๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Colombo ยท First days

First 48 hours in Colombo

The first two days in Colombo, in priority order: what has to happen, what should, and what can wait. Tick things off as you go.

For Colombo
How long you are staying

Must do

  • Dialog, SLT-Mobitel and Hutch sell SIMs at the airport arrivals hall and in town. Bring your passport; SIMs are registered to it. Data is cheap.
  • Police, the free Suwa Seriya ambulance and fire and rescue. Save your nearest private hospital's emergency line too.
  • A tourist ETA gives 30 days. If you are staying longer, plan the extension or the right visa now rather than in the last week.
  • Bandaranaike International is about 35 km north of the centre. Book PickMe or Uber, or use the official taxi desk at arrivals; allow 45 to 90 minutes to Colombo 3 depending on traffic.
  • Before agreeing to any flat, ask for the last three electricity bills and what the generator covers. Air-conditioning pushes bills into the expensive blocks.

Should do

  • Withdraw from a bank ATM for buses, markets and street food. Cards work in malls, supermarkets and most restaurants in Colombo.
  • The fare is fixed in the app, so there is no negotiating with three-wheeler drivers. Uber is the alternative.
  • If you are here to work, confirm with your employer when the residence visa application goes in and which documents they need from you.
  • Save the address and emergency number of the private hospital nearest your flat, and install eChannelling for specialist bookings.

Nice to do

  • Families, kites, prawn fritters and the sea breeze: it is where Colombo goes as the heat breaks.
  • Many embassies run registration or alert services for nationals in Sri Lanka. It is the quickest route to help with a lost passport or during monsoon floods.
  • Once your residence visa is endorsed, open an account with your passport and proof of address. LankaQR payments then work across the country.
Your first 48 hours in Colombo0/120% done. Ticks are saved on this device.
  • Must do0/5
  • Should do0/4
  • Nice to do0/3
Emergency119 ยท Police 119
Land with an Insider beside you