Digital Nomad in Sri Lanka: A Brilliant 2023 Guide

Being a digital nomad in Sri Lanka means you’re set in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Even if nature is not your thing, other magnetic pulls of Sri Lanka will steal your heart.

The out of the world rice and curry, the never ending smiley faces, the affordable cost of living – there are plenty of things you’ll miss when you leave the island.

Before you read further, it’s important to note that Sri Lanka might not seem like the best option if your work requires you to upload big files. The Wi-Fi connection is still catching up. 

For some, this may set them back especially if you plan to live long-term,but a couple of weeks can’t hurt, right?

Here is a summary of what’ll you see in today’s digital nomad article:

• Coliving Sri Lanka
• Why Become A Digital Nomad Sri Lanka?
• Cost Of Living In Sri Lanka
• Internet And Mobile Data In Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Weather 
• Digital Nomad Visas In Sri Lanka
• 6 Top Destinations For Digital Nomads In Sri Lanka
• 15 Other Attractions In Sri Lanka
• 8 Fun Activities To Enjoy In Sri Lanka
• 13 Best Coworking Spaces In Sri Lanka
• 18 Best Places To Stay In Sri Lanka
• Best Food To Try In Sri Lanka
• How To Get Around
• 10 Things You Should Know About Sri Lanka
• Tax For Digital Nomads In Sri Lanka
• FAQs

Coliving Sri Lanka

One of the first coliving spaces in Sri Lanka is the 41 Residents in Kandakuliya. It’s a beautiful rural, airy house with a well-equipped coworking space.

Deemed the mecca for fitness enthusiasts and kitesurfing digital nomads, the people here prioritise creativity, wellness, travel and learning.

There’s a café serving healthy meals and the best coffee in the area, high-speed Wi-Fi connection and your desk overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The best part is, depending on your room type, you can get all these for only $850 per month, all bills included.

Mind-blowing!

Why Become A Digital Nomad Sri Lanka?

Because of the affordable cost of living, delicious food and the laidback lifestyle.

1. Affordable Cost Of Living

It is safe to say that living in Sri Lanka won’t break your bank. A day’s expenses will rarely go beyond around $50 for two people!

And that includes your accommodation, a coworking space in Colombo, meals, drinks, mobile reloads, transportation, and so on.

Before we dive into living cost in detail, here’s a summary of Sri Lanka expenses (on average) according to Numbeo:

• Monthly rentals – from $120 to $750.
• High speed Wi-Fi – around $36 per month.
• Mobile data – around $36 per month.
• Food/drinks/snacks – around $12.

Perhaps when you’re just starting as a digital nomad Sri Lanka, you can rent a room in a family house.

Apart from keeping the cost low, you’ll get to mix with the locals, eat home-cooked food and learn their language.

2. Hearty Food

Who needs an alarm clock when the smell of dhal and roti (bread) can wake you?

Sri Lankan food is extremely delicious. The many types of curries are usually served in tiny metal bowls with either rice or roti.

Believe it or not, there is individual curry for each type of tropical fruit or vegetable in Sri Lanka. Cashew nut curry, coconut milk jackfruit curry and beetroot curry are among the favourites.

Sri Lankan food is indeed almost entirely vegan, but meat-eaters have their fair share too. There are plenty of meat-based meals and fresh seafood. Be sure to check out the black pepper crab and jumbo prawns!

3. The Laidback Lifestyle

Sri Lanka is a land of smiles. The people are friendly, and they don’t seem to be rushing all the time. Yes, even if they’re late.

Why? 

Okay so, Sri Lanka is also known as the ‘land of serendipity’. The word ‘serendipity’ has a special meaning. It refers to the Arabic word Serendib, which translates to “pleasant surprise”. 

For example, you’re on your way to meet someone and you bump into a friend and stop to chat for 10 minutes. This doesn’t mean being disrespectful of the other person’s time (who’s waiting for you).

 It’s just a cultural thing where being late is not perceived negatively.

