 300 rupees ($2.40), where I asked to be let out on the side of the road to walk the last mile to the hotel rather than backtracking from the bus station

Hitting the Highlands

Even though the highlands are under 100km from the coast, they feel like a different country. Towering mountains, green jungles, misty valleys, cooler temperatures, and tea plantations as far as the eye can see. If you stick to the coast, you’re only getting part of the Sri Lankan experience.

The small hill town of Ella wasn’t quite what I expected. There’s not much to it — several guesthouses, restaurants, and convenience stores spread along a chaotic main street full of wandering tourists, creaky buses, and barking street dogs.

Fortunately, I found a homestay a few minutes away down a side street that was much more peaceful, giving me the chance to enjoy what everyone really goes there for: the stunning countryside.

Although I’d only planned to stay a couple of days, I ended up extending to five -– I loved my homestay and the cool, fresh air, and was in no hurry to leave.

Other than working my way through my Kindle when the rain rolled in every afternoon, I spent one morning hiking up Little Adam’s Peak, and another walking a few kilometres back down the road to a waterfall I’d passed on the way in. Both were well worth the effort, but I’d suggest starting early to avoid the heat.

There were a few good food options in town, with delicious cheap fish kottu roti at the Ella Curd Shop, and higher-end options with a great view at AK Ristoro.

After searching fruitlessly for half an hour on the main road, a tuk-tuk driver convinced me to let him drive me round several accommodation options on the hilly side streets.

It ended up being a good decision, as I discovered Blooming Rose Inn . Run by a lovely, warm family, it was pretty much everything I could have hoped for in a homestay. I got a large clean room, fantastic food, plenty of helpful advice, and at 3000 LKR ($23)/night including breakfast, a reasonable price.

There was no fan or a/c, but surprisingly, the room didn’t need them. It got positively chilly at night in Ella!

I managed to catch a 10am direct bus from Tangalle to Ella, which took four hours and cost around 260 LKR ($2). It was crowded, but I was able to get a seat after the first hour or so.

Despite being the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, I wasn’t overly excited by Kandy. It seemed busy and noisy, with surprisingly lousy food options. Walking around the lake was mildly interesting, but the main highlight for me was the Botanical Garden.

It was easy to get to by local bus, and I spent several hours wandering around admiring the diverse trees, plants, monkeys, snake charmer, and, in one memorable encounter, a scorpion. As with most other attractions in Sri Lanka it was relatively expensive for foreigners, at 1100 LKR ($8.50).

Most accommodation in Kandy seemed pricey, so I was pleased to find Sevana City Hotel within walking distance of the train and bus stations for 2500 LKR ($19) per night.

Although a little soulless, it was excellent value — clean, with hot water and working air-conditioning. The wi-fi was terrible, but I could put up with it for a couple of nights.

While Kandy didn’t do much for me, the train ride there from Ella was a big highlight of the trip. It took around seven hours and cost 230 LKR ($1.75) for a second class ticket. Given the incredible scenery along the way, the ticket is worth far more.

The mountain fortress at Sigiriya is arguably Sri Lanka’s most well-known attraction, and I couldn’t leave the country without having climbed it.

While it’s possible to visit on a day trip from nearby towns and cities, I chose to stay in Sigiriya village. That turned out to be a good choice, making it much easier to be at the ticket office at the 7am opening time to avoid almost all the other visitors.

I’d very highly recommend doing the same – I actually ended up at the summit of Sigiriya Rock entirely alone for 20 minutes, a magical experience as I gazed out over the surrounding landscape. The longer I spent there, the more people showed up. By the time I headed back down late morning, I was passing large tour groups the whole way.

Despite the ridiculously high cost for foreigners (3300 LKR, or $30 USD), it’s worth making the trip to Sigiriya. Give yourself at least half a day, so you can explore the side trails and small museum as well.

Note that hornets can be a problem on the final climb to the summit. They nest in cracks in the rock, and you’re very exposed as you climb the metal staircase beside them. While a shelter and protective clothing are provided if you need them, I’d suggest taking a jacket and long pants with you as well.

I had to delay starting my descent for half an hour due to hornet activity, but didn’t get stung.

I booked two nights at this wonderful homestay , and loved it. The family was great, the food was wonderful (including an impromptu kottu roti cooking lesson one night) and although there were a few bugs due to the location, the fan room was clean and tidy.

Monkeys played in the trees nearby, and apparently wild elephants roam along the street at night. You’re advised not to wander round after dark as a result. In the end, I decided to stay an extra two nights rather than move to nearby Dambulla. That felt like the right choice – it was much more peaceful in Sigiriya!

I took a long and bumpy bus ride from Kandy to Dambulla for 200 LKR ($1.50), then swapped to a local bus for the last half hour to Sigiriya.

I ended up just taking a day trip into Dambulla to visit the cave temples and Golden Buddha, which were more impressive than expected despite the crowds.

Were they worth the 1500 LKR ($11.50) entry fee? That’s debatable. If you’re in the area anyway, though, they’re probably worth the money and sweaty 10-15 minute climb from the entrance.

Don’t forget to pay for a ticket as you enter the complex. You can’t pay at the top where the caves are, and won’t appreciate the climb back down and up again to do so.

My homestay family in Sigiriya was heading into Dambulla anyway, and offered me a ride.

Do you have any other questions about budget travel in Sri Lanka? Leave them in the comments!

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

What did you like and dislike? How could I improve this post?

Similar Posts

A Bloody Welcome to Belize

“What the hell?” The bus lurched to a stop, passengers scrambling over each other to press their faces against the grimy…

That Time I Ate Portland

Sometimes I return to a city for the weather. Sometimes I return to a city for the culture. Sometimes I return to a city just to eat.

A Slice of Life in Chiang Mai

“Sawadee ka … pad krapow gai kai dow?” It takes me a second to decode the stream of rapidfire Thai as…

Exploring (But Mostly Just Eating) Taipei

I’d had no plans to go to Taiwan. It’s not like I had anything against the country. It’s just that, like…

How to Get From Bangkok to the Koh Chang Islands

How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood in the south of Thailand, by plane, bus, minivan, and ferry.

The 11 Things I Will Miss Most About Thailand

I can’t believe it’s over. 175 days after I flew to Thailand last year, I’m finally leaving. All going well, as…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

85 Comments

I had rice and curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner on my last trip there, and forecast doing exactly the same when I return in November 😉

A man after my own heart…

I travelled Sri Lanka for a week backpacking by myself , moving around only with public transport: buses, 3rd class trains, walk etc… and never felt unsafe.I do agree that I attracted many man stares despite always wearing sweat pants and trainers, but to me it felt a lot more like curiosity then anything else. I loved my solo week there and can’t wait to be back!!! 🙂

Yeah, I’ve definitely heard differing reports about travel as a solo female. I guess a lot of it comes down to personal comfort levels with the amount of attention you’re getting. Even as a guy, I got curious stares fairly often!

