Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Smart money transfers worldwide.

Affiliate disclosure

Negombo, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#883 ,

Nomad Score: 63%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Negombo offers a low cost of living compared to Western standards, with affordable food, transport, and services.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
81% Weight: 80
Reasonably priced guesthouses and apartments, especially outside peak tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89% Weight: 40
Local markets and eateries provide fresh and inexpensive food options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90% Weight: 20
Public transport and tuk-tuks are very affordable for short distances.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
72% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options but affordable local events and beach activities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65% Weight: 10
Gyms are available but fewer in number; membership fees are moderate.
💱 Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced volatility recently, impacting purchasing power.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
68% Weight: 100
Decent 4G coverage and some fiber-optic options, but speeds can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41% Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or hotels.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
55% Weight: 30
Limited number of cafes catering specifically to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
39% Weight: 100
Negombo is not a major hub for digital nomads yet, overshadowed by Colombo and other cities.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
78% Weight: 30
Relaxed beach town atmosphere supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
62% Weight: 15
Coastal pollution and waste management issues affect environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
54% Weight: 10
Public areas can be littered; cleanliness standards vary widely.
🗨️ Language Barrier
67% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourist areas but less so in local neighborhoods.
💨 Air Quality
60% Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; some pollution from traffic and nearby industries.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
58% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; for serious issues, Colombo is preferred.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83% Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
60% Weight: 20
Limited advanced medical facilities locally; adequate for minor health needs.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
85% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; monsoon rains occur seasonally.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
42% Weight: 10
Coastal location exposes it to occasional flooding and cyclones.
🏞️ Green Spaces
50% Weight: 10
Limited parks and green public spaces within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75% Weight: 15
Many accommodations and cafes have AC, but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
30% Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
79% Weight: 20
Rich Sri Lankan culture with local festivals and traditions accessible.
🌃 Nightlife
40% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and beach venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
73% Weight: 15
Beaches and nearby lagoons offer good outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55% Weight: 10
Some opportunities to learn Sinhala and Tamil, but limited formal classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
70% Weight: 10
Access to cultural tours, fishing trips, and nature excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45% Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment venues; mostly small cafes and local events.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
82% Weight: 25
Diverse local cuisine with fresh seafood and street food options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
50% Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios; some guesthouses offer classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but not widespread.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71% Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70% Weight: 20
UTC+5:30 is convenient for Asia and Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
35% Weight: 25
Few formal networking events for digital nomads or entrepreneurs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
38% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
30% Weight: 15
Negombo has minimal startup activity compared to Colombo.
💳 Local Payment Services
60% Weight: 10
Mobile payment apps exist but cash remains dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
45% Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory environment is uncertain.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
89% Weight: 30
Close proximity to Bandaranaike International Airport with good international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
55% Weight: 20
Limited public bus services; tuk-tuks are primary mode.
🚶 Walkability
50% Weight: 20
Some walkable areas near the beach but infrastructure is inconsistent.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
62% Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps like PickMe operate but coverage is limited.
🚲 Cycling
40% Weight: 10
Few dedicated cycling lanes; traffic can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70% Weight: 15
Good bus and train connections to Colombo and other cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
75% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are common and affordable for short-term use.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78% Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the city and surroundings.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70% Weight: 20
VPN services generally work well with minimal 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
72% Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward to obtain; e-visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; no specific digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65% Weight: 15
Generally free but occasional political sensitivities exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
50% Weight: 20
Recent political unrest has affected stability but improving.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners due to documentation and bureaucracy.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45% Weight: 10
Lengthy and complex process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
45% Weight: 50
Basic amenities for nomads exist but infrastructure and community are limited.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
20% Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35% Weight: 20
Small online presence for Negombo digital nomads.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
70% Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime exists but low.
♀️ Female Friendly
60% Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms require some caution but many female travelers visit safely.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with diverse ethnic groups.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.