Cost of Living in Bentota - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $425 (excluding rent), and $646 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $966 (excluding rent), and $1,095 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.12 LKR 1,275

$1.71 LKR 529

$8.57 LKR 2,654

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.43 LKR 4,156

$50.4 LKR 15.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.33 LKR 2,580

$6.00 LKR 1,859

$10.01 LKR 3,098

Cappuccino

$2.69 LKR 833

$1.18 LKR 364

$4.04 LKR 1,250

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

$0.69 LKR 215

$0.49 LKR 151

$1.31 LKR 406

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LKR 124

$0.31 LKR 95.3

$0.86 LKR 267

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.39 LKR 741

$1.54 LKR 478

$3.43 LKR 1,060

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 LKR 1,066

$2.41 LKR 745

$6.89 LKR 2,133

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 LKR 530

$1.49 LKR 460

$1.81 LKR 561

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 LKR 175

$0.49 LKR 153

$1.58 LKR 490

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.88 LKR 273

$0.70 LKR 217

$1.41 LKR 435

Eggs

$2.12 LKR 655

$1.18 LKR 365

$2.55 LKR 788

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.35 LKR 4,442

$4.43 LKR 1,372

$32.09 LKR 9,931

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.64 LKR 1,128

$2.98 LKR 923

$8.63 LKR 2,670

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.15 LKR 1,593

$12.02 LKR 3,720

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 LKR 2,342

$2.03 LKR 629

$10.17 LKR 3,146

Banana (1kg)

$0.86 LKR 265

$0.68 LKR 211

$2.05 LKR 633

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 LKR 1,803

$1.68 LKR 520

$10.11 LKR 3,130

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 LKR 316

$0.51 LKR 158

$2.39 LKR 739

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 LKR 355

$0.41 LKR 126

$1.70 LKR 525

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 LKR 424

$0.76 LKR 235

$2.31 LKR 714

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 LKR 367

$0.33 LKR 104

$2.04 LKR 630

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 LKR 174

$0.39 LKR 120

$0.97 LKR 300

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.08 LKR 3,121

$6.72 LKR 2,081

$11.76 LKR 3,640

Wine (Bottle)

$13.53 LKR 4,187

$7.95 LKR 2,462

$19.09 LKR 5,909

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 LKR 630

$1.43 LKR 442

$2.85 LKR 882

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 LKR 917

$1.70 LKR 526

$5.11 LKR 1,582

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.21 LKR 63.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.41 LKR 128

$0.34 LKR 105

$0.69 LKR 214

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LKR 102

$0.26 LKR 80.9

$0.66 LKR 204

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.62 LKR 191

$0.35 LKR 107

$1.27 LKR 392

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 LKR 386

$1.04 LKR 323

$1.45 LKR 449

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

$26.4K LKR 8.2M

$18.2K LKR 5.6M

$33.0K LKR 10.2M

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

$35.2K LKR 10.9M

$27.1K LKR 8.4M

$50.7K LKR 15.7M

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

$59.2 LKR 18.3K

$32.92 LKR 10.2K

$98.8 LKR 30.6K

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

$2.52 LKR 780

$6.73 LKR 2,083

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.13 LKR 3,135

$8.43 LKR 2,611

$40.49 LKR 12.5K

Cinema Ticket

$3.26 LKR 1,009

$2.44 LKR 756

$5.22 LKR 1,615

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

$36.44 LKR 11.3K

$16.56 LKR 5,126

$66.3 LKR 20.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$443 LKR 137.3K

$253 LKR 78.2K

$1,010 LKR 312.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.60 LKR 8,542

$11.74 LKR 3,634

$67.1 LKR 20.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.58 LKR 6,061

$6.77 LKR 2,094

$43.96 LKR 13.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.4 LKR 21.2K

$32.99 LKR 10.2K

$115 LKR 35.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.31 LKR 11.9K

$18.22 LKR 5,638

$77.8 LKR 24.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$244 LKR 75.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 LKR 46.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

16.45

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Bentota Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

148

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.