Fair prices in Sri Lanka — what things really cost

Booking a PickMe or Uber from Bandaranaike International Airport to central Colombo is usually the cheapest and clearest option, with the fare fixed in the app and no bargaining. Both have marked pickup points just outside arrivals; you will need airport wifi or a local SIM to book.

Official taxi counters inside arrivals quote a set fare to the city, convenient on late-night landings or with heavy luggage but often noticeably more than an app ride. Agree the price at the desk before you set off and ignore drivers touting inside the terminal.

Three-wheeler tuk-tuks are everywhere and cheap for short hops, but many drivers avoid the meter for tourists. Insist the driver starts the meter, or better, book a tuk-tuk through the PickMe app so the price is set in advance and there is nothing to argue about.

Ride-hailing apps cover Colombo well, fix the fare up front and let you choose a car or a metered tuk-tuk. They remove almost all fare disputes and are the easiest way to get around, especially in the heat or after dark.

A plate of rice with several curries and sambols is the everyday Sri Lankan meal and superb value at a busy local restaurant or a lunch 'hotel'. Look for places full of office workers at midday, when the fresh curries are laid out and cheapest.

Kottu, chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, egg and meat, is a cheap, filling evening staple you will hear being made before you see it. Order it at a busy street kitchen; a vegetable or egg kottu costs a little less than a meat or cheese one.

The bright-orange king coconut is Sri Lanka's roadside thirst-quencher, sliced open with a machete so you drink the sweet water fresh. It costs only a little from a street cart; agree the price first, as some vendors quote more to tourists.