What currency should I bring to Sri Lanka — USD, EUR, or exchange at home?
Travelling from Germany. I've heard different advice about whether to bring euros or US dollars to exchange, or whether to just rely on ATMs. A few specific things I want to know:
1. Are ATMs widely available outside Colombo (in places like Ella and Sigiriya)?
2. Is the exchange rate better at the airport, in Colombo, or at local banks?
3. Are US dollars accepted directly anywhere, or is it always LKR?
4. What is the current daily ATM withdrawal limit for foreign cards?
5. Are credit cards accepted widely, or is cash still king outside cities?
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4 Answers from travellers
Outdated Information: This answer is over 6 months old. Prices, schedules, or availability may have changed. Please verify current information before making travel plans.
Practical money guide for 2025:
Best exchange rate sources (ranked):
1. Licensed money changers in Colombo Fort or Pettah — usually the best rates, better than banks
2. Commercial Bank or Nations Trust Bank ATMs — good rates, low foreign fees on many cards
3. Airport exchange counters — convenient but rates are 3–5% worse than city
4. Hotel exchange — worst rates, avoid unless desperate
USD vs EUR:
- USD gets marginally better rates at most changers (USD is king here)
- EUR is widely accepted for exchange
- Bring USD 100–200 in small bills as backup; it's useful if your card fails
ATM availability:
- Colombo, Kandy, Galle: ATMs everywhere, no worries
- Ella: 2–3 ATMs (Commercial Bank, People's Bank), frequently run out of cash on weekends — withdraw before arriving
- Sigiriya/Dambulla: limited ATMs, stock up in Dambulla town
- Arugam Bay: one or two ATMs, unreliable in peak season. Always carry cash when heading to remote areas
Daily ATM limits:
- Typical limit: LKR 40,000–80,000 per transaction (varies by bank)
- Your home bank daily limit applies on top of this
- Visa/Mastercard widely accepted at most ATMs
Card usage:
- Colombo, Galle Fort, large hotels: cards widely accepted
- Everywhere else: cash preferred
- Tuk-tuks, local restaurants, markets: always cash
Bottom line for a German traveller: bring EUR 150–200 in cash, exchange the bulk at a Colombo money changer, use ATMs for top-ups, and always have LKR 5,000–10,000 cash on you when leaving cities.
Specific tip for Ella: the Commercial Bank ATM on the main road runs out of cash almost every Friday and Saturday during peak season. I arrived on a Saturday with only LKR 2,000 left and the ATM was empty. The nearest working ATM was in Bandarawela (20 minutes away). Always withdraw in Kandy or Nuwara Eliya before heading to Ella on a weekend.
Revolut and Wise cards work excellently in Sri Lanka and give you near-interbank exchange rates. I used Revolut for the entire trip — no foreign transaction fees, great rates, instant notifications. Withdraw LKR from ATMs with your Revolut card and you'll get a significantly better rate than exchanging cash. Just keep the ATM withdrawal amounts within your free allowance to avoid fees.
On the question of USD being accepted directly: a few guesthouses, safari operators, and tour companies quote and accept USD. National park entry fees are quoted in USD but collected in LKR equivalent. In practice, paying in LKR is always preferred and you get more predictable value. Never pay for local food or tuk-tuks in USD — you will always lose out on the conversion.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
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