Hostels in Sri Lanka
The nicest hostels in Sri Lanka
Are you looking for the nicest hostels in Sri Lanka? Then you are right on this page. To make it easier for travelers in Sri Lanka, we have compiled a list of the nicest hostels in Sri Lanka. The overview includes hostels from the most visited places in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a diverse country, where you will find jungle, safaris, mountains and beaches in a relatively small country. Sri Lanka is less touristy than, say, Bali or Thailand. As a solo traveler, it is therefore smart to stay in hostels. This way you will easily meet new people with whom you can explore the country together. We have listed the nicest hostels in Sri Lanka for you.
Please note that prices are from prices and may vary by year and season. Also, prices can vary if you book early or last minute.
Hostels in Anuradhapura
Kingfisher family guest
This is truly a wonderful hostel. It is located right in the center of Anuradhapura, near a beautiful lake. The beds are very large and have their own fan! For this price, you get really good quality.
Rate per night from:
€3 dorm
Fig and Gecko hostel
The host of this hostel is super nice. He will give you tips for your entire trip in Sri Lanka and help you plot out. You can borrow bikes here to take to Anuradhapura, super nice! The price of a dorm room is fairly high, though. Still, it is a very nice place to stay.
Rate per night from:
€13 dorm
€25 double room
Evergreen villa nature
This is not really a hostel. There are only 2 in Anuradhapura in fact. Still, this is also a great place to stay. It is located a little outside the center, surrounded by nature. The owner is super enthusiastic and takes you on tours of the area: to the ancient temples or in the jungle in a treehouse, super fun!
Rate per night from:
€7 double room
Hostels in Arugam Bay
Little lagoon hostel
What a wonderful hostel this is. The owner and her friend have thought about every detail. It is close to the beach and a 10-minute walk from downtown Arugam Bay. If you wish, you may use the bikes for free, ideal!
Rate per night from:
€11 dorm
€15 double room
Alcatraz hostel
This hostel sits in a mega central location: 1 minute from downtown Arugam Bay. It is a cozy and social hostel where you will meet many nice travelers. The beds are also very nice. They are sort of capsules so you do have your privacy but also the coziness of a hostel.
Rate per night from:
€9 dorm
The Long hostel
A fine hostel, in a super good location in Arugam Bay. In addition, the hostel is also very clean and it is a good place to meet cozy fellow travelers. There is a very good atmosphere!
Rate per night from:
€6 dorm
€15 double room
Hostels in Colombo
Seconds hostels
This is a great hostel in Colombo. There is a cozy common room that makes it easy to meet other travelers. The pool is also very nice to relax by. The hostel is a little bit out of the center but you have everything else close by: great restaurants and socializing.
Rate per night from:
€9 dorm
€25 double room
Republic at galle face
This is a wonderfully social hostel. It is close to the beach and the bus stop, so a super good location. With the cozy common room, you’ll get to know sociable travelers in no time. The host is very friendly and makes sure you have a good time in Colombo. Really a very nice stay!
Rate per night from:
€9 dorm
downtown Monkey hostel
This is a great hostel to stay for a night if you are passing through because of its central location. It is a few minutes’ walk from both the train station and the bus station. Breakfast is included in the price which is a big plus!
Rate per night from:
€6 dorm
Hostels in Ella
Noname hostel
This is such a great hostel. It is cozy, social and beautifully located. From the Noname hostel you can easily get to the 3 highlights of Ella (Nine arch bridge, Little Adam’s Peak & Ella Rock). It’s a 10-minute walk from downtown and it’s just really perfect. The average rating of 9.8 says as much 🙂
Rate per night from:
€8 dorm
downtown Hostel
This is another mega social hostel. The owner, Shahan, helps you with everything in Ella. He sometimes spontaneously organizes a cooking class, helps you book safaris and other activities. The downtown hostel is a 3-minute walk from the train station, close to the city center. Truly a wonderful place that is also already rated with a 9.8!
