Sri Lanka for Digital Nomads
If you are a travel blogger, online entrepreneur, laptopping working-traveler or just another Digital Nomad in need of a quality visa run, Sri Lanka is the right place to go to.
Unlike nomad destinations as India or Thailand, the distances between seasonal hotspots, places of interest and major cities are not really an issue in Sri Lanka. You can travel easily within few hours from a cool hill-station to a tropical surf beach. If you plan it right you even get a scenic train ride on top.
For short distance travel just hail one of the many Tuk-Tuk's (Three wheeler) you find at every street corner or rent a scooter/bicycle.
Getting a Visa for Sri Lanka
As a tourist in Sri Lanka you can stay currently up to 3 months without having to leave the country. Depending on the duration you are planning to stay, youcan apply for your Sri Lankan Tourist Visa Online, which provides you with a 1 month entry visa that can be renewed at the Immigration Office in Colombo or get a visa from the Sri Lankan Embassy in the coutry you are currently staying, for a tourist visa up to 3 months.
Depending on the country you are traveling from, the local visa renewal can be cheaper than the processing fees charged by some Sri Lankan embassies
Mobile Internet Access in Sri Lanka
Free Wi-Fi and co-working space in Sri Lanka can easily be found at coffee shops, beach bars and basically most places that offer services to foreign visitors, including guesthouses and hotels.
The two main communication providers, SLT (Sri Lanka Telecom) and Dialog) offer a good G4 broadband cellular coverage island-wide. However, unless you will be staying at a *class hotel with speeds up to as much as 100 Mbps, shared WiFi might be slow or restricted.
If you are a working nomad, you should have your own dedicated Internet access. 4G/LTE Broadband with average an speed up to as much as 8 Mbps. Secure and no slowdowns due to lack of bandwidth.
Having your own G4 Internet connection in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa involves paperwork, waiting time and the purchase of the required hardware, Router or Dongle.
The easiest way to get your own dedicated Internet access in Sri Lanka is to rent an activated Wireless Broadband Router or a Wi-Fi Dongle from us. Both come preloaded with either a 9 or 30 GB data package. More data can always be bought at one of the many communication shops. While the process of topping up is straight forward, you need to know which method works best for you - Sri Lanka has an overwhelming range of reload cards. Some of them are only for phone use, others a combination of voice and data, or special social media packages (which doesn't work well with normal Internet use). What you want are data only Internet cards, valid either a week or one month. Unless, of course, you want to connect via your mobile phone, which is the slowest and most expensive Internet access you can get in Sri Lanka.
A Wi-Fi Router is ideal if you are planning to stay longer at a place and/or want to connect via a network cable for best speed. The Wi-Fi Dongle is more portable and doesn't require battery recharge or electric power supply. Perfect if you're live streaming to social media or producing an event streamed around the world
The monthly rental rates for the gadgets (Wi-Fi Routers and Wi-Fi Dongles) start as low as US$ 1.50/day and you can return them on your way out of Sri Lanka, next to the airport. Free Dedicated Internet Access comes with our Digital Nomad Sri Lanka Starter Pack, or can be requested for any other booking you make through us.
Transportation
The public transport system in Sri Lanka is extensive with bus routes covering about 80% of the islands roads and trains that commute mainly along the coasts and through the hill-country.
If you are going by bus always ask for the A/C Express Bus as they doesn't stop at every bus stand en-route. Train reservations are only available on selected routes, more information can be found on the Sri Lanka Railways Website.
For short distance travel just hail one of the many Tuk-Tuk's (Three wheeler) you find everywhere or rent a scooter/bicycle.
Where To Stay
Sri Lanka offers accommodation for (almost) every budget and requirement, ranging from simple guesthouse rooms to beach cabanas and trendy boutique hotels. However, even if you are not a Laptop Hobo, you might want to consider an 'off-season' destination for your stay. Not only does it cost less, but you avoid the tourist crowds (especially in the winter peak season) and experience a Sri Lanka you wouldn't see otherwise.
Best is to contact us and we will help you to find the right place. Both, Short- or Longterm Rentals. We are located in Sri Lanka and know most properties and owners personally. Which is especially important when it comes to security and maintenance. On the other hand you can easily find good deals on the major booking portals as you travel along. Just make sure that the rate includes taxes and service charges and that you get either a room safe or security locker at the reception.
Best Hubs in Sri Lanka for Digital Nomads
Sri Lanka is one of the top surf destinations worldwide, so the highest concentration of nomads can be found always around the prime surf beaches. Namely Hikkaduwa, Ahangama and Mirissa from October - May and Arugam Bay on the East Coast from May - October.
For networking high tea nomads Colombo and historical Galle is paradise found. Contemporary colonial chic - full of expats, high speed coffee shops and all international food franchises.
The hill country is more quiet, with lush green tea plantations and spectacular views with Nuwara Eliya, home of the famous Ceylon tea, and Ella, Sri Lanka's highest village, becoming more and more a favorite with travel bloggers.
Sri Lanka Nomad Starter Pack
The best way to get acclimatized and to get a feeling for Sri Lanka is with our Digital Nomad Starter Pack (2N/3D) for only US$ 51 p.p.
Airport Transfer - Beachside A/C Accommodation - 2 Mountain Bikes for 2 Days - FREE dedicated (not shared) Internet connection
Negombo Beach is the ideal location to spend your first days in Sri Lanka; only 15 km from Sri Lanka's International Airport and 30 km from Colombo.
Your spacious double room includes mini fridge a/c and en-suite bathroom with hot shower. Twin beds available on request. Free shared Wi-Fi (if you want to connect a 2nd device for downloads or torrents), secure parking and safe deposit box at the reception.
The guesthouse is located directly off the Negombo Beach and had 'Tripadvisor Excellence Awards' for the last 6 years running.
You can book the Digital Nomad Starter Pack here...
To look for selected Sri Lanka hotels or guesthouses click here...
For more travel and background information on Sri Lanka, read our Sri Lanka Guide and the travel tips, helping you to make the most out of your holiday in Sri Lanka.