Comparison · Colombo vs Kerala · Sri Lanka / India
Colombo vs Kerala
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Colombo for Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple, nightlife and free sights; choose Kerala for Backwaters and Houseboats. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 588 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 588 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Colombo
- December–March
- Best time for Kerala
- November–February
Side by side
| Colombo | Kerala | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka | India |
| Known for | Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple and Pettah markets | Backwaters, Houseboats and Tea plantations |
| Best time to visit | December–March | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 10 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$160 | $70–$150 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | March, 32°C (90°F) | March, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 30°C (86°F) | June, 29°C (84°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Mount Lavinia | Papanasam Beach, Varkala |
| Airports | CMB | COK, TRV, CCJ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Colombo for…
Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple, nightlife and free sights. Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital and main gateway, a long seafront city stretching south from the old Fort district and the market lanes of Pettah along Galle Road. Portuguese, Dutch and British rule left churches, warehouses and grand hotels, while…
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Choose Kerala for…
Backwaters and Houseboats. Kerala is a narrow state on India's south-west coast, squeezed between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. A typical route starts in Kochi, an old spice port with Portuguese, Dutch and Jewish heritage in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, then climbs about four…
Top sights compared
| # | Colombo | Kerala |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galle Face Green | Backwater houseboat cruise |
| 2 | Gangaramaya Temple | Chinese fishing nets |
| 3 | Seema Malaka | Mattancherry Palace |
| 4 | National Museum of Colombo | Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town |
| 5 | Viharamahadevi Park | St Francis Church |
Food compared
| Colombo | Kerala |
|---|---|
| Rice and curry | Appam and stew |
| Hoppers | Puttu and kadala curry |
| Kottu roti | Sadya |
| Lamprais | Karimeen pollichathu |
Which is cheaper?
Colombo and Kerala cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $70–$160 in Colombo and $70–$150 in Kerala (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Kerala on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Colombo and Kerala are about 588 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Colombo and 10 in Kerala.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Colombo or Kerala cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $70–$160 in Colombo and $70–$150 in Kerala (estimates).
+Is Colombo or Kerala better for a first trip?
Pick Colombo for Galle Face Green, Gangaramaya Temple, nightlife and free sights, or Kerala for Backwaters and Houseboats.
+How far is Colombo from Kerala?
About 588 km in a straight line.