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Analytics
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#884
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Hikkaduwa offers a low cost of living compared to Western standards, with affordable food, transport, and daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
81%
Weight: 80
Reasonably priced guesthouses and long-term rentals, though prices rise during peak tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; imported goods cost more but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90%
Weight: 20
Public transport and tuk-tuks are cheap and widely available; scooter rentals are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including beach activities, local events, and nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62%
Weight: 10
Limited gyms with moderate pricing; many prefer outdoor activities or yoga studios.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility recently, impacting budgeting for long-term stays.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 10-20 Mbps; stable but can be inconsistent during peak hours.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
35%
Weight: 40
Very limited formal coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity, popular among digital nomads.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
73%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
51%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among surfers and travelers than traditional digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and activate SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to beaches and nature supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
72%
Weight: 15
Generally good air and water quality near the coast, though some waste management issues exist.
🧼 Cleanliness
58%
Weight: 10
Public areas can be littered; cleanliness varies widely between establishments.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but less so in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Coastal location ensures relatively fresh air; occasional pollution from vehicles.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented facilities; better suited for solo travelers or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
50%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; for serious issues, travel to Colombo is recommended.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
55%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities in Hikkaduwa; adequate for minor ailments but lacks specialized care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; monsoon season brings heavy rains.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
43%
Weight: 10
Located in a tsunami-prone zone; also affected by monsoon flooding risks.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and beaches, though urban green spaces are limited.
❄️ Air Conditioning
68%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and cafes have AC, but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise from traffic and nightlife; quieter in residential areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
83%
Weight: 20
Rich Sri Lankan culture with local festivals, traditional arts, and cuisine.
🌃 Nightlife
60%
Weight: 15
Modest nightlife focused on beach bars and small clubs; quieter than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, coral reefs, surfing, and nature reserves.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
45%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
77%
Weight: 10
Good variety of tours including surfing, wildlife, and cultural excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small cafes and bars.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
86%
Weight: 25
Diverse local cuisine with fresh seafood and street food; some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
71%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and retreats available catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
59%
Weight: 15
Few gyms; outdoor fitness and yoga are more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood; vegetarian options widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
63%
Weight: 20
GMT+5:30; moderately favorable for European and Asian time zones, less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
42%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally occur.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote work depends on global clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; growing but not well established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
30%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces; those available are basic and small scale.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
25%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem in Hikkaduwa; more activity in Colombo.
💳 Local Payment Services
55%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and local banking services exist but can be limited for foreigners.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory environment is uncertain and adoption low.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is in Colombo, about 2.5 hours away by road.
🚇 Public Transit
48%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit; mainly buses and tuk-tuks.
🚶 Walkability
64%
Weight: 20
Walkable in town center and beach areas but infrastructure is basic.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
39%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps have limited presence; tuk-tuks dominate.
🚲 Cycling
52%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads can be busy and lack dedicated lanes.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Trains and buses connect Hikkaduwa to other cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
84%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are 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 with no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
63%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur, but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
72%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are easy to obtain; digital nomad visa options limited.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
Sri Lanka has moderate tax rates; no special incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions and occasional political sensitivities.
🏛️ Political Stability
50%
Weight: 20
Recent political unrest has affected stability; situation improving but cautious.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
43%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation and bureaucracy.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Friendly locals and relaxed atmosphere but infrastructure for nomads is limited.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
30%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community is small and informal.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Some presence on social media and forums but not very active.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime exists but low violent crime.
♀️ Female Friendly
62%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms require some caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society; some ethnic tensions exist but rare in tourist areas.