Cost Of Living In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the destinations in Asia that offer cheap costs of living.

Even if you include leisure expenses such as bar trips or beach activities, a whole day’s cash splash still won’t reach half of what you may spend back home.

Let’s take a look at this breakdown (on average) to see if you’ll need to do some penny-pinching or otherwise:

1. Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in town: from $250
• One-bedroom apartment outside town: from $115
• 3-bedroom apartment in town: from $645
• 3-bedroom apartment outside town: from $260 

2. Food

• A meal of local dish: $1.30
• Meal for 2 in mid-range restaurant: $14
• Combo meal at fast food restaurants: from $4 to $5.50
• Local and imported beer: from $1.55 to $2.60

3. Transportation

• Tuk-tuk: from $1
• Gas: from $0.73
• Monthly public transport ticket: $18
• Internet (a month): from $17

Internet And Mobile Data In Sri Lanka

The rule of thumb when you land in Sri Lanka is to get a SIM card at the airport since Wi-Fi connection is sometimes scarce at the beach and uphill areas.

The best mobile data provider would be the SIM2Fly Travel Prepaid AIS at only $19.90 with 6GB of data, valid for 10 days.    

Sri Lanka Weather 

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate all year round.

The weather is typically divided into two monsoon seasons: 

• The South-west monsoon (May to September) and 
• The North-West monsoon (October to March). 

If you happen to be in the southwest area, you can escape to Arugam Bay or Ella. There’s an active digital nomad community there with lively nightlife!

If you’re in the northeast area, you can pack away to enjoy surfing in Weligama. Other places to consider would be Mirissa, Unawatuna and Galle.

The temperature in Sri Lanka usually sits around 30 degrees rain or shine. There are cooler areas in the hills with temperatures hitting the mid-20s and drops further at night.

Digital Nomad Visas In Sri Lanka

You can enter Sri Lanka visa-free for up to 30 days. BUT before your departure, you have to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online which costs $20. Without the ETA, you can’t enter Sri Lanka.

The ETA is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival and can be extended for up to 6 months.

To apply for the ETA, you’ll need these documents:

• Passport with validity of not less than six months from the date of arrival.
• Confirmed return tickets.
• Sufficient funds to meet the expenses throughout your stay.

If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you can extend your ETA for up to 90 more days at the Immigration Services Centre in Colombo. You don’t need to leave the country.

Just make sure you bring:

• Your passport and passport photo.
• Proof of financial resources to cover expenses for the extended stay.
• Proof of return air ticket or visa to your next country of destination.

6 Top Destinations For Digital Nomads In Sri Lanka

1. Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s capital city. It’s where you experience the hustle and bustle of city life compared to other areas.

Trains connect Colombo with other major cities on the island. There are also bus services within the city and to all parts of Sri Lanka.

This is the place to settle your admin things like getting a visa extension or fixing your mobile data issue. There are many well-equipped coworking spaces in Colombo, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!

The city is filled with beautiful colonial infrastructure – among Sri Lanka’s major tourist attractions.

2. Mirissa

Mirissa is THE place for beach bums. The sunset is gorgeous, the beach is clean, and the water is crystal clear and warm.

Defining paradise almost accurately, the island is lined up by coconut trees and bamboo bars facing the Indian ocean. 

After a long day of working, you can hang out with friends at Mirissa Beach, enjoying the coastal life you used to dream about. Don’t worry about dinner as a stretch of seafood restaurants is just a stone’s throw away.   

If you fancy sleeping and waking up before the sound of waves, you can find accommodation behind the bay. Look for the main road called Matara Road. They have a good mix of locals and travellers there.

3. Arugam Bay

Known as the surfer’s paradise, Arugam Bay is the prominent surf scene in Sri Lanka. It has a decent beach with a superb wave to cater for surfers throughout summer when the weather is excellent.

The vibe of this place never fails to impress first-time visitors. 

It has the perception of an easy life when you see the lines of fishing boats, the catch being brought in and hardworking fishermen resting in their shacks.

