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Kandy, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#880 ,

Nomad Score: 63%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Kandy offers a low cost of living compared to global standards, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79% Weight: 80
Reasonably priced guesthouses and apartments, though options are limited compared to Colombo.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries provide inexpensive fresh produce and meals.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91% Weight: 20
Public transport and tuk-tuks are very cheap and widely available.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options keep costs low.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63% Weight: 10
Few gyms available with modest pricing; not as widespread as in bigger cities.
💱 Currency Stability
54% Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility, impacting financial predictability.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
68% Weight: 100
Moderate speeds with occasional interruptions; fiber available but not widespread.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
35% Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but lack dedicated facilities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40% Weight: 100
Kandy is less known among digital nomads compared to Colombo or Galle.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
80% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to nature supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78% Weight: 15
Surrounded by greenery and lakes, air quality is generally good.
🧼 Cleanliness
59% Weight: 10
Public areas can be moderately clean but some littering is common.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist areas but less so in local markets.
💨 Air Quality
76% Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to less industrial activity.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
65% Weight: 25
Safe environment with schools and parks, but limited expat community.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
57% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; for serious issues, travel to Colombo recommended.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84% Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable but limited in advanced care.
🏥 Healthcare
60% Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor ailments; limited specialist services locally.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
79% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some monsoon rains.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
63% Weight: 10
Low risk of major disasters; occasional flooding during monsoon season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90% Weight: 10
Abundant parks, botanical gardens, and surrounding hills.
❄️ Air Conditioning
55% Weight: 15
Not common in many accommodations; fans are more typical.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32% Weight: 10
Tropical climate with minimal seasonal variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
50% Weight: 10
Moderate noise from traffic and local markets; quieter than major cities.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
88% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with temples, festivals, and traditional arts.
🌃 Nightlife
38% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly quiet evenings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
93% Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, lakes, and scenic landscapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50% Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
85% Weight: 10
Many cultural tours, temple visits, and nature excursions available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
41% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas or malls.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
77% Weight: 25
Good variety of local Sri Lankan cuisine; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60% Weight: 10
Some yoga centers exist but not abundant.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58% Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
74% Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables widely available; healthy local dishes common.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67% Weight: 20
GMT+5:30; suitable for Asia and Europe-based remote work, less ideal for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
39% Weight: 25
Few formal networking events for digital nomads or entrepreneurs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
25% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
31% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
30% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
28% Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in Kandy compared to Colombo.
💳 Local Payment Services
62% Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40% Weight: 15
Limited adoption and regulatory clarity.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
35% Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Bandaranaike International Airport, about 3 hours away.
🚇 Public Transit
68% Weight: 20
Buses and trains available but can be crowded and slow.
🚶 Walkability
60% Weight: 20
City center is walkable but infrastructure varies.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
57% Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like PickMe operate but less prevalent than in Colombo.
🚲 Cycling
45% Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70% Weight: 15
Train and bus connections to other cities are available and affordable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
63% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available but safety standards vary.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; rural spots less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
78% Weight: 20
VPN services generally work well without restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60% Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur, but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55% Weight: 10
Limited free public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
70% Weight: 40
Tourist visas are easy to obtain; some restrictions apply.
📊 Tax Friendliness
52% Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65% Weight: 15
Generally free but occasional political sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
58% Weight: 20
Some political unrest in recent years but currently stable.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
43% Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
47% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of June 2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
50% Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
32% Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45% Weight: 20
Limited online groups focused on Kandy digital nomads.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
74% Weight: 100
Generally safe for travelers; petty crime exists but low violent crime.
♀️ Female Friendly
60% Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms require some caution but generally safe.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Multi-ethnic society with reasonable tolerance.

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