Weligama, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
#890
5.975433, 80.429561
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Weligama is a coastal town located in the southern province of Sri Lanka, known for its stunning beaches and surfing spots. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 25,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 25-30 Mbps, with higher speeds available in coworking spaces. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 330 LKR. ATMs are available, and major credit cards are accepted at most establishments. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. It's advisable to buy bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type D/G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Dialog, Mobitel, and Hutch are popular providers offering good coverage and data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commercial Bank, HNB, and Sampath Bank widely used. Online banking available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from beachfront guesthouses to mid-range hotels and luxury villas. Airbnb is also widely available. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com with prices ranging from $15 to $100 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels and guesthouses like 'Weligama Bay Resort' from $10 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Flow, a popular coworking space with high-speed internet and a great community atmosphere. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Weligama Beach Cafe, offering good coffee and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Weekly meetups at local cafes, and various digital nomad groups on Facebook. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Monthly 'Expats in Weligama' meetups, often held at local bars and restaurants. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | PickMe is the most popular ride-hailing app in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Several local shops offer scooters for around $5-10 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Weligama Beach, known for its surfing and relaxing atmosphere. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | SriLankan Airlines operates domestic flights connecting major cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates, Qatar Airways, and SriLankan Airlines offer international connectivity. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to the Southern Expressway for quick travel to Colombo and Galle. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Weligama Railway Station offers connections to Colombo and Galle. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No specific passes; buses operate frequently between cities. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains are the primary means of transport to nearby cities like Galle and Matara. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Weligama General Hospital for basic medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Soul and Surf offers yoga classes and wellness retreats. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Weligama Fitness Center provides basic gym facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundries offer services at reasonable prices around $1-2 per kg. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and PickMe Food are available for local food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Kottu Roti, a popular dish made from chopped roti, vegetables, and meat. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Spice Route offers a fantastic range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Creamy Elephant serves delicious local desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets and small shops offer budget-friendly fruits and vegetables. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Daraz.lk for a variety of household and personal products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Grocery stores like Cargills offer home delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Hangout is a lively spot for nightlife with music and cocktails. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Ceylon Brewery offers tours and tastings at select locations. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Company has a good selection of international and local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various stalls along Weligama Beach serve delicious snacks and meals. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | The Fish Spot serves exceptional seafood and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the iconic Weligama Bay and the surrounding fishing villages. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Weligama doesn't have major museums, but local art is found in various galleries. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Weligama Church and Old Dutch Fort in Galle nearby. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Kustaraja Maha Viharaya temple nearby is a place of local worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Weligama Festival typically held in September, featuring local culture and music. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Explore local markets for a taste of Sri Lankan culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Open-air events sometimes held on the beach. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Weligama Fish Market is vibrant and worth exploring. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at various beach bars and restaurants during the weekends. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Some local murals available around town; keeps evolving. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes available at local homestays offering traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Occasional exhibitions are held in various local venues. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Various colonial-era structures can be found in nearby Galle. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Fishing traditions and the history of coconut cultivation are key aspects of local heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Visit the nearby Mirissa Beach for whale watching and pristine coastline. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Yala National Park is a few hours away, famous for wildlife safaris. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Scenic cycling routes along the coast towards Mirissa. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoints at the cliffs near the coastline offer stunning sunset views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wetlands near Weligama are known for migratory bird sightings. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beach areas are usually friendly for bonfires, subject to local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local postal services are available for deliveries. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops offer basic tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers occasionally have table tennis setups. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools offering Sinhala and Tamil classes can be found in nearby towns. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Local cafes with Wi-Fi are popular study spots; no public library is available. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local community centers host social events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | None specifically; online gaming is popular in local cafes. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No dedicated casinos; occasional gaming events may be organized. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = $75,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $108,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $136,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 14% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Sri Lankan residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 24% for high-income earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate of 8%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 4% on property purchases. |