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Although it’s unlikely it will reclaim its 19th-century moniker ‘the garden city of the East’, Colombo has nevertheless emerged as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. No longer just the sprawling city you have to endure on your way to the beaches, it has become a worthy destination in its own right and makes an excellent start – or finish – to your Sri Lankan adventures.
The legacies of colonial Colombo’s garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. Fort is a compelling place thanks to the ongoing restoration of its landmark colonial architecture, while Pettah brims with street markets and rampant commerce. Even traffic-clogged Galle Rd is getting spiffier with glossy new hotel and shopping mall complexes.
Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries and shops. Surprises abound: with a little exploration you’ll find great local food, characterful shops and tiny, convivial cafes. Meanwhile, a building boom is transforming the city’s skyline.
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Best time to visit Colombo
Colombo is an all-year destination city. However the best time to visit Colombo is the dry season between January and March. The best season to visit Colombo if you are planning to explore the west and south coasts and the mountain country is during the calm of the northeast monsoon which is from November to February.
Nightlife and drinks
All year hotel and pub promotion, parties. Fridays are known for pub days. Colombo’s got plenty of pubs and bars from cheap to high till late night Casinos to clubs. There’s a great choice of places to enjoy a drink with friends.
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Train- Colombo Fort railway station is the main station with other stations in the city. Direct trains to and from Galle, Kandy, Badulla and Jaffna are available. No trains are available from Katunayake the International airport or Mattala International airport
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Road- Private and state buses are available from all parts of the country to and from Colombo. The Colombo private bus stand at Bastian Mawatha Colombo (
Directions) is the main bus station. Most Colombo based buses begin are end their journey here.
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Important Contacts
Colombo Tourist Police – 0112382209
Colombo Railway Station – 0112434215
Free Ambulance – 1990 (toll-free)
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- Marino Beach, Colombo’s fun place to stay
- Colombo’s Street Art
- Fairway Colombo – Cosy Comfort
- 20 places to take your own bottle. BYOB Colombo!
- Colombo’s winning casinos – An amateur gambler’s guide
- The top 10 Lamprais spots in Colombo
- Top 10 Co-working spaces in Colombo for Digital Nomads
- Colombo to Jaffna in an Hour with FitsAir
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4km from Colombo Fort
Vehicle
09:00 – 18:00
Rs250 adult, Rs150 children
Historical
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5.1km from Colombo Fort
By foot / Vehicle
Before and for sun-fall
Free
Historical
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3.1km from Colombo Fort
Foot/ Tuk-tuk
5:30- 22.00
Rs200
Religious[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”mob-city-p” width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1565850358698{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”3339″ img_size=”medium” el_class=”city-places-see” css=”.vc_custom_1584809207760{margin-bottom: 12px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1584809240454{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
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Colombo
–
6.30 – 17.00
–
Leisure Sports
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4.2km from Colombo Fort
Vehicle
24 hrs
Starting from Rs5000
Leisure
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6.8km from Colombo Fort
Vehicle
6.00-23.00
–
Leisure
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1.3km from Colombo Fort
Tuk-tuk and by foot
9.00-17.00
Free
Religious
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2.7km from Colombo Fort
Tuk-tuk and by foot
18.00- 23.00
Entrance free
Street food
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Old Dutch Hospital
10.00 to 22.00
112 441 275
Directions
Food Restaurant Beer
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Sea Fish Restaurant
11.00 to 22.00
0112 326 915
Directions
Sea Food Alcohol Rice & curry
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Upali’s by Nawaloka
11.30 to 23.30
0112 695 812
Directions
Sri Lankan food BYOB
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Nuga Gama Cinnamon Grand
19.00 to 22.30
0112 497 468
Directions
Sri Lankan food Alcohol Buffet
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Curve Bar at Park Street Mews
Best time – 20hrs onward
17.00-20.00 Happy hour
Dress code – Smart casual
0112 300 183
Directions
Outdoor Live music[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1584812272453{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”3408″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1584902319543{margin-top: -15px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
Cheers Pub Cinnamon Grand
Open from – 11.00-24.00
17.00-19.00 Happy hour
Dress code – Smart casual
0112 497 373
Directions
Indoor[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1584813295822{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”3410″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1584904210335{margin-top: -15px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]
In On The Green Galle face hotel
Open from – 16.00-24.00
17.00-19.30 Happy hour
Dress code – Smart casual
0112 541 010
Directions
Indoor Live music[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Places to stay in Colombo” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”city-h2″][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” gap=”10″ css=”.vc_custom_1584862471755{margin-top: -20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}” el_class=”colombo-hotel”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1584863060632{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”3376″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” css=”.vc_custom_1584859313339{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}” link=”https://www.booking.com/hotel/lk/98-acres-resort-amp-spa-ella.en.html?aid=1702746&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1″][vc_column_text el_class=”city-places-to-see” css=”.vc_custom_1584886848126{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Fairway Colombo
It’s a super-smart but budget city hotel in the heart of the nightlife.
Hotel
Bar Free WiFi Restaurant
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Long infinity swimming pool and views of spectacular sunsets.
Hotel
Bar Free WiFi Restaurant
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A luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of Colombo
Hotel
Free WiFi Restaurant
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Booking.com
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Transportation in Colombo
Taxi-hailing apps like PIckMe work in Colombo. There are plenty of tuk-tuks (thee wheeler taxis) so do a deal to get the fare that you’re happy with. But make sure the driver understands where you want to go before you get in.
Avoid the unmetered tuk-tuk with the sign/ stickers Tourist friendly tuk. They could be usually found in front of popular shopping malls, outside hotels and public places.
Always make sure the meter is working before getting in and refuse to go on the journey if it’s not working.
+ Read more: General transportation guide in Sri Lanka
Attire and safety
Colombo is a tourist-friendly working town with loads of locals and can be regarded as safe. Just keep your wits about you. Wear comfortable light clothing covering your skin, and shoes as walking is hazardous (broken pavements, puddles).
The nights can get cold although the temperature is unlikely to drop below 10 °C.
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Things to be aware in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Touts occasionally hang around popular places promoting guest houses and tour services Avoid all of them. Follow your maps or ask your hotel front desk for advice before going out.
- Avoid rides offered by drivers of private transportation. Use PickMe the local taxi-hailing app. There are plenty of tuk-tuk’s cars and vans around to be booked from PickMe
- Book hotels through reputable travel agents or popular online websites
- At night avoid strangers offering massage, sexual services, transportation and money exchange; it could lead to trouble.
- Drug-taking in Sri Lanka is illegal.
- Public smoking is illegal.
- Local shops selling souvenirs without a marked price might increase the real price for a tourist. Bargain and walk away if you’re not happy.
- It’s a must for restaurants and pubs/ bars to display the price of that they sell. If they don’t then that’s a sign to walk away.
- If you need help or directions, pop into a shop, guest house or restaurant and ask as there will be someone there who speaks English and the staff aren’t touts.
- Avoid drinking tap water. Water bottles are cheap (500ml Rs50 750ml Rs100- 150)
- Take good care of your personal belongings.
- Begging is illegal in Sri Lanka. Beggars are best ignored even if you feel compassionate; that’s what they rely on.
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