Colombo

• Most of the banks are authorised currency changers and usually give the best rate.
• Many finance companies are authorised as well, along with a few other limited liability companies.
• You can check the full list at 'ecd. lk'

Read more about exchanging money at Colombo.

The expenses in Colombo might sound very high at first but that's mostly because the LKR is a rather weak currency. You can expect to spend around LKR 3000 - 4000 per day at a low cost budget, LKR 5000 - 10000 on a mid range budget, and anything north of LKR 15000 for a high end budget.

• It is advisable to dress appropriately when touring the city, especially in formal institutions and religious sites. 
• Public displays of affection are also looked down upon.
• When taking photographs, be sure to ask about what is allowed to be photographed and what is not.
• It is considered extremely rude to face your back towards a statue by the Buddhists, so even if you click a picture, make sure you're facing the statue.
• Incomes in Sri Lanka are fairly low, so you should try and tip wherever you can.

Colombo has a natural harbour and has a rich colonial history due to ease of trade. It was occupied by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. After a treaty with the King of Kotte, the Portuguese established themselves along the coast, with the condition that they would defend that region from invaders. After several conflicts and failed attempts to take over the Kotte kingdom, they finally conquered the region with the help of reinforcements from the main base in Goa in 1593.

The Dutch entered the scene after signing a pact with the King of Kandy, King Rajasinha II, to fight off the Portuguese together in exchange for a large part of the trade and goods of the island in 1638. After repeated attempts, this was finally achieved in 1656 when the Dutch conquered Colombo. However, the Dutch did not hold true to their word and retained control over some regions, including Colombo.

Major developments in the city took place when the British came in 1796. The British declared it the British Ceylon in 1815 and started constructing houses and buildings for civilian use. The British colonial rule finally ended in 1948, and Colombo and Sri Lanka underwent tremendous changes. When the Sri Lankans formed the government again, several changes were made from top to bottom. The entire area around the old city, like Kotte and Dehiwala, is now part of the city.

From trancing bars, cafes, and themed pubs to night bazaars, glam casinos and discos, the nightlife in Colombo turns your weekdays into weekends with a plethora of luxurious as well as pocket-friendly spots to enjoy at. Roulette rolling, splendid themed buffets, grilled street food, chic beach parties, traditional clothes and apparel up for a bargain, trendy live bands, gaming arcades and enthusiastic crowds - you name it, and this city has it.

Here are the top five nightlife destinations in Colombo: -

• Bally’s Casino 
• Galle Face Green Night Market
• Bellagio Casino
• ON14 Rooftop Bar
• Sky Lounge

Colombo is known worldwide for its stunning Sri Lankan handlooms, batiks, Ceylon tea, gems, bazaars and Ayurvedic therapies. Learn about the best ways to enjoy shopping in Colombo: -  

• Buy traditional handicrafts, linen, trinkets and sarongs at Paradise Road, Barefoot Garden Cafe, the oceanfront Galle Face Green Night Market and Kala Pola Art Market.
• Colombo City Centre and Lakarcade Mall are malls offering chic urban and ethnic clothing, arcade games and spas. 
• Dutch Gallery features colonial antiques, while Majestic City is the place to go for sapphires, homeware and books. 
• Enjoy a unique shopping spree at the Pettah Floating Market, boasting hundreds of over-water kiosks, delicious street food and farmers’ markets. 

Pro Tips:-

• As prices are quoted many folds higher for tourists, humble bargaining goes a long way.
• Check authenticity before buying gems and valuables.
• Always carry cash while shopping in Colombo.

Read more about Shopping in Colombo.

The fact that Colombo is a coastal city plays a huge role in the influence of sea food in the local cuisine. People here like eating a lot of rice with fish or prawns. Other forms of poultry such as chicken, beef and lamb are also popular. International fast food joints are all present in the city. Restaurants such as Curry Leaf, and Seafood's Cove are worth a try.
Read More

The packages for Colombo start at INR 13788 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

There are 653 in Colombo which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Colombo are Colombo Home Stay, Royal Park Luxury 3 Bedroom Apartment @18, Hello travel- sea view cozy place Colombo, Nugegoda Apartment, Bodi's Loft, Ceylon Boutique Homestay Colombo. You can see all the hotels in Colombo here

The top things to do in Colombo are Galle Face Green, Pettah Market, National Museum of Colombo, Fort-Colombo, Kelaniya Raj Maha Vihara, Gangaramaya Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Colombo here

The top places near to Colombo are Kandy which is 94 km from Colombo, Galle which is located 104 km from Colombo, Anuradhapura which is located 165 km from Colombo, Nuwara eliya which is located 102 km from Colombo, Sigiriya which is located 151 km from Colombo