LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Money & Costs
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Sri Lanka is a bit more expensive than Southeast Asia or India, but costs are still reasonable. Budget double rooms with bathroom, mosquito net and fan cost about Rs 500 to 1000, while a night in an international-class hotel may run to Rs 10,000 or more. Most high-end hotels quote room rates in US dollars but accept either dollars or rupees in payment; some also quote in euros.
The cost of accommodation in the touristy areas drops considerably out of season. Expect to pay triple the usual accommodation price in Kandy during the Kandy Esala Perahera and in Nuwara Eliya during the April high season. Because of the lack of tourism infrastructure following long years of war, room rates are also much higher than the norm in Jaffna.
Local food is reasonably priced, though it’s about three times more expensive in guesthouses than in local restaurants; it’s around Rs 300 to 450 at a guesthouse, or as little as Rs 100 at a local restaurant. Dinner at the country’s better restaurants costs around Rs 2000 per person.
At national parks, entry fees plus (often mandatory) 4WD hire and other extras add up to something between Rs 2000 and 5100.
Public transport is cheap. Hiring a car (or van) and driver for a day costs Rs 2500 to 4500 depending on the condition of the vehicle.
Foreigner price
There’s no way to put this diplomatically: many Sri Lankans try to overcharge tourists for anything from a bus fare to a gemstone necklace. Most hotels have one price for foreigners and another for Sri Lankans, and government departments continue to arbitrarily ramp up foreigners’ entry fees, which are often 10 or 20 times higher those paid by locals.
HOW MUCH?
Air-con bus Colombo–Anuradhapura: Rs 210
2nd-class train Ella–Badulla: Rs 12
Lunch packet (fish): Rs 75
Cultural Triangle round ticket Rs: 4120
Guesthouse double room (Kandy): Rs 1800
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
