HOW MUCH SRI LANKA COST IN 2024!

In 2024, Sri Lanka travel cost changed compared to 2022. Prices have gone up for both locals and tourists. When comparing costs of living in LA, California, Sri Lanka appears inexpensive, but when compared to the Czech Republic, it’s not as favorable. While the price fluctuates based on location, we agreed that overall prices in Sri Lanka are comparable to those in small towns outside Prague. Surprisingly, beer was even more expensive in SL! :))

• Day 1: Negombo – hello jetleg, today we rest and adjust to the time zone.
• Day 2: Pinnawala – observe elephants playing and splashing from our hotel pool.
• Day 3: Dambulla and Sigiriya – conquer Pidurangala and/or Sigiriya and explore cave temples in Dambulla.
• Day 4: Matale and Kandy – spice things up with spices in Matale and explore Kandy.
• Day 5: Nuwara Eliya – tea-sipping extravaganza, feeling posh at Lipton Seat.
• Day 6: Ella – marvel at the Nine Arch Bridge, enjoy beauty of Ella.
• Day 7-10: Tangalle – hit the beach for the first time in Sri Lanka!
• Day 11-12: Mirissa – rock on, coconut! Coconut Tree Hill and Parrot Rock.
• Day 13-14: Ahangama – sand, sun and sandcastles.
• Day 15-16: Galle – beautiful strolls while chasing the perfect sunset.
• Day 17-18: Dalawella Beach – channel your inner Aquaman and swim with turtles.
• Day 19-20: Ahangama – more sunburn but its worth it.
• Day 21-23: Tangalle – back to Tangalle to see some old friends.
• Day 24: Negombo – bid farewell to sandy toes and salty hair

1. ACCOMMODATION

Sri Lanka’s prices shot up in the last two years! With a $50-a-day budget for lodging, we hit the jackpot in Ella with clean room and pristine views but got the short end of the stick in Tangalle. Here is where we stayed:

1. Negombo – Hotel Amagi Aria: $77
   • They served up breakfast with a Sri Lankan twist, buffet style. Clean rooms were a plus, but the real bonus points were for letting us check in at 9am!
2. Pinnawala – Elephant Bay Hotel: $40
   • No breakfast in the package and the room (and common areas) felt like a blast from the past – outdated yet strangely charming. But that balcony overlooking the river where the elephants come to bathe? Priceless.
3. Sigiriya – Nature Park Villa: $52
   • Where breakfast is on the menu. Comfy, clean, and conveniently close to the action – what more could you ask for?
4. Kandy – Athulya Villas: $66
   • Picture-perfect scenery and breakfast to boot! The pool area might need a little extra love, but hey, the host’s garden tour was worth it. Green thumbs up!
5. Nuwara Eliya – Highland Stonehouse: $59
   • no breakfast, but the views alone are worth a Google search! Clean, modern, and definitely a worth it.
6. Ella – Heart of Ella: $56
   • Start your day with breakfast included and breathtaking balcony views. Parking might be tighter than your favorite jeans, but who cares, you are in Sri Lanka.
7. Tangalle – Goyambokka Beach Retreat: $43
   • Dive into breakfast, then dive into the pool for a refreshing dip. Sure, the place needs a bit (and by bit I mean a lot!!) of TLC, but the food? Absolutely worth it!
8. Matara – Beach Inns Holiday Resort: $53
   • Hip vibes, beachfront location, and breakfast on point – what’s not to love? It’s like being on vacation, but better.
9. Ahangama – Panta Rei: $110
   • slice of paradise, complete with poolside cabanas, chill vibes, and breakfast fit for royalty.
10. Galle – 18 Faces: $54
    • may have looked better in photos, but the breakfast was on point, and the cleaning crew could use a pep talk.
11. Dalawella Beach – Dream Cabana: $35
    • Wake up to breakfast by the beach, with tasty treats and the warmest hospitality from the family running the show. It’s like finding a hidden treasure on the shore!
12. Agangama – Stuthi Villa: $80
    • Say bonjour to outdoor baths at this French-owned gem. It’s like showering in luxury under the Sri Lankan sun!
13. Tangalle – Grand Residence: $40
    • It’s got that cozy, homey vibe you crave, plus breakfast to boot. Clean, friendly, and just a stone’s throw from paradise. This hotel is owned by a pediatrician, so if you’re traveling with kids, this may give you peace of mind.
14. Negombo – Airport Villa: $31
    • No breakfast, but clean digs and proximity to the airport make it a solid choice for jet-setters in need of a comfy crash pad.