What makes Arugam Bay more special is the reflected glow of the ocean at sunset. The nightlife scene is fairly lively too. Don’t feel left out if you don’t surf. Grab a coconut drink, sit in an ocean view hut and forget the board – just get your laptop!  

4. Ella

Ella has been a long-time backpackers and travel bloggers’ favourite. Located in the cooler, mountainous area, this small laidback town is surrounded by beautiful greens of tea.

Imagine hiking on trails for a sip of the ocean breeze, surfing on your breaks, brewing tea while listening to the gushing waterfall – avid nature lovers will fall in love with Ella.

Development has taken over throughout the years though, transforming this once a simple hamlet in the hills into a major tourist spot.

Nonetheless, there are many cafes and restaurants along the main road. Also, the hostels here are equipped with reliable Wi-Fi.

5. Galle Fort

If you love colonial architecture, Galle Fort is the place for you. The walled city they call it has a wide range of hotels with decent common areas and reliable Wi-Fi connection.

Strolling along the atmospheric old streets with quaint churches in sight, you’ll feel the Dutch colonial vibe.

Head over to Pedlar Street where you can find cool cafes to work in. There are also chic clothing stores and handicraft shops if you feel like splurging a little in between your breaks.

6. Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is another option for mountain lovers. It’s a mix of Galle Fort and Ella, I’d say. This place is framed by two attractions: an old colonial town filled with antique British tea bungalows and a spread of tea plantations.

Not saying Nuwara Eliya doesn’t have enough attractions but somehow, the peace and tranquillity are perfect for digital nomads who need to complete a project without distractions.

If you’re writing a book, spend a few days in a tea bungalow and voila, you’ll have your manuscript ready!

15 Other Attractions In Sri Lanka

1. National Museum of Colombo

2. Ravana Falls

3. Horton Plains National Park

4. Trincomalee

5. Beira Lake

6. Commonwealth War Cemetery

7. Kandalama

8.Ulpotha

9. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

10. Adams Peak

11. Jaffna

12. Polonnaruwa

13. Temple of Tooth Relic

14. Unawatuna Beach

15. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

8 Fun Activities To Enjoy In Sri Lanka

1. Kandy to Ella Train Tickets – Reserved Seats

• From $22.50.
• The train departs twice per day from Kandy to Badulla (Ella).
• For Nanu Oya railway station, the train departs in the afternoon.
• Second or third class tickets include reserved seats.
• The train is reserved for private tour exclusively for your group only.
• It is wheelchair-friendly and stroller-friendly.

2. 3 Days 2 Nights Trips From Colombo To Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella And Udawalawe

• From $265.
• Just relax and enjoy your 3 days and 2 nights trips as your itinerary is already arranged.
• Hotels are included (Kandy and Ella).
• Hotel pickup service is available with English speaking driver cum tourist guide.
• 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included in the package.
• Entrance fees for Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, Udawalawe National Park, and jeep hire for safari at Udawalawe are at your own expenses.

3. Snorkelling With Whales In Mirissa

• From $348.72.
• Maximum 10 travellers for this swim and snorkel with blue whales trip around Mirissa.
• Package includes snorkeling gears, tuk-tuk pickup from Mirissa hotels, water bottles and snacks.
• Travellers will undergo moderate physical fitness test.
• If no whales is spotted, the booking can be rescheduled.

4. Private Half Day Colombo City Tour

• From $70.
• This half day private city tour is to learn about the history culture of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka.
• Landmarks that you are going to visit include Old Parliament building, St. Lucia Cathedral and Vihara Buddhist Temple.
• Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off service.
• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• Parking fees and all entrance fees are included.
• Food and drink are not included in the package.

• Airport pickup service fee is $15. Airport pickup and drop-off after city tour is $25.
• Port entrance fee is $20 per tour, pay directly to the tourist guide.

5. Galle Full Day Tour

• From $145.
• Your interactive itineraries include a day trip of endangered turtle viewing at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, stilt fishermen meetup who fish by sitting on poles lodged in the sea at Weligama, UNESCO-listed Galle Fort exploration, and Talwatte Tsunami Photo Museum tearjerking visit.
• Lunch is included at a local restaurant on Bentota Beach.
• Minimum of 2 people per booking.
• All admission fees are included.
• Infant carseat is available.
• Vegetarian option for lunch is available upon request.
• Wheelchair-friendly and stroller-friendly.
• Cancellation is at least 24 hours before the itineraries start.

6. Tuk-tuk Tour

• From $61.87.
• Sightseeing Colombo on Tuk-tuk tour. Tuk-tuk is an open-sided 3-wheeler vehicle with a driver cum tourist guide.
• Your tour includes Gangaramaya Temple, zipline at the beach, explore markets, local coffee break, enjoy traditional Sri Lankan dishes, and much more.
• Lunch will be served at the beachfront.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off service.
• Snacks and water bottle are included in the package.
• Not wheelchair-friendly.
• Cancellation is at least 24 hours before the itineraries start.

7. Safari Tour At Yala National Park

• From $29.50.
• Meet leopards, elephants and bears during safari tour at Yala National Park.
• Early pickup from your hotel and enjoy the park during primetime for wildlife sightings.
• Additional cost incurred for picnic breakfast and lunch for an additional cost.
• Maximum 6 passengers per jeep.
• Entrance fee is not included.

8. 8 Days Sri Lanka Tour With Private Driver, Vehicle And Accommodation

• From $553.85.
• Itinerary for 8 days Sri Lanka tour is already prepared, so just sit back in the air-conditioned vehicle and relax.
• Airport pickup by English speaking chaffeur.
• You will visit ancient sites, ruins, beaches, national parks, safaris, hill country, and much more.
• Entrance fees for tourist sites are at your own expenses.
• You can choose either you want to spend your nights at standard or luxurious hotels.
• Breakfasts and dinners are included.
• Lunch is not included at the hotel.
• Areas to visit are Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, Ella, Tissamaharama, Yala National Park, Mirissa, and much more.

13 Best Coworking Spaces In Sri Lanka

The scene of coworking in Sri Lanka has so much to offer.

Complete with amenities and pretty good Wi-Fi speed, these spaces are suitable for travel bloggers and content creators alike.

1. Hatch

Features: the hub of startups, Sri Lanka’s first and largest Incubator/Accelerator complete with co-working space amenities. Hatch frequently organises tech events and trains startups in a six-month programme preparing them for a pitch session to investors at the end of it.

  Price:

• Hot desk or open seating: $5 per day and $91 per month.
• Dedicated desk: $91 per month.
• Private office: $557 per month (fits 5 pax).
  

2. Worx

Features: a Zen garden, outdoor cabanas, rooftop terrace, in-house restaurant, an onsite cafe, two swimming pools, 24/7 access to private offices and dedicated desks, a Working Art Gallery.

Member benefits: mail handling, shower facilities, support team, swimming pool access, and professional and social events, private dining, boardroom access, a registered address, event space for functions and printer/scanner/photocopy machine.

Price:

• Hot desk: $169 per month.
• Dedicated desk: $154 per month.
• Membership plan: Upon enquiry.
  

3. Catalyst By HUB9

Features: hot desks, meeting rooms, private office spaces, coffee, free printing and paper. Located nearby supermarkets, coffee shops and restaurants.

Price:

• Hot desk or open plan seating: from $5 per day, $25 per week and $76 per month.
• Dedicated Desk: $76 per month.
  

4. Coworking Space by HUB9

Features: high-speed Wi-Fi, in-house printer, scanner, photocopy machine outdoor lounge, terrace, coffee and drinking water.

Price:

• Hot desk or open plan seating: from $5 per day, $25 per week and $50 per month.
• Dedicated desk: from $63 per month.
  

