South Asia

Money, cards and tipping in Sri Lanka

Capital: ColomboSinhala, Tamil, EnglishUpdated October 2026

LKRRupee

Money in Sri Lanka

Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and upmarket restaurants. Cash rules for tuk-tuks, buses, local eateries and small guesthouses. US$1 ≈ Rs330.41 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Many bills include a 10% service charge; add a little for good service. Drivers and guides expect a daily tip; round up tuk-tuk fares.
ATMs: Commercial Bank, BOC, HNB and Sampath ATMs take foreign cards; limits and fees vary by bank.
Paying by phone: Contactless foreign cards and phone wallets work at modern terminals; LankaQR codes need a local bank app.
Price level: about 27% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Ella	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at larger hotels and some cafés; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, small restaurants and guesthouses.
Colombo	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, malls and most cafés; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, markets and small eateries.
Kandy	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, markets and small eateries.
Galle	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in fort hotels and many cafés; cash for tuk-tuks, local eateries and market stalls.
Mirissa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at larger hotels and some restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, beach bars and small shops.
Weligama	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at larger cafés and hotels; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, surf shops and small eateries.
Arugam Bay	Mostly cash	Cards at a few hotels and cafés; carry cash for tuk-tuks, local eateries, surf shops and guesthouses. ATMs in Pottuvil.
Sigiriya	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at hotels and larger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, safaris, local eateries and entry fees.
Unawatuna	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at larger hotels and some restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, beach bars and small shops.
Hikkaduwa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at larger hotels and some restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, beach bars and small shops.
Nuwara Eliya	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, tea factories and small eateries.
Negombo	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at hotels and larger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, fish markets and small eateries.
Ahangama	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at boutique hotels and some cafés; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, local eateries and surf shops.
Hiriketiya	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at a few cafés and hotels; cash for tuk-tuks, buses and small shops. ATMs are in Dickwella.
Trincomalee	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards at resorts and bigger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, local eateries and boat trips.
Bentota	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses, beach shacks and small guesthouses. ATMs in Aluthgama and Bentota.
Tangalle	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in the better guesthouses and some restaurants; cash for tuk-tuks, buses and beach shacks. ATMs are in Tangalle town.
Jaffna	Mostly cash	Cash in rupees for tuk-tuks, buses and eateries. Cards in upscale hotels and a few shops; ATMs are in town.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Sri Lanka?

Many bills include a 10% service charge; add a little for good service. Drivers and guides expect a daily tip; round up tuk-tuk fares.

Is Sri Lanka cashless?

Mixed: cards and cash. Cards work in hotels, supermarkets and upmarket restaurants. Cash rules for tuk-tuks, buses, local eateries and small guesthouses.

What currency does Sri Lanka use?

The Rupee (LKR). US$1 ≈ Rs330.41 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.