Like Thailand, a backpacker can do Sri Lanka on $20 a day, but they have to be careful. Eat at the local cafes, take public transportation, stay in cheap hostels or seaside cabanas, and avoid pricey sightseeing. National parks, cultural centers and archaeological sites often use two seperate entry fees — one for natives, and one for foreigners (which can easily be twice as much). But with a little forethought, and some haggling skills, this monkey-ridden tropical island can be a backpacker’s paradise.