Genki Logo
Genki offers international health insurance tailored for digital nomads, expats, and long-term travelers, providing worldwide coverage and flexibility.

Stay covered anywhere.

Affiliate disclosure
Nomad Score: 61%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Ella is very affordable compared to global standards, with low prices for food, accommodation, and transport.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85% Weight: 80
Budget guesthouses and mid-range homestays are common and inexpensive; limited luxury options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89% Weight: 40
Local food and groceries are cheap and fresh, especially fruits and vegetables.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90% Weight: 20
Public transport and tuk-tuks are very affordable; intercity buses and trains are cheap.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options but affordable local activities and tours.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
41% Weight: 10
Few gyms available; membership costs are moderate but options are limited.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility; moderate inflation concerns.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
58% Weight: 100
4G widely available; some guesthouses and cafes offer WiFi but speeds can be inconsistent.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
24% Weight: 40
Very limited formal coworking spaces; mostly cafes and guesthouses used for work.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
63% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
πŸ’»β˜• Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
57% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but seating and power outlets are limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
48% Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among backpackers than long-term nomads.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
83% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase SIM cards with good data plans for tourists.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance
79% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
84% Weight: 15
Clean mountain air and lush surroundings; minimal pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
67% Weight: 10
Generally clean tourist areas; some rural spots less maintained.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
52% Weight: 30
English is spoken in tourist areas but less so in local communities.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
86% Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to elevation and greenery.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
55% Weight: 25
Suitable for families who enjoy nature and quiet; limited child-focused amenities.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
43% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; serious cases require travel to larger cities.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
78% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
45% Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Ella; adequate for minor issues but not emergencies.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
76% Weight: 80
Mild tropical climate with cooler mountain air; some rainy periods.
πŸŒͺ️ Natural Disaster Risk
61% Weight: 10
Low risk of major disasters; occasional landslides and monsoon rains.
🏞️ Green Spaces
94% Weight: 10
Surrounded by tea plantations, forests, and hills; excellent access to nature.
❄️ Air Conditioning
39% Weight: 15
Limited AC availability; many accommodations rely on fans due to cooler climate.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
55% Weight: 10
Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons; mild temperature variation.
πŸ”Š Noise Pollution
79% Weight: 10
Low noise pollution; peaceful environment.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
78% Weight: 20
Rich local culture with Buddhist temples and traditional Sri Lankan customs.
πŸŒƒ Nightlife
32% Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly quiet evenings with few bars.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97% Weight: 15
Excellent hiking, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints; a nature lover’s paradise.
πŸ—£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
40% Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; some informal opportunities to learn Sinhala or Tamil.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75% Weight: 10
Good availability of guided hikes, tea factory tours, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
38% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small cafes and guesthouses.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
79% Weight: 25
Delicious local Sri Lankan cuisine widely available; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
51% Weight: 10
A few yoga studios and retreats exist but not widespread.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
42% Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities more common.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
73% Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables abundant; vegetarian and vegan options available.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
64% Weight: 20
GMT+5:30; moderate overlap with Europe and Asia, less with Americas.
🀝 Networking Opportunities
35% Weight: 25
Few formal networking events; small expat and nomad community.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
29% Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly reliant on global online work.
πŸ†“ Freelance Ecosystem
31% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support or platforms.
🏒 Coworking Quality
22% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; those available are basic with limited amenities.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
18% Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in Ella; more concentrated in Colombo.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
56% Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant; limited international payment options.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40% Weight: 15
Emerging interest but limited infrastructure and regulation.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
37% Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is over 3 hours away; limited direct connections.
πŸš‡ Public Transit
68% Weight: 20
Local buses and trains available but infrequent; no urban transit system.
🚢 Walkability
74% Weight: 20
Small town center is walkable; some hilly terrain.
πŸš— Ride-sharing Services
39% Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; tuk-tuks and taxis are main options.
🚲 Cycling
50% Weight: 10
Possible but hilly terrain and road conditions can be challenging.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
65% Weight: 15
Trains and buses connect Ella to other cities; travel times can be long.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
67% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available and popular among tourists.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
71% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surroundings; some rural spots weaker.
πŸ”’ VPN Reliability
78% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major restrictions.
⚑ Power Grid Reliability
60% Weight: 15
Occasional power outages; generally stable but not guaranteed 24/7.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
54% Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and guesthouses.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
69% Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; no specific digital nomad visa.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
43% Weight: 30
Sri Lanka has moderate tax rates; no special incentives for nomads.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
62% Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions and occasional political sensitivity.
πŸ›οΈ Political Stability
55% Weight: 20
Some political unrest in recent years; situation improving but still fragile.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires local documentation and presence.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
38% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and slow process for foreigners.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
51% Weight: 50
Welcoming locals and relaxed atmosphere but limited infrastructure for nomads.
🀝 Nomad Events & Meetups
23% Weight: 25
Very few organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
47% Weight: 20
Small online groups and forums but not very active.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety
76% Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime low.
♀️ Female Friendly
60% Weight: 50
Relatively safe but conservative culture; some caution advised.
✊ Racial Tolerance
68% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; diverse ethnic groups coexist peacefully.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

  • Navigate
  • Tools