Colombo

Understand

Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, a suburb east of the city. "Colombo" could refer to either the city proper, or to Greater Colombo that includes the areas of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

Due to it being on a strategic route in the Indian Ocean, Colombo hosts one of the busiest ports in South Asia, and was known to traders 2,000 years ago. It was an important port on the Maritime Silk Road. Today, the city is the centre of the country's activities and is home to most of the country's restaurants and entertainment venues.

Do

thumb|250px|right|Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pound) Performing Arts Theater thumb|Viharamahadevi Park, view towards the town hall

Buy

Places to shop include: thumb|The lively Pettah Market

Eat

Sri Lankan food can be very spicy, so ask questions and order accordingly. That said, Colombo has a wide range of eateries, and there should be something for almost any combination of food preference and budget.

Sleep

thumb|Colombo's night skyline Colombo's cheap accommodations in the centre of town apart from the famous YMCA (containing a gay bathhouse) are mostly concentrated along the road opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Many rooms are available but with shared bathrooms. These, however, tend to be dirty and dingy affairs that even seasoned travellers are unlikely to tolerate.

Moving south along Galle Rd, one can find a lot of more reasonable accommodation. Around Kollupitiya (the next suburb south of Galle Face), you will still be dealing with overpriced, soulless air-conditioned concrete boxes. Further down south, prices and people will get more reasonable. There are quite a few small hotels in the side streets off Galle Rd. in Wellawatte area. If you continue south and get as far as Mount Lavinia, there will be hundreds of small guesthouses, some of them very affordable, in a quiet old-fashioned area with a lot of greenery and right by the sea (the only problem being that it's far from the city centre). As of May 2014, typical costs were Rs 1,000-2,000, depending on the room quality. Buses 100, 101 and others go down Galle Rd. from Colombo Fort station (Rs 20 to get to Wellawatte).

Stay safe

thumb|Galle Face Green, a park and beach 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 visitors to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts; however, seasoned visitors 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, or non-existent. 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 …

Respect

Seemingly innocuous public displays of affection between lovers such as kissing and/or hugging are 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. 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.

Connect

300px|right|thumb|A Tourist Development Authority operated 'tuk tuk' or tri-shaw

SIM cards for unlocked phones may be purchased upon arrival at the international airport.

Go next

Delhousie— town at the foot of Adam's Peak which is considered a place of worship and pilgrimage by many religions. The 2,224-m peak, also known as Sri Pada, is home to a foot imprint on a rock at its summit. Depending on the faith, the footprint has been considered that of Buddha, the god Shiva, St Thomas, and even Adam, after he was expelled from the garden of Eden. The stairway to the top is believed to be one of the longest in the world. After reaching the top, climbers can ring the bell to mark the journey they just made. The panoramic view makes the journey well worth the effort. Reaching Delhousie from Colombo can be an adventure in itself, unless you are lucky enough to find a direct bus. The route is Colombo-Hatton-Maskeliya-Delhousie. The distance is quite short on the map but can take 6–8 hours. Kandy, 120 km (less than 4 hours away) outside of Colombo. Kandy is a small, tranquil town that holds the sacred tooth of Buddha, a sacred relic of the Buddhist faith. According to the legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha on his funeral pyre and was smuggled into Sri Lanka hidden in the hair of a princess in the 4th century. The Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, is a main attraction for pilgrimages. Each July and August, the tooth is carried in a procession. Although one cannot see the tooth, the festivities are a sight to see. Sigiriya, 160 km northeast of Colombo, is a very important Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. The remains of the ancient fortress and c…