Forum
Analytics
Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#1900
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Generally low cost of living compared to global standards, especially outside peak tourist seasons.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Affordable guesthouses and long-term rentals available, though prices rise during surf season.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries offer inexpensive fresh produce and meals; imported goods cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
83%
Weight: 20
Local buses and tuk-tuks are cheap; limited public transport options but affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Low-cost entertainment options like beach activities and local events; nightlife is limited.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
51%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; memberships are moderately priced but options are limited.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility, but moderate inflation expected in 2025.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 10-20 Mbps; stable but can be inconsistent during peak hours.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
37%
Weight: 40
Very limited formal coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
69%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
56%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; popular among surfers and adventure seekers.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
81%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with ample outdoor activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Clean beaches and natural surroundings, though some waste management issues exist.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
Generally clean tourist areas; rural parts less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken in tourist areas; some communication challenges in rural zones.
💨 Air Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited facilities for families; more suited for solo travelers or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
48%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; serious cases require travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
82%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
50%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Arugam Bay; better options in Colombo or nearby towns.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some monsoon season rain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
43%
Weight: 10
Coastal location poses risk of tsunamis and cyclones during certain seasons.
🏞️ Green Spaces
77%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and beach access.
❄️ Air Conditioning
64%
Weight: 15
Limited AC availability in budget accommodations; more common in higher-end stays.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
67%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet, except during tourist peak seasons and local festivals.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with traditional Sri Lankan influences and surf community.
🌃 Nightlife
41%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife; mostly beach bars and small gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent for surfing, wildlife, and beach activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Some opportunities to learn Sinhala or Tamil, but limited formal classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
73%
Weight: 10
Good availability of surf lessons, wildlife tours, and cultural excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
38%
Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment options; mostly small cafes and guesthouses.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh seafood and Sri Lankan dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios and retreats available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
49%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms; outdoor fitness more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67%
Weight: 20
GMT+5:30; moderate overlap with Europe and Asia, less with Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
42%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking; informal meetups among surfers and nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; mostly reliant on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Small local freelance community; mostly digital nomads working remotely.
🏢 Coworking Quality
31%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; quality varies and often basic.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
24%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem in Arugam Bay.
💳 Local Payment Services
59%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Emerging interest but limited infrastructure and regulation.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
33%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Mattala or Colombo, requiring long transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
37%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit; mostly buses and tuk-tuks.
🚶 Walkability
62%
Weight: 20
Walkable within town center but distances to beaches and amenities vary.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
45%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps limited; tuk-tuks are primary option.
🚲 Cycling
53%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but infrastructure limited and roads can be busy.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
57%
Weight: 15
Buses and trains available but can be slow and infrequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
78%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town; rural areas less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well without restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
61%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during peak demand or storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and guesthouses.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; digital nomad visa not yet available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
44%
Weight: 30
Sri Lanka has moderate tax rates; no special nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60%
Weight: 15
Generally free but occasional government scrutiny on media.
🏛️ Political Stability
52%
Weight: 20
Some political unrest in recent years; situation improving but still fragile.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
47%
Weight: 15
Process can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
43%
Weight: 10
Lengthy and complex procedures for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
58%
Weight: 50
Friendly community but limited infrastructure tailored to nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
36%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; mostly informal gatherings.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
54%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and nomad forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
71%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists; petty crime exists but rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Respectful culture but some conservative social norms.
✊ Racial Tolerance
73%
Weight: 50
Diverse population with generally tolerant attitudes.