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

Saving strategy: When booking online, we always opt for double occupancy even with one small kid and deal with any issues later, either over the phone or on the spot. Not once have we been asked for an additional fee, and most places even served his breakfast, too. So, if you don’t mind sharing a bed, this is a way to save some cash. Don’t forget to save some and tip some as well.

2. TRANSPORTATION

Driving in Sri Lanka was our choice, especially with a kid in tow. After carefully considering our options, we embraced the freedom it offered – the ability to stay, go, or change plans at will. And how do you politely request a driver to make an immediate stop when last night’s meal isn’t agreeing with you? And fitting a huge inflatable unicorn into a tuktuk? That’s a challenge! Furthermore, Lukas despises being a passenger, so renting a car was the obvious solution. We opted for Malkey Rental, who conveniently picked us up from the airport. With our Toyota Hybrid, we only needed to refuel three times over 1450 km. Here’s a breakdown of our car costs:

• Car rental for 25 days (not including a car seat, which we didn’t use): $614
• Gas: $63

TOTAL FOR TRANSPORTATION – $677

Saving strategy: Maximize savings by utilizing public transportation, easily accessible in Sri Lanka. Renting a car or a tuk-tuk comes as the next budget-friendly choice, while hiring a driver remains the most convenient albeit priciest option. We were quoted around $600 for 7 days.

3. FOOD

Depending on where you are and what you’re munching on, the prices can either make you feel like a budget-savvy genius or a culinary highway robber. We were in disbelief when we saw plant-based milk priced as if it was liquid gold – at over $6! Or $3 for a watermelon smaller than a sneeze? Even beer was a bit pricier, at just over $3, compared to Czech Republic, where we currently live. So, how much did we spend on food in 24 days between 3 of us, anyway?

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.

We opted for the online application, which is both cheaper and quicker. It’s $50 per person online, or $60 if you apply on arrival. Fortunately, kids under 12 are exempt, so our total visa cost came to $100. This is official website to apply – https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

If you need help applying for a visa, click here.

I always use Google Flights and dive into the “date grid” feature to scout out ticket prices around our preferred travel dates. However, with Lukas being particular about travel details, it adds a layer of complexity. Plus, I don’t want to subject our three-year-old to multiple layovers and I am focusing on finding night flights. 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 our journey. Ultimately, we flew with Etihad Airways, and it was a seamless experience. So, how much did we end up paying for all three of us? $2,758.

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

Since we skipped climbing Sigiriya, didn’t attend any cooking or surfing classes or visit any safaris or elephant sanctuaries, our expenses in fees were minimal. Yet, somehow, we still managed to spend around $350 on fees, activities, tips, souvenirs, and small gifts.

See our 5 top places in Sri Lanka 

PHONE _ So, with a three-year-old in tow, having at least one of us with unlimited data is a must. Because when he suddenly asks for Paw Patrol in the middle of a meal, flight, tour, or whatever, you just gotta have it on hand. So, we got one unlimited plan for 5131 LKR and one with 30GB for 1540 LKR from SLT Mobitel for 30 days, totaling $22.

Note: Once you grab your luggage and clear customs, you’ll spot a few SIM card booths. Choose a plan that suits your needs and hand over your phone. They set up everything for us and popped our SIM into a little paper pocket. Don’t lose this pocket; you’ll need to swap it back when you return home.

SRI LANKA TRAVEL COST

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

WHEN YOU PURCHASE THROUGH OUR LINKS, YOU SUPPORT US AT NO EXTRA COST – THANK YOU SO MUCH!