Ella, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#882
,
Nomad Score:
60%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Ella is very affordable compared to global standards, with low prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Budget guesthouses and mid-range homestays are inexpensive, but limited luxury options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local food and groceries are cheap and fresh, especially fruits and vegetables.
🚌 Transportation Cost
83%
Weight: 20
Public transport and tuk-tuks are very affordable, though options are limited.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72%
Weight: 15
Entertainment mainly includes nature activities and local tours, which are low cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
41%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; memberships are affordable but options are limited.
💱 Currency Stability
53%
Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility recently, impacting currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
57%
Weight: 100
Internet is generally stable but speeds can be inconsistent and slower than urban centers.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
24%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
61%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but lack dedicated workspaces.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
45%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
82%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with abundant nature promotes good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
86%
Weight: 15
Clean air and beautiful natural surroundings with minimal pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
63%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas have limited waste management infrastructure.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
English is spoken by many in tourism but local language (Sinhala/Tamil) dominates.
💨 Air Quality
88%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to rural setting and greenery.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited facilities for families but safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
47%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; for serious issues, travel to bigger cities needed.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality varies.
🏥 Healthcare
49%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Ella; better options in Colombo or Kandy.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
78%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures; rainy season can be intense but short.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
62%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional heavy rains and landslides possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Surrounded by lush hills, tea plantations, and forests.
❄️ Air Conditioning
35%
Weight: 15
Limited air conditioning in accommodations; generally not needed due to cooler climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
42%
Weight: 10
Mild seasonal changes; mostly tropical with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
79%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution due to rural setting.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
84%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with Buddhist temples and traditional Sri Lankan customs.
🌃 Nightlife
21%
Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly quiet evenings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97%
Weight: 15
Excellent for hiking, waterfalls, and scenic views.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
38%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Many local tours including tea factory visits, hikes, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
30%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local Sri Lankan cuisine and some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
54%
Weight: 10
A few yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
39%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and traditional healthy dishes widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
UTC+5:30; moderate overlap with Europe and Asia, less convenient for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
32%
Weight: 25
Few formal networking events; mostly informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
20%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is minimal; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
25%
Weight: 20
Limited local freelance ecosystem; digital nomads mostly independent.
🏢 Coworking Quality
21%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; quality and facilities basic.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
18%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in Ella.
💳 Local Payment Services
56%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption; some interest among younger population.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
37%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Colombo, about 6 hours away by road.
🚇 Public Transit
45%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit; mainly buses and tuk-tuks.
🚶 Walkability
69%
Weight: 20
Small town center is walkable but hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
33%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like PickMe available but limited coverage.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Possible but hilly terrain and road conditions limit cycling.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
58%
Weight: 15
Train and bus connections to major cities available but slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
64%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available and popular among tourists.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
73%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well without restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
48%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival available; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
44%
Weight: 30
Sri Lanka has moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some media restrictions exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
52%
Weight: 20
Some political unrest in recent years but currently stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
35%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Somewhat friendly but limited infrastructure for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
22%
Weight: 25
Few to no regular nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small online presence; mostly informal groups.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for travelers; petty crime rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms require some caution but generally safe.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant; diverse ethnic groups coexist peacefully.