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.
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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
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Best Hotels In Dambulla
Budget Places To Stay In Dambulla $
Menara Green Inn
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.
Book Here
Book Here
Lake Island Homestay
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.
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Book Here
Ema Homestay
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.
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Book Here
Mid-Range Dambulla Hotels $$
Heritage Dambulla By Ceylon Hotels Corp
Price: $20-$30
Rating: 4.4
Best For: Couples & Solo Travellers
Heritage Dambulla is a 2-minute walk away from Dambulla Cave Temple putting it in a prime location. The rooms are comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, Wifi, TV and garden views.
There is an on-site restaurant and bar with outdoor seating and the breakfast buffet of fresh pastries looks delicious! We think this is the best mid-range hotel in Dambulla, mainly due to its prime location and breakfast buffet!
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Book Here
Rangiri Dambulla Resort
Price: $25-$40
Rating: 4.5
Best For: Families or Couples looking for Glamping
Pool: Yes
Reconnect with nature at Rangiri Dambulla resort which offers a chalet/glamping experience. We love the look of staying in one of the luxury swiss cottages which are equipped with Wifi and air-conditioning. There is also an outdoor pool surrounded by trees and a garden which provides shade from the heat.
Dinesh and his team run this place with pride which also has an on-site restaurant with traditional and international dishes.
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Book Here
Freedom Village
Price: $24-$40
Rating: 4.6
Best For: Couples
Pool: Yes
Close to Dambulla Cave Temple, Freedom Village is a popular choice for couples looking to explore Dambulla with comfort. The hotel boasts a large swimming pool and offers the guests use of free bicycles. The hotel provides breakfast and the option to eat dinner if your tired after a long day exploring.
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Book Here
Luxury and 5 Star Hotels In Dambulla $$$
Sigiriya Kingdom Resort (aka Sigiriya Kingdom Gate Hotel)
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.
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Book Here
Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka
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.
Book Here
Book Here
Jetwing Lake
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!
Book Here
Book Here
Alternative Places To Stay Nearby In Sigiriya
Best Places To Stay In Sigirya
$ Budget
Another World Hostel
Another World Hostel is a highly rated and affordable stay just over a kilometre from Sigiriya Rock. With dorm beds and private rooms available, it offers a social, welcoming atmosphere ideal for backpackers and budget travellers.
$$ Mid-Range
Royal Rock Sigiriya
Royal Rock Sigiriya offers a comfortable mid-range experience with a serene atmosphere, outdoor pool, and well-kept gardens. Located close to Sigiriya Rock, it’s perfect for couples or families seeking a quiet escape with excellent service and spacious rooms without breaking the bank.
$$$ High-End
Covanro Sigiriya
Covanro Sigiriya is a luxurious 5-star resort featuring a rooftop pool, spa, sauna, and fine dining. This is the perfect choice for honeymooners or travellers looking to indulge in a premium Sigiriya retreat.
Spacing
Map of the Best Areas To Stay
Places To Stay In Dambulla FAQs
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!
