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location.beaches.districts
location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Fort & Pettah
hotelsHistoric colonial Fort and chaotic Pettah bazaar. Dutch colonial buildings, Clock Tower, President's House. Pettah is massive market - everything sold here. Intense but authentic experience.
Galle Face
hotelsOcean-front promenade and green. Sunset gathering spot for locals. Street food stalls, kite flying, cricket. Iconic Galle Face Hotel. Most iconic Colombo experience. Free and popular.
Gangaramaya Temple Area
hotelsMost important Buddhist temple in Colombo. Eclectic mix of architecture and relics. Beira Lake nearby with Seema Malaka floating temple. Spiritual heart of city. Must-visit.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Colombo
Transit hub rather than destination. 1-2 days enough. Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah Market. Most tourists prefer beaches or Cultural Triangle.
Bandaranaike Airport 35km from city. Express bus to Fort (Rs.150, 1h). Taxi fixed rate (Rs.3000-4000). Uber works well.
Generally safe. Watch belongings in crowded areas. Avoid political gatherings. Tuk-tuk scams common - use meter or negotiate price beforehand.
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). ATMs widely available. Cards accepted in malls/hotels. Cash needed for street food/tuk-tuks. USD accepted at tourist places.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Colombo
Watch sunset at Galle Face Green - locals gather every evening. Street food stalls appear (isso vadai, kottu). Ocean breeze, kite flying, cricket. Most authentic Colombo experience. Free!
Visit Gangaramaya Temple and floating Seema Malaka on Beira Lake - most beautiful Buddhist sites. Morning or evening light best. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
Take coastal train south - one of world's most scenic rail journeys. Galle, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa. Sit on left side going south. Book first class (~1500 LKR) or just show up for second class.
Try kottu roti (chopped roti with curry), hoppers, string hoppers, rice and curry (ask for mild!). Ceylon tea everywhere. Food incredibly cheap and flavorful. Street food safe at busy stalls.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
25°
25°91%12 м/с
Today
28°25°
28°25°Tomorrow28°25°
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27°24°Mon27°25°
27°25°31°
23°Jan
31°
23°Feb
32°
24°Mar
32°
25°Apr
31°
26°May
30°
26°Jun
30°
26°Jul
30°
26°Aug
30°
25°Sep
30°
25°Oct
30°
24°Nov
30°
23°Dec
Water temperature
28°
28°
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location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.bus
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Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Budget meal
500 - 1,000 ₨
~750 $
Mid-range
2,000 - 5,000 ₨
~3,500 $
Fine dining
8,000 - 20,000 ₨
~14,000 $
Street Food
Local dish
100 - 400 ₨
~250 $
Drinks
Coffee
300 - 700 ₨
~500 $
Local beer
400 - 800 ₨
~600 $
Groceries
Water 1.5L
60 - 120 ₨
~90.0 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
2,000 - 4,000 ₨ / night
~3,000 $
Guesthouse
5,000 - 10,000 ₨ / night
~7,500 $
Hotel 3★
15,000 - 30,000 ₨ / night
~22,500 $
Hotel 5★
40,000 - 100,000 ₨ / night
~70,000 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercardAmerican Express
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
widespread
location.payment.cash
Cards accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, malls. Cash needed for tuk-tuks, markets, street vendors. ATMs widespread but check fees.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Banks: Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank, HNB, People's Bank - ATMs widespread in Fort, Galle Face, Colombo 3 areas. AVOID: Airport exchange - poor rates. Pettah Market cash-based. Modern Colombo malls (Odel, Liberty Plaza) accept cards. Recovering from 2022 economic crisis - situation improving. Budget guesthouses may prefer cash.
location.payment.tipping
10%
10% service charge often included in hotels/restaurants. If not, 10% appreciated. Tuk-tuk drivers - round up.
Safety
High safety level
Tourist area with low crime rate
Colombo is safe. Low crime for tourists. Avoid areas during religious or political events. Beach safety - strong currents. Modest dress at temples. Friendly multilingual locals. Post-2022 crisis stabilizing.
