Whether you’re heading to the bustling Colombo or planning to ride trains through tea plantations, you’ll likely want to share your experiences on social media or with your family. Unfortunately, hotel Wi-Fi might not always be reliable, or you may not always be within its range. The solution? Buy a SIM card or an eSIM Sri Lanka. And we’ll help you choose the best option.
Sri Lanka eSIM: How to Choose the Best One?
You should base your choice on the expected duration of your stay and the amount of data you’ll need. Remember that during your vacation, you’re often away from Wi-Fi, so your data usage might be higher than at home.
Also, consider whether you’ll be staying near major cities and resorts or venturing into remote areas. This will influence which operator and coverage to choose. Sri Lanka has plenty of operators, but Dialog and Mobitel offer the best coverage. We recommend avoiding Airalo’s eSIM, which does include calls and SMS for an additional fee, but it connects through Hutch, which may not suffice in remote areas.
If you plan to travel from Sri Lanka to other Asian countries, you might benefit from a global eSIM that covers multiple countries. If you’re unsure, check out our article on how to choose the best eSIM.
The Most Affordable Data eSIMs for Sri Lanka
Let’s look at the prices of the most popular data packages. We’ve selected the most affordable and reliable providers for you.
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The Cheapest Packages
Need an eSIM just as a backup, and 1 GB is enough for you? We recommend eSIM4Travel. It costs $1.67 and lasts for 7 days after activation. You’ll be connected through Mobitel, ensuring coverage almost everywhere.
Staying in Sri Lanka for two weeks? Get an eSIM from MobiMatter, where 1 GB costs $3.99. This package is valid for 14 days and connects you to Mobitel.
For even better coverage, the best operator Dialog can be accessed via an eSIM from Nomad. It costs $4.50. Nomad also offers an eSIM for $4, but we recommend avoiding it since it connects via Hutch, which doesn’t have great coverage.
Moderate Data Usage (5 GB)
If you use Wi-Fi during your vacation but still want to access maps or store hours occasionally, 5 GB of data might suffice.
The cheapest option is eTravelSIM, costing $7.99. It connects through Mobitel, which is a solid choice. This eSIM is valid for 30 days. Similar offers are available from eSIM4Travel and MobiMatter.
The best coverage comes with an eSIM from Nomad for $14, which connects through Dialog or Mobitel, ensuring backup coverage where one operator might fail.
High Data Usage (10 GB)
For those who don’t want to limit themselves, a 10 GB package is an option. The cheapest option is eTravelSIM at $11.99 with a 30-day validity and Mobitel connection.
You can get it even cheaper via Airalo, but it connects through Hutch, which doesn’t have great coverage in Sri Lanka, so consider carefully before purchasing.
The most reliable option is an eSIM from Nomad for $20, as it combines connections through the two best operators in the country.
Unlimited Data
The most affordable unlimited internet option is with GlobalYO. You’ll pay $15 for 7 days, or $28 for 15 days. You’ll connect through a mix of mobile operators, ensuring the best coverage. However, note that the data is not truly unlimited. After using 1 GB per day, your speed will slow to 512 kbps. A regular tourist might not notice this, but if you use the internet for work, we recommend other options.
If you need internet for work, consider purchasing from Holafly. While slightly more expensive, 15 days cost $50.90, but you’ll connect via the reliable operator Dialog and receive truly unlimited data. Additionally, you can choose the validity period from 1 to 90 days. Note, however, that only 0.5 GB per day can be shared via hotspot.
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Overview of the Best eSIM Packages for Sri Lanka
| Provider | GB | Price | Validity |
| eSIM4Travel | 1 GB | $1.67 | 14 days |
| eTravelSIM | 5 GB | $7.99 | 30 days |
| eTravelSIM | 10 GB | $11.99 | 30 days |
| GlobalYO | Unlimited | $28 | 15 days |
Local SIM Card in Sri Lanka
Local SIM cards are a significantly cheaper option, provided you don’t mind waiting in line and presenting your passport.
You can easily purchase a SIM card at the airport, where Dialog, Mobitel, and Airtel providers have kiosks. Hutch and other operators with less reliable coverage don’t operate kiosks at the airport. Prices at the airport are slightly higher than in city centers, but the difference is small and not worth running around supermarkets upon arrival. Note that operators only accept cash in local currency. Dialog also offers eSIMs.
Dialog offers the best coverage, followed by Mobitel. If you’re venturing beyond the capital, we recommend choosing one of these two operators, as Airtel is hit or miss outside Colombo.
Dialog provides a wide range of plans, from a few GB to 100 GB. Popular options include 10 GB for $2.30, 30 GB for $5.70, 50 GB for $7.70, and if you need a lot of data, 100 GB for $10. These packages include some call minutes and SMS. All packages are valid for 30 days.
Mobitel offers slightly cheaper plans, such as 30 GB for $3.10, also including calls and SMS. They also have packages with unlimited access to social networks. However, this operator has a rule that you can use only up to 1 GB per day.
These are “anytime” packages, meaning you can use data both day and night. Some operators split data usage into daytime (8:00 AM to midnight) and nighttime data. Be cautious to avoid buying a plan that limits your usage unnecessarily.
Some SIM cards can be recharged directly through the operator’s app. Ask about this option during purchase. Alternatively, you can recharge at any operator store or supermarket.
Summary
In summary, SIM cards are significantly cheaper than eSIMs. The country offers a variety of plans, ranging from small packages to hundreds of GB. Be sure to purchase from Dialog or Mobitel.
If you still prefer eSIMs, you won’t go wrong with one of the leading providers like MobiMatter or Nomad. Unlimited eSIMs are particularly worthwhile for longer stays, in which case consider Holafly.
Whatever your purpose for visiting Sri Lanka, enjoy your trip!