Hi Erica, I’ve just seen your post, I’m hoping to do the same as you, backpack on my own in Sri Lanka but was a bit wary of the whole men staring thing as well as getting around on the buses that don’t seem very regular. I only have a week so am wondering if to do it on my own or book an overpriced tour that my agent is trying to get me to buy.. Any help/tips would be much appreciated! Silvia [email protected]

WOW is this thorough!! I am with Lauren in regards to being a solo female in Sri Lanka. I was only in the country for a week, and I was with a group. But, the few times I was alone, I felt very uncomfortable by the unwanted attention from the men, particularly in Colombo and particularly from the tuk tuk drivers. I never felt threatened though. The country and the people are quite lovely! Unlike you, I did get a bit exhausted from the rice and curries and on the last day, when we were at a mall in the capital, I found a pizza place. I was SO EXCITED for the pizza but when I bit into it, the sauce was ketchup. I don’t think I have ever been so bummed about food before. Great job, Dave!!

Hehe. I think the bravest thing you did in Sri Lanka was order that pizza and expect it to be any good. 😉

Pretty thorough job Dave. Photos are great! Yes the article is long but very informative. I especially enjoyed Lauren’s input on solo female travel.

Thanks Cynthia!

This is like a lonely planet guide all in one. I have no plans to visit Sri Lanka just yet but I am certainly bookmarking this for the future

It’s very much worth adding to your list — I loved my time there (can you tell?). 🙂

I actually stopped reading this article after your reference to Rice and Curry. I agree, I could never get sick of eating it. I’m drooling now. So, anyway, based on that, I’m sure the rest of your article is accurate 😉

Love it! I love Sri Lanka, and this is such a comprehensive guide – thank you! I’ll be using it on my next trip there! 🙂

Thank you for your recommend about our Place

Great info Dave, along with the posts by 20 years hence I feel a lot more knowledgable about the ins and outs of travelling in Sri Lanka. Was there anywhere in the coutnry that you feel you missed out on seeing and do you think that 3 weeks was a decent amount of time to travel around the country? I will have 3-4 weeks there myself next year

Thanks! I would have liked to get to the eastern beaches for some diving, and up north to see a different (Tamil) side of Sri Lanka, but was happy to save that for the next trip. The wildlife safaris were also somewhat appealing, but having spent a bit of time in Africa, they weren’t a high priority given the cost. Three weeks felt like a minimum, although I do travel slowly due to trying to work at the same time. You could probably rush through the areas I covered in two weeks if you really wanted to, but if you prefer a more sedate pace or want to cover a larger area than I did, I’d suggest 3-4 weeks is good.

Looks like Sri Lanka is in the sweet spot for being developed enough to make for a great trip, but still not fully discovered by the forces of mass tourism … I need to go as soon as I can, great post!

Yeah It used to be.But now the hectic war ended in 2009 and almost everywhere is discovered and lots of tourists are everywhere.. 🙂

What a through guide to Sri Lanka … this country will top my list for 2015!

Many thanks for this excellent informative article. I will be heading to Sri Lanka travelling on my own Mid- March 2015 for a few weeks. I don`t fancy hiring a driver for financial reasons so it`s great to know it`s possible through public transport.

Thanks again!

Going alone in a couple of weeks and just been doing some research, this is so perfect, you’ve just summarised a day browsing the web in one page, wish I’d found this earlier!! Super helpful advice, Thanks 🙂

Hi Becky, Did you take your solo trip to Sri Lanka? How did you enjoy your time? We’re you uncomfortable as a so,o female traveler? Thank you!

Hi! I came across your blog on google and I’m so glad I did! I have taken lots of notes from your notes. A friend and I are backpacking for three weeks in Sri Lanka in July and have noooooo idea where to start with organising things!! Your blog has helped a lot. Do you think it’s ok to book accommodation along the way? Or do you recommend pre booking everything? I’m really interested in home stays and guest houses. Any advice would be awesome 🙂

Hi Colina, thanks so much!

In terms of accommodation, I did a bit of both when I was there in August, and both were equally successful really. I’d recommend having something lined up for at least your first night, especially if you’re coming off a longhaul flight. After that, you can either book online the day before once you know where you’re likely to go, or in most cases, just rock up and find something. It’ll likely be a little cheaper if you just turn up, as you can negotiate the rate.

FWIW, I prebooked in Mirissa, Galle (the first time), Kandy, Sigiriya and Negombo, and just turned up in Galle (the second time), Tangalle and Ella.

Great read, thanks mate. Will definitely use the info while ‘getting lost’ around the island during on my month long motorbike trip in July. Will also visit the far north and also try to get to some festival hopefully further south if possible. Travelling alone so hope I bump into some of your other readers along the way… Keep positive, positive things happen 🙂

Looking forward to read of your other experiences too

more that the reading, I enjoyed looking at the pictures frankly.

So scenic and mesmerizing.!! Complete Serendipity.

Thanks for sharing!! Cheers.

Hi I was really pleased to find your site at 6am whilst I sit in bed reading in our rooms in Nuwara Eliya this morning. We have spent 8 days backpacking in SL so far & have another 3 weeks. We were starting to lose hope as our experiences seem a bit of a struggle so far. Your recommendations come at the right time. As a blonde, one suggestion I would add to solo female traveller article, is do not sit in aisle seats on public buses! I would echo everything else in Lauren`s article. We are really struggling with getting transport information. As budget travellers it just doesnt seem to exist! Our next journey is to get from Ella- Udawalwe- coast. I just hope we can get some info in Ella. Any tips? I look forward to catching up with the rest of your travels now Ive found your blog… thanks

Yeah, backpacking in Sri Lanka was a bit of a challenge at times — overall I definitely loved my time there, but then again, I’m not female and can imagine that there is an extra degree of hassle involved every day for you!

In terms of information, you’re right — unless you happen to find someone’s blog post, there’s almost nothing online in the way of transport information for buses (you can usually find a train timetable somewhere). In the end I just gave up trying to get assurances about anything to do with buses ahead of time, and asked my guesthouse owners what the real story was. They always knew!

I think unless you’re really getting off the beaten track, you’ll be able to get to anywhere by some combination of bus and taxi/tuktuk. It just won’t always be particularly direct or fast. 🙂 I don’t have any information about the Ella – Udawalwe – coast route you’re looking at, and there’ll almost certainly be a change of bus involved somewhere — again, someone in Ella will definitely know. Hope your trip improves!

Excellent article. You have come really handy & at the right time, since I am going to Sri Lanka on solo travel from 10th June 2015 for 7 days. So, glad to have found you.

Anyway, I wish to know if there are any good gyms there in Galle, Kandy and Colombo ? I know gyms would be the last thing tourists would want to see. But still ! I am fond of physical fitness and would want to spend couple of hours each day working out. Please respond.

Regards, Shaunak Marulkar Pune, India

Sorry, I wouldn’t have a clue about gyms in any of these cities — they weren’t something I was looking out for. You might be best to find Sri Lanka expat groups on Facebook and ask your question there, I think.

Okay, in any case I appreciate your quick response. Thanks a ton !

Hi, Dave. I’m so happy I came across this post. I’m going to Sri Lanka on the 20th! Your detailed report is definitely going to help me. I’m so glad it includes accommodations. Like you, I’m seeing now that the prices are kind of high.

My first stop, btw, will be Negombo. I’m going to need a couple nights to recover after my flights. 🙂 At some point, I hope to go north and east–in addition to the southwest. A lot will depend on the weather.

Thanks for sharing such great info!

Enjoyed reading that you seemed to have covered everything!

