Colombo, Sri Lanka
The embassy district with the highest safety level in Colombo. Expensive, English-speaking, and somewhat sterile, but if safety is your main concern this is the area.
Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7) is where the embassies, old colonial mansions, and expensive hotels are. Tree-lined streets, wider sidewalks, security guards outside buildings - you notice the difference immediately. Independence Square gets joggers and families in early morning and evening. Cafes like Department of Coffee and Black Cat Café fill up with expats on laptops and wealthy locals doing long brunches. Seeing women eating alone or working from cafes for hours is completely normal. Embassy presence means lots of police around and good street lighting even late. It feels safe walking here after dark, though streets empty out after 10pm. Everyone speaks English - diplomats, expats, wealthy locals. The downside is everything costs way more than other areas and it doesn't feel particularly Sri Lankan. It's clean, safe, and kind of sterile.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Excellent"Safest area I found in Colombo, comfortable walking alone"
"Good cafes for working or reading, saw other women doing the same"
"Expensive but felt worth it for the safety factor"
"Much cleaner than other areas I visited"
"Didn't feel very Sri Lankan but safety was my priority"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Trendy area popular with expats and young professionals. Good cafes, restaurants, and hospitals nearby. Safer and quieter than central Colombo, though you'll pay mid-range prices.
Popular oceanfront promenade for sunset and street food. Safe during evening hours with family crowds. A destination to visit, not an area to stay.
Kollupitiya is where most of Colombo's international restaurants and cafes are concentrated. It's safer and more walkable than most areas, with good English and a cosmopolitan feel. You'll pay more for everything here.
Help other women stay safe in Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.