Sri Lanka 21-day Budget & Costs
Our Sri Lanka 21-day round trip started and ended in Negombo. From there we traveled inland to Sigiriya to visit the Lion Rock.
We then took a bus to the central highlands, taking in Kandy, Polwaththa ECO lodges, a tea plantation and the Knuckle Mountains.
Following a dizzying descent from the heights of Haputale, our last week was spent soaking up the sun on the beaches of Tangalle , Unawatuna and Galle.
Sri Lanka 21-day budget & costs – A Buddhist monk out for a stroll near Galle
Return to Mosquito Coast – Negombo
For our last couple of days, we returned to Negombo to eat our last curry and rice. This was in the same restaurant where we ate our first Sri Lankan meal- the Beach Villa Guest House – looking out over the Indian ocean.
Curry and Rice – You’ll be eating a lot of this
We were now ready for the final phase of our journey: We’d experienced the End of the World : Next we were heading for the Top of the World – Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
But before that, how much did our 21-day tour of Sri Lanka cost? and did we manage to stay within budget?
Our 21-day Budget … and Actual Costs
Before starting the trip, we estimated we’d need around €25 ($28) per person per day for our journey through Sri Lanka. This would be to cover all costs, including accommodation, meals, transport, drinks and sundries.
Sri Lanka 21-day budget & costs – It’s not all about the money…
In reality, we were paying out the following (on average):
♦ 2,500 rupees per night for a double room (€13)
♦ 1,600 rupees per day for dinner for two (€8)
♦ 1,000 rupees per day for 2 breakfasts (€5)
♦ Another 1,000 rupees per day for 2 lunches (€5)
♦ 250 rupees per person per bus ride (€2.50 for two)
… and perhaps most importantly of all – A large 65 cl bottle of beer cost around €1.80: Half the price of the brew back home.
This all adds up to €17 per day per person (excluding beers, so lets ‘round’ it off at €21 🍺).
We also paid out €50 each in tickets to enter the Lion Rock, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, and the Temple of the Tooth. But this still brought us just under budget at €23.50 per person ($26), spread over 21 days.
Our budget for Sri Lanka therefore turned out to be just about right.
Additional Travel Perks – Maldives and Dubai Stopovers
Because we booked our flights with Emirates, we were able to take advantage of a stopover in the Maldives on our way out and another stopover in Dubai on our return journey.
These additional destinations – mini holidays in themselves – really added extra spice and diversity to the overall trip.
Interested in a 4-day Maldives break?
What we didn’t have time for on this trip…
There are still plenty of destinations waiting for our next visit to Sri Lanka, including the Dambulla Cave Temple, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Adam’s Peak to mention just a few.
The turbulent southern coastline of Sri Lanka
… and we surely will be returning because Sri Lanka – The Pearl of the Indian Ocean – with its unique geography and ecology is a very special place indeed.
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