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Sri Lanka is not ready for tourism. Besides scams and "cartel prices" for tuktuks and other services, it is unsafe for women. Men catcalling, touching, and groping are the norm. Moreover, it is not cheap at all compared to other countries in South/Southeast Asia. Especially when landlords tend to increase rental prices once they learn you're a good tenant.
Locals may appear friendly, but the reality often differs. As a patriarchal society, instances of domestic violence against girlfriends and wives are unfortunately not uncommon. Additionally, certain tourism-related businesses, such as surf schools, may be controlled by gangs. After 5 months in the country, I can say: don't go.
9 months ago
Colombo is okay. It's definitely challenging compared to other cities in the world. It's not convenient. Finding good restaurants is difficult, and the food and drinks are a hit or miss. You'll find better food in the south of Sri Lanka.
Everyone will try to scam and overcharge you for everything.
Tuktuks are incredibly cheap, so you don't need to walk. 100 rupees per 1km. They have an app called Pick Me, but it's not your usual Uber. After it finds a driver, the driver will usually call you and ask where you are going (? the app doesn't show the location for them) and how much you'll pay (?). Most of the time, they won't move, so you have to cancel the ride and find another driver (thankfully, they don't charge for canceling rides).
Also, tuk-tuks have local gangs/cartels and won't let Pick Me drivers pick you up there, so you have to walk a bit far from where the tuk-tuks are parked; otherwise, the app drivers will be terrified of them - I've seen them argue and threat the Pick Me drivers.
10 months ago
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with great surf. But it is very expensive and the wifi is atrocious. It is not a digital nomad's destination. Was very surprised by the cost of food Western and Sri Lankan. There are MUCH cheaper & better options in Japan or Korea! Of course, they have just suffered from a financial melt down and so anything imported is very expensive. I am an Aussie and its is a very expensive place to live. The prices charged in Sri Lanka to eat out are equal (or more!) than those in Oz. Had a simple breakfast in a pretty ordinary cafe the other day and two coffees and a simple breakfast was 30 USD! I have been here a couple of months and have an Aussie-Sri Lankan mate that has done the very best to introduce me to the best Sri Lankan street food which basically consists of overcooked curries and rice for around 12 USD. After 20 years of living on & off in Chiang Mai, it does come as a bit of a shock. The one thing though that is absolutely fantastic are the Sri Lankan people who are absolute sweethearts. And did I mention the killer surf?
2 years ago
Sri Lanka is a great country to visit and explore on vacation, but it is not good for nomading.
The internet is the worst I've experienced in 3 years of travelling around SE Asia. Usually I would supplement terrible wifi with mobile data but I found this also terrible. I visited several places in Sri Lanka, including supposedly up-and-coming nomad destination Welligama. There are very few cafes that are fit for working (almost none with AC/power), Western food is expensive (and so is Sri Lankan food if you're in an area that is suitable for working online), and most of the accommodation is quite expensive if you want high standards. Definitely visit this beautiful country with it's friendly local people, but don't expect to be productive here.
5 years ago