• Understand
• Getting into ...
• Get around
• Do
• Learn
• Work
• Buy
• Drink
• Contact
• Stay safe
• Cope
• Get out

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Colombo is the capital and the business centre of Sri Lanka.

[edit] Understand

Weather wise, the best time to visit is during the North East monsoon season, which is November to April

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airlines and Emirates. If you were to Fly Emirates, you can stop over in Colombo on your way to Singapore (e.g. Dubai - Colombo - Singapore)

Colombo's international airport is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo. The journey to Colombo will take about an hour by taxi.

[edit] By train

[edit] By car

[edit] By bus

[edit] By boat

Indian Ocean Cruises operates a cruise liner to Colombo as part of it's itinerary along the west coast of India & to the uninhabited Lakshwadeep Islands. More information can be found here: http://indianoceancruises.net/

[edit] Getting into Colombo from Katunayaka airport

By Taxi

There a a couple of options.

Local Taxi (mini van)

One is the taxi service provided by the taxi counter in the arrivals hall (the counter was situated next to the Tourist Information booth; not sure if it's still the case). What they provide is a mini van without air conditioning but it will be about a third cheaper than taxis provided by 'hotels'. It is worth noting that this service is primarily intended for the locals so, the counter staff may try to persuade you to go to one of the 'hotel taxi' counters outside the arrivals hall but insist that you only want a mini van!

Hotel Taxi

Most four and five start hotels have their own counter just outside the arrivals hall. You can get a taxi from one of these places. They will supply an air conditioned car and the cost to Galle Face could be about Rs 2,600 (as of July 2008).

By Bus

This is the cheapest way to get into Colombo but will take some effort and time. There are private, air conditioned mini buses from Katunayake airport to Colombo Fort (where the main railway station is). These buses used to stop outside the airport but as of Dec 2007, they start from the bus depot just outside the airport. You can get there by free shuttle or walk (about 10 - 15 mins). To catch a shuttle bus, come out of the airport, turn left and walk all the way to the end of the building. You will not find any signs so ask a few people (it is not unusual for people to give you an answer, even if wrong, in order to be polite. So, I always ask a few people and compare the answers!).

Once to get to the bus depot, you can catch a bus to Colombo Fort. The journey cost me Rs 60 in Dec 2007. The buses do not have any space for luggage so, I usually buy two or three seats for my luggage).

The journey into Colombo Fort could take anything between an hour and fifteen to two hours. The bus will stop at major town en route . They also have collapsible seats along the aisle which will get used as the bus becomes busy so, try to get a seat at the front. The one opposite the door is preferable! Ask the conductor to tell you when the bus gets to the Fort station (as opposed to the Colombo bus depot). Note that some buses do not go as far as the Fort station and stop at the bus depot, which is about 5 min walk from the station. Others go via the depot to fort station and then double back to the bus depot.

Once you reach Colombo Fort, you can get a three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) to get to your destination. You will pay a little premium for catching a tuk-tuk from the bus station or outside Fort station (on the main road so there will be a choice of tuk-tuks) but it should not cost more than Rs 150 to go to hotels near Galle Face (e.g. Cinnamon Grand, Taj or Galle Face Hotel).

You can also catch a bus to Galle Face (less than Rs 10) but you will not we welcome on-board with large luggage. You may get away with a backpack though.

[edit] Get around

In Colombo, everything works that works for the country (see Sri Lanka#Get around).

Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. You should always negotiate, bargain and agree on a price before you take a trip. For shorter trips inside Colombo you can skip the dealing and just pay Rs. 200 when you get off. If they argue, just tell them 200 is double of what locals would pay.

Taxi is also good. The cars often have meters starting on Rs. 40. You seldom pay more than Rs. 200 for a trip inside Colombo. Rs. 500 will get you to Mount Lavinia. Then you get more safety than in a threewheeler. And you get A/C.

[edit] See

[edit] Museums

• The Colombo National Museum - Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 - Tel : 2697467-8
• The Natural History Museum
• The Dutch Period Museum
• The Bandaranaike Museum

[edit] Galleries

• The National Art Gallery
• The Sapumal Foundation
• The Lionel Wendt Center

[edit] Do

• Galle Face at Sundown for a spectacular view
• Colombo Zoo is being renovated, and plan to have an open area for the elephants

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit] Buy

• Barefoot handicraft store, 706 Galle Road, Colombo 03. [1]. Has a wide range of good quality souvenirs and handmade items: clothes, bags, and children toys, from some of the most beautifully-colored fabric you've ever seen.

