Bentota, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#891
,
Nomad Score:
60%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western standards, with low prices for food and services, though slightly higher than inland Sri Lankan towns due to tourism.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Beachfront and tourist area accommodations can be moderately priced; budget guesthouses and mid-range apartments are available at reasonable rates.
🍎 Food & Groceries
84%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods can be pricier but overall food costs remain low.
🚌 Transportation Cost
87%
Weight: 20
Local buses and tuk-tuks are cheap; occasional use of taxis or private transport is affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options but affordable local activities and beach-related entertainment.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
52%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; memberships are moderately priced but options are limited compared to larger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
55%
Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility in recent years, affecting purchasing power.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 10-20 Mbps; stable but can be inconsistent during peak hours or bad weather.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or accommodation for work.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
54%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but not widespread; power outlets and seating can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for nomads but still relatively unknown compared to Colombo or Galle.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
81%
Weight: 30
Relaxed beach town atmosphere supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
73%
Weight: 15
Clean beaches and natural surroundings, though occasional litter and pollution issues exist.
🧼 Cleanliness
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate cleanliness; public areas can be untidy, but tourist spots are generally maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
67%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist areas; some language barriers in local interactions.
💨 Air Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and beach activities; limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
50%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; for serious issues, travel to Colombo or private clinics recommended.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
79%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
55%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Bentota; adequate for minor issues but limited emergency care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some monsoon season rain but mostly sunny.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
50%
Weight: 10
Coastal location poses some risk of tsunamis and cyclones; moderate earthquake risk.
🏞️ Green Spaces
76%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and nearby forests; good access to nature.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and cafes have AC, but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation; mostly hot and humid year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise from traffic and tourism; quieter than major cities.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
82%
Weight: 20
Rich Sri Lankan culture with local festivals, temples, and traditions accessible.
🌃 Nightlife
35%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and beach parties.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, water sports, and nearby nature reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal opportunities to learn Sinhala or Tamil.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours including boat rides, wildlife safaris, and cultural visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mainly small cafes and local shops.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
78%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh seafood and Sri Lankan specialties; some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; some outdoor exercise options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
72%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood; vegetarian options common.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
GMT+5:30; convenient for Asia and Europe but less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
30%
Weight: 25
Few formal networking events; small expat and nomad community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
25%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited for remote work; most nomads work for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
32%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support or platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
28%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; facilities basic and sometimes unreliable.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
20%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem in Bentota; more active in Colombo.
💳 Local Payment Services
55%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant; limited international payment options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Emerging interest but limited infrastructure and regulation.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
42%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (~100 km); no local airport.
🚇 Public Transit
50%
Weight: 20
Basic bus services available; no metro or train connections directly in Bentota.
🚶 Walkability
60%
Weight: 20
Walkable in town center and beach areas; some roads lack sidewalks.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
45%
Weight: 15
Limited presence of ride-sharing apps; tuk-tuks and taxis more common.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Possible but limited cycling infrastructure; traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Regular buses and trains connect to major cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
74%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no widespread restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages; backup generators common in accommodations.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival available; some bureaucratic hurdles for longer stays.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
Complex tax system; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions and occasional political sensitivity.
🏛️ Political Stability
55%
Weight: 20
Recent political unrest has affected stability; situation improving.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45%
Weight: 15
Lengthy process for foreigners; requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
40%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Somewhat friendly but lacks infrastructure and community for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
20%
Weight: 25
Very few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35%
Weight: 20
Small online presence; limited forums or groups focused on Bentota.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
72%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime exists but low violent crime.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms require some caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; diverse population with some ethnic sensitivities.