Cost of Living in Colombo

Colombo's accommodation market spans everything from basic boarding rooms to luxury high-rise apartments, giving digital nomads plenty of options at each price point. For budget stays, a private room in a shared guesthouse or boarding house runs LKR 15,000-25,000 ($50-85) per month, though these typically come with shared bathrooms and minimal furnishings. A step up are studio apartments and furnished rooms on Airbnb, which start around $300-400 per month for a clean, air-conditioned space with Wi-Fi in areas like Bambalapitiya (Colombo 4) or Dehiwala. Standard one-bedroom furnished apartments in central locations range from LKR 90,000-150,000 ($300-500) per month on a long-term lease, while modern one-bedrooms in newer developments in Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) or Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens) command LKR 200,000-400,000 ($670-1,330) depending on amenities like pools, gyms, and security.

Colombo's street food scene is vibrant and incredibly affordable for digital nomads watching their budgets. A plate of kottu roti from a roadside stall in Pettah or Maradana costs around LKR 300-500 ($1.00-$1.65), while egg hoppers and string hoppers with sambol go for LKR 150-300 ($0.50-$1.00) each. The classic Sri Lankan lunch packet — a portion of rice with two or three curries, dhal, and pol sambol wrapped in a brown paper parcel — is the workday staple across the city and typically costs just LKR 250-500 ($0.85-$1.65) from local vendors. For a sit-down rice and curry meal at a basic local restaurant, expect to pay LKR 600-1,200 ($2.00-$4.00). Galle Face Green comes alive every evening with dozens of street vendors selling isso wade (prawn fritters), pani puri, and fresh corn for LKR 100-400 ($0.35-$1.35) per item, making it one of the best cheap eats experiences in the city.

Colombo has a well-developed supermarket network that makes self-catering straightforward for digital nomads. The major chains — Keells Super, Cargills Food City, Arpico Supercenter, and Laugfs Super — have branches throughout the city, with Keells and Cargills being the most widespread. Keells tends to stock more premium and imported brands at slightly higher prices, while Cargills Food City positions itself as a value option with a strong selection of local products and organic items. Arpico and Laugfs offer competitive pricing and frequent promotions. Basic staple prices across these supermarkets include rice at LKR 270-550 ($0.90-$1.85) per kg, a dozen eggs for LKR 520 ($1.75), chicken breast fillets at LKR 1,400 ($4.65) per kg, a loaf of bread for LKR 170 ($0.55), and a liter of milk at LKR 540 ($1.80). Local vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and onions range from LKR 135-700 ($0.45-$2.35) per kg depending on season, while tropical fruits like bananas cost around LKR 315 ($1.05) per kg.

Colombo's public transport network revolves around buses, tuk-tuks, and a limited but useful commuter rail system. The city's bus network, operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private operators, is remarkably cheap: a local ride within city limits costs just LKR 30-50 ($0.10-0.17), and even a cross-town journey rarely exceeds LKR 80-120 ($0.27-0.40). Air-conditioned intercity buses run on expressway routes to destinations like Galle (LKR 400 / $1.33) and Kandy (LKR 400 / $1.33). The commuter train from Colombo Fort station serves beach suburbs like Mount Lavinia and Dehiwala for as little as LKR 30-60 ($0.10-0.20) in third class, and intercity trains to Kandy cost LKR 240-2,000 ($0.80-6.67) depending on class. Trains are scenic and punctual but can be extremely crowded during peak hours, so avoid the 7:30-9:15 AM and 5:00-6:30 PM rush if possible.

Getting connected in Colombo is straightforward and impressively affordable. At Bandaranaike Airport, Dialog and Mobitel both have counters in the arrivals hall where you can grab a tourist SIM card with your passport in minutes. Dialog's tourist plans are the most popular choice among digital nomads: LKR 1,399 ($4.67) for 20 GB, LKR 1,799 ($6) for 30 GB, or LKR 2,450 ($8.17) for 50 GB, all valid for 30 days and including local voice minutes. Mobitel offers competitive packages starting at LKR 999 ($3.33) with unlimited local calls included. For ongoing monthly data, Dialog's prepaid top-up packs offer 50 GB for around LKR 1,500 ($5), and heavy users can activate unlimited social media bundles or additional data add-ons by dialing #678#. Airtel and Hutch are also available as budget alternatives but have weaker coverage outside urban areas. Dialog consistently delivers the best 4G LTE speeds in Colombo, averaging around 28 Mbps on mobile, while SLT-Mobitel is a close second. Overall, mobile data is reliable in central Colombo neighborhoods like Colombo 3, 4, 5, and 7, though speeds can dip in congested areas during peak hours.

Colombo offers surprisingly good healthcare for a South Asian capital, with several JCI-accredited and internationally recognized private hospitals clustered in the city center. Asiri Hospital (with branches in Colombo 5 and 8), Lanka Hospitals in Narahenpita, Durdans Hospital in Colombo 5, and Nawaloka Hospitals near Fort are the top private facilities, all offering modern equipment, English-speaking doctors, and specialist departments ranging from cardiology to dentistry. A general practitioner consultation at a private hospital runs about LKR 3,000–5,000 ($10–17), while specialist visits cost LKR 5,000–8,000 ($17–27). Diagnostic tests are remarkably affordable: a full blood count costs around LKR 350 ($1.20), a lipid profile about LKR 1,450 ($5), an MRI brain scan roughly LKR 13,200 ($44), and a CT abdomen scan about LKR 8,300 ($28). If you need a private AC hospital room, expect to pay LKR 40,000–60,000 ($133–200) per day.

Sri Lanka launched a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa in early 2026, making it one of the most accessible countries in Asia for remote workers. The visa costs $500 per person, is valid for 12 months, and requires a minimum monthly income of $2,000 from foreign sources. You will need a police clearance certificate, medical clearance, proof of health insurance, and a recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy. Spouses and dependent children can be added at $500 each. For renewal, you must register with Sri Lanka's Inland Revenue Department, so consult a tax advisor before your first year ends. If you prefer flexibility, the standard tourist ETA grants 30 days on arrival and can be extended in three stages — an additional 60, then 90, then 90 days — for a maximum total stay of 270 days through the Department of Immigration. As of January 2026, citizens of 40 countries (including the US, UK, Australia, and most EU nations) receive visa-free entry with waived ETA fees for short stays.