I have read on the comments here that Sri Lanka can be a difficult place to travel. Me and my gf are starting a six month trip of SE Asia in Sri Lanka but have not really backpacked anywhere before. Do you think this will be a major problem.

Also would you suggest staying in Negombo or Columbo for the first few nights after we land?

As a guy, I actually found Sri Lanka a little easier to travel around than other countries I’ve been to in South and South East Asia, but women can sometimes have a bit of a hard time (especially solo). If you haven’t really backpacked before, you’ll definitely encounter some challenges — but you’d encounter most of them elsewhere in the region too. Don’t worry about it — the challenges are all part of the fun (although maybe not at the time!) and after a week or two you’ll be fine. 🙂

I didn’t stay in Colombo at all, which in hindsight may have been an oversight. If you want a bit of beach time for the first few days, Negombo is fine — but it felt very touristy to me compared to other places I went. The food was generally watered down and overpriced as well. If you want to throw yourself into the thick of things straight away, head to Colombo!

Hi Dave Thanks for sharing your wealth of information about your travels to Sri Lanka and Asia. This is the best site I’ve come across whilst I’m planning for my backpack adventure in 2016.

Here’s a tricky question…… If I have to choose between 3 weeks in Asia, would you suggest Sri Lanka or Vietnam . Both look amazing places , and I get a sense from your blog , that you have a leaning toward Sri Lanka . I’d appreciate your thoughts

Best wishes for your walk in Spain too. I,ve walked the Spanish and Portuguese Camino and definitely hooked on epic walks. Planning to walk the via francigena next year ….check it out if you get the walking bug. Thanks heaps for a great read J

Honestly, they’re both fantastic. Vietnam will be cheaper, the food is equally wonderful (although quite different) in both countries, and there’s so much to see and do in a three week stint that you definitely won’t get bored. You really can’t go wrong with either option, so go wherever appeals the most!

i just went through your article, i have to say I’m shocked ! you paid what for accommodation? i mean, i did the very similar trip in lets be fair , backpacking conditions, commuting by local transport eating local food, staying in homestays and guest houses. I have never paid more than 900lkr for double room in above locations . my daily budget for two people including 2 r&c and a beer local snacs and acco was somewhat 1500-1700LKR per day FOR TWO people.

based on article like yours many backpackers will be surely put off, please don’t share this under backpacking theme, its far away from backpacking .

to my taste of course.

Thank god you stopped by to tell me how to be a real backpacker, Joe. I would have been lost without you.

Are you saying you paid about €10 per day on food and accom , total for two people? as id like to think we are great at barganing etc, but this blog is quit off putting for sri lanka, which im planning to head to for two months in november.

Thanks Bert & Sara

Hi- I never post on blogs, but just had to sayTHANKS! I am planning a trip next month and this helped me so much! I have bookmarked your site!

You’re more than welcome! 🙂

Good article, just say this for backpacking totally how much LKR is needed for Colombo, Galle, Marisa, Mandy,sigiriya, Yale national park

What was the total cost incurred in this trip excluding flights to & fro the country

I’ve no idea, I’m afraid — I didn’t track my expenses in that level of detail.

Thank you so much for this, has being really helpfull. Im going to travel there solo women and i’ve being scared about how is going to be. Besides that im concerned about bagpack or lugagge, im going for 10 days only and being alone i dont know how is better for moving around, traveling by train i dont know if a small lugagge is suitable. How did you move from Ella to Galle? Train? Im planing to my last days staying in Bentota, you know about it? Thank you for this info

Small luggage is definitely better on buses, as there often isn’t much room. On trains, you’ll have less of a problem with a medium sized suitcase, but remember that if you need to walk with it anywhere, temperatures are hot and pavements often aren’t very smooth, so a light backpack will be easier.

I travelled from Galle to Mirissa to Tangalle, spending a few days in each, and then took the bus up to Ella. There’s no train that goes from the south coast to Ella or vice versa, so you’ll either need to backtrack to Colombo and take the train down to Galle, take buses like I did, or hire a car and driver.

I’m not familiar with Bentota, sorry.

I will try to travel better with a bagpack specially for moving alone makes me feel easier to move around. I will go from Colombo to Kandy by train and i was thinking a next train to Ella. But i havent heard good reviews about buses and going from Ella to like Galle seems that only a bus works. I will try to hire a driver. That sounds good. Thank you for answering. Helps a lot!!

If you’re short on time and/or don’t want to take the bus, then the car/driver option will be quicker and more comfortable (although quite a bit more expensive, obviously).

This was great, thanks so much! I’ve done a ton of research on Sri Lanka already (mainly as a way of procrastinating from my studies) as I’m going there in August for 16 days – but your writing included a lot of things I didn’t know!

I also really appreciated the note of being a female alone in Sri Lanka: I’m planning to do that in two areas: Ella and the “Cultural Triangle” (Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sirigiya) and while I don’t think I will like the stares and the attention, I am happy to hear that it’s more of a discomfort and not physical assaults. Of course, keeping in mind not traveling at night and staying aware of personal space and items.

I also find it really interesting that you didn’t see a quality difference from paying $10-15 per night, to $40 etc. a night. That’s really good since my budget definitely calls for $15 a night haha!

Anyways, thanks so much!!

This is great…thank you so much! I have got a lot of information needed and can now plan a solo trip to srilanka:)

It was a helpful and great article over there.

I am travelling to SL on 17/7/2016 for 14 days alone as a backpacker.

I will be on budget. Hence, would stay in guest hotel, using public transport and eat street food.

I would like to go on Ramayana based tour with Singiriya and Unawantuna as add on.

Since this is first time I will be in SL and first backpacking tour ever , hence do you have any advice or suggestion ?

Please do share.

Hi Sakthivel,

I don’t really have any advice on budget travel in Sri Lanka beyond what’s offered in this article — I put down everything I could think of in the post. Sorry!

Hi Sakthivel

How did ur Lanka trip go ?

Devaprasad, Mumbai, India

A very helpful article! Question: best way to get to Polonnaruwa from Negombo? How about polonnaruwa to Kandy? I don’t think there is a train between them, so a bus? Then from Kandy I need to get to Hikkaduwa/Galle, how do I get there? Would love your help. Cheers

Negombo to Polonnaruwa — there’s a train from Colombo Fort station to Polonnaruwa. It runs twice a day, but unless you want to arrive at 1.30am, you’ll want to catch the early morning train. You’ll be looking at a very early taxi ride from Negomobo to do that, or better idea, stay in Colombo the night before. See this site for timetables etc.

Polonnaruwa to Kandy — there’s no train on that route. I’m not sure exactly which way the buses go, but there may well be a somewhat-direct bus. If not, make your way to Dambulla and do the reverse of the trip I did.

Kandy to Galle — you’ll be going via Colombo regardless of whether you take a bus or train. There’s apparently one direct train per day that leaves early in the morning from Kandy — it still goes via Colombo, but you don’t need to change trains. If you don’t want to get up early, check out the bus options, or expect to change trains in Colombo.

Hope that helps!

This is a brilliant story! Helped me out a great deal with regards to approximate pricing etc. And the to and from place to place. Will definitely be looking into the option of motorbike or tuk tuk rental 🙂 happy travels!

