Hotels in Colombo

Exploring Colombo

Sri Lanka's official administrative capital may be Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, but the financial and commercial capital of this South Asian island nation remains the better known city of Colombo. There is no bad time of year to visit Sri Lanka's largest city, which is conveniently situated near the beach on the country's west coast. Colombo's history dates back 2,000 years and traders have long used its large port to ship valuable goods along the maritime trade routes linking East to West.

Today, Colombo's colonial buildings are the most obvious reminders of the city's centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Most of the cheapest hotels stand opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station, but guests at the three-star colonial Galle Face Hotel can choose between rooms facing the ocean or the famous Galle Face Green. Another popular place to stay is the Mount Lavinia Hotel, a former governor's mansion turned four-star beach retreat.

Sights nearby

Colombo not only boasts plenty of its own attractions to keep visitors occupied, but is also located close enough for the significant Buddhist sites of Sigiriya, Kandy, and Adam's Peak to be convenient J124day trip destinations.

Beira Lake<
Several regattas and theatrical performances take place at this distinctive green lake in the heart of Colombo's extensive canal network. Beira Lake, first used to transport goods across the city, is now a popular recreational spot divided into two main areas. Lesser Beira's centre island faces the Nawam Mawatha financial district near Gangaramaya Temple, while many of the large warehouses lining Greater Beira have long been abandoned. The Colombo Rowing Club and Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre can both be found in Greater Beira.

Galle Face Green
This popular promenade connects the Indian Ocean to Galle Road in Colombo's main business district. Strolling and kite flying are now the most popular activities along this former golf course and horse racing track. The view is especially stunning at sundown and the crowds are at their largest on Saturday and Sunday evenings, which attract the greatest number of street vendors and picnickers. The Galle Face Hotel, one of the nation's oldest, is located here.

National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka
As one of Asia's oldest zoological gardens, this attraction also known as Colombo or Dehiwala Zoo features more than 450 mammals, 1,000 fish, and 1,500 birds. Small streams and shrubs surround the butterfly garden where 30 different species soar. Visitors can ride ponies or elephants as well as enjoy special elephant, sea lion, and chimpanzee shows.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Many of Colombo's most highly ranked restaurants are located within several of the city's most renowned hotels, but lunch packets of rice and vegetables purchased from street vendors and small bakeries selling bowl shaped pancakes called hoppers and rotis are the most affordable ways to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food. Hansa Sri Lanka Speciality Coffee and orange coconut juice called thembili are the most popular drinks. Pettah is the city's largest and liveliest open-air market, but high-quality, though more expensive, souvenirs can also be found at the non-profit Lakpahana craftsman association. The beach community of Mount Lavinia boasts the best nightlife in all of Sri Lanka.

Public transport

It takes between 30 and 60 minutes to travel by taxi between central Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport, the largest airport in Sri Lanka. Trains travel between Colombo Fort and the airport once per day, while buses run between the two destinations once each five minutes in daylight hours and once each half hour at night. The easiest ways to travel around Colombo itself are by TATA Nano taxis or tri-shaw three-wheeled vehicles.