Are you thinking about living in Sri Lanka? Or curious about what expat life in Colombo is like?
I have visited Sri Lanka several times and as I type this I am actually in Colombo myself. So that made me even more interested in finding out what it’s like to live in Colombo as an expat.
There are many expats living in Sri Lanka, and most of them are based in Colombo. But what attracts expats to Colombo?
In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here.
Expat Life in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Name: Kristi Huynh
Age: 29
Home town: Dallas, Texas, USA
Her story:
“A consultant of sorts, I have lived in various countries in Asia and Europe in the last 7 years.
Nowadays I split my time between Sri Lanka and the US, consulting for various things.”
Why Did You Move to Colombo?
“I didn’t necessarily move to Colombo as a choice, it was because of work. However, I stayed after my work was done because of the country.
Sri Lanka is a funny place; a conundrum of sorts that is extremely dysfunctional. However, it’s the beauty and entertainment in that dysfunction that makes the country so intriguing.”
What Do You Like About Living in Colombo?
“I love that Colombo, and Sri Lanka overall, is constantly changing.
The skyline of the country from when I arrived to now is drastically different. The country is growing and changing.
However, there are very strong cultural ties that even with new developments and a huge influx of foreigners, the nation has retained.
Ultimately, my feelings about the country and the people are still the same as when I first moved to Sri Lanka 5 years ago.
For a country that has gone through 33 years of civil war and was completely abandoned and forgotten by the world, how happy the people are and not completely traumatized by seeing their friends and family being blown up in bombings, astonishes me.
One thing that the people here have taught me is to heal and move on and appreciate life for the present moment that you’re experiencing it.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Colombo?
“As I said previously, the place is a completely dysfunctional conundrum.
The country will teach you patience because it’s ultimately island life here.
The country will teach you to be an aggressive driver. Otherwise, you’ll just be stuck in one spot.
The country is still developing and at times it’s frustrating, however, it’s that rough around the edges charm that draws people in and that fascinates me about life in Colombo.”
Is Colombo Safe as a Place to Live?
”I would say yes. I definitely feel safe in Colombo, and in Sri Lanka in general.
Colombo had a relatively low crime rate compared to many other major cities in the world.
Pickpocketing does happen, so watch your belongings, and avoid walking in poorly lit areas at night.
Traffic can get hectic, and to an outsider it looks like nobody is following any traffic rules. So if you do plan to drive in Colombo, take your time to get used to traffic here.
Also Read: Things to Know About Driving in Sri Lanka
The healthcare system in Sri Lanka is quite good, and Colombo has several modern healthcare facilities.”
What is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Colombo?
“Many people who visit the country skip Colombo. However, there’s a lot to do here.
My favorite thing to do in Colombo is to hang out with my friends in a garden restaurant or rooftop bar.
Colombo doesn’t have a heavy nightclub scene like most major cities. It has more of a chill hangout vibe that’s perfect for stress-relieving lunches, or after-work drinks.”
What is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Colombo?
“There are so many! It honestly depends on my mood and which group of friends I’m with.
You have Park Street Mews on Friday evenings which is usually packed as people congregate on the cobblestone walkway.
You have your rooftop bars like ON14, La Vista, and Botanik where you can enjoy the sea breeze, the view, and nice drinks.
Then there are the hidden gems like the Grand Oriental Hotel in the Fort, eating pizza on the sidewalk at Giovanni’s, the beach restaurants in Mount Lavinia Hotel, to even real authentic Chinese and Korean barbeque.
There are so many places to hang out and explore because there’s a new place opening up almost every week.”
What is the Expat / International Community Like in Colombo?
The expat community in Colombo is definitely growing.
The amount of foreigners here for business has drastically increased over the years and people come from all over the world.”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Colombo?
“Some businesses arrange apartments for their expat staff whereas others give an allowance and leave it to the individual to find a place, and some expats pay and arrange everything on their own.
You can find rentals in Colombo in the newspapers, which is a popular way for expats and locals to find accommodation. Additionally, check ikman.lk and house.lk or check Facebook postings by doing a broad search of rentals in Colombo or of areas you want to live in, and the public postings will pop up.
One other tip about life in Colombo: don’t just stay in Colombo.
Like any major capital, the hectic business and work life can drain you. Recharge by leaving the country and taking a one hour flight to the Maldives. Or drive a few hours to the hill country.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and/or Building a New Life in Colombo?
