The Best Backpacking Spots in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is well on the way to being a new favourite with the backpacker crowd. The fact that it’s quite easy to get around the island without private transport is a big plus. It might be slow and hot at times. but isn’t that part of the backpacker charm? Sri Lanka is full of great places to visit – from idyllic beaches to mountain temples, there’s something for everyone, including a variety of stays including hostels and hotels in Sri Lanka.
See more of Sri Lanka by booking an exclusive 12-day experience with Culture Trip, focusing on the country’s most fascinating ancient temples and colourful wildlife.
Drift BnB
Bed and Breakfast
Kandy
Buddhist Temple, Shrine
Kandy is a city in the central highlands; the weather is a little cooler than in the south, but the mountain views are lovely. It’s a great backpacker spot because there’s so much to do around the area that you can get to easily. There are tea plantations to discover, temples to visit, forests to get lost in and botanical gardens to hang out in. For some great coffee and snacks, try Natural Coffee and Empire Coffee. Both are next to the entrance of the Temple of the Tooth.
Dambulla – Sigiriya
Hostel
Dambulla is a town in the northern plains, inside the Cultural Triangle. It’s a great place to use as a base when discovering not only the Cultural Triangle, but also the ancient cities of Anurhadapura and Polonnaruwa. The rocky outcrops of Sigiriya and Pidurangala are also at your doorstep waiting to be discovered. A good place to stay is Jungle Vista Backpackers, where you can hang out and meet other travellers on a regular basis. You can get to Dambulla by train from Colombo and then take a tuk-tuk to the hostel. There are buses that run between the important sights at the Cultural Triangle.
Ella
Restaurant, Sri Lankan
Unawatuna
Hostel
Unawatuna is a favourite with many backpackers and young families. The beach is nice, there are plenty of places to eat and stay, and the atmosphere is chilled-out. There are plenty of beachside hostels, but for a really unique experience, try Camp Kush. It’s a full-on backpackers’ paradise with huts to sleep in, gardens to play in, sofas to chill on and volleyball courts to play on.
Pedlar's Inn
Coffee Shop, Coffee
The old walled city of Galle Fort makes for a great day trip, or you can stay for a night or two. The Galle Fort is wonderful for walking around and taking in the sights. The ramparts and the fort are quite interesting as well. A great backpacker hostel in Galle Fort is the Pedlar’s Inn; elsewhere, you can get some great food at Galle Things Roti.
Hikkaduwa
Hostel
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Hanna
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2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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