Colombo (Sinhala: කොළඹ, Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and still perceived by many as the capital though the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is now the official capital. Just like any other big South Asian city, Colombo is congested, noisy, busy, and vibrant with a mixture of modern life and colonial architecture. It is the financial centre of the island and a popular tourist destination.
Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, a suburb east of the city. "Colombo" could refer to either the city proper, or to Greater Colombo that includes the areas of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. Due to it being on a strategic route in the Indian Ocean, Colombo hosts one of the busiest ports in South Asia, and was known to traders 2,000 years ago. It was an important port on the Maritime Silk Road. Today, the city is the centre of the country's activities and is home to most of the country's restaurants and entertainment venues.
Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. Some three-wheelers have built in meters or the drive uses a phone app that does the same. Drivers hanging out in tourist areas often will not have or not allow meters as an option. Ask if there is a meter and if there is not a meter to use, always negotiate and agree on a price before you take a trip. But it's best to hail a meter taxi (identified by the words "Meter Taxi" on its windshield) that is traveling in the direction that you need to go instead of hiring one from the parking area or the tuk-tuk stand.
1 Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Lankamatha Road, Ragama suburb of Colombo (from Ragama Railway Station 2 km NE or bus to stop 'National Basilika Ave'). A Roman Catholic church with basilica status. The church is home to the venerated statue of Our Lady of Lanka. 2 St Luke's Anglican Church, Borella district of Colombo-8. The church plays an important role within the history of the Church Missionary Society on the island. 3 St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Polwatte (159, St Michael’s Road, Colombo 3) (Cameron Pl corner; 100 m east of Kollupitiya Jumma Mosque).
1 Galle Face Green Promenade, Galle Road, Colombo 03. Visit at sundown for a spectacular view. The ½-km-long promenade stretches 13 acres (5.3 hectares) between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean; it tends to attract children, teenagers, vendors, lovers, kite flyers, merrymakers, and families. Usually on Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is filled with day-trippers, food vendors, and people picnicking which make it very crowded. It is also the largest open space in the city. Free. 2 Colombo Zoological Gardens (Dehiwala Zoological Garden), Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Dehiwala (by bus: from Colombo port, No. 101 stops at Dehiwala junction, and get the Bus No. 176 or 118.
Sri Lankan food can be very spicy, so ask questions and order accordingly. That said, Colombo has a wide range of eateries, and there should be something for almost any combination of food preference and budget. Available everywhere are small bakeries selling rotis (either flat or folded into triangles filled with egg, vegetable or fish), hoppers (bowl shaped pancakes made with coconut milk), and other "short eats" (bread-based snacks or fried foods). The price of individual items range from Rs 50-100. Buy a "lunch packet" from street stands practically anywhere in the city.
Thembili තැබිලි (Orange Coconut juice) is safe, since they cut it open in front of you, so no nasties have a chance to get in your drink Spring water with SLS certification is safe to drink. Colombo's nightlife is on par with most other Asian destinations and features a number of establishments that offer decent music and drinks, served in a pleasant atmosphere. Expect the music to range from 80s retro to modern chart toppers as elegant partygoers dance the night away sipping the poison of their choice. Most clubs close around 04:00, R&B perhaps a little later. 1 Mount Lavinia is about 20 minutes away from the city and has a good deal of nightlife.
Colombo is like most other South Asian capitals. Although it is not as dangerous as one would think, tourists should be very vigilant. Many first time visitors to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts; however, seasoned visitors to Sri Lanka are rarely scammed and it is very simple to avoid being a victim of scammers as long as you take precautions such as: Being on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Take any advice from taxi and auto drivers with a grain of salt, especially if they tell you the place you want to go to is closed, dangerous, or non-existent.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Sep, Colombo typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 30 rainy days.
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