12 Best Dambulla Hotels & Resorts: Where To Stay Guide 2025
- Kate Colliety
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Discover and book the 12 best Dambulla hotels perfectly positioned near ancient cave temples and stunning mountain ranges.
Dambulla is a small, local market town bustling with life. As part of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, Dambulla has become a popular place for tourists to visit, either in conjunction with Sigiriya or as a standalone destination.
As tourism becomes more popular due to the UNESCO World Heritage Cave Temple, which was built in 100 BC, the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range and hectic local farmers’ market which sells all kinds of fruit and veg there are a growing number of Dambulla hotels and homestays.
We share all different kinds of accommodation in Dambulla, from 5 star resorts based on the Kandalama Reservoir, to Dambulla hotels with pools, and budget friendly guest houses perfect for backpackers.
Read on to explore the best places to stay in Dambulla, From the renowned Heritage Dambulla Resort to the popular Rangiri Dambulla Resort and budget friendly Menara Green Inn.
Short On Time? Our Top Dambulla Hotels
Don’t have time to read the whole blog? Here’s our top picks of Dambulla’s Hotels.
Best For Families: Sigiriya Kingdom Resort (aka Sigiriya Kingdom Gate Hotel)
Best For Solo Travellers: Lake Island Homestay
Best For Couples: Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka
Best For Backpackers: Menara Green Inn
Best Luxury Hotel In Dambulla: JetWing Lake
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Best Hotels In Dambulla
Budget Places To Stay In Dambulla $
Price: $10-$15
Rating: 4.8
Best For: Budget Travellers
Menara Green Inn offers private rooms with bathrooms, a dining area and garden views. The hosts are super friendly and provide a traditional breakfast. It is also just a 9-minute walk from Dambulla Cave Temple putting it in the heart of Dambulla and making it one of the best hotels in Dambulla for backpackers.
Price: $10-$15
Rating: 4.8
Best For: Solo Travellers
Lake Island Homestay is a classic guesthouse run by a friendly, local family who also cook the most delicious Sri Lankan meals. Nestled within lush gardens and close to Dambulla’s major attractions this is the perfect budget choice.
Price: $10-$15
Rating: 4.6
Best For: Budget Travellers
A little outside of Dambulla, Ema Homestay is an ideal spot for budget travellers who have their own transport. Ema homestay offers simple rooms with WiFi, private parking and private bathrooms. As the homestay is a little further from Dambulla’s centre the environment is peaceful and quiet.
Ema Homestay is 11km from the Dambulla Cave Temple and 15km from Sigiriya so we suggest only staying here if you’ve hired a tuktuk or car.
Mid-Range Dambulla Hotels $$
Price: $20-$30
Rating: 4.4
Best For: Couples & Solo Travellers
Heritage Dambulla is a 2-minute walk away from Dambulla Cave Temple putting it in a prime location. The rooms are comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, Wifi, TV and garden views.
There is an on-site restaurant and bar with outdoor seating and the breakfast buffet of fresh pastries looks delicious! We think this is the best mid-range hotel in Dambulla, mainly due to its prime location and breakfast buffet!
Price: $25-$40
Rating: 4.5
Best For: Families or Couples looking for Glamping
Pool: Yes
Reconnect with nature at Rangiri Dambulla resort which offers a chalet/glamping experience. We love the look of staying in one of the luxury swiss cottages which are equipped with Wifi and air-conditioning. There is also an outdoor pool surrounded by trees and a garden which provides shade from the heat.
Dinesh and his team run this place with pride which also has an on-site restaurant with traditional and international dishes.
Price: $24-$40
Rating: 4.6
Best For: Couples
Pool: Yes
Close to Dambulla Cave Temple, Freedom Village is a popular choice for couples looking to explore Dambulla with comfort. The hotel boasts a large swimming pool and offers the guests use of free bicycles. The hotel provides breakfast and the option to eat dinner if your tired after a long day exploring.
Luxury and 5 Star Hotels In Dambulla $$$
Price: $35-$45
Rating: 4.5
Best For: Families
Pool: Yes
Sigiriya Kingdom Resort is a 4 star hotel with spacious rooms with traditional decor and a family-friendly vibe. This resort is ideal for those travelling with kids or groups who want access to both Dambulla and Sigiriya. There is an indoor play area, kids’ pool and onsite parking, perfect if you’ve hired a car. The restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines suiting any palate.
Price: $50-$70
Rating: 4.5
Best For: Couples
Pool & Spa: Yes
If you want a luxury hotel in Dambulla, Sigiriana Resort offers a 4 star experience with a swimming pool, gardens and spa. You can enjoy relaxing massages, yoga classes and steam baths plus tennis and volleyball.
The Dambulla Rock Temple is a 25-minute walk or you can hire bicycles.
Price: $150
Rating: 4.8
Best For: Luxury Travellers
Pool: Yes
The best hotel in Dambulla is Jetwing Lake. With a spa, outdoor swimming pool and lake views Jetwing Lake is the perfect luxury hotel in Dambulla. Rooms include bathrobes, slippers, flatscreen TV and air-con, plus the hotel uses solar power and a biomass boiler. We love the look of this hotel!
Places To Stay In Dambulla FAQs
How much does accommodation cost in Dambulla?
Budget hostels: $10-25/night
Mid-range hotels: $40-120/night
Luxury resorts: $120-220/night
What is the best budget accommodation in Dambulla?
The best budget accommodation in Dambulla is Menara Green Inn, rated 4.8/5 and priced at $10-$15 per night. Located just a 9-minute walk from Dambulla Cave Temple, it offers private rooms with bathrooms, traditional breakfast, and friendly hosts.
Is it better to stay in Sigiriya or Dambulla?
It depends on your travel style. Stay in Dambulla if you want an authentic local experience, easier access to the UNESCO Cave Temple, and better budget accommodation options. Stay in Sigiriya if you prioritise luxury resorts and want to be closer to Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock. Many travellers stay in Dambulla and take day trips to Sigiriya, as it's only 15-20km away.
Best Dambulla Tours
Best Time To Visit Dambulla
The best time to visit Dambulla is during the dry season from May to September, when the weather is sunny and ideal for exploring the famous cave temple and nearby Sigiriya Rock. However don’t let this put you off visiting in the shoulder seasons, we went in November and had minimal rainfall!
How To Get To Dambulla
Via Bus
There is a main bus hub in Dambulla that connects the cities of Colombo (4-5 hours), Kandy (2 hours) and Sigiriya (20 Minutes).
Via Hire Car Or Tuktuk
If you’re looking for an adventure why not hire a car or tuktuk? We drove our little red machine around for 2-months and it is still the best adventure we’ve ever had!
Dambulla Travel Tips
Join your tour to Dambulla with your trip to Sigiriya. They are close by and both offer cultural attractions worth visiting on your trip to Sri Lanka
Hire a tuktuk! We found our tuktuk was the best way to get around, giving us freedom to see what we liked, when we liked!
Dambulla offers a more local experience, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, as well as the Dambulla Market for an authentic experience.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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