Staring Men in Sri Lanka

I have noticed this comment by many tourists to Sri Lanka, whether they are female or male. There are two main reasons i see for this. The first one is curiosity they have toward a foreigner especially a white in complexion. And the other well known reason to me is looking for an opportunity to make few rupees. Most of the locals think fair complexion of a foreigner is a sign of spending money lavishly even for picking a friendly conversation with them. I understand many male sri lankans try their fortune on this. When you mention men are staring, our culture shows men are breadwinners of the family & this could be a reason the starer’s are usually men. And thirdly i would say every society has its own production of bad apples.

Hi Dave, there is finally an islandwide taxi sharing resource at srilankataxishare.com, its done by the Arugam Bay Traveller and seems to be working nicely.

Hi Becky, First of all thank Dave for visiting my country and left this kind of long and detailed information for people who willing to come in future..And Becky thank you too for my vising my country. I think I have to mention something about the solo trip for female. Actually as u and some other people mentioned that staring at you is normal here. not only for female but also for men if you are not brown skinned. Actually I’m sorry if you felt uncomfortable and awkward by people staring at you. I can guaranteed there will be no harm for a lonely lady in Sri Lanka. But you will get some extra care and safe people will always happy to help and giving hand when u want for no money.The reason behind people staring at you is simple ,its the colour of your skin. more than 95 %Sri Lankan have brown skin. we see white skin/black skin just from TV, Internet or tourists. So it not because you are female. . they not look at you as perverts 😛 😛 😛 hahaha..Actually unlike our neighbor countries Sri lanka is very safe country to female travelers. there will be no harm or haressments for you people in sode my country ..So please don’t be afraid come here for a solo tour when someone stare at you for no reason just give them a warm smile.they will smile back nad you will feel comfortable .you will be safe an u can have the best of your tour..trust me..

Hi, My sister and I are planning 2 weeks in Sri lanka .. I definitely looking to do South western and central Sri Lanka do you think we will have time? Colombo- Kandy- Ella- Arugam Bay- Yala- Marissa – Colombo? I am interested in hiking/ beaches and seeing the wildlife.

You’ll probably feel a bit rushed, but it’s manageable.

Hi Dave, thanks for the really comprehensive review! My brother and I are heading over to Sri Lanka for the first time this Christmas, and hope to bump into other backpackers who will be there at the same time. Since it’s just a ten day trip for us, we are thinking of concentrating on Unawatuna and Marissa, but Trincomalee, Dambula and Pidurangala rock are also incredibly tempting!! Just putting out itinerary together now, so if you have tips that would be amazing!

I packed all my tips and thoughts into this post — nothing more to offer, sorry! 🙂

I am not a fellow traveler but a native Sri Lankan, so pleased to see all your positive comments about my country, just following up on the #stares, its just because of the deference in wardrobe, don’t mind that most of the time our people mean no harm 🙂

hi, nxt month am traveling to srilanka .thnx for the valuable info.

Thank you for your positive comments about my country.I know this is an old article but i saw it today and I really wanted to say thank you. I will like to give some advises for the travelers who are planing to visit sri lanka. If you are planing to travel by train without pre booking try to avoid office trains(around 7 am to 8 am and 5 p.m to 7 p.m).It will be it will be crowded. And if you are traveling in Fridays or in a long weekend I will recommend you the pre bookings. If you want to travel from Katunayake airport to colombo or colombo to Galle/Mathara you can use highway buses (bit expensive than the normal buses).They are comfortable and take less time than normal buses Always be tricky when you dealing with tuk tuk drivers. Definitely there are so many good and helpful tuk tuk drivers but there are some cunning drivers also.Try to use meter taxis and always ask from someone about taxi fees before asking it from the tuk tuk drivers. Whenever you want a help talk with Sri Lankan people they always like to help you(There will be language barriers because it may be hard to understand to your accent but people will manage it.Try to talk slowly and clearly :)) About staring;I’m really sorry for it,it’s because of curiosity and I’m sure they are not going to harm you. Try visit different parts in Sri Lanka you will get lots of different experiences in this small country. Thank you again and welcome to Sri Lanka. 🙂

Nice write up

Which hotel/guesthouse did you stay at that had good Wifi nr Tangalle. We checked into a place, but it barely works so would like to move tomorrow 🙂

It’s in the post – Lonely Beach Resort. Wifi was excellent!

Hey thank you for this post, still very very useful a couple years on.

Planning a solo trip for 3 weeks in June. Nervous about travelling between destination’s as a solo female. Also hoping there will be a chance to meet other solo travellers??

I’ve talked to a few women who’ve travelled solo in Sri Lanka, and none of them have reported any problems beyond the curious staring and conversations that Lauren and others have mentioned here. That’s not a guarantee, of course, but I’ve not heard of any issues myself. There are plenty of solo travellers in the country, so you shouldn’t have a problem meeting other people in any of the touristed places. 🙂

I agree with the many posts above, this is a great source of information on Sri Lanka. My partner and I are hoping to spend 2 months there starting next January 2018. We almost canceled it after looking at the cost of accommodations, especially in the beach areas. It looked impossible on our usual budget of $25-$35 US-Dollars. The problem being that we live in a cool climate here in Northern California and hot humid places without air-con are difficult for us even with the ocean breezes, which in my experience in SE Asia and India beach ares are sporadic at best. We are continuing to look into it after reading your post even though the beach areas still look out of our budget. Even without air-con those you listed are notably higher for Jan-Feb than you posted probably due to the fact you were visiting that area off season. We are still on the fence about spending 60 days there, but at least your excellent blog got us reconsidering. Thanks!

Hi! did you ended up going? I am in LA area and looking to go for a few weeks for vacation. Starting to research to visit next year but looks a quiet expensive trip and long hours flying that I am thinking it may not be worth to go for less than 2 weeks. Any advise you can provide would be great. Thank you!

Nice article Dave. Keep up the good work.

Solo female. I travelled alone in Sri Lanka for 5months and never had any inappropriate attention. If your companion was wearing the tight tank and flouncy short skirt as in the photo that was why. Too much skin on show. Wear modest clothing or even just drap a shawl and you will be fine.

Also possible to get a bus from Tangalle to Haputale/Ella in a day with just a couple of easy changes.

Nope, that photo was an anomaly (it was laundry day) — other than at the beach, the rest of the time her legs and arms were fully covered, in non-revealing/non-tight clothing.

I mentioned in the article and again in the comments that I was able to get a direct bus from Tangalle to Ella, but yes, it’s also possible to do it with changes if you miss the direct one.

Staring men → It is same like summer in Europe like men much attention on beauty of the women..More attention mean you are so awesome, lovely, like to talk with you !! This doesn’t mean any sexual harrasments but you are too awesome for others…And country like Sri Lanka they like to talk with strangers ‘ The 1st thing ask, Hello, which country you are from’..Means they like to know about your country..Sometimes your self…And they might like to ask contact numbers for making freindship… That’s all…!!

Thanks for this post. Really informative. I am from India & planning for 6-7 day tour with my wife to Colombo, Kandy, Galle & Bentota.

Planning a trio to Sri Lanka soon, this is very helpful!