5. Likuid Spaces

Features: high-speed Wi-Fi, variety of seating options, kitchen, Skype room, personal lockers, pet friendly, sound and video recording equipment, printer/scanner/photocopy machine, computers, single/dual monitors, library.

Price:

• Hot desk or open plan seating: from $7.50 per day, $45.50 per week and $101 per month.
• Full-time resident: $139 per month.
• Virtual member: $38
  

6. Colombo Cooperative

Features: high-speed Wi-Fi, printer/scanner/photocopy machine, a lounge and chillout area, kitchen facilities, Skype rooms, personal lockers, free coffee and drinking water. Located nearby cafes and bakeries.

  Price:

• Hot desk or open seating: from $15 per day, $91 per month and $82 monthly for six months.
  

7. The Office

Features: shared office space in Colombo offering a homely atmosphere with 24/7 access, an onsite cafe with a chef, an outdoor terrace, courier services, office supplies, printing services and lockable spaces. Food and drinks are priced below $3.80.

Price: Upon enquiry.

8. HomeTree Coworking

Features: divided into three floors themed “garden, ocean, and bougainvillea” with private offices for teams of five to ten, a meeting room for six to eight people and a rooftop space with an ocean view for 30 to 100 people. They also offer mail handling, printing services and free coffee.

Price:

• Hot desk: from $5 per day, $40.50 per month (10-day pass), $71 per month (full-time pass).
• Fixed desk: from $91 per month.
• Private office: $81 per seat.
• Meeting room: $6.30 per hour.
  

9. CoCo Space

Features: high-speed Wi-Fi, kitchen, a lounge, printer/scanner/photocopy machine and free coffee.

Price:

• Hot desk or open seating: from $1 per hour, $7.60 per day and $76 per month (20% discount for three months)
  

10. Co-nnect

Features: high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge area, a cafe with coffee, tea, sandwiches and snacks, meeting rooms for up to 30 pax, working pods and individual desks.

Price:

• Meeting room: $13 per hour
• Working pods: from $5 per hour
• Individual desk: $2.50 per day

11. WeHive

Features: high speed secured internet; fingerprint access; reserved desk and chair (premium membership); 24/7 access (premium membership); print, scan and copy (premium membership); meeting room with smart TV (premium membership); private lockers (premium membership); NAS storage space (premium membership); discounted rate on other services (premium membership); lounge area; air-conditioning; daily cleaning and maintenance; 24/7 CCTV monitoring; unlimited coffee, tea and filtered water; kitchen and dining area

Price:

• Standard desk: $2.78 per day
• Premium desk: $17.01 per week (Per day not available)
• Private space: $247.46 per month (5 desks, standard amenities, premium amenities, and private room)
• Meeting space: $4.64 per hour (8 seats, smart TV, and unlimited coffee and tea)

12. Executive Centre

Features: state-of-the-art internet connectivity, phone booths, professionally service barista bars, shared pantries and lounge areas, printing and copying facilities, and meeting rooms

Price:

• Dedicated desk: N/A
• City pass: from $61.86 per month
• Global pass: $68.05 per month
• Day office: $123.73 per month
• Day office: $69.60 10 days per month

13. Rezghub

Features: WiFi, mail handling, elevator, air-conditioning, locker space, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, helpdesk, free coffee, filtered water, power supply and generator, and daily cleaning

Price:

• Workstations: From $0.39 per hour
• Meeting rooms: from $4.64 per hour
• Private offices: $0.39 per hour

18 Best Places To Stay In Sri Lanka

From the towns to the uphill areas, Sri Lanka has thousands of hotels and hostels that offer the best value for money.

For short term stay, the best platforms to search for accommodation would be Agoda or Booking.com.

