In 2025, the cost of traveling in Sri Lanka changed significantly compared to 2022, with prices increasing for both locals and tourists. So, is Sri Lanka expensive in 2025? It depends on what you’re comparing it to. While Sri Lanka may seem inexpensive when compared to the cost of living in Los Angeles, California, it’s not as budget-friendly when measured against the Czech Republic. Prices vary depending on the location, but overall, we found them to be similar to those in small towns outside Prague. Surprisingly, beer in Sri Lanka was even more expensive than in the Czech Republic!

Our Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Negombo – Hello, jet lag! Today is all about rest and adjusting to the time zone.

Day 2: Pinnawala – Relax by the hotel pool while watching elephants play and splash around.

Day 3: Dambulla & Sigiriya – Climb Pidurangala or Sigiriya (or both!) and explore the fascinating cave temples of Dambulla.

Day 4: Matale & Kandy – Spice things up with a visit to the spice gardens in Matale, then explore the cultural charm of Kandy.

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya – A day of tea and tranquility! Sip on the finest Ceylon tea and feel fancy at Lipton Seat.

Day 6: Ella – Take in the breathtaking views of the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and soak up the beauty of Ella.

Days 7-10: Tangalle – Finally, time to hit the beach for the first time in Sri Lanka!

Days 11-12: Mirissa – Rock on, coconut! Explore Coconut Tree Hill and Parrot Rock while enjoying the ocean breeze.

Days 13-14: Ahangama – Sun, sand, and plenty of sandcastles!

Days 15-16: Galle – Wander through the charming streets of Galle and chase the perfect sunset.

Days 17-18: Dalawella Beach – Channel your inner Aquaman and swim with sea turtles.

Days 19-20: Ahangama – A little more sunshine, a little more sunburn, but totally worth it.

Days 21-23: Tangalle – Back to Tangalle to catch up with old friends and soak up the last beach vibes.

Day 24: Negombo – Time to say goodbye to sandy toes and salty hair as the adventure comes to an end.

Accommodation in Sri Lanka – Was It Worth It?

Negombo – Hotel Amagi Aria: $77

A solid choice with clean rooms and a buffet breakfast featuring Sri Lankan flavors. The best part? They let us check in at 9 AM—a lifesaver after a long flight!

Pinnawala – Elephant Bay Hotel: $40

No breakfast included, and the décor felt like a trip back in time—outdated but oddly charming. But that balcony overlooking the river where elephants bathe? Absolutely priceless!

Sigiriya – Nature Park Villa: $52

Comfy, clean, and close to all the action, plus breakfast included. No complaints here!

Kandy – Athulya Villas: $66

Surrounded by picture-perfect scenery, this stay included breakfast and a garden tour with the host. The pool could use some love, but the peaceful vibes made up for it.

Nuwara Eliya – Highland Stonehouse: $59

No breakfast, but the stunning views more than made up for it. Modern, clean, and definitely a stay worth remembering.

Ella – Heart of Ella: $56

Wake up to breathtaking balcony views and an included breakfast. Parking is tight, but honestly, who cares when you’re in Ella?

Tangalle – Goyambokka Beach Retreat: $43

Breakfast? Check. Pool? Check. Condition of the place? Let’s just say it needed more than a little TLC. But the food? Absolutely worth it!

Matara – Beach Inns Holiday Resort: $53

Right on the beach with chill vibes and a solid breakfast. A beachfront stay that truly felt like a vacation.

Ahangama – Panta Rei: $110

A slice of paradise with poolside cabanas, a laid-back atmosphere, and a breakfast that made us feel like royalty.

Galle – 18 Faces: $54

Looked better in photos than in real life, but at least breakfast was great. The cleaning crew could use a little motivation.

Dalawella Beach – Dream Cabana: $35

A true hidden gem by the beach! Delicious breakfast and the warmest hospitality from the lovely family running it.

Agangama – Stuthi Villa: $80

Outdoor baths under the Sri Lankan sun? Yes, please! This French-owned villa added a luxurious twist to our stay.

Tangalle – Grand Residence: $40

A cozy and friendly stay with breakfast included. Owned by a pediatrician, so if you’re traveling with kids, this might give you peace of mind.

Negombo – Airport Villa: $31

No breakfast, but clean, comfy, and super close to the airport—perfect for a quick stay before flying out.

Overall, Sri Lanka had some amazing finds and a few misses, but every stay added to the adventure!

NOTE – The hotels are listed in chronological order with prices per night for Occupation 2 plus our little sidekick, totaling 24 nights stayed.

TOTAL FOR ACCOMMODATION – $1,337 ($56 per day)

Saving Strategy:

When booking accommodations online, we always choose double occupancy, even with a small child, and sort out any potential issues later—either over the phone or on arrival. Not once were we charged an extra fee, and most places even included breakfast for our little one without any issues.

