Money

Money in Sri Lanka: Cash, Cards, ATMs & Tipping

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the only legal tender for local purchases. Here is how to carry money, where cards work, and how much to tip. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and city supermarkets, but small guesthouses, tuk-tuks, local eateries and market stalls are cash-only. Carry enough small-denomination rupees for day-to-day spending outside tourist hubs.

travelguides.lk · updated Jun 2026 Sourced editorial

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Cash vs card
ATMs
Changing money
Tipping

Cash vs card

Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and city supermarkets, but small guesthouses, tuk-tuks, local eateries and market stalls are cash-only. Carry enough small-denomination rupees for day-to-day spending outside tourist hubs.

Bring a bank card that waives foreign-transaction fees where possible; Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks.

ATMs

ATMs are common in cities and larger towns (Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, Bank of Ceylon among others) and mostly dispense LKR. Withdrawal limits and fees vary by bank, check with your home bank about foreign ATM fees before you go.

Smaller towns and rural areas can have few or no ATMs, withdraw before heading to the hill country or the east/north coasts.

Changing money

Banks and licensed money changers at the airport and in cities offer the most reliable rates; avoid unlicensed street changers. Use the Currency tool in this app for a quick, sourced USD to LKR reference rate.

Tipping

Tipping is customary but not obligatory. A rough guide: round up or add ~10% at restaurants without a service charge, small notes (Rs 100 to 300) for drivers, porters and guides per service, and Rs 1,500 to 3,000 per day is typical for a full-day private driver.

Frequently asked

Should I carry cash or card in Sri Lanka?

Both: cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants, but tuk-tuks, small eateries and guesthouses run on cash. Withdraw rupees from bank ATMs every few days.