How to Find Cheap Hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo has been a popular harbor for travelers for over 2,000 years. It is the largest city in the country of Sri Lanka, and while it is not the country's political capital, it is the country's commercial capital.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Return tickets, or proof that you plan to leave the country for further travels
• Valid passport
• Yellow fever immunization
• Cholera immunization
• Computer with Internet access
• Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your visit
• Visitor's visa

Know Your Destination

1. Experience a fascinating mix of cultures, religions and languages. Colombo, Sri Lanka is the home to four different religious groups including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. You will also hear at least three different languages including the two official languages of the country-Sinhalese and Tamil, as well as English.

2. Make change at the border. You will want to exchange your U.S. dollars for Sri Lankan Rupees (RS), which is the official currency for this country. If you plan on paying for your accommodations with a credit card, then the credit card company will convert Rupees to U.S. dollars for you. However, it is a good idea to know that the conversion rate is about 107.1 RS for every $1 U.S.

Organize Your Transportation to Colombo, Sri Lanka

1. Catch a cloud on your journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Currently, the easiest way to get to Colombo, Sri Lanka from another country is by air. The closest airport is the Colombo-Katunayake International Airport.

2. Take a taxi, bus or train to your hotel. After landing in Colombo, you will need to take some form of public transportation from the airport to your hotel. Luckily, there are many affordable options available.

Choose Your Lodging in Colombo, Sri Lanka

1. To book accommodations, contact Sri Lanka Tourism Board at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Get cheap accommodations by booking a package deal to Colombo, Sri Lanka. You can often get a price reduction on your rooms by booking your hotel, flights and sightseeing adventures together.

3. Cut your lodging expense by taking advantage of cheap transportation. To save on your accommodations, book rooms in hotels and guesthouses that are not close to local attractions. To get to these attractions, take advantage of this city's inexpensive public transportation system or hire a driver.

4. Make your hotel reservations for mid-May to visit during the Sri Lanka Festival Vesak. Book early to get the best deals on accommodations.

5. Find cheap accommodations near important landmarks. If your main interest is Colombo landmarks, then you may want to look for accommodations near the World Trade Center, the Jami Ul Alfar mosque or the Galle Face Greene.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• You will need to register with the local police station when you first arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka if you plan on staying in a private home. You don't have to do this if you will be staying in a hotel or guesthouse.

• Adequate medical services are available in Colombo.

• When you arrive in Colombo you should register with the nearest U.S. Embassy regardless of where you will be staying in the city.

• It is not recommended for tourists to travel to the northeast section of Sri Lanka. This area is currently a hot spot for terrorist activity and it is politically unstable.

• It is also recommended that tourists stay away from political and social demonstrations in this country.