Colombo Shore Excursions
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Colombo Shore Excursions worth booking?
Colombo Shore Excursions is a 8-hour experience in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from $75 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $75 per person
Your tour will be designed around the time your ship is in port which can be longer or shorter depending on your planned stay. The average tour runs from 6 to 8 hours and your guide will conveniently pick you up at the terminal where your ship docs. Your tour will start with places that are considered the most popular and important places and then cover other popular attractions if time allows. We have years of experience and understand every aspect of providing a superb tour that will go beyond your expectations. We are always aware of new updates and are extremely flexible to work with weather conditions and work around peak times of traffic. Once you have completed your booking, you can contact them to personalize your tour to meet your specific desires and taste. * Due to strict entry condition for vehicles,that you have to have at least 4 people in the group to book this tour.
What you get
About this experience
Your tour will be designed around the time your ship is in port which can be longer or shorter depending on your planned stay. The average tour runs from 6 to 8 hours and your guide will conveniently pick you up at the terminal where your ship docs. Your tour will start with places that are considered the most popular and important places and then cover other popular attractions if time allows. We have years of experience and understand every aspect of providing a superb tour that will go beyond your expectations. We are always aware of new updates and are extremely flexible to work with weather conditions and work around peak times of traffic. Once you have completed your booking, you can contact them to personalize your tour to meet your specific desires and taste. * Due to strict entry condition for vehicles,that you have to have at least 4 people in the group to book this tour.
What's included
Included
- Blue Badge guide
- Bottled water
- Private tour
- Driver/guide
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Live commentary on board
- Surcharges on fuel
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
As a registered tour operator,We have pre-approved pass to enter inside the port and reach very closer the passenger ship to collect travelers and drop them back to same place or requested place at the end of the tour.
Pass by without stopping
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, also known as the Red Mosque, is located on Second Cross Street in Pettah, one of the oldest districts of the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo, and a popular tourist site in the city.
20 minutes here
Pettah
Local fruit, vegetable market and local bazzar (walking tour) Pettah Market, also known as Manning Market, is a popular open market in the suburb of Pettah in Colombo where one can find a wide range of goods including fresh vegetables and fruits as well as meat and seafood.
60 minutes here
Colombo Lighthouse
Colonial buildings (walk or Drive through the buildings with explanation) Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, boasts several surviving colonial-era buildings. These buildings are a testament to the city's rich history and architecture. The Old Parliament Building, now used as the Presidential Secretariat offices, and the Cargills building, located one block from the Grand Oriental on York Street, is a distinctive red-and-white structure that was opened in 1906 and claimed to be Asia's first department store, offering colonials luxury goods ranging from motorbikes to caviar.
Pass by without stopping
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Kelaniya Buddhist Temple (Historical sacred place)
60 minutes here
Galle Face Green
Galle face green (explanation with relaxing walk along the beach side & street food tasting ) Galle Face Green is a popular public urban park located in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, adjacent to the Indian Ocean and along the coast of Colombo Galle Face Green is also known for its food stalls and street vendors, selling a variety of local snacks such as isso wade, kottu roti, and fresh cut fruit, as well as traditional Sri Lankan street food. The park is also home to several luxury hotels, including the historic Galle Face Hotel, which was built in 1864 and has hosted famous personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
60 minutes here
Independence Square
Independence Square was constructed to commemorate Sri Lanka's independence from British rule on February 4th, 1948. It is located in the prominent Cinnamon Gardens neighborhood of Colombo, surrounded by several important government buildings, including the Prime Minister's office and the National Museum. The square features a large ceremonial hall, called the Independence Memorial Hall, which was designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa. The hall is built in the shape of a Kandyan audience hall and is adorned with intricate carvings and decorations that showcase Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage.
15 minutes here
Colombo Fort Clock Tower
Clock Tower from colonial period
Pass by without stopping
Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most well-known Buddhist temples in Colombo. It is located on the banks of the Beira Lake. The temple's architecture features a mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese styles and is uniquely attractive and tolerant of members of many different religions. The temple is involved in Buddhist welfare work including old peoples' homes, a vocational school, and an orphanage. The temple also has a museum, a library and vocational training centers. The main sanctuary has a huge Buddha statue while the ceilings portray his stories. Gangaramaya is the focus of the Navam Perahera on the February poya (full moon) day each year, and it is the centre for the most extravagant Vesak celebrations in Colombo
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Odel
Odel, Laksala or other places to buy souvenirs if clients are interested. Otherwise we skip it
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gotours Travel services lanka Pvt Ltd.
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Dress code: proper dress required (for temples)
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Colombo Shore Excursions. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ours adventure on Sri Lanka
Absolutely awesome experiences. Ours guide Niro, told us many interesting things about Sri Lanka and history. He really takes care about us with everything. We would recommend him for anyone. We were on safari, Gale, Ella, Liptons seat, tea factory, dancing show, Mirissa. Many beautiful places. At all it was one of the best vacation!
via Tripadvisor
Definitely Sri Lanka is a country that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Fresh food, friendly people beautiful places
Very good driver and tour guide in Sri Lanka. We recommend him to small and large groups. So well organised, full of local knowledge and other historical facts. Friendly and extremely accommodating to people’s needs.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Gotours Travel services lanka Pvt Ltd., who run 3 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.9.
See everything Gotours Travel services lanka Pvt Ltd. runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Colombo Shore Excursions: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colombo.
How much does Colombo Shore Excursions cost?
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Prices start at $75 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Colombo Shore Excursions take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colombo is not rushed.
Is Colombo Shore Excursions worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Colombo Shore Excursions?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Colombo Shore Excursions suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Colombo Shore Excursions?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colombo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colombo and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Colombo Shore Excursions start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colombo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colombo?
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On Outty we rank every Colombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Flexi dates on all 5 to 7 days packages for car and English speaking driver, Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle, Private Multi Day Sri Lanka Tour with Chauffeur. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Colombo Shore Excursions?
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Included: Blue Badge guide; Bottled water; Private tour; Driver/guide; and Port pickup and drop-off. Not included: Food and drinks; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Colombo Shore Excursions include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Colombo.
What languages is Colombo Shore Excursions offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Colombo Shore Excursions?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Colombo Shore Excursions wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Colombo Shore Excursions if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Colombo. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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