Colombo travel guide
Colombo Tourism | Colombo Guide
You're Going to Love Colombo
Colombo is the largest city and capital of Sri Lanka, offering a heady blend of tropical environment, colonial villas, and modern cityscape. It dates from 800 AD and there is history to explore around every corner. You can wander through the many temples and sample some delicious food while soaking up the atmosphere.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Colombo
1. The Sunsets
The sunsets in Colombo are truly breathtaking. Head to Galle Face Green Promenade to watch this spectacular show as you wander among food stalls, street vendors, and picnicking locals.
2. The Nightlife
The beachfront of Mount Lavinia is a popular area for nightclubs and bars with visitors and locals alike. The party goes on until dawn.
3. Learn about Sri Lankan History
The Colombo National Museum and Dutch Period Museum tell the story of the city's fascinating history, right back to Arab rule in the 900 AD.
4. The Food
The city is a great place for street food, with stalls everywhere selling little packets of vegetables and rice. Bakers sell vegetable, fish, and egg rotis and the seafood restaurants are excellent.
5. Elephants
The elephant show at the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka takes place every day at 5:15 pm and is a must-see Colombo event.
Where to Eat in Colombo
Try a 'lunch packet' of rice and vegetables from one of the street stalls from around Rs120. Raja Bojun is a good place to try local dishes, with an excellent Sri Lankan buffet costing Rs1,800.
When to visit Colombo
Colombo has a tropical climate and is warm to hot throughout the year. Monsoon season is June to September, which is best avoided.
How to Get to Colombo
Plane
Colombo's main airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), 22 miles north of the city at Katunayake. A taxi will take you into the city in around 30 minutes for a fare of Rs3,000, while the bus will cost just Rs110.
Train
There are infrequent trains to other major Sri Lankan cities. A fare to Katunayake costs Rs30.
Car
Driving in Sri Lanka is not recommended. Roads are in poor repair and often crowded with livestock and pedestrians.
Bus
Buses are the principal transport network in Sri Lanka and services are frequent. Fares from neighboring cities are as low as Rs100.
Airports near Colombo
Airlines serving Colombo
Where to stay in Colombo
The Metro City Hotel on Justice Akbar Mawatha has clean, affordable rooms, while the Grand Oriental on York Street is an old colonial luxury hotel with immaculate rooms.
Popular neighbourhoods in Colombo
Mount Lavinia - this is Colombo's main tourist area, with great beaches and lots of bars and restaurants. It has great nightlife and lots of accommodation options.
Kollupitiya - this is an upscale neighborhood with a good choice of restaurants and some of the city's best hotels.
Bambalapitiya - Bambalapitiya is a bustling suburb. It has lots of eateries and is home to the Majestic City mall. There are also casinos and cinemas.
Where to stay in popular areas of Colombo
Most booked hotels in Colombo
How to Get Around Colombo
Public Transportation
The local bus network is good but it's best to find out which number you require before your journey. Fares are Rs100 or less.
Taxi
The traditional local taxi is the three-wheeler tuk-tuk. The initial fare is Rs50 and then you pay around Rs75 per mile. Standard taxis are available but are more expensive and slower in the busy traffic.
Car
Driving in Colombo is not for the faint-hearted and probably best left to the local bus and tuk-tuk drivers. If you do decide to drive, local rental companies include Malkey Rent A Car and prices start at Rs1,400.
The Cost of Living in Colombo
Shopping Streets
Major malls include Liberty Plaza and Majestic City, while Odel is a good department store. The Pettah Market is the place to negotiate for all manner of goods.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk costs around Rs185 and a dozen eggs Rs200. Keells Super markets are dotted throughout town.