Cost of Living in Bentota - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $455 (excluding rent), and $668 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,029 (excluding rent), and $1,095 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.03 LKR 1,205

$1.68 LKR 501

$8.4 LKR 2,509

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.44 LKR 4,014

$50.4 LKR 15.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.35 LKR 2,495

$6.02 LKR 1,798

$10.03 LKR 2,996

Cappuccino

$2.66 LKR 795

$1.16 LKR 347

$3.99 LKR 1,193

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 LKR 221

$0.52 LKR 156

$1.39 LKR 417

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 LKR 113

$0.29 LKR 87.1

$0.82 LKR 244

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.3 LKR 688

$1.49 LKR 444

$3.29 LKR 984

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.42 LKR 1,022

$2.39 LKR 714

$6.84 LKR 2,043

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 LKR 533

$1.55 LKR 462

$1.88 LKR 563

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 LKR 158

$0.46 LKR 137

$1.48 LKR 441

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.8 LKR 239

$0.64 LKR 191

$1.28 LKR 382

Eggs

$2.2 LKR 657

$1.23 LKR 366

$2.64 LKR 790

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.81 LKR 4,125

$4.27 LKR 1,274

$30.87 LKR 9,223

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.77 LKR 1,127

$3.08 LKR 922

$8.92 LKR 2,667

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.07 LKR 1,515

$11.83 LKR 3,536

Apples (1kg)

$7.61 LKR 2,275

$2.05 LKR 611

$10.23 LKR 3,057

Banana (1kg)

$0.82 LKR 245

$0.65 LKR 195

$1.96 LKR 586

Oranges (1kg)

$5.9 LKR 1,764

$1.7 LKR 509

$10.25 LKR 3,062

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 304

$0.51 LKR 152

$2.38 LKR 710

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 LKR 333

$0.39 LKR 118

$1.64 LKR 492

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 LKR 411

$0.76 LKR 228

$2.32 LKR 692

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.2 LKR 358

$0.34 LKR 101

$2.06 LKR 615

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 LKR 177

$0.41 LKR 122

$1.02 LKR 306

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10 LKR 2,987

$6.66 LKR 1,991

$11.66 LKR 3,483

Wine (Bottle)

$13.98 LKR 4,177

$8.22 LKR 2,457

$23.03 LKR 6,881

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 LKR 607

$1.43 LKR 426

$2.84 LKR 850

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 LKR 849

$1.63 LKR 487

$4.9 LKR 1,465

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.19 LKR 56.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.38 LKR 114

$0.31 LKR 94

$0.64 LKR 191

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.36 LKR 107

$0.28 LKR 84.6

$0.71 LKR 213

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.61 LKR 181

$0.34 LKR 101

$1.24 LKR 371

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 LKR 377

$1.06 LKR 315

$1.47 LKR 438

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.4K LKR 7.9M

$18.1K LKR 5.4M

$32.9K LKR 9.8M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$35.3K LKR 10.6M

$27.2K LKR 8.1M

$51K LKR 15.2M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$60.3 LKR 18K

$33.54 LKR 10K

$101 LKR 30.1K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$2.48 LKR 742

$6.63 LKR 1,980

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.23 LKR 3,058

$8.52 LKR 2,547

$40.92 LKR 12.2K

Cinema Ticket

$3.36 LKR 1,004

$2.52 LKR 752

$5.38 LKR 1,606

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$36.16 LKR 10.8K

$16.44 LKR 4,911

$65.8 LKR 19.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$438 LKR 130.7K

$249 LKR 74.5K

$997 LKR 297.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.47 LKR 8,209

$11.69 LKR 3,492

$66.8 LKR 20K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.5 LKR 5,825

$6.74 LKR 2,013

$43.77 LKR 13.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.5 LKR 20.5K

$33.05 LKR 9,874

$116 LKR 34.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.19 LKR 11.4K

$18.16 LKR 5,425

$77.6 LKR 23.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$241 LKR 72.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 LKR 45.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Bentota - Frequently Asked Questions

Bentota offers a balanced mix of beach access and comfortable living that many travelers, expats, and digital nomads value. If you want a quieter base with easy day trips to cultural sites and nature, lodging and dining can feel reasonably priced for a coastal town, especially outside peak season. The Cost of Living in Bentota, Sri Lanka tends to be more moderate than bigger cities or famous resort zones, with options ranging from simple guesthouses to mid-range villas. For work, Wi-Fi in select guesthouses and cafes is improving, and transport links to Colombo and Kalutara are straightforward. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for beach proximity and groceries.

Daily life in Bentota centers on beach walks, fresh seafood, and a relaxed rhythm. Housing search leans toward guesthouses, small hotels, or rental villas within easy reach of the shore; longer stays often bring better weekly rates. Local markets and small grocers cover everyday needs, with larger shops in nearby towns offering more variety. Transport is straightforward: tuk-tuks for quick hops and buses or trains for broader trips to Kalutara or Colombo. Co-working spaces are emerging in cafes and shared offices, with dependable connectivity in the popular spots. Bentota, Sri Lanka living cost varies by season and neighborhood, so plan flexible days. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for proximity to the beach and groceries.

For a comfortable, long-term stay, map out a simple budgeting framework: allocate a stable rent/housing portion, a flexible daily spend for meals and errands, and a small buffer for occasional activities. In Bentota you’ll find river-adjacent calm neighborhoods and busier coastal strips, choose based on your preferred pace and access to groceries, beaches, and quiet workspaces. Seasonality affects crowds and service quality, so consider shoulder months for lower costs and easier negotiation. Prioritize neighborhoods with reliable power and internet, reachable healthcare, and easy transport links to Colombo or Kalutara for occasional trips. Tip: test two or three areas for a week each before signing a long-term lease.