Colombo

Understand

Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayewardenepura-Kotte, a suburb east of the city.
Weather wise, the best time to visit is during the North East monsoon season, which is November to April.

Colombo skyline

Colombo

 By plane

There is air service to and from Colombo, provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights are available from origins throughout Europe, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Other airlines, include Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Emirates. If you were to fly Emirates, you can stop over in Colombo on your way to Singapore (e.g. Dubai - Colombo - Singapore). Gulf Air operation From Bahrain to Colomno is back starting from October 2010.
Sri Lanka's only international airport, Bandaranaike International, is at Katunayake, close to Negombo, on the coast north of Colombo. The journey to Colombo will take about an hour by taxi.
Air Arabia [1] is a low cost giant that provides excellent connections from Middle East and North Africa to Colombo, and its known for its on time service and low fares.
Air Asia has now begun to fly to Colombo from Kuala Lumpur with very cheap airfares. [2]

 By train

Trains operate from Bandaranaike International Airport to Fort, Colombo. A single one way trip costs Rs 500 (Approximately USD 5) per person.

By bus

The Sri Lanka Transport Board is the nationalized bus service. Buses are the principal mode of transport in the county. If you cannot speak or understand Sinhalese, however, travelling by bus might prove more difficult than train travel but is entirely feasible and may be much quicker. Prepare for severe over-crowding and make sure to confirm your destination with the driver and conductor of the bus. Route No 187 connects the Katunayake Airport to the city of Colombo, and buses are available throughout the day.

By boat

Passenger services with India have now finally returned with the twice-weekly ferry from Tuticorin operated by Flemingo Liners [3]. Sailing days change from week to week but departure time is at 6PM, arriving in Colombo 8AM the next morning. Prices starts at 2,200 INR. Also Indian Ocean Cruises [4] operates a cruise liner to Colombo as part of its itinerary along the West Coast of India and to the uninhabited Lakshwadeep Islands.

Getting into Colombo from Katunayake airport

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 board(Controlled by Government) has a chain of hotels(http://www.ceylonhotels.lk/).
By taxi
Airport Taxi Some taxi services are available at Air port as well.
Other popular Taxi services - http://www.kangaroocabs.com/aboutus.php
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.
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$).
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) 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 depot(reach 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 upto 1000 to 1200 LKR. On average it will take about an hour to raech Galle Road

Get around

A Tourist Development Authority operated 'tuk tuk' or tri-shaw

Colombo Traffic

Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. Most three-wheelers do not have any meters fitted with them and so you have to always negotiate and agree on a price before you take a trip. Shorter trips can cost you anywhere from Rs. 50 (for around 2 - 3 kms) to Rs. 250 (for 8 kms). Do not settle for first rikshaw you get, they will fleece you that way. Look for at least 3 or 4 three-wheelers before you settle down). Its very difficult to negotiate with the tuk-tuk parked in a tuk-tuk parking area. Best way to do is stop a one traveling to the direction you need to go and negotiate with them or use a bus.
The Sri Lankan Tourist Development Authority also operates its own fleet of 'tuk-tuks' around Colombo which are tourist friendly and metered to ensure that travellers are aware of the price being paid. Tourist board tuk tuks are distinguishable by their unique paintings. These three-wheelers can be booked 24 hours a day by calling 0712 500 800 or 0772 299 299.
Taxis are also a good mode of transportation. The cars often have meters starting on Rs. 40 and charge about Rs. 65 per kilometer. You seldom pay more than Rs. 200 for a trip inside Colombo. Rs. 500 will get you to Mount Lavinia. Taxis are much safer than a three-wheeler and offer you the option of air conditioning.

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 Spice Jet from Chennai to Colombo which offers very cheap rates (less than INR 3,000 for round trip.

 See

Museums

Buddha Statues, Colombo

• The National Museum of Colombo - Department of National Museums, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7. Tel: 11 269-4767. Closed Fridays and all public holidays. 9AM-5PM. Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, it is the largest museum in Colombo. Among its exhibits, it contains regalia of the 17th century Kandyan Kings.
• The Natural History Museum- Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7. Tel: 11 269-1399. Closed Fridays and all public holidays. 9AM-5PM. This museum features Sri Lanka's floral and fauna in dioramas.
• The Dutch Period Museum- 95 Prince Street, Pettah, Colombo 11. Tel: 11 244-8466. Closed Fridays and all public holidays. 9AM-5PM. Historical museum documenting Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka. Houses Dutch-inspired artifacts.

Galleries

• The Sapumal Foundation- 32/4 Barnes Place, Colombo 7. Tel: 11 269-5731. The Sapumal Foundation was once home to the late Harry Pieris. Visitors are able to see his studio and art materials that have been left undisturbed over the years. This gallery also contains 200 paintings that follow the development of Sri Lankan art. Special art classes are also available at the gallery.
• The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Center- 18 Guilford Crescent, Colombo 7. M-Fr 9AM-1PM and 2-4PM. Tel: 11 269-5794. The Art Center provides a multi-functional creative experience with exhibitions, art shows and stage events. Visitors to the Art Center area also able to purchase various antiques as well as paintings and crafts by contemporary Sri Lankan artists.

Do

• Visit Galle Face Green Promenade at sundown for a spectacular view. The promenade stretches 13 acres between Galle Road and the Indian Ocean; it tends to attract children, teenagers, vendors, and families. Usually on Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is filled with day-trippers, food vendors, and people picnicking. The Galle Face Green Promenade was reopened to the public in May of 2001.
• Colombo Zoological Gardens- Colombo's zoo has a wide variety of animals, birds, and reptiles from all over the world. One of the most popular attractions to the zoo is the elephant show, which is held daily at 5:15PM. The zoo also offers elephant and pony rides. Currently, the zoo is being renovated, and plans to have an open area for the elephants.