Travel tips · Colombo · Sri Lanka
Colombo travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Colombo reflects all of Sri Lanka's communities: a Sinhala Buddhist majority, Tamil Hindus, Muslims of Moor and Malay descent, Christians and Dutch Burghers. Every full-moon day, Poya, is a public holiday for Buddhist observance, and the calendar includes Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April and Vesak lantern displays in May. English is widely used in business and tourism.
Key facts
- Language
- Sinhala, Tamil and English
- Currency
- LKR
- Plugs
- Type D, G and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not generally recommended for…
- Emergency
- Police 119, ambulance 1990
Things to know
- Remove shoes and hats at Buddhist temples and Hindu kovils, and cover shoulders and knees.
- Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos, and do not touch or climb on statues.
- Clothing or tattoos showing images of the Buddha can cause serious offence.
- Use your right hand to give and receive money or food.
- Public affection is frowned upon outside resorts and modern venues.
- Book Number 11 (Geoffrey Bawa's house) ahead: Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead through the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.
- Use PickMe or Uber for tuk-tuks; app fares are usually much lower than street quotes.
Tipping
A 10% service charge is usually added to bills in restaurants and hotels; extra tips for good service are appreciated. Tip drivers and guides at the end of a tour, and round up tuk-tuk fares if service is good.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ayubowan | Sinhala greeting: may you live long |
| Vanakkam | Tamil greeting |
| Istuti | Thank you (Sinhala) |
| Nandri | Thank you (Tamil) |
| Meeka kiyada? | How much is this? (Sinhala) |
What to wear
Light cotton clothes suit the humid heat; carry a scarf or sarong for temples and choose clothes that cover shoulders and knees. White is the traditional colour for temple visits.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type D, G and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not generally recommended for visitors.
- Emergency number
- Police 119, ambulance 1990
- Phone and internet
- Dialog, Mobitel and other networks sell tourist SIMs at the airport; 4G coverage is good across Colombo and most cafés and hotels have Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Asia/Colombo
Common scams include friendly strangers near Galle Face and the Fort who claim a temple festival is on and steer visitors into gem shops, and tuk-tuk drivers who overcharge. Sea currents on the west coast are strong, especially from May to September, so swim only where it is safe.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Sri Lanka's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Colombo?
A 10% service charge is usually added to bills in restaurants and hotels; extra tips for good service are appreciated. Tip drivers and guides at the end of a tour, and round up tuk-tuk fares if service is good.
+Can you drink the tap water in Colombo?
Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not generally recommended for visitors.
+What plugs are used in Colombo?
Type D, G and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Colombo?
Sinhala, Tamil and English.