Money in Sri Lanka: Currency, ATMs, Cards and Tipping

Sri Lanka's currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR, often written Rs). Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, but small guesthouses, tuk-tuks, local cafés, markets and many entrance tickets are cash only. Plan to carry rupees every day.

Getting rupees

ATMs

ATMs are the easiest way to get cash. You'll find them at the airport arrivals hall, in every town and in many supermarkets. Machines from the big banks — Commercial Bank, Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, Sampath Bank, HNB and others — generally accept Visa and Mastercard.

• Expect a local fee per withdrawal on top of whatever your home bank charges. Withdrawing larger amounts less often keeps fees down.
• If one machine declines your card, try another bank. It's common for one network to work when another doesn't.
• Always choose to be charged in rupees if the machine offers a conversion; the "guaranteed rate" is usually worse.
• Tell your bank you're travelling so your card isn't blocked.

Changing cash

US dollars, euros and British pounds are easy to exchange at banks and licensed money changers, including at the airport. Bring clean, undamaged notes — torn or marked notes may be refused. Rates at the airport are reasonable, so there's no need to hunt for a better deal on arrival.

You can't buy rupees easily outside Sri Lanka, and you should change leftover rupees back before you leave (keep your exchange receipts).

Paying by card

• Accepted: most mid-range and upscale hotels, chain restaurants, supermarkets such as Keells and Cargills Food City, larger shops and online train bookings.
• Sometimes accepted: guesthouses, safari and whale-watching operators — often with a surcharge of a few percent.
• Rarely accepted: tuk-tuks, buses, street food, small shops and local restaurants.

Contactless payments are spreading in Colombo but shouldn't be relied on elsewhere.

Prices in dollars

Some tourist services quote prices in US dollars — notably the Cultural Triangle sites (such as Sigiriya), national park entry, some hotels and private drivers. You'll usually pay the rupee equivalent at the day's rate. Foreigners pay considerably higher entrance fees than locals at major sites; this is normal and official.

Small change

Larger notes (LKR 5,000) can be hard to break in small shops and tuk-tuks. Keep a stash of 100, 500 and 1,000 notes, and break big notes at supermarkets, petrol stations and hotels.

Tipping

Tipping isn't compulsory, but it's appreciated and service wages are low.

• Restaurants: many add a service charge of around 10% to the bill. If not, rounding up or leaving about 10% is generous.
• Drivers: for a multi-day chauffeur-guide tour, a common tip is roughly LKR 2,000–3,000 per day for good service, given at the end of the trip.
• Safari jeep drivers and trackers: around LKR 1,000–2,000 per jeep for a half-day.
• Hotel staff: a few hundred rupees for porters; many hotels have a shared tip box for all staff.
• Temple shoe-keepers and toilet attendants: small change (around LKR 100).
• Guides at heritage sites: agree the fee in advance; tip on top for an excellent tour.

Budgeting

For full daily budgets — from backpacker guesthouses to boutique hotels — see our Sri Lanka travel costs guide.