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 travelers to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts, however, seasoned travelers 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, non-existent etc. If you are unsure, check a map.
Not engaging in business with people who have to actively approach you for business such as Tuk Tuk drivers, street vendors etc. If people have to approach or make overtures to you for business without you seeking them on your own volition, then they shouldn't be considered for business dealings. Because, you will likely be overcharged, as you have been denied the option of shopping around for the best price.
If you have been told your hotel is closed or full, give them a call. If you are a first time visitor to Sri Lanka, don't admit it as it will make you a target for the scam artists.
Once you are past the scammers, Colombo is a far more welcoming destination than other South Asian cities. Certainly single women, although not advised to explore every nook and cranny of the city on their own late at night, will not find the pestering attentions of leering men. Sri Lankan women are also very "western" in their dress sense, so it is very normal to wear skirts, tank tops, etc. You may get a few whistles and hellos from bored school boys, but they are more friendly and not meant to be threatening, so just ignore it and they will leave you alone.
The recent civil war in this country will not affect your journey as the warring area is mostly off limits to civilians and is hundreds of miles away from Colombo. Furthermore, there have also been some small bomb attacks on Colombo buses and trains in the past, so taxis or private hire cars should be used. Such attacks are noted for their avoidance of tourist spots, mainly due to the severe adverse publicity this would create.
In June of 2009, the Sri Lankan government lifted travel alerts after the military defeat of rebel insurgents in the north of the country, though it is advisable to check with the local travel advisory bureau in your country if there is any doubt.Since June 2009, Sri Lanka is now a very safe country to travel around. Avoid the peak seasons as this small country is now getting too overcrowded with tourists.
respect
Seemingly innocuous public displays of affection between lovers such as kissing and/or hugging is not culturally acceptable in Sri Lanka as it is considered to be secluded behaviour this does not apply to private functions or establishments designated for adults such as nightclubs, casinos and beach parties. Much lenience is given to foreigners and holding hands and public affection between parents and their children is not frowned upon.
In most buses, it is local etiquette to provide or give up the very front passenger seats to members of the clergy, such as monks or priests if they are present.
No photography of sensitive locations inside and outside, and inside of shopping malls and tea factories outside is OK. Be especially careful in Fort, Colombo except on the beach. If soldiers are guarding something, it probably shouldn't be photographed. Don't rely on signs alone, as sometimes they are old or missing. For example, one end of a bridge may have a "No Photography" sign, but not the other.
Do not turn your back to or be alongside a Buddha statue when within a reasonable distance observe what others are doing. This includes posing for photos. It's OK to photograph a statue, but all persons should be facing it.
Public nudity is illegal in Sri Lanka. Nude/topless sunbathing and skinny dipping should be avoided at beaches, except in the few private beach resorts which allow it.
cfa
Colombo has recently become a major destination for Indian candidates appearing for CFA Exam. CFA exam, held by CFA Institute, USA, has not been allowed to conduct its premier examination in India in past few years. Colombo offers a cheap destination to Indian candidates as compared to Singapore or Bangkok.
The June 2008 exam was held at Hotel Galadari at Galle Road and the December 2008 exam was held at Postgraduate Institute of Management PIM, British Council and Saraswathi Hall. Except Saraswathi Hall, all examination centers are pretty comfortable.
Indian Candidates can take GoAir from Chennai to Colombo which offers very cheap rates (less than INR 5,000 for round trip.
getting into colombo from katunayake airport
Please do not that the Transport costs have drastically increased in Sri Lanka compared to what is indicated in the article. It is highly advisable that one does verify the cost of any mode of transport before using it and trying to "hand a smaller amount than asked" as indicated below.
The international airport is closer to Negombo than to Colombo, so if you're arriving late, it might be a better option to head to Negombo for the night instead. Do an online search for those hotels. Star class hotels and budget guest houses are available. Ceylon tourist boardControlled by Government has a chain of hotelshttp://www.ceylonhotels.lk/.
By taxi
Airport TaxiSome taxi services are available at Air port as well.
Other popular Taxi services- (http://www.kangaroocabs.c...) and (http://www.colomboairport...)
Airport taxi online booking services
(http://www.colomboairport...)
