✈️ Heading to Sri Lanka? We've gathered some tips from the bunq community to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. 😎
Check them out below! 🌈 👇
Using your card
💳 Do I need cash in Sri Lanka, or can I use my card everywhere?
Sri Lanka is a cash driven society. Be sure to withdraw enough cash ahead of time.
💰 What currency do they use here?
The currency here is Sri Lankan Rupee. The symbol is ₨ or LKR.
🏧 Which ATM’s can I use for free?
The bunq community has reported free withdrawals at these ATMs.
- Bank Nations Trust
- BOC Bank of Ceylon
💵 If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?
40 000 LKR should be enough for a few days.
💳 Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?
If you're asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.
That way bunq does the conversion for you, and you get to take advantage of the best rates with bunq ZeroFX.
Staying connected
📱 Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?
Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming in Sri Lanka.
Wifi is readily available in Sri Lanka, especially in coffee shops, but do not expect great speeds.
If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.
Useful things to know
💁♀️ How does tipping work?
Tips are not expected, but you can always round the bill up to the nearest Rs 150.
🍺 How much does a 0.5L beer cost?
€1,60
🍽 How much does an average meal cost?
€1,40
🚨 What’s the emergency number?
There are different numbers for the different services here.
- 🚓 Police: 119
- 🚑 Ambulance: 110
- 🚒 Fire: 110
🔌 What type of plug do they use?
This one! It’s the standard British plug.
🚗 What side of the road do they drive on?
They drive on the left side of the road here.
🗺 How do I navigate my way around?
Google and Apple Maps both work well in Sri Lanka.
Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option. 🙌
👀 Any other good tips?
Bargaining is a big part of commerce in Sri Lanka. Make sure to bargain respectfully for the best price, expecially with tuk tuks and when you're shopping in markets.
If you've been to Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 share your experience! The following would be really useful for other bunqers to know:
- Which ATMs are free to use?
- What card should I use and where?
- Any other info you think may be useful.
Share your experience with us in the comments below! 🌈 👇