If you don’t mind sharing a bed, this is a great way to cut costs while traveling. And remember, saving is great, but tipping is too—show appreciation for good service whenever you can!

Getting Around Sri Lanka – Why We Chose to Drive 🚗

With a kid in tow, we decided that renting a car was the best way to explore Sri Lanka. Having our own wheels meant complete freedom—we could stay longer, leave earlier, or change plans on a whim without relying on public transport schedules. Plus, let’s be honest: when last night’s meal isn’t sitting well, trying to politely ask a driver for an emergency stop can be…awkward. And fitting a huge inflatable unicorn into a tuk-tuk? Not happening!

Lukas also hates being a passenger, so renting a car was the obvious choice. We went with Malkey Rental, who conveniently picked us up from the airport. Our Toyota Hybrid was a great choice—we only had to refuel three times over 1,450 km!

Car Costs for 25 Days

🚗 Car rental (without a car seat, which we didn’t use anyway): $614
⛽ Gas: $63

TOTAL FOR TRANSPORTATION – $677

Saving strategy:

To maximize savings, consider using public transportation, which is widely available and very affordable in Sri Lanka. If you prefer more flexibility, renting a car or even a tuk-tuk is the next best budget-friendly option. However, if convenience is your priority, hiring a driver is the easiest (but priciest) choice—we were quoted around $600 for 7 days.

It all depends on your comfort level and travel style, but there’s always a way to make it work within your budget!

Food

Food prices can be a real shock depending on where you are and what you’re eating. Sometimes, you feel like a budget-savvy genius; other times, it’s like you’ve been robbed at the checkout. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw plant-based milk priced like liquid gold—over $6! Or a tiny watermelon barely bigger than a sneeze for $3? Even beer, usually a cheap indulgence, cost over $3—a stark contrast to prices back home in the Czech Republic.

So, after 24 days of travel, how much did we actually spend on food for the three of us?

Breakfast was mostly included in our stays, so our main expenses were lunch and dinner, which we usually ate at local Sri Lankan restaurants. Every now and then, we splurged on a Western meal, and very occasionally, we treated ourselves to a beer or a cocktail.

TOTAL FOR FOOD – $600

Saving strategy:

Going local with your food saves a lot compared to opting for Western dishes, and if you’re looking for the cheapest beer or alcohol, hit up the beer stores.

Flight Tickets and Visa

We opted for the online visa application—it’s both cheaper and faster. The cost? $50 per person online, compared to $60 if you apply on arrival. Luckily, kids under 12 are exempt, so our total visa expense came to just $100. If you’re planning your trip, here’s the official website to apply: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Need help with the application? Click here.

When it comes to booking flights, I always start with Google Flights and use the “date grid” feature to compare prices around our preferred travel dates. But with Lukas being particular about travel details, things get a bit more complicated. On top of that, I wanted to avoid exhausting layovers for our three-year-old and focused on finding night flights to make the journey smoother.

After much consideration, we settled on a 19-hour layover in Abu Dhabi, where we rented a car and spent the entire day exploring before continuing to our final destination. In the end, we flew with Etihad Airways, and the experience was seamless.

So, how much did we pay for all three of us? $2,758.

TOTAL FOR FLIGHT AND VISA FOR 2 ADULTS – $2,001

Saving strategy: 

Optimize your savings strategy: Book as early as possible. Our tickets were $700 per person two months before our flight, but delaying resulted in buying them for over $900.

Activities, Entrance Fees and Other Expenses

Since we skipped climbing Sigiriya, didn’t sign up for cooking or surfing classes, and skipped safaris and elephant sanctuaries, our activity expenses were fairly minimal. Yet, somehow, we still managed to spend around $350 on entrance fees, activities, tips, souvenirs, and small gifts.

👉 Check out our top 5 places in Sri Lanka!

Phone Expenses

Traveling with a three-year-old means having unlimited data is non-negotiable. When he suddenly asks for Paw Patrol in the middle of a meal, flight, or tour, you need to have it ready—no questions asked!

We got one unlimited data plan for 5,131 LKR and another with 30GB for 1,540 LKR from SLT Mobitel for 30 days, totaling $22.

💡 SIM Card Tip: After grabbing your luggage and clearing customs, you’ll find several SIM card booths. Just pick a plan, hand over your phone, and they’ll set everything up for you. They even gave us a little paper pocket for our original SIM cards—don’t lose it, or swapping back will be a hassle!

TOTAL FOR OTHER EXPENSES – $350

Is Sri Lanka Expensive in 2025?

Now, even though we traveled with a child, I calculated the costs for just two adults. Jayden’s flight, which was $800, is not included. I subtracted some expenses for his food and needs from the food budget but kept the accommodation price the same since we always paid for double occupancy.

SRI LANKA TOTAL PER PERSON PER DAY without flight ticket – $2,964/2 = $1,482/25 = $60

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