Dialog was fine in A-Bay and died in Ella - do I add Airtel or is that two SIMs for nothing
Dialog tourist SIM from CMB. Full bars on the east, WhatsApp voice notes failed on Little Adam's Peak and in the guesthouse above Ella town. Friend with Airtel said the opposite on the coast. We have hill country then maybe Trinco. Dual-SIM phone. Is a second local SIM actually the move.
More
3 Answers from travellers
Dialog and Mobitel are the two that usually work here. Airtel / Hutch are the ones people buy cheap and then curse in the tea. Up the ridge above town every network drops - that is the hill, not your SIM. In the bazaar, Dialog 4G is fine for maps, not always for a video call. If you already have Dialog, stay. A second SIM only helps if you are doing a lot of east and deep hill and you have a dual-SIM and you enjoy topping up two apps.
Mobitel was the stronger village data for me in A-Bay, Dialog fine on the main road. Airtel got me through Pottuvil and then got weird toward Panama.
Buy one proper tourist pack at CMB (Dialog or Mobitel), register your passport, done. Do not let a tuk-tuk take you to a better shop in town.
Scam Watch: ella
People outside stations offer to "help" buy tickets but charge large markups. They may buy cheap third-class tickets and sell as more expensive classes.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- Dialog was fine in A-Bay and died in Ella - do I add Airtel or is that two SIMs for nothing3 answers
- Ella for three days. What to do, where to stay and how to use it as a base.3 answers
- Best places to stay in Ella for beautiful mountain views.1 answer
- Ella Rock sunrise hike leaving from a local homestay in the dark4 answers
- Knuckles range homestays for the extreme Duwili Ella cave waterfall hike4 answers
- Ella Rock sunrise hike and asking homestays for an early breakfast pack5 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture