Colombo, Sri Lanka Report of what it's like to live there - 07/20/25
Personal Experiences from Colombo, Sri Lanka
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
We've lived in several cities in Asia and Africa.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
DC area. Sri Lanka is far from the U.S. but is well-connected to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi so it's possible to get to most major U.S. cities in about 24 hours or less with one stop.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-25.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is split between high-rise apartments (many have great views of the sea and port) and older houses in various neighborhoods. The apartments have great views and many are adjacent to shopping malls and restaurants. The houses tend to be more spacious with small yards. The proximity to salt air and tropical weather means things wear down more quickly than in other parts of the worlds and leaks, mold, and rust are not uncommon.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Fairly typical for South Asia. You can live quite cheaply if you shop at local markets or spend a good amount of money if you buy western products or shop at the high-end grocery stores. Australian brands are more common than American brands. Colombo is generally an affordable city.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
There wasn't much we couldn't find (thanks in part to a well-stocked commissary) but I would include plenty of cleaning supplies.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
We used Uber Eats which was reliable and included many different restaurants. I also heard people talk about Pick Me for rides and food delivery but did not use it myself
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
It's the tropics and there are a lot of six-legged friends in the area. We fought a never-ending battle against ants, mosquitoes, flies, and roaches in our house. Thank goodness for the geckos which had plenty to eat. An advantage of apartment living is that you have more barriers against insects.
Daily Life:
1. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Plenty of help is available, English language ability varies, but most people in Colombo can at least speak a little. Salaries for a full time helper are around $200-250 per month.
2. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
This probably depends on whether you've lived elsewhere in South Asia. Compared to cities elsewhere in the region, Colombo has better sidewalks and drivers will actually yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. At the same time, sidewalks are not everywhere and can be challenging to navigate at times. The heat also makes walking or biking challenging. Biking is theoretically possible, although I think most cyclists would go out very early in the morning to avoid the heat and heavy traffic.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most of the larger hotels offer a package for use of gyms and/or pools. There are a handful of local gyms but I don't know anyone who used them.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, you can use credit cards in most stores and restaurants. ATMs are fairly common although many have relatively low limits on the amount of cash you can take out.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
I never attended religious services but I understand there are some English-language services available.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Many (but not all) people in Colombo can speak English, at least a little bit. If you come across someone who doesn't speak English, there usually is someone who does nearby. English is also common at most of the tourist destinations. It can be a bit more challenging in rural areas, but for the most part, the language barrier is low.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There would be some challenges, but Colombo is probably better than similar cities in the region in this regard.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Tuk tuks are widely available throughout the country and are affordable. Are they safe? I suppose, as long as you don't dwell too much on the fact that you're in a big moving tin can with no seat belts. However, it's hard to beat the cost and ubiquity of the tuk tuks. There are buses but they look crowded and the drivers are a menace. Trains are available to most points on the island and are ok for shortish trips. Ride sharing apps like Uber and Kangaroo cabs are available and reliable.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
I'm not aware of too many restrictions. Colombo roads can be narrow, so you might want to go smaller rather than larger. There are lots of Japanese and Indian cars on the road and spare parts (or lack there of) don't really seem to be an issue. BYDs are becoming very popular and there is some (but still limited) infrastructure for charging electric cars.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, we had high-speed internet which was fine for streaming for multiple people. It didn't take long for installation.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I used a local provider (SLT) and didn't have any complaints.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
I mostly interacted with other diplomats. There are a handful of expats working in the private sector. I did not know anyone working in the local economy.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are plenty of orphanages that might need volunteers.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
In Colombo, most office workers wear long sleeve shirt/slacks. Suits are worn occasionally. The heat makes it difficult to keep a jacket on during the day when you're outside.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
We lived in a safe neighborhood with lots of security (thanks to the many local politicians who were our neighbors!). I think Sri Lanka is generally a safe country if you take basic precautions.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
There was a bad outbreak of Chikungunya in 2025 in Colombo. Dengue is also prevalent, so bring your bug spray! Medical care is ok with many western-trained doctors but for serious issues, you'll probably want to go to Bangkok, Singapore, or Dubai.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Certainly compared to many other cities in the region, Colombo has good air quality although there are times when it is not great. Buses and tuk tuks create a lot of pollution if you're on the roads, but generally air quality does not impact health.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
It's a humid climate and there's plenty of mold.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not really. I think the biggest challenge is that the weather never really changes. If the constant 90 degrees with high humidity starts to get to you, it might be time for a trip up to the hills and tea country.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Just variations on hot: hot and rainy, hot and not rainy (still humid though!), hot with an occasional breeze off the ocean. In the "winter", there might be a few weeks where if you go outside early in the morning, you might think "Hey, it's not too hot" but those moments are fleeting. If you're willing to make a five-hour drive on very windy roads, you can find deliciously cool weather in Nuwara Eliya in tea country.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Our kids went to the Overseas School of Colombo which is one of the larger international schools in town. A few families opted for the British School but most go to OSC. Our kids had a great experience there. It's on the smaller side but still offers a wide range of classes, activities, and sports teams.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
At OSC, it is a work in progress but school administration is trying to provide options for special needs children.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
I know they are there but don't know much about them.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are plenty of activities through the school. OSC offers a summer camp as well. There are other activities for kids available but you might have to do some searching.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The expat community is not huge but it's large enough to meet plenty of interesting people. Morale is generally good: there are plenty of things to do on weekends and it's easy to get away to the beach or hills.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are plenty of restaurants, movie theaters, and socializing. Some people joined the International Expatriate Association.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Maybe not the best for single people but I don't have any direct experience in that category! It's a good post for families and probably also for couples.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
With a little effort, it is possible.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Sri Lanka is still fairly conservative and homosexuality is technically illegal although there has been talk of decriminalizing it.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Well, there was a nearly 30 year civil war fought over these issues that ended 15 years ago and problems continue to linger.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
One of the highlights of living in Sri Lanka is the opportunity to explore this diverse island. There are numerous weekend getaways-- the southern coast, Kandy and the surrounding hills, Yala National Park, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, tea country, etc. The southern expressway is fantastic and if the central expressway is ever completed, trips to Kandy, Sigiriya, and beyond will be much easier.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Not hidden at all, but one of the things I enjoyed the most was the train trip through tea country from Ella to Colombo (or Kandy if you want a shorter trip). The scenery matches the hype.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are plenty of souvenir shops in Colombo but they all start to look alike after a while. Sri Lankan masks are one of the more popular items and can be found everywhere along with stone or wood elephants of every shape, color, and size.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Colombo isn't the most interesting city to visit but it's a pleasant enough place to live with a wide variety of restaurants, decent infrastructure, and the lure of beaches nearby. I saw it pop up on lists of cities with the worst traffic, but never found it very difficult to get around the city, except during occasional rush hours or during a heavy rain.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Sri Lanka is a very comfortable country to live in. I wish the hills (and the cooler weather) were easier to reach from Colombo-- it was just far enough away that it was hard to reach in a weekend, so we ended up staying in hot and humid Colombo more than I thought we would.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. Three years is probably enough but I never regretted moving to Colombo and enjoyed my time there a lot.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
ski pants.
4. But don't forget your:
surf board, leech socks, bug spray.
