Under $100: Colombo

Start off with a full Sri Lankan breakfast or brunch at Paradise Road The Gallery Café. The café is located inside the offices of the late Geoffrey Bawa, an acclaimed Sri Lankan architect. As its name suggests, it is also a gallery.

Gangaramaya Temple © Vladgalenko | Dreamstime

Spend your day visiting the city’s many religious sites. Gangarama Temple is one of the most important and venerated in the country. In addition to the beautiful architecture and artwork, the temple also contains a small museum.

If that’s not really your thing, you can spend a few hours strolling the Dehiwala Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Asia. It’s home to more than 2,500 animals, and is famous for its combination of local and international wildlife. The zoo also supports many conservation efforts and offers its own breeding program for rare or endangered species. Entrance is about $17.

Esala Perahera © Thomas Wyness | Dreamstime

The Sri Lanka National Museum was originally established during British imperial rule, in 1877. Now, the largest museum in the country displays everything from art and natural artifacts to government publications and royal treasures from the 1600s. Entry is only a few dollars, plus an extra $2 for a photography pass.

Grab lunch or dinner at the Barefoot Café, where the specialty is black pork curry. If you visit during a Sunday, you’ll be treated to a live jazz performance. Otherwise, after dining on local and international cuisine, you can shop the adjoining retail shop, which features artwork, books, handcrafts, clothing and more, much of which is created by locals.