Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are common in the cities and suburbs, especially at bank branches, less so in the countryside.
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Asia · Southern AsiaUsable guideCountry in South Asia
Photo: Chamal N, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sri Lanka (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා Śrī Laṃkā; Tamil: இலங்கை Ilaṅkai), formerly known as Ceylon, is an island in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. It is known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches all along its coastline, great wildlife and biodiversity, tea plantations, orchards, temples, monuments, and a cultural heritage dating back several millennia. Sri Lanka's cultural landscape includes the (mostly Buddhist) Sinhalese and the (mostly Hindu) Tamil ethnic groups, with substantial Muslim and Christian communities.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Sri Lanka.
Cards and cash
ATMs are common in the cities and suburbs, especially at bank branches, less so in the countryside.
Sinhala, Tamil
Sinhala, spoken by the majority Sinhalese, and Tamil, spoken by the minority Tamils, are Sri Lanka's two official languages.
4G coverage on the island is good, sometimes slightly depending on the provider.
Mobile networks
Visitors should not drink tap water.
Government hospitals are not free for tourists, regardless of what you may read online.
There are several customs that, especially for Western travellers, will take a bit of getting used to.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
commercial capital and the largest city of Sri Lanka. Hotels, cafés, restaurants, night clubs and shopping.
also known as Kotte, new capital of Sri Lanka
ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored). UNESCO World Heritage Site.
a city built on a lagoon. Beautiful shallow beaches, paddy fields, historical places.
famous Dutch fort. Host city of the Galle Literary Festival. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
northern capital. On display is the rich heritage of the Tamil-speaking community.
spiritual heart of the country, home to a tooth of the Buddha. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
beautiful landscape and great blue oceans.
southeast-coast beach town with several top surfing spots
famous for its high red stone fortress and palace ruin, the ancient city of Sigiriya. Nearby, Dambulla with its famous cave temple (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), and Habarana in close proximity of Minneriya National Park
A cloud forest in the central highlands with many endangered fauna and flora and endless hikes
beach village and party hotspot on the south coast close to Matara with two good surfing spots
Largest rainforest in Sri Lanka, also a . Extremely diverse fauna and flora. It is home to almost all the endemic species of birds in Sri Lanka. Open at 06:00 onwards.
beach resort on the south coast very close to Galle
Wildlife safari in Hambantota. Yala national park is a very large animal sanctuary. There are a wide range of animals that roam around the park, including the rare Sri Lankan Leopard. If you are lucky enough, you would be able to spot them near a watering hole.
Places in Sri Lanka on the World Heritage List.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Listed 1988
Dambulla cave temple
Listed 1991
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Listed 2010
Atamasthana
Listed 1982
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Listed 1988
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Known as the "hill country" after its mountainous terrain. Also known as a tea-growing region. Great hiking.
Home to a majority of the country's Tamil-speaking population. It is being rebuilt after being ravaged by nearly three decades of war. Untouched beaches and ancient ruins.
Rich in history, the area is known as the cultural triangle.
Home to a rare natural harbour in Trincomalee and miles of sandy beaches. A surfers' paradise.
Coconut plantations, dolphin-watching, salt production. Wilpattu National Park for wildlife enthusiasts and the ancient city of Yapahuwa.
Gem-mining capital of Sri Lanka. Features Udawalawe National Park for elephant safaris and the stunning Rawana Falls.
Known for Galle's historic fort, Mirissa's whale watching, and the serene beaches of Tangalle.
Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Tangalle, Unawatuna, Hambantota, Yala National Park
Highlands. Tea, tea and more tea
The capital and the commuter belt.
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Beruwela, Colombo, Gampaha, Bentota, Negombo
Public transport and paid services in Sri Lanka.
By bus
Bus travel in Sri Lanka is cheap. For those on a budget, buses are everywhere, although their safety and ease of use are questionable.
