(Galle Face Green)
What is there to do In Colombo?
Galle Face Green- Is an urban park that you'll be able to witness locals, and try their food, as well as walking along the promenade. It is worth a sunset.
Diyatha Uyana Park- A waterfront park with a playground, colorful fountains, aquarium & open-air food court.
Bally's Casino
Mount Lavinia Beach
Khan Clock Tower- A popular landmark built in the early 20th century.
Majestic City mall
Does Colombo require a visa(ETA)?
YES! You WILL NEED to obtain a visa for entry in Sri Lanka. You can get a short stay visa online at Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Tourist visas are normally issued for a maximum period of 30 days.
If you arrive in Sri Lanka without a visa, you could face delays. When we arrived in Sri Lanka we did not have a visa. We actually weren't aware that we even needed a visa to enter Sri Lanka! We were able to apply for a same day application at the airport. It took us about 25 minutes to obtain two visas. It wasn't a complicated process at all. All we had to do was give the teller our passports and pay a fee.
An application normally cost $20-40USD per person. The earlier you purchase your visa, the cheaper! Children 12 and under are free.
If you are a citizens of The Republic of Singapore, The Republic of Maldives, and The Republic of Seychelles you are exempt from the requirement of obtaining Visa to visit Sri Lanka.
Where to stay in Colombo?
OZO Colombo- A sleek modern hotel with a rooftop pool.
The Ocean Front- Offers dazzling views of the Indian Ocean and is one of the most beautiful places to catch the sunset.
Colombo Courtyard-Its an elegant blend of rustic charm and modern luxury,
Havelock Bungalow-was one of the city’s first boutique hotels. Tucked away on a side street, Havelock Bungalow’s
Mandarina Colombo- Affordable hotel and great restaurant food with views on the rooftop of Colombo.
What language is spoken in Sri Lanka?
Tamil,Sinhala, and English.
(Local potato chips at the Galle Face Green)
Currency?
Sri Lankan Rupee
How to get to your destination from the airport?
The distance between Colombo and Bandaranaike Airport is 21miles(35 km). The trip to the city centre will cost you on average about $35USD (one way) and will take you from 45 to 90 minutes. Be mindful of the time leaving to catch a flight, Colombo traffic is heavy!
Colombo express bus takes about an hour but fares from $0.80USD.
The mini bus takes about an 1.5 hour and fares start at $2.20USD.
(Galle Face Green)
How to get around Colombo?
Tuk Tuk- A motorized three wheeler which is seen all over Weligama. This taxi transportation does not have a meter, the price has to be negotiated.
Taxi
Train- Trains run in all directions to get around the country of Sri Lanka. It's actually the cheapest and effective way to travel along the country. Click on the train link schedule for times and locations around Sri Lanka.
Bus- Local buses go to most places, including villages outside main towns, for fares from Rs 10 to 50.
Rent a car- In Colombo you don't need to rent a car, everything is close in distance. Food and public transportation are on every street corner. If your very adventurist you can rent a car but personally we didn't feel comfortable renting a car in a foreign country. Most of the roads in Sri Lanka are dirt roads don't even have street signs. If we went on an excursion we hired a personal diver or taxi since we didn't know the area well enough.
When to travel to Colombo?
Colombo is a year-round destination and can be visited at any time of the year. Apart from the heavy monsoons, which generally last between June and September, the weather is pleasant for most of the year.
Where to eat in Colombo?
Nuga Gama- Dine in a restaurant that has a feel of a local Sri Lankan village life. The food in Nuga Game is authentic and Flavorful.
The Lagoon- Amazing seafood
Graze Kitchen- Located inside the Hilton hotel. An amazing buffet with international food. We stopped by this restaurant two days in a row because the food was so delicious! If you're in Colombo this is a must buffet you have to dine in!
Curry Pot Restaurant- Cheap and great food.
Curry Leaf- A great buffet with local food.
Things you should know when traveling to Colombo?
As small as the country looks, its not a small country! Sri Lanka cities are spaced out and have long travel times getting place to place. If your planning to visit different cities in Sri Lanka you want to give yourself enough time staying here.
(Sri Lankan parks and making friends with Sri Lankans)
Is Colombo kid friendly? Things to do with Kids?
Sri Lanka may lack kid-targeted sights such as arcades and amusement but this is definitely a kid-friendly country. Here Sri Lankans accept you as you are, where ever you come from. Sri Lanka is such an experience for your children. It will bring you back to a time where electrics are not a form of entertainment for kids. Kids will actually be forced to experience the great outdoors and be creative! Kids can find entrainment in historical sites, beaches, and national parks with elephants.
The only trouble you may have here with young kids is that there are no sidewalks...just dirt roads, or even nonexistent walkways. Scrollers and highchairs here are uncommon in Sri Lanka. I do recommend having a chest carrier while traveling here.
(Galle Face Green)
"Trade your expectations for appreciation and the world changes instantly."
-Tony Robbins