Local Taxi mini van
The taxi service provided by the taxi counter in the arrivals hall is one option. They provide a mini van without air conditioning, but it will be about a third cheaper than taxis provided by 'hotels'. It is worth noting that this service is primarily intended for the locals, so the counter staff may try to persuade you to go to one of the 'hotel taxi' counters outside the arrivals hall but insist that you only want a mini van. Insistence has not helped in some cases: counter staff maintained that the service is only for locals and refused to issue tickets for this service.
Hotel Taxi
Most 4 or 5 star hotels have their own counter just outside the arrivals hall. You can get a taxi from one of these places. They will provide an air conditioned car. As of May 2009, the cost to Galle Face Colombo Fort could be about Rs 2,800 approximately 25 US$.Now, there are many Cars - Make TATA NANO - which are being used as TAXI from Airport and the charges upto Columbo City Taj Samudra is mere Rs 1700/- SL, which is just 16 US dollars, Try that out .
By bus
This is the cheapest way to get into Colombo, but will take some effort and time. The public bus number 187 to Colombo Fort leaves from the airport bus depot which is located outside the airport. You can get there by free shuttle or walk about 10 - 15 mins. To catch a free shuttle bus, come out of the airport, turn left and walk all the way to the end of the building. You will not find any signs, so be sure to ask airport personnel. You will see an old white bus with a sign that says main terminal. Catch it and it will drive for 5 minutes and drop you off at the bus depot. From the bus depot, catch any bus marked 187 to Colombo at a cost of 40 rupees although the bus collector may try to make tourists pay more 'for luggage' etc, in fact the typical luggage a tourist may carry is not supposed to be accommodated in public transport, thus despite what some "know it all" may write here be prepared to not even be allowed in the bus if there is a crowd waiting to take the bus to Colombo Fort station. Beware that only the big white buses similar to the airport shuttle will be 40 Rupees, the smaller buses with aircon will charge foreigners definitely more. Given that "more" might mean 70-100 Rupees, it's not that big of a deal, even though they might ask for 300 Rupees in the start, just hand them over a smaller amount and tell them it's not your first visit here.
The journey into Colombo Fort could take anything between an hour and fifteen to two hours. The bus will stop at major towns en route . They also have collapsible seats along the aisle which will get used as the bus becomes busy so, try to get a seat at the front. The one opposite the door is preferable! Ask the conductor to tell you when the bus gets to the Fort station as opposed to the Colombo bus depot. Note that some buses do not go as far as the Fort station and stop at the bus depot, which is about 5 min walk from the station. Others go via the depot to fort station and then double back to the bus depot.
Once you reach Colombo Fort, you can get a three-wheeler tuk-tuk to get to your destination. You will pay a little premium for catching a tuk-tuk from the bus station or outside Fort station on the main road so there will be a choice of tuk-tuks but it should not cost more than Rs 150 to go to hotels near Galle Face e.g. Cinnamon Grand, Taj or Galle Face Hotel.
You can also catch a bus to Galle Face less than Rs 10 but you will not be welcome on-board with large luggage; however, a backpack may be accepted.
By train
This is probably the most unknown way to get into Colombo, but completely possible. Take either the free Airport to the bus station and then follow the road Canada Friendship to the Katunayaka South station around 1km, if you don't have luggage or, if you've luggage, best just to take a Tuk Tuk right from the airport to the train station. Should be 100 Rupees, if you're good at haggling you might get them down even a bit more.Then, at the train station, get a ticket to Colombo Fort, you'll be arriving right next to where the buses drop people off. Cost is 30 Rupees. Trains are sometimes delayed, but driving relatively frequently, around 1 per hour, more during rush hour. It will take around 1 hour to get to Fort station, so definitely quicker than by travelling by bus, if you manage to just catch a train without much waiting. Check online timetable on one of the free computers in the terminal when arriving about the next train, if it suits you, it's an easy way into the city for very little money.
Tri-shaw Three wheeler, tuk-tuk
You can also take a Tri-shaw aka tuk-tuk from the bus depotreach there by free airport shuttle bus as on May 2011 it takes about 1500 LKR to take you from airport to Galle Road and with some bargaining it can reduce up to 1000 to 1200 LKR. On average it will take about an hour to raech Galle Road these rates are highly unrealistic as even the meter taxi tuk tuks that cost about 40% less than the normal ones cost around 1400 for the same journey, a normal one, specially for a foreigner would cost substantially more. So do be careful as you may be embarrassing your self following these exaggerations as to how cheap things are in Sri Lanka.