Good to know
Good to Know
- Visa and Mastercard work in tourist businesses and major shops, but small local shops, tuk-tuks, and market stalls are cash-only — carry a mix of both.
- Most ATMs charge LKR 500-600 per withdrawal for foreign cards, but People's Bank, Bank of Ceylon, and Commercial Bank often have no or lower fees — seek these out.
- If an ATM offers dynamic currency conversion, always decline and choose to be charged in LKR for better rates.
- Colombo is cash-centric for day-to-day spending; you will definitely need LKR cash even with cards. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize ATM fees.
- Large notes (LKR 5,000, LKR 2,000) are difficult to break at small shops and stalls — get smaller denominations from supermarkets or your hotel for everyday purchases and tipping.
- Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. 10-15% in restaurants is customary if service charge is not already included; always check the bill.
- Tipping in small local cafes and street food stalls is not expected, but a modest gesture is always welcomed.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash in crowded areas like Pettah Market in Colombo; use a money belt for security.
ATM Fees
Most Sri Lankan bank ATMs (foreign card)
- Most Sri Lankan Bank ATMs (Foreign Card)
- LKR 600
Typical fee per withdrawal ranges from LKR 500-600 depending on bank
Fee-free for foreign cards
- Fee Free For Foreign Cards
- LKR 0.00
Fee-free for foreign cards
- Fee Free For Foreign Cards
- LKR 0.00
Often fee-free or low-fee for foreign cards
- Often Fee Free Or Low Fee For Foreign Cards
- LKR 0.00
HNB, Cargills Bank, NDB Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank
- HNB, Cargills Bank, NDB Bank, Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank
- LKR 150
Charge fees for all foreign cards (LKR 150-1000 range depending on card and bank)
Tipping Culture
- General Guidance
- Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. It is a personal gesture of appreciation for good service, especially important in tourism and hospitality where wages are low.
- Is Tipping Mandatory
- No
Practical Tips
- Always tip in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) when possible; it is polite and saves staff currency exchange hassle
- Carry small bills (LKR 100, LKR 500, LKR 1,000) for convenient tipping
- When breaking large notes at ATMs, ask supermarkets or your hotel to exchange them for smaller denominations for tipping purposes
- Tip should be given in an envelope if presenting to staff at end of service (e.g., to driver or guide)
Tips By Context
Restaurants (mid-range and upscale)
- Note
- Check if service charge (typically 10%) is already included on bill before tipping. If included and service was good, small additional cash tip is appreciated.
Bars and cafes
- Recommended Amount
- Round up bill or leave small amount per drink
- Note
- Larger tips appreciated for craft cocktails or specialized barista work
Hotels (housekeeping, bellhops, valets)
- Note
- Many hotels have tip boxes; collective tips to senior staff are acceptable
Private taxi/driver (full day)
- Recommended Amount
- LKR 500
- Note
- Per day; tip more if driver provided guide services or exceptional care
Per person
- Recommended Amount
- LKR 1,500
- Context
- Safari guide (half-day)
Safari guide (full-day or private)
- Recommended Amount
- LKR 2,500
- Note
- Per person; more if guide was particularly helpful with wildlife spotting
Spa therapists
- Recommended Amount
- LKR 750
- Note
- Or 10% if tip box available; alternatively LKR 500-1,000 for individual tipping
Tour guides and informal guides
- Recommended Amount
- LKR 500
- Note
- For informal market or temple guides; more for professional tour operators with established rates
Small gesture always appreciated if service was good
- Recommended Amount
- Not expected but welcomed
- Context
- Local cafes and family-run eateries
Cash Planning
- Recommendation
- Carry a moderate amount of cash (LKR 5,000-10,000 minimum at any time) alongside cards. Cash is essential for daily spending, especially outside major tourist areas.
- Note On Denominations
- Large notes (LKR 5,000, LKR 2,000) may be difficult to break in small shops and stalls. Withdraw from supermarkets or hotels to obtain smaller denominations for everyday use.
ATM Withdrawals
- Availability
- ATMs widely available in Colombo and tourist areas; open 24/7
- Typical Limit Per Transaction
- LKR 40,000
Typical range LKR 40,000-100,000 per transaction; varies by bank
Cards Accepted
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Cirrus
- Plus
Card Acceptance
- Summary
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas, mid-to-luxury hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants in Colombo. American Express acceptance is more limited.
- Lesser Accepted Brands
- American Express, Diners Club
- Commonly Accepted Brands
- Visa and Mastercard
Where Cards Work
- Hotels and larger chains
- Supermarkets and major shops
- Tourist-focused businesses and restaurants
Where Cards Do Not Work
- Tuk-tuks and local taxis
- Small local shops and markets
- Small local restaurants and street food stalls
- Many guesthouses
Dynamic Currency Conversion
- Status
- Offered by some ATMs but should be declined
- Guidance
- Always choose to be charged in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) rather than accepting ATM dynamic currency conversion, which applies poor exchange rates and additional fees. If an ATM asks for currency conversion, decline and instead allow your bank's exchange rate to apply.
Banking
- Overview
- Sri Lanka has established banking infrastructure with multiple commercial and specialized banks. Banking information for foreigner account-opening could not be fully researched.
- Note Limitation
- Detailed requirements for foreigners opening accounts were not confirmed in available search time
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.atmfeesaver.com
- 2.revolut.com
- 3.howdo.lk
- 4.srilanka-spirit.com
- 5.wise.com
- 6.experiencetravelgroup.com
- 7.themiddleagewanderer.com
- 8.rediscoversrilanka.com
- 9.ceylontransit.com
- 10.thesrilankanguideline.com
- 11.thecurrencyshop.com.au
- 12.colomboairporttaxi.info
- 13.investing.com
- 14.xe.com
- 15.wise.com
- 16.ceylonlanka.info
- 17.gov.uk
- 18.lankahospitals.com
- 19.bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com
- 20.en.wikipedia.org
- 21.findit.lk
- 22.xe.com
More About Colombo
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.