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Analytics
Ella, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#882
,
Nomad Score:
61%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 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.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
41%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; membership costs are moderate but options are limited.
💱 Currency Stability
53%
Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility; moderate inflation concerns.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
58%
Weight: 100
4G widely available; some guesthouses and cafes offer WiFi but speeds can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
24%
Weight: 40
Very limited formal coworking spaces; mostly cafes and guesthouses used for work.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
63%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ 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.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase SIM cards with good data plans for tourists.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ 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.
🗨️ Language Barrier
52%
Weight: 30
English is spoken in tourist areas but less so in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
86%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to elevation and greenery.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families who enjoy nature and quiet; limited child-focused amenities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
43%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; serious cases require travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
45%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Ella; adequate for minor issues but not emergencies.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
76%
Weight: 80
Mild tropical climate with cooler mountain air; some rainy periods.
🌪️ 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.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
55%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons; mild temperature variation.
🔊 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.
🌃 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.
🗣️ 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.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
42%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables abundant; vegetarian and vegan options available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ 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.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
29%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly reliant on global online work.
🆓 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.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
18%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in Ella; more concentrated in Colombo.
💳 Local Payment Services
56%
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
37%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is over 3 hours away; limited direct connections.
🚇 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.
🚗 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.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Trains and buses connect Ella to other cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available and popular among tourists.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surroundings; some rural spots weaker.
🔒 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.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and guesthouses.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
69%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
43%
Weight: 30
Sri Lanka has moderate tax rates; no special incentives for nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
62%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions and occasional political sensitivity.
🏛️ 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.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
38%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and slow process for foreigners.
📄✈️ 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.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
47%
Weight: 20
Small online groups and forums but not very active.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ 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.