Wow, such a detailed post, really covered every aspect! I think $30-50pp a day is the upper end of a budget travel cost, although it was 2 years ago we spent less than this as a couple, though we were staying in some pretty questionable accommodation!

Yep, you can definitely save on accommodation if you’re not too bothered about the quality of it. Same as anywhere in the world, I guess. As mentioned in the post, I was also travelling alone for most of my time in Sri Lanka, which obviously pushes the individual cost up a bit. Accommodation prices also fluctuate a lot depending on the time of year — low season (for whatever part of the country you’re in) is noticeably cheaper.

How much time is a perfect time to visit Sri Lanka? The US doesnt give much vacation and it is 24hrs flight plus hour differences I kind of lose like 3 days traveling r/t. Any advice? will 2 weeks be enough?

If you’re happy to limit how much of the country you see, 10 or 11 days would be do-able. An extra week would make a big difference, though, since you could see more and travel slower rather than having to rush from place to place.

If you can only get two weeks, I’d seriously consider hiring a car and driver to reduce transit times, rather than relying on public transport.

2 weeks will not be enough to cover all cities in srilanka.but you can cover most important beautiful places..

Hi Dave, I really appreciate your activity to promoting my country as best tourist destination. I read your web page, some comments and concerns rise from various country and varies type of travel persons, and I feel them. I’m so much interest tourism. It’s not related to my profession and I work as Engineer in foreign (@ Maldives) project. But I so interest to tourism, why it’s generate big portion to my country economy. I did some research regards tourism in Sri Lanka for my MBA. In accordance to static figures most of tourist are from Europe countries. I another time thank full and gave my gratitude to them who chose to travel my wonderful country Sri Lanka. When I reading some forums webs regards tourist (like your web page) most of travelers trends to come as Back packers and free from 3rd party tour organizations. And they like to travel as individuals or as family. In this case most of are think their protection as tourist. I can feel them, when they travel in foreign country can face stress full situations. During reading your web forums you and your fans most of times illustrated how to travel as sole female, it’s protected way to travel and how made it happy without trouble. Some are comparing my country like as India but reality is total different behavior from India. In Sri Lanka most of peoples are not movement with other coulters and they had their own culture and behaviors patterns, it is totally different form Europe culture. Your page and similar pages are reporting travel as sole female feel as uncomfortable and unprotected environment but they not complain regards harassments. Actually Sri Lanka is not any unprotected environment but some travelers were feel. Why it happen. Its main reason is culture mismatches. This cultural different is collapse and make both party un-comfort situations and travelers feel more stress full situations. This comes with Sri Lankan culture base on south Asian and locals are believe dress according to the local culture. I propose, I suggest when use public transportation, make arrangement to match dress as locals not showing more in you. I’m sure it’s not happen or not make un-comfort situations. When our entering Buddhist temples make sure ware covered dress as locals. Most of the Sri Lankans can understand, speak English and you can consult them and they are very friendly if you are reach to their culture. You promote Back Packers, I like it. Because it directly involve to community development and if some tourist spend, it’s generate true value to both parties. Why I said like that tourist able to buy some thin in local price as similar to the locals and actually it’s cheaper comparing to systematic hotel retails shops. The second thin is what the local community directly involve and take benefit from it. Destinations. Seen when I go through the all advice made by web owners, most times describe the very few numbers of locations but reality is so may locations are there remain as hidden. If selected someone home stay, the traveler can move with local community and it may able to transfer more details of the hidden better locations. It’s case to two kind of advantages for both foreign traveler and local community, the travelers able to finds low cost destination with same feeling experience and way to access information. Develop hidden better attract locations and it’s take community benefits to locals. If you have any hesitation or query please contact me in Whatsapp +94777333033 or Email. [email protected]

Is Sri Lanka Cheap: Detailed Sri Lanka Travel Budget

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: July 24, 2024

Categories Sri Lanka

After spending a month in Sri Lanka exploring the West, South, Middle, and North of the country I did a roundup of our Sri Lanka travel budget and was surprised to learn that Sri Lanka is the cheapest country I’ve traveled to so far!

In this post, you will find a full Sri Lanka trip budget breakdown and clever budget-saving tips in order to make the most of your money in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka travel budget

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Sri Lanka budget trip

When we traveled around Southeast Asia our daily budget was usually around €60 per day (€30 per person).

In New Zealand and Japan , it was around €100 per day (€50 per person). However, o ur Sri Lanka daily budget was just €44 per day (€22 per person)!

So is Sri Lanka cheap? Yes it is!

In the infographic below you can find a detailed budget breakdown of our Sri Lanka trip costs and find out exactly how much we spent on accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and our visa.

The goal of the infographic and this Sri Lanka budget post is to give you a quick overview of how much (or actually how little) you can spend during your trip around Sri Lanka.

However, it's important to keep in mind that amount you'll spend depends on your style of travel, the length of your trip, and the type of accommodation you choose.

How much money do I need to backpack Sri Lanka?

Generally speaking, you can travel around Sri Lanka on a budget of $25-$50 per day (per person).

With a budget of $25 a day, you'll stay in budget hotels, travel with public transport, make the most of the (many) free activities Sri Lanka has to offer, and eat (delicious) local food.

On the other hand, with $50 per day, you can opt for more luxurious accommodation (there are lovely boutique hotels in Sri Lanka), book a couple of organized tours, and spend a bit more on food and transportation.

All in all, Sri Lanka is a beautiful country waiting to be explored. The Sri Lankans have had a rough couple of years, with the Sri Lanka Easter bombings in 2019, COVID-19 and the subsequent absence of tourists, and hyperinflation in the second half of 2022.

What I'm trying to say is: your money goes a long way in this wonderful and hospitable country and you can support many people that are dependent on the tourism industry.

Sri Lanka on a budget: important facts and figures

• I traveled to Sri Lanka with my husband, all expenses mentioned in this Sri Lanka trip budget are for the two of us together.
• I quote prices in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) as well as € and $. When we were in Sri Lanka, €1 was around 160LKR and $1 was around 150LKR.  However, due to hyperinflation, this is very different nowadays. Be sure to check the current exchange rate on XE.com .
• I spent almost a full month in Sri Lanka, 26 days to be exact. In total, we spent 182.000LKR/€1144/$1222, which comes down to an average of 7000LKR/€44/$47 a day for us as a couple .
• The budget breakdown includes all our expenses in Sri Lanka , but it doesn't include our airplane tickets to Sri Lanka.
• I’ve also excluded the costs of the dives we did in Sri Lanka, as this isn’t an activity everybody would do and it’s relatively expensive. I’ve added more info about diving in the activity section further on in this post.
• My trip started and ended in Colombo ( Negombo airport to be precise).

How to save money when planning a trip to Sri Lanka

As mentioned above, traveling Sri Lanka on a shoestring budget is definitely possible. That being said, it's important to plan carefully, look for discounts, and be flexible with your itinerary to make the most of your travel budget for Sri Lanka.

I hope this post will give you an idea of the costs of traveling in Sri Lanka, as well as some practical tips about how to stretch your travel budget.

Avoid high season (travel during shoulder season instead)

Start by researching the best time of year to visit Sri Lanka as the cost of flights and hotels vary throughout the year.

There are two different monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka ( Yala and Maha ), and as such also two peak seasons.