“Social media is HUGE here, especially Facebook and Instagram.
Use it to find out about local events, local businesses and to make connections with other expats living in Colombo.”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Colombo?
“Don’t be afraid to venture out to a kade (small mom and pop restaurant) and enjoy the local rice and curry.
And go to the Galle Face Green, an urban park along the sea, to watch the sunset and enjoy some street food.”
About Colombo
Colombo, located on Sri Lanka’s west coast, is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
The city has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest and most developed city. Besides its colonial buildings the city offers historical monuments, beaches, fine dining, and shopping.
Galle Face Green is where the locals gather on the weekend to enjoy the cool breeze from the Indian Ocean and a stroll along the promenade. Nearby are temples, mosques, and churches catering to the diverse population of the city.
Colombo is the starting point for most people traveling around Sri Lanka, but many don’t stay in the city for long.
The heat in Colombo is often excruciating, and traffic and pollution can get intense.
Also Read:
- Places to Visit & Places to Avoid in Sri Lanka
- 14 Things to Know About Driving in Sri Lanka
- Where to Stay in Bentota, Sri Lanka
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how bad is the pollution – is the air clean outside the city ? are the beaches and water clean ? thank you !
The air quality in Colombo at times can get bad. By no means the worst in the world, but all the traffic does cause air pollution. As soon as you move to the outskirts of the city it gets a lot better. This link shows a useful map of the current air quality in Sri Lanka.
As for the beaches, I’d say an effort is made to keep especially the more popular beaches clean. But I’ve found plenty of garbage on beaches throughout Sri Lanka. The water is clean enought to swim.
I really enjoyed reading your advice on living in Colombo.
I am planning on moving to Sri Lanka when I marry a Sri Lanka lady (I love her like crazy).
As a sri lankan living in NYC I can tell you colombo is much safer than most parts of NYC. Safety wise you will be fine. Just stay away from writing political stuff in the net. As everywhere else you will find good and bad.
Thank you for sharing. Further to the question about living outside of the center, what is the quality of the internet like in Sri Lanka, both in the capital and outside of it? Does one have a decent connection to the world at an affordable price?
In Colombo internet is fine, but if you go to more remote parts of Sri Lanka it can sometimes be tricky. With a local SIM card you have coverage pretty much everywhere and data is cheap, but just don’t expect wifi to be great once you get outside of the main cities/areas.
Sri Lanka Telecom’s website might be useful to check, also to get an idea about the cost of internet: https://slt.lk/en/broadband
Price should be definetely affordable. May not be super fast. I would say decent
Dear Sanne, reading you left me with many questions and i will be reading more about Colombo. I am lebanese and I know what chaotic city is like but i live in London and i like order and functional stuff and Amazon. I have a baby that will need good kindergarten and schooling with proper levels. considering that my employer will help with a lot and will put me in good conditions, do you think i can find that comfort and the good schooling? thanks
Life in London is VERY different from life in Colombo. I’d prepare for a big culture shock but in the end living in Colombo can be very enjoyable and affordable, with easy access to trips to explore the country. There are good international schools and I am sure your employer will help you with this. Just take your time to adjust to life here and try not to compare everything to London…
What type of visa is needed to stay in Sri Lanka?
Can expats stay if they don’t work.
Hi Ted,
What visa you need for Sri Lanka depends on how long you want to stay and what country you come from (= what passport you hold). I would recommend contacting the Sri Lankan embassy in the country you hold a passport from to find out the details for you specifically.
Hi, to live in Sri Lanka, say, just on the outskirts of Colombo, including food, rent of a small and modest house or apartment, medical insurance and utilities, how much would one need per month? Thank you
If you live outside of the center of Colombo you can save about half on rent, and can probably find a 1 bedroom place for under US$150. But, do keep in mind that traffic at times is really bad so your commute into the city can be annoyingly long.
How much you need in addition to that to live comfortably really depends on what you find important, but US$ 400 per month should get you a long way.
What are the train services like into the city? Would be keen to live near a nice beach outside of the city but within commuting distance. Is this feasible? Any recommendations on areas? Thanks
Have you looked into the Mount Lavinia area? That puts you by a nice beach, but not too far from the city. This way you can both use public transport and a tuktuk or taxi to get into Colombo. Even that already takes close to an hour, depending on where in Colombo you want to go and what time of day. Further outside of the city it would, at least in my opinion, become a really long journey, not too comfortable for a frequent commute.