By train
Sri Lanka has an extensive railway system serving all major towns and cities on the island. Trains are reasonably comfortable (1st and 2nd class) and inexpensive if you can buy the tickets directly.
By three-wheeler
One common mode of transport in Sri Lanka is via a three-wheeled automobile appropriately referred to as a three-wheeler (tri-shaw), commonly known as tuk-tuks elsewhere.
By taxi
Taxis are a better way of getting around Colombo than three wheelers, and they often turn out to be cheaper because they (should) use the meter.
By rental
You can also rent a tuk-tuk from various companies. Some of these companies offer more services than others.
By plane
As of 2025, there are three domestic airlines connecting destinations around the island with light aircraft or helicopters. They are Senok Air, Helitours, and Cinnamon Air.
By tour operator
Tour operators are happy to get you a van and a driver who will take you all over the island but beware, the roads are bumpy and slow.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Sri Lanka.
Finding apps for Sri Lanka…
Other ways to travel:By thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Colombo · International · CMB
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Colombo
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 23° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 76 | 71 | 115 | 226 | 224 | 143 | 99 | 113 | 162 | 292 | 305 | 175 |
| Humidity | 80% | 77% | 76% | 81% | 86% | 87% | 87% | 86% | 85% | 85% | 85% | 84% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$90
Per person, per day
Luxury
$230
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $50 | $135 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $40 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Sri Lanka due to civil unrest, terrorism, and landmines. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Demonstrations Protests over the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka can happen at any time. Police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. Avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones. Protests could turn violent with little or no warning. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Sri Lanka. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist attacks have occurred in Sri Lanka, with little or no warning. They may target: Tourist locations Transportation hubs Markets and shopping malls Government buildings Hotels, clubs, and restaurants Places of worship Parks Major sporting and cultural events Schools and hospitals Airports Other public areas The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote areas. Land mines Approximately 23 square kilometers of Sri Lanka have land mines left from its civil war. Most land mines have been cleared, but some areas in northern and eastern Sri Lanka are still dangerous. The highest concentration is in the northern districts of the Northern Province. This territory has dense forests and rough terrain. Warning signs with the international land mine symbol mark the areas of greatest risk. The symbol shows a skull and crossbones in a red, upside-down triangle. White markers indicate cleared land.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides Heavy rainfall during the inter-monsoon season has increased the risk of flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka. Disruption to transport and other services is possible. Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities. Sri Lanka Tourism’s 24-hour hotline is available on 1912. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Travel Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Some flights from Colombo to the UK via Middle Eastern hubs may be delayed, postponed, or re-routed. British nationals in Sri Lanka should check the latest updates from their airlines and consider alternative carriers or routes where necessary. For further information, review Media Notice from the Department of Immigration & Emigration. Fuel The Government of Sri Lanka is limiting purchases of fuel in response to the situation in the Middle East. All vehicles will be allocated a weekly fuel quota. The Government has announced that special arrangements will be implemented for tour operators and hotels to minimise disruption to…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Sri Lanka.
InspirationThe ultimate first-time Sri Lanka travel guide covering Sigiriya Lion Rock, Kandy temples, Ella tea plantations, Yala leopard safaris, and Galle Fort.
6 min read
ItinerariesThe ultimate 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary covering Sigiriya Lion Rock, the Kandy to Ella train, Yala leopard safaris, and Galle Fort colonial ramparts.
6 min read
Travel tipsComprehensive Sri Lanka travel budget breakdown covering hotel rates, private driver hire, scenic train fares, safari fees, and daily food costs.
6 min read
ItinerariesThis is an itinerary for backpackers who are World Heritage Site enthusiasts, covering the eight World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkWhile South Asia is a vast subcontinent with diverse climate and culture, some culinary traditions can be found across the region.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyBuddhism is one of the world's most prolific religions, dominating in much of mainland Southeast Asia, and influential as well in South Asia, East Asia and parts of Russia.
Wikivoyage
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