• The South-West monsoon is called Yala and lasts from May to September (though most rain falls in May and June).
• Subsequently, December until March are the busiest months on the West and South coast of Sri Lanka, as well as in the hills and mountains around Ella and Haputale,
• On the other hand, the North-East monsoon is called Maha and lasts from December to February.
• Therefore, peak season on the east coast (Arugam Bay) and the North of Sri Lanka (Jaffna) is from May until October .

During these months accommodation prices are at their highest. If you have the option to be flexible with your travel dates and able to travel in the low season (just before or after the monsoon season), this is a great way to save money on your Sri Lanka trip.

Save money on flights

You can look for discounts on flights to Sri Lanka on websites like Kiwi.com . Try different travel dates and see how this affects the price of your flight.

Generally, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Airlines often offer discounted fares on these days, so it's worth checking the booking sites and comparing prices on different days of the week.

You’ll get a better deal by booking your flight in advance. For international flights, it’s best to book 2-8 months in advance.

Lastly, you may be able to find cheap flights if you're willing to be flexible with your departure and arrival times.

Sure, it’s not ideal to arrive in the middle of the night, but if it saves you hundreds of dollars it’s worth losing one night of good sleep.

✈️ Click here to find the best ticket deals

Book your accommodation in advance

Once you've got your flights booked, it’s time to research budget accommodation. I always use Agoda and Booking to find the best value-for-money accommodation for our trips.

I recommend checking both platforms before you book to make sure you get the best deals.

Please note that Agoda includes taxes in their price whereas Booking doesn't always include this. Make sure to check this before finalizing your booking.

Also, if you're in a country with hefty ATM fees or a limit on how much cash you can withdraw per transaction it can be better to book with Agoda as you can often pay online with your credit card (thereby reducing your need for cash).

Cost to travel Sri Lanka: our average daily budget

Now that you know some great ways to save money in the planning phase of your Sri Lanka trip, it's time for a deep dive into our Sri Lanka expenses.

Sri Lanka backpacking budget

• Accommodation: 36% of daily travel costs
• Transportation: 6% of daily travel costs
• Food: 36% of daily travel costs
• Paid activities: 13% of daily travel costs
• Visa: 6% of daily travel costs
• Miscellaneous: 4% of daily travel costs

1. Accommodation costs in Sri Lanka

During our trip, we stayed in private rooms at homestays and hotels that I booked via Agoda and Booking . 

Prices for hotel rooms varied between 1000LKR/(€6/$7) and 4000LKR (€25/$27) but on average we paid 2500LKR/€16/$17 per night.

Note: our trip to Sri Lanka was a couple of years ago and prices have increased. However, there are still plenty of excellent budget accommodations available in Sri Lanka. While we've personally stayed at most of the hotels listed in the table, some hotels we stayed at during our trip are no longer available due to Covid-19. I've done my utmost to find a suitable alternative that I'd be happy to book myself.

I list the Sri Lanka budget accommodation prices in USD and Euro. Again, check the current exchange rates for the Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) on XE.com .

I've also written a separate post about our budget accommodation in Sri Lanka in case you want to read more about these hotels.

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

2. Transportation costs in Sri Lanka

Let’s take a closer look at transportation in Sri Lanka. There are many ways to travel around the country, such as the train, bus, taxi and tuk tuk, and minivan.

A budget-friendly way to travel in Sri Lanka is by catching a local bus. Bus services are available in all of the larger cities and even most small towns, and they’re a great way to explore Sri Lanka.

Bus rides are a fairly chaotic affair but a lot of fun, with loud Sri Lankan music booming from the speakers and the bus honking loudly at every corner.

This is a great way to explore parts of Sri Lanka where there aren’t any train tracks. That being said, one of the best ways to explore Sri Lanka is by taking the train. I really enjoyed train travel in Sri Lanka!

In fact, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world runs from Badulla to Haputale. A train ticket for this amazing trip costs a mere 80LKR/€0,50/$0,50 per person.

Tuk-tuk rides are slightly more expensive and require some bargaining skills. But still very affordable compared to taxi fees anywhere in the world.

Altogether, (public) transportation is where Sri Lanka is really a lot cheaper than any other country I've visited, which basically means you can visit more beautiful places without breaking the bank!

The average cost for transport was 400LKR/€2,50/$2,75 per day . You can find detailed information about how to travel from A to B in Sri Lanka in this post .

3. Cost of food in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a wide range of delicious and unique culinary options that are worth trying. Some of the must-try dishes include:

• Lamprais: a rice and curry dish steamed in a banana leaf
• Kottu roti: a dish made with flatbread and vegetables (pictured above)
• Seeni sambol: a sweet and spicy condiment made with onions
• Hoppers: a type of bowl-shaped pancake.

For dessert, you should try watalappan, a custard-like dessert made with coconut milk and jaggery.

How much did we spend on food and drinks in Sri Lanka?

Good news: Sri Lankan food is not only really tasty, but it's also very affordable. That is if you eat local food at local restaurants. Eating Western Food always triples the price of dinner when traveling around Asia.

So when it comes to food, explore local markets and eat at local restaurants to find inexpensive meals. Also, try delicious street food whenever you have the chance!

Anyway, let's talk numbers .

We rarely spent more than 500LKR/€3/$3,50 per person on a meal, and more often it was just 100-250LKR per person!

As mentioned above, there are many delicious dishes to try, such as coconut roti, egg roti, vegetable roti, hoppers, rice and curries, and much more. Fruit juice is also widely available (pineapple is my favorite) and it's usually between 100-200LKR per glass.

On average we spent 2500LKR/€16/$17 per day . This also includes the costs for water, a 1.5-liter bottle costs 70-80LKR.

4. Cost of activities in Sri Lanka

Make sure to take advantage of the many free activities that Sri Lanka has to offer, such as hiking in Ella (or in one of Sri Lanka's 26 National Parks), exploring the tea plantations in Haputale, visiting cultural sites in Kandy, and snorkeling in Talalla.

Doing so will help you make the most of your vacation while still sticking to your budget.

When planning your Sri Lanka trip, it's worth looking into tour companies that offer affordable tours that can help you save money while still having a great experience.

Klook is the largest tour operator in Asia, but Get Your Guide has been working really hard on growing their offers as well so be sure to check out those websites as well when you're planning your Sri Lanka activities.

Some of the most worthwhile tours and activities in Sri Lanka are:

• Colombo private city tour: visit top Colombo attractions such as the National Museum, soak up the Indian Ocean views along Galle Face, dive into bustling Pettah Market, admire the Gangarama Temple, and more. Check availability .
• Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip (from Colombo) : visit the historic rock fortress of Sigiriya and explore the large cave temple complex of Dambulla on a full-day trip from Colombo with a private driver. Check availability .
• Wildlife safari in Udawalawa National Park : explore an untouched wilderness and pristine nature as you look for herds of elephants and other animals with your experienced guide. Check availability .
• Ella Rock sunrise hike (with a guide) : take an early morning hike up Ella Rock to meet the sunrise with breathtaking views of Hill Country (that's how this part of Sri Lanka is often referred to), mountains, and valleys. Check availability .
• Anuradhapura half-day tour : explore sacred places in Anuradhapura, such as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwaneeliseya, and much more. Travel with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide and learn about the ancient history of this fascinating temple complex. Check availability .