• Lakmedura, 113 Dharmapala Road, Colombo 07 An organisation run by the tour guides association. Offers mass produced products at unbelievably high prices. It is better to ommit it from one's itenary although the many tour compaies, operaters, guides and trishaw drivers that wwoulg\d pester you to visit it.

• Lakpahana,14 Reid Avenue, Colombo 07 A non profit organisaton run by the craftsman association of Sri Lanka with asistance from the government. Offers all handicrafts and gemstone jewellery. Unique metalware, wood carvings,silver jewellery,batik ,textile productsand other crafts. Only member in Sri Lanka of the World Craft Council and winner of several international awards therefore all our products come with an international guarantee.The only place where quality exceeds price.
• Majestic City in Kollupitaya on Galle Road has a wide variety of clothing outlets - including a sub-branch of Odel - at very good prices, as well as various electrical goods and toy shops. It's pleasantly air-conditioned and includes a food court on the ground floor.

• Odel No 5, Alexandra Place,Colombo - 7. [2] a stylish department store, with its very own Delifrance outlet, clothing, houseware, sporting goods, books and movies, as well as Delight – for sweet indulgences from chocolates to exotic nuts.

• The Pettah Market,This is the place to go for shopping for all kinds of things from fruits to clothes to electronics if you want to buy at wholesale prices. You have to bargain extensively and it is recommended that you take a local you trust along with you. Even if you don't buy anything, Pettah, or Colombo 11 is an experience in itself being a very typical, loud and crowded oriental market place full of all sorts of odds, ends and junk.

[edit] Eat

• Beach Wadiya. 2 Station Ave.; Wellawatte (next to the beach) 94-11-258-8568; $7–$13: great for an evening meal. Reviews recommend their jumbo prawns, and cuttle fish.

[edit] Budget

Buy a "lunch packet" from street stands practically anywhere in the city. Typically it will be filling meal of rice and veg for only about LKR(Rs) 80/-.

[edit] Mid-range

• The Cricket Club Cafe in Kollupitaya is a must for any cricket lover. The walls are covered in autographed memorabilia and photos with sports (usually cricket) being screened on all the TVs scattered throughout the rooms. They serve authentic Aussie cuisine and a wide variety of drinks.

• The Palmyrah Restaurant at the Renukah Hotel serves excellent Sri Lankan dishes as well as having an "international" menu.

• Saras 25 Charles Drive / 450E R A De Mel Mw, Colombo 3 (Duplication Road). Phone: 575226. Open Tue-Sun. One of the best Indian Restaurants (plus Chinese cuisine).

[edit] Splurge

• Spoons, located at the Colombo Hilton is promoting a 'Fresh experience' and tend to server 5 course dinners. Expect a meal to cost around $50+
• Ginza Hosen, this is one of the Japanese restaurants in Colombo. They have a sushi bar, the tatami rooms and ever tappenyaki. Meals here can cost from $50-150+
• Chesa Swiss, representing the best of Swiss cuisine, located on Duplication Road, have all your favourites from fresh garden snails to Chateaubriand for two, fondue to steak Café de Paris style! Again, meals are in the $50+ bracket.
• The London Grill, as the name suggests this restaurant is very British. It probably has the best ambience of all, and the food is just great. Located at the Colombo Plaza (which used to be called the Lanka Oberoi).
• Royal Thai, located at the TransAsia Hotel (Ramada), is an authentic Thai restaurant hosting the usual favourites such as Tom Yam and Chicken Pandan leaves.

[edit] Drink

• Thambili (Orange Coconut juice) is the safest, since they cut it open in front of you (uncontaminated).
• Spring water with SLS certification are safe to drink.

[edit] Sleep

Sri Lanka offers many accommodation options for every budget.

