Colombo

Sri Lanka has its highs and lows, especially for digital nomads or long-term visitors. The surf scene gets consistent praise and is considered among the highlights of life in the country. Transport is very affordable, particularly tuk-tuks, which make getting around easy and cheap, although you'll often deal with app limitations and local interference.

Many report that locals are friendly and helpful in daily interactions, although some reflect deeper concerns around honesty in business and social issues, especially for women travelers, who may encounter harassment. Scams are frequently reported, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, affecting pricing for services like transportation and rentals.

One of the biggest downsides is cost, which surprised many visitors. Daily expenses like food and accommodation are often equal to or more than Western prices, even for basic meals or local dishes. Compared to nearby Southeast or East Asian countries, Sri Lanka is not considered affordable. The internet is often slow or unreliable, making remote work difficult.

While some aspects like surf and transport are appreciated, overall infrastructure, safety, and cost make Sri Lanka currently unsuitable for many digital nomads or travelers used to more developed or budget-friendly systems.