Colombo Travel Forum

I will be in Colombo for 3 or 4 days next month for a conference. Since this is my first visit, I would appreciate recomendations on the best restaurants (preferably local food) and pubs in the city. I will probably be staying at either the Hilton or Taj Samudra.

Thanks
Karan

Hi everyone

New to the site, so hoping that I get a warm welcome....please.

Irish and living in Saudi at the moment but travelling all over the place.

I am off to Sri Lanka this week. West coast mainly, 3 hours from Colombo airport and I have a dilemma. I do not know whether to bother taking malaria tablets or not, mainly because I am only in Sri Lanka for 6 days and then I am travelling onto the Maldives for 2 weeks of diving. I have heard some horror stories about diving and the dreaded Malaria pill.

I realise the risk is low on the West Coast but if anybody has first hand experience that would be great.

If anyone can advise, I would much appreciate it.


Many thanks

Kimbo

We have just booked out holiday to Sri Lanka and have now realised that it clashes with the World cup Quater Finals, Semi finals and Final, can't believe I didn't notice this at the time.

Will there be anywhere to watch the football while we are out there? We are staying at the Mt Lavinia Hotel who I've also emailed.

Any help would easy my mind.

HI,Does anyone know abt street markets or anyother market i can find cheap clothing items.if so please give me some names.

thank you

Edu

Hi,
I'll be posted to Colombo for 2 years.. actually I'm settin off tomorrow. I've got a few quick questions hope someone can help me with.

1. There has been arrangement for me to stay in Juliana Hotel for a short period. I cannot find any reviews for this hotel. Is this a decent hotel? Most importantly, is there wi-fi there?
2. When I've obtain my apartment, I want to subscribe to internet. How do I go about doing this? Can you please recommend a reliable subscriber? What's the cost like?
3. How's the food at Sri Lanka? any good reccomendation for cheap and good food?

I'll be there in less than 30 hrs!

Hi,does anyone know if you can buy products online from the house of fashion?

hi again!
first i want to say i'm having a nice time on the sri lankan coast!

unfortunately, i think i may need to see a dentist about a toothache. can anyone recommend one in colombo...or even better somewhere in the southwest coast?

thanks!

hi VTers!
i'm landing in colombo and will be meeting a friend in mirissa. i will need a driver and wanted to see if you could recommended someone affordable and trustworthy--especially since i am female and will be traveling alone.

thanks!

Hi!!

I'll be transiting in colombo in end of Mar and in need of a cheap hotel for 1 night (below usd50). I'll be arriving at 5pm and my flight the next morning at 7am. If possible, i want the hotel to be close to the hotel to minimise travelling time.

Would appreciate all comments and hotel recommendation.

Thanks in advance!

I fly into SL on 24 Dec, alone. Can anyone suggest an itinary for the best places to see in 10 days. The best beaches, party stops and places that are MUST SEE in Lanka. I travel alone and wud like to run into a group, if anyone has similar location plans, to see if i can join them. Also suggest the best place to be on 31 Dec.

Thnx

Hi

Does anybody know anything about the silvers sands hotel
Jeannie

Hi everyone..
I am quite new to this website and still getting my bearing right..
I am a Sri Lankan currently studying in Scotland! It so great to hear
nice things about our country and see how people appreciate it :)
If there are any questions for travellers to Sri Lanka pls feel free to ask
me i will do my best to answer them.. I am also studying Travel and Tourism here so this makes it more interesting for me to promote my country!!
Hope to hear from youll soon!!!
Natti

Hi,

I cant decide where to stay, can someone help me out please.

GALADARI Vs HILTON for 4 nights in November.

Thanks

Rob

I shall be coming to Colombo next week, in a bit of a panic, for 3 - 6 months. I don't like living in hotels more than a fortnight or so, because I am a crabby old man and need my space (or so my children say!). I say that I like to cook my own food from time to time and do my own washing as therapy. How do I find a furnished flat or appartment in Columbo for 3-6 months? What are the rates and the formalities?

As a guide I rented a two bed appartment in Albania for US$250 and a one bed flat in Sofia for eur 300 per month, so I don't need, or expect, a palace. I don't need anything fancy, but it should have a washing machine, stove and possibly a bed; be reasonably clean.

I will be staying in Colombo for the last two nights of my visit to Sri Lanka.
Can anyone recommend a good hotel? We are prepared to pay up to about £50 GBP per night for a twin room. We would like a 4 or 5 * hotel.

We would like to be within easy reach of the city centre and also the beach.
Are there any hotels like this? How about Taj Samudra?

Thank you for your help in advance.
tekiegirl

Could anyone suggest a clean and cheap guest house in colombo, near galle road.

thanks

Telephone Number 278758 is that of a guest house in Columbo( sorry i don't know the name) However iam unable to contact this number. Has this number been changed?
Would be highly thankful if you could give me the correct phone number and fax number together with address.

Any comments on this guest house?

Thanks in advance.

Ayubowan. Hi. I am an American living in Tokyo, Japan. I have strong ties to Sri Lanka, and am fairly fluent in Sinhalese. I would like to know--does anyone know of any Sri Lankans living in Tokyo? I would like to get together for a chat, and maybe some food, drinks, etc. I just miss the country and the people. And I don't speak much Japanese. I have spent time there and close friends of mine are Sri Lankan.
Thanks in advance.
Bohoma Estutee, Sudu Hoonah

Hi Folks:

My parents will be arriving in CMB late at night on 15th June. I would appreciate it if somebody could tell me how much will it cost to go to the Taj Garden Hotel from Colombo airport, and are there hotel shuttle services to & from the airport.

Thanks for your help in advance

Regards
RH

any body like to vist sri lanka for there vacation on june to August

I'll be in Colombo attending a conference between 24th and 28th May. I will only have time in the evening to go out and see the sights, what would you recommend? Any hidden jewels? Also, are there any local markets where I can buy traditional things cheaply? Where should I shop? Any recommended restaurants? I love seafood. Thanks for your help!

Hi all from N.Ireland
I am looking into going to Colombo for about a year. Is anyone aware of any visa implications for entry and long term stay. Details on the internet are a bit thin. I'm led to beleive that most countries are exempt from a visa for the first 30 days but dont know if this applies to me. I have emailed the Sri Lanka Embassy but have not had a response. I would also like to know about eligibility regarding employment. Feel free to email me anyone with any experiences that they can share! This post may apply more to ex-pats! I would be interested in hearing from both people from the UK,Ireland and locals. Thanks!

My flight arrives at Colombo International Airport from NRT around midnight and I hope to catch a flight to Cochin the next day. Wouldnt mind staying at a hotel near to the airport. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Hi I plan to celebrate my wedding in Sri Lanka. I know little about the country but would like to learn much. Am also looking for a comfortable and romantic holiday. I love the sea and exposure to ethnic customs. Could someone be a kind samaritan and guide me organize my honeymoon?

Hi Folks:

We will be in Colombo for two days on 10th and 11th of May. Could you please tell me how much would a car and driver rental cost me for the two days. hanks

RH

I am a budget traveler, used to traveling in a group, but i will be travelin alone this time round and wanted to know bout cheap accomodation in Colombo. Im willing to shell out 5 to 10 dollars for a day, and by cheap i dont mean a junkyard, like maybe Im looking for a good deal here. Or do any locals offer cheap and neat accomodation. Something i can book in advance before reaching Colombo and dont get looted by agents at the airport. I have an open ticket and might travel in August or december!!

I asked a Sri Lankan VT'er the same question but unfortunely he is too busy. All replies will be really appreciated thnx in advance.

Hi V T Friends of Colombo !

Would anybody of you tell me which pre paid mobile service is cheap and best in colombo?

if possible also let me know the tariff details.

thanks in advance

suhail ahmed

Hi

Can anyone advise of the cost for a taxi from the international airport at Negombo to colombo, late at night? Also how long is the journey?

Lastly, if anyone can recommend clean budget accommodation in Colombo

Thanks Erica

Writing from Macedonia. Will you please tell me is there a boat route Europe-Sri Lanka , Turkye-Sri Lanka r Iran Sri-Lanka ? Enithing abouth this, please. Thank you very much. God be with you.

I was in the beautiful city of Colombo in Nov 04.
This question to anyone living there now..
Is the city badly effected by the Tsunami? I sincerely hope not. I stayed at the Galle Face Hotel which is on the sea front and really like the staff and quality of service there. I am just hoping things are ok there.