Tourism statisticsCity2026
Colombo Tourism Statistics: 10,784 Airbnb Stays
AirROI estimates 10,784 Airbnb stays in Colombo, in the Western Province, Sri Lanka, in the 12 months to October 2026. The busiest month was December, and the quietest was October. All of Sri Lanka had 2,362,521 international tourist arrivals in 2025, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority reports.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 73,926
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 6.9 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- December
- From abroad, among guests who left a review
- 97%
Key facts
Colombo Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority puts all of Sri Lanka at 2,362,521 international tourist arrivals in 2025.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in Colombo at 10,784 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Colombo added up to 73,926 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Colombo lasted 6.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 31 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks December the busiest Airbnb month in Colombo in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by January and August, with October the quietest.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb in Colombo had no single high season in the 12 months to October 2026: the three busiest months were December, January and August.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Colombo in July were booked furthest ahead, about 44 days, against 21 days for September, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 97% of Colombo Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 came from abroad, led by the United Kingdom at 16% and Australia at 12%.
By place
- AirROI estimates Colombo took 11.1% of all Airbnb stays in Sri Lanka in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI ranks Colombo first for Airbnb stays among the 19 towns it lists in Sri Lanka in the 12 months to October 2026.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority counted 2,362,521 international tourist arrivals for all of Sri Lanka in 2025. On AirROI's estimates, Colombo accounted for 11.1% of Airbnb stays in Sri Lanka in the 12 months to October 2026.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,362,521International tourist arrivals, all of Sri Lanka | International tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, January to December 2025 | 2025 | Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in Colombo
Colombo had 707 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 10,784 stays and 73,926 nights. A typical stay lasted 6.9 nights and was booked about 31 days ahead, longer than the worldwide stay of 5.2 nights.
- Airbnb homes
- 707
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 10,784
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 73,926
- Typical stay
- 6.9 nights
- Booked ahead
- 31 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Colombo?
On Airbnb, December was the busiest month in Colombo in the 12 months to October 2026, then January and August. October was the quietest. The busiest months do not sit together, so there is no single high season.
December ranks first, October last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: December, January, August, September, March, February, July, June, May, November, April, October.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| December | 9.6% | 42 days |
| January | 9.4% | 40 days |
| August | 9.4% | 35 days |
| September | 9.0% | 21 days |
| March | 8.9% | 26 days |
| February | 8.6% | 35 days |
| July | 8.4% | 44 days |
| June | 7.8% | 29 days |
| May | 7.7% | 26 days |
| November | 7.3% | 33 days |
| April | 7.3% | 29 days |
| October | 6.6% | 23 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do Colombo Airbnb Guests Come From?
Among Colombo Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, nearly all came from abroad (97%), led by the United Kingdom at 16% and Australia at 12%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, London was the top origin city at 5.3%, ahead of Bengaluru at 2.1%. The figures rest on 28,226 reviews, written over many years.
97% from abroad
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From abroad 97%
- From within Sri Lanka 3%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Colombo
How many tourists visit Colombo?
Sri Lanka as a whole had 2,362,521 international tourist arrivals in 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. AirROI puts Colombo at 11.1% of Airbnb stays in Sri Lanka in the 12 months to October 2026. AirROI estimates 10,784 Airbnb stays in Colombo in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists.
When is the busiest time in Colombo?
The busiest Airbnb month in Colombo in the 12 months to October 2026 was December, then January and August.
What is the quietest month in Colombo?
October was the quietest Airbnb month in Colombo in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and April ranked 11th. Stays in October were booked about 23 days ahead, against 44 days for July.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Colombo?
A typical Airbnb stay in Colombo lasted 6.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 31 days ahead. That is longer than the worldwide 5.2 nights. By month, stays ran from 5.5 nights in October to 7.6 nights in June.
Where do Airbnb guests in Colombo come from?
Of Colombo Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 97% came from abroad, AirROI estimates. The largest groups were the United Kingdom at 16% and Australia at 12%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was London at 5.3%, ahead of Bengaluru at 2.1%.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority counts international tourist arrivals (2,362,521 in 2025 across Sri Lanka). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 10,784 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights are stays times the typical stay: 10,784 stays at 6.86 nights. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 28,226 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.