[edit] Budget

• Ranmuthu Hotel, 112, Galle Road, Tel:2433986.
• Empress, 383, RA De Mel Mawatha, Tel:2574930.
• Hotel Janaki, 443, Fife Rd, Colombo 5, Tel:08-222622, [3]
• Sapphire Hotel, 371, Galle Rd, Colombo 6, Tel:2583306.
• Hotel Sansu, #651/31, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05 Tel: +94 11 5354348, 2589658 (Fax: +94 11 2582908 Email: hotel@sansu.lk), [4]. Price: Around $26

[edit] Mid range

• Hotel Galaxy
• Renuka Hotel, Tel:+94-11-2573598, [5].
• Galle Face Hotel, [6].
• Grand Oriental Hotel, Tel: (+94)-11-2320391/3, (+94)-11-2320440, (+94)-11-2448734/5, [7]. Price: Around $65 USD. Check the Grand Oriental Hotel Official Website for more information.
• Palm Village Hotel, [8] No: 262, Old Colombo Road, Uswetakeiyawa (Hendala), Tel: 0094 114 795114 (17 Fax: 094 11 2930766 Email: pvhl1@sltnet.lk).
• The Park Street Hotel[9].
• Holiday Inn Colombo

[edit] Splurge

• Hilton International, Tel:2544644, [10]. Highly recommended.
• Trans Asia Hotel, Tel:2544200,[11].
• Hotel Inter Continental, Tel:2421221. [12].
• The Havelock Place Bungalow, Tel:2585191, [13]. Colombo’s first boutique hotel, consisting of two restored colonial homes. Tastefully decorated using antique colonial furniture. Wireless Internet, pool, jacuzzi, restaurants.
• Hotel Galadari, Tel:2544544. [14] 64, Lotus Road, Colombo-1 Tel: +94-11-254-4544, Fax: +94-11-244-9875 E-Mail: info@galadarihotel.lk.
• Jaic Hilton Tower 33 Storey apartment building, catering for business executives to families. Good restaurant in room service.Also at bottom a nice Japanese restaurant- Nihonbashi and the excellent Union Bar and Grill with a great menu. Also With wireless Internet, Pool, Tennis Court and classes such as Yoga & Karate.
• Ceylon Continental [15] 48 Janadhipathi Mawatha Colombo 01 Tel : +94 11 242 1221 +94 11 542 1221 E-mail:hotel@ceyloncontinental.com .

• Cinnamon Grand Colombo(previously called Colombo Plaza) [16] P.O. Box 252,77 Galle Road,Colombo 3,Tel: +94 11 2437437 Price: Around $90 USD.
• Holiday Inn

• Taj Samudra, Tel:2446622. [17].
• Airport Garden Hotel- Taj Group [18] Phone:(94) 11 2 253771-4 / 252950-5 Fax:(94) 11 2 252953. Email: airport.colombo@tajhotels.com.

[edit] Away from the city

Mount Lavinia is a great place to be. The beach and the friendly people always draw visitors there and keep them for awhile. Unlike the South of the island, Mt.Lavinia is only abut 20 minutes away from the city and entertains a good deal of nightlife. Along the beach are a variety of restaurants that serve liquor (by restaurants along the beach I mean they are literally ON the beach, 50 feet away from the water and tables on the sand) have great food catered to suit every budget. The variety of the the beach spots themselves are interesting, from nice little coves for a quiet chat a and a drink to well lit, busy places with dance floors, music courtesy of a live DJ and well stocked bars. Try Jo Jo's, a quiet little place where they serve pretty decent food and drink and has a nice homey feel to it.The Owner Mr Jo, Jo, (Mr Nihal) better know, is a nice person

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

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Colombo is like most south asian capitals. Although probably not as dangerous as you would think, tourists should be very vigilant. Many first time travelers to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice, and take any advice from taxi and auto drivers with a grain of salt, especially if they tell you the place you want to go to is closed, dangerous, etc. If you are unsure, check a map. If you have been told your hotel is closed or full, give them a call. If you are a first time visiter to Sri Lanka, don't admit it as it will make you a mark for the scam artists.

There is safety in numbers. This applies even more at night. However, one should not think that if you go to Colombo for afternoon shopping, you're going to face problems.

Colombo is an increasingly unsafe place for women. It is not uncommon to hear reports of lewd remarks or in some cases, even physical touching. This applies particularly on crowded buses. Try to avoid walking around alone or hiring cabs alone, dress conservatively and do not be afraid to shout. The police emergency number is 119 and can be called from all landline and international mobile phones used in Sri Lanka too.

[edit] Cope

Colombo, though facing trouble by the present political instability is still a great place to visit. Using public transport when busses are jam-packed would be a bad idea as it is very uncomfortable and also one may encounter perverts who attempt to mildly touch. As a tourist the most convenient means of travel would be three wheelers and taxi's, both options not economically taxing.

[edit] Get out