Here are some of the best finds recommended for you:

1. Rural Airy House with Coworking Spaces + Pool – from $1,301 per month.
2. Quiet Modern Villa with Coworking Spaces + Meeting Room + Outdoor Space – from $350 per month.
3. Outstanding Bright Complex with Coworking Spaces + Terrace – from $2,252 per month.
4. The Danish Villa – from $7 per night.
5. Lake View Holiday Home – from $10 per night.
6. Star Rest Beach Hotel Arugambay – from $12 per night.
7. Nuwara Eliya Mountain View Homestay – from $13 per night.
8. Groove House Colombo – from $13 per night.
9. Backpack Hostel 44 – from $15 per night.
10. Miracle City Inn Hostel – from $16 per night.
11. JJ’s Hostel Mirissa – from $17 per night.
12. Ella Escapade Hostel – from $19 per night.
13. Sandy Beach Hotel – from $20 per night.
14. Paraiso Guest House – from $23 per night.
15. Colours Hostel Mirissa – from $23 per night.
16. Blooming Rose Ella – from $25 per night.
17. Chapelton House – from $28 per night.
18. The Steuart by Citrus – from $29 per night.

For long-term stay, check out the Facebook groups and get in touch with the members to look for listings that suit your requirements:

• South Sri Lanka Surf Community
• Expats in Sri Lanka

Best Food To Try In Sri Lanka

Ask any locals and they will tell you that their drinking water is unlike anything since it comes from the underground wells. That’s why you can only taste the authenticity of Sri Lankan food if it’s made with Sri Lankan water.

Forget international food for a while when you’re on the Teardrop of India. Don’t leave until you’ve tried any of these!

1. Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry).
2. Kottu (diced roti stir-fried with scrambled egg, onions, chillies, spices, and optional vegetables or meat).
3. Lamprais (combination of meat, rice and sambol chili sauce, wrapped in a banana leaf packet).
4. Hoppers (Sri Lankan pancake).
5. Polos (green jackfruit curry).
6. Wambatu moju (eggplant/brinjals pickle).
7. Gotu kola sambol (pennywort salad).
8. Kiribath (a special type of rice) with lunu miris (sambol chili sauce).
9. Pol Sambol (coconut relish).
10. Wood apple

How To Get Around

Getting around in Sri Lanka is easy. If you’re on the beach or suburban area, you can just walk from one place to another.

In big cities like Colombo, the most affordable and practical mode of transportation would be cabs or tuk-tuks. The fare usually doesn’t cost more than a dollar per kilometres.

The best way to travel for longer trips is by bus, air or train. I’d recommend travelling by train for a unique and incredibly scenic journey.

• For cheap charter flights: Deccan Aviation Lanka.
• Train routes, tickets and schedule: Sri Lanka Railways.
• Bus routes at an affordable price: Sri Lanka Transport Board.

10 Things You Should Know About Sri Lanka

1. Tap water isn’t drinkable.
2. Drinking water that you buy in Sri Lanka comes from underground wells and it’s extremely fresh and tasty
3. Spending a few days in the tea plantation area between Nuwara Elya and Ella is a must.
4. The Kandy to Ella train ride is a must.
5. Change your dollars to Sri Lankan rupees inside Sri Lanka.
6. Sri Lankans always waggle their head as a form of communication.
7. Tea triumphs coffee.
8. Eating curries with a massive amount of rice is common.
9. Traveling in Sri Lanka is perfectly safe.
10. Mastering the art of haggling is important.

Signing up as a Sri Lanka digital nomad means you’re up for magical adventures ahead!

The infrastructure and internet connection might not be top-notch, but it’s totally worth it to spend a couple of weeks or months here. The life and culture are amazing, the coworking spaces are up-to-date and the people are warm and welcoming.

If the dreamy island life described in this Sri Lanka travel guide hasn’t convinced you enough, it’s time to pack your bags and see it for yourself!

Tax For Digital Nomads In Sri Lanka

Be happy! Digital nomads are exempted from paying tax in Sri Lanka. There are no local taxes imposed on foreign-derived income for digital nomads.

However, if the digital nomad income is derived from Sri Lanka, they are subjected to pay tax. The tax rate is between 4% to 24%.

Conclusion

DISCLOSURE

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

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Digital Nomad in Sri Lanka: A Brilliant 2023 Guide