How much did we spend on activities in Sri Lanka?

On average we spent 900LKR/€5,50/$6) per day on activities. In Colombo, Galle, and Kandy we did some city sightseeing. On the South coast, we went diving, snorkeling, and surfing.

In Ella and Haputale we did a couple of hikes and in the North, we explored Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Jaffna. Below you can find the details of all our paid activities:

We obviously did a lot more during our 1 month trip to Sri Lanka, but the rest of the activities were free!

Note: I didn’t include the costs for diving. We went diving in Weligama at Weligama Bay Dive Center . We paid $60 per person for 2 dives (including equipment, water, and fresh fruit).

5. Visa costs for Sri Lanka

We applied online for an e-visa to Sri Lanka. The visa was $35, and we paid online with a credit card, an easy breezy process.

As was getting through customs in Sri Lanka. Since we spent 26 days in the country, the average daily cost for the visa was 400LKR/€2,50/$2,75 .

6. Miscellaneous costs in Sri Lanka

Some random costs in our Sri Lanka backpacking budget were laundry, mosquito spray, toothpaste, and (very important when you are trying to run a blog while traveling) a local SIM with lots of data.

We bought a SIM from Dialog, they have several plans but it's important to know that all plans are day/night plans.

This means that you’ll get part of the data for usage between 8 am-12 midnight and the other part of the data can only be used between 12 midnight and 8 am.

Anyway, on average we spent 300LKR/€2/$2 per day on miscellaneous items.

7. Travel insurance costs

I didn't include the cost of travel insurance in our Sri Lanka budget breakdown because we use our travel insurance for all our trips, not just for our Sri Lanka itinerary.

However, that doesn't take away the fact that making sure you have proper travel insurance is super important .

It helps protect you and your belongings in the event of a mishap during your travels. Furthermore, it provides coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost or stolen items, and more.

Also, having good travel insurance will provide you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, you have a safety net in place.

With so much to consider when planning a trip, having the right travel insurance can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey without stressing out about things that can go wrong.

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the  Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Sri Lanka budget: in conclusion

So for everyone wondering: how much will a trip to Sri Lanka costs, you now have the answer! I hope this post convinced you to travel to Sri Lanka, it's a wonderful and very affordable country.

You can download the budget infographic below. Feel free to ask any questions by leaving a comment or sending me an email .

This post was updated in December 2022.

Saturday 23rd of March 2019

Hello, thank you for the article. My question is about the Sri Lankan people: are they helpful? And is it a problem if the only language you know is English?

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

Thank for reading! The people of Sri Lanka are very friendly and helpful and most people you'll encounter in touristic areas speak English. We didn't have any issue during our trip and only spoke English. Enjoy your trip to Sri Lanka:-)

Thursday 7th of February 2019

Thank you for the detailed expenses!! Regarding the Safari in Udawalawe National Park you mention a price of 4500 LKR Where/how did you get this price? Reading in internet I find only very expensive tours. Did you contacted a tour agency before or how did it exactly worked? Also in regard to Anuradhapura,I suppose the temple tour by tuk tuk didn´t cover the entrance to the Ancient city for that price you mentioned of 2000 LKR? Did you enter the ancient city? where the temples you visited by tuk tuk worth it? I have read also, that it is possible to visit the temples renting a bike?

Thanks for the info!!!!

Monday 11th of February 2019

Hi Alexandra,

Thanks for reading! Regarding your questions: 1. We negotiated the price for the Udawalawe Tour at our Guesthouse (A to Z Family Guesthouse) the day we arrived there. We went on the tour the next morning! 2. In Anuradhapura we didn't pay the entrance fee as our tuktuk driver took us to a couple of temples that were free. He also took us to a 'secret' entrance for the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree and Ruwanwelisaya Dagaba which didn't require us showing a ticket to the Ancient city. I thought the temples were impressive and worth the visit. However, Angkor Wat remains my favorite temple complex so far;-) You can visit by bike but the site is quite extensive (40 square kilometer) and temples can be far from each other so you would need a lot of time (and water) to visit them.

Enjoy your trip! Lotte

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

An excellent article. We leave on an early morning flight. 2am. We'd like to stay at a beach not too far from the airport for a couple of days before we leave. Is there anywhere that you would recommend Lottie. Thank you

Friday 1st of February 2019

Hi Catherine, thank you! Regarding your question, I personally stayed at Kalpitiya the days before we left Sri Lanka but this isn't that close to the airport. I heard Negombo beach is nice and while it's probably not the prettiest beach Sri Lanka has to offer, it is close to the airport. Perhaps that would be a suitable place to end your Sri Lanka vacation? In any case, happy travels!

Wednesday 16th of January 2019

At the point of entry, was there a specific money you needed to show proof? I’m planning to spend 26 days there as well.

Saturday 19th of January 2019

Dear Israel,

No we didn’t have to provide any proof (also no exit ticket). But it never hurts to have a print screen from your bank statement on your phone so you can show this at customs if necessary.

Love your blog about Sri Lanka. I'm hoping for a trip with my son next year maybe. In january? My son is 12 years old. I would like to get a little around a not stay at the same place. Did you book it all from home or under your trip? Best Regards

Hello Rikke,

How wonderful you’ll be traveling to Sri Lanka with your son! We didn’t book any accommodation before our trip. Usually I booked our accommodation once we decided where to go next. Most of the time that was the day before or 2 days before our stay.

Have a great trip! Lotte

•   Argentina
•   Australia
•   Deutschland
•   Magyarország
•   Nederland
•   New Zealand
•   Österreich
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
•   United States
•   繁體中文 (香港)
•   简体中文 (中国)

2 Best Travel Cards for Sri Lanka

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Sri Lanka can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Sri Lankan rupee . You'll be able to easily top up your card in GBP before you leave the UK, to convert seamlessly to LKR for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from the UK heading to Sri Lanka, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

2 best travel money cards for Sri Lanka:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Sri Lanka with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the UK:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Sri Lanka.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Sri Lanka. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in GBP easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Sri Lanka or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

With the Wise money card you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in LKR, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
• Spend seamlessly in LKR when you travel
• Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
• Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
• Manage your account and card from your phone
• 7 GBP delivery fee for your first card
• ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
• Physical cards may take 2 - 6 days to arrive (you can use your virtual card right away)

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise  travel card in the UK:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 7 GBP fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 2 - 6 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Sri Lanka, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 30+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

• Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
• Hold and exchange 30+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
• Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
• All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
• Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
• You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
• Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
• Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
• Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave the UK and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Register by adding your personal and contact information

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised for international use. That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards may also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. If your travel card is separate to your British Pound primary account, this means they're not linked and offers a more secure option for travelling abroad.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

• Travel debit cards
• Travel prepaid cards
• Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Sri Lanka or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app, although you can also often add money in person by visiting a branch - we've picked out the Post Office and the Travelex travel card as popular prepaid cards with a branch network in the UK, for example.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Sri Lanka. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

• Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
• Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
• You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
• Travel cards can be more secure. If they are not linked to your everyday GBP account, they can be a safer option. Additionally, because you can make ATM withdrawals when needed, you can avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Sri Lanka

We've picked out 2 great travel cards available in the UK - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Sri Lanka include:

• What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
• What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
• Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in LKR can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
• Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a low cost card with the mid-market rate, which you can use in 150+ countries, the Wise card may be a good fit. If you'd prefer to pay a monthly fee to get higher no-fee transaction limits, take a look at Revolut. And if you need to get a card in a hurry, check out a travel card from a provider with a physical branch network, like the Post Office card or the Travelex travel money card.

What makes a good travel card for Sri Lanka

The best travel debit card for Sri Lanka really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it’s the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you’re paying when you spend in LKR.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It’s also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Sri Lanka. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

When you head off to Sri Lanka you can expect to find you’ll be able to use your card a lot - but not always. Some merchants still prefer cash payments - so choosing a card which is easy to pay with, but which also has simple and low cost ways to make ATM withdrawals should mean you’re covered no matter what happens

Ways to pay in Sri Lanka

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Sri Lanka card payments are common in most situations. You’ll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go. It’s still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use LKR?

You’ll find that LKR can only be used in Sri Lanka. If you don’t travel to Sri Lanka frequently it’s worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you’re not left with extra foreign currency after your trip. Or pick a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut which lets you leave your money in GBP and convert at the point of payment with no penalty.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Sri Lanka

You’re sure to have a great time in Sri Lanka - but whenever you’re travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you’re been to Sri Lanka before it’s worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don’t have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change GBP to LKR before you travel to Sri Lanka if you’d like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in GBP and either exchange to LKR in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Sri Lanka to make an ATM withdrawal in LKR if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave the UK so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

How does a Sri Lankan rupee card work?

Getting a Sri Lankan rupee card can make managing your money easier when you travel to Sri Lanka.

Your Sri Lankan rupee card will be linked to a digital account you can manage from your phone, so you'll always be able to see your balance, get transaction notifications and manage your card no matter where you are. Just add money to your account in pounds, and - depending on your preferences and the specific card you pick - you can either convert your balance to Sri Lankan rupee instantly, or just let the card do the conversion when you spend or make a withdrawal.

If your card gives you the option to hold a Sri Lankan rupee balance, there's not normally any extra fee to spend the Sri Lankan rupee you have in your account when you're in Sri Lanka.

Can I withdraw Sri Lankan rupee currency with my card in Sri Lanka?

With some cards, you'll be able to add money to your card in British Pound, and then convert to Sri Lankan rupee instantly online or in your card's app.

Once you have a balance in Sri Lankan rupee you can spend with your card with no extra fees - just tap and pay as you would at home. You'll also be able to make cash withdrawals whenever you need to, with no extra conversion fee to pay. Your card - or the ATM operator - may charge a withdrawal fee, but this can still be a cheap, secure and convenient option for getting cash when you need it.

With other cards, you can't hold a balance in Sri Lankan rupee on your card - but you can leave your money in British Pound and let the card convert your money for you when you spend and withdraw.

Some fees may apply here - including currency conversion or foreign transaction charges - so do compare a few different cards before you sign up, to make sure you're picking the one which best suits your specific spending needs.

Bear in mind though, that not all cards support all currencies - and the range of currencies available with any given card can change from time to time. If your card doesn't let you hold a balance in Sri Lankan rupee you might find that fees apply when you spend in Sri Lanka, so it's well worth double checking your card's terms and conditions - and comparing the options available from other providers - before you travel, just in case.

Why should I get a Sri Lankan rupee card?

Getting a Sri Lankan rupee card means you can spend like a local when you're in Sri Lanka. You'll be able to check your Sri Lankan rupee balance at a glance, add and convert money on the move, and use your card for secure spending and withdrawals whenever you need to. Best of all, Sri Lankan rupee cards from popular providers often offer good exchange rates and low, transparent fees, which can mean your money goes further when you're on a trip abroad.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Sri Lanka

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Sri Lanka will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

FAQ - best travel cards for Sri Lanka

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like Wise - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise and Revolut.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Sri Lanka.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their GBP / LKR rate to calculate how much Sri Lankan rupee you would receive when exchanging / spending £3,000 GBP. The card provider offering the most LKR is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

Travelling to Sri Lanka

Everything you need to know for a dream visit to sri lanka, discover sri lanka, relax on paradise beaches, discover colombo, explore the rest of the island, travelling around sri lanka, by rickshaw, by car and driver, need sri lanka currency, travelex info, join the conversation, customer support.

Friday, 6 September, 2024

Sri Lanka rolls out visa-free travel policy for 38 countries

Japan to introduce pre-travel authorisation for visa-free countries

The role of crisis management in European tourism’s resilience

© Egle Sidaraviciute on Unsplash

Deborah O’Donoghue is a British-Irish writer who has lived in the UK, France and Belgium. She has travelled all over the world and worked in car body repairs, in the best fish ‘n’ chip shop in Brighton, and been a gopher in a comedy club, as well as a teacher. She’s a past winner of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Short Story Prize. Her début novel, Sea of Bones, was published by Legend Press in 2019 and comes out in Germany in 2021. Follow Deborah on Twitter and Instagram .

A new Sri-Lankan visa-free policy is set to make life easier for tourists travelling to the South Asian island nation. The new policy, which is being introduced a month earlier than anticipated, means that citizens of 38 countries can now make their way to Sri Lanka without having to apply for a visa, a waiver or an electronic travel approval in advance.

Expedited implementation and more countries

Initially aimed at a proposed 35 countries, to be implemented on 1 October, the recently updated visa scheme has added three extra beneficiaries taking the total to 38. The change was announced on 3 September by Sri Lanka’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, who hailed it as a more efficient system that would reduce delays.

“Today, the Cabinet authorized the President to implement visa-free access for 38 nationalities with immediate effect, adopting Singapore’s streamlined ‘one-shop’ approach. This decision will help ease congestion at visa counters,” the minister wrote on X.

"Today, the Cabinet authorized the President to implement visa-free access for 38 nationalities with immediate effect, adopting Singapore's streamlined 'one-chop' approach. This decision will help ease congestion at visa counters." — M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) September 2, 2024

At the time of writing Sri Lanka has not specified which three countries have been added to the list, but the original list of pre-approved countries whose citizens can now visit Sri Lanka more easily was as follows:

Boosting tourism

Industry sources indicate that the visa scheme’s early overhaul aims to  boost tourism   and comes as a result of the lack of clarity shrouding an unwieldy previous system involving e-visas, complex 30 and 60-day double-entry and two-day transit rules, and managed by an outsourced foreign consortium.

Further confusion was created this spring, when visa fees were increased in April from $50 to $75 for non-SAARC nationals (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, comprising of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka), only for the price hike to be reversed a month later.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

While citizens of all the above countries and more will now have greater freedom to travel to Sri Lanka without administrative burdens, nine others have been excluded from visa-on-arrival arrangements. Those excluded are citizens from:

• Afghanistan
• Côte d’Ivoire
• North Korea

You may be interested in reading

Czechia set to change rules for short-term holiday rentals

EU aviation sector forced to report vapour contrail effects from 2025

Tuvalu is the least visited country in the world and it could soon disappear

US still world’s most powerful travel and tourism market, for now

Saudi Arabia’s plan to sustainably grow Red Sea tourism

Greek government proposes ban on new building licenses in Santorini’s caldera