Rate per night from:
€10 dorm
€26 double room
Wild bee hostel
The best view ever at a hostel? That’s at Wild Bee. You are a bit higher up in the mountains, which also means you have a small climb before you can get to the hostel (this is fine though). From here at night you have a view of thousands of stars, so magical! If you love spending hours looking at beautiful views along with sociable other travelers, we definitely recommend Wild Bee. It really is a wonderful hostel!
Rate per night from:
€11 dorm
Hostels in Kandy
white rose hostel
This hostel has a good location: near the bus station and the train station. In addition, you can easily walk to restaurants. If you want to go further into the city, tuktuks are available everywhere for a reasonable price. The hostel is clean and beautifully decorated!
Rate per night from:
€5 dorm
€16 double room
Kandy backpackers hostel
Okay this hostel really invented something fun: every night they give a free cooking class and you eat with the whole hostel together! This is a mega fun activity that allows you to immediately get to know the other travelers. There is also a nice swimming pool, really super!
Rate per night from:
€8 dorm
€16 double room
banana bunks
This is really a wonderful hostel. It is in the middle of nature (a little bit out of the center but it is easy to reach by tuktuk). There are great views from the rooftop and a nice pool. A wonderful place to stay in Kandy!
Rate per night from:
€14 dorm
€45 double room
Hostels in Mirissa
jj’s hostel mirissa
This is a mega social and cozy hostel! Not a party hostel but there is plenty to do in terms of activities. The staff is very helpful and promote socializing: there is a big board with activities scheduled and there is even a whatsapp group. There is also a chill pool, really a lovely hostel!
Rate per night from:
€8 dorm
€30 double room
Hangover hostel Mirissa
A lovely hostel 1 minute walk from the beach. The host helps you book activities and makes good recommendations. In the morning you can enjoy surfing with some other travelers at the hostel. The Hangover hostel is near a number of bars where you can have a good time at night!
Rate per night from:
€7 dorm
why not backpackers
Do you feel like partying? Then you’ve come to the right place at Why Not Backpackers. This party hostel is a 10-minute walk from the beach, with its own swimming pool. The parties are very enjoyable with social travelers. Alcohol in the hostel is also very cheap! The music turns off at 11 p.m. so you can sleep soundly, ideal!
Rate per night from:
€5 dorm
€30 double room
Hostels in Negombo
tuk tuk hostel negombo
The tuk tuk hostel is very cozy. Because it is also a restaurant, there is a lot of live music in the evening. Fun to go with other travelers in the hostel. It usually lasts until about 11 o’clock, then you can sleep soundly. There is also a nice pool at the hostel that you are allowed to use ánd you sleep in some sort of capsules, chill for privacy!
Rate per night from:
€7 dorm
Sky hostel negombo
Dulat is a super sweet host. He really makes you feel at home, whether this is your first or last destination in Sri Lanka: he gives you lots of great tips to do. Breakfast at the hostel is also very good! Eat your breakfast in the nice garden and enjoy your stay. Especially at this low price 🙂
Rate per night from:
€5 dorm
Ceylon lodge airport
For your first or last night in Sri Lanka, this hostel is great. It is close to the airport and the owner, Mario, can arrange to pick you up at the airport for a small fee. This applies 24 hours a day! Very nice when you arrive in the middle of the night after a long flight. The next day, Mario prepares a great breakfast for you and introduces you to the warm Sri Lankan culture. Tip: book a double room as it is as cheap as a dorm.
Rate per night from:
€7 dorm
€7 double room
Hostels in Nuwara Eliya
gregory house hostel
Wow, what a fine place to stay in Nuwara Eliya. The host does his best to create a cozy atmosphere by organizing breakfast and dinner together (which is delicious, by the way). This works well because it brings some great conversations to the table. The surroundings are also beautiful, a very nice place to stay in Nuwara Eliya!
Rate per night from:
€9 dorm
€15 double room
Leisure nest hostel
This hostel is a 10-minute walk from the center of Nuwara Eliya. The host is very friendly and, if desired, will buy you a good breakfast to take with you to Horton Plains National Park. Very good quality of dorm for this price.
Rate per night from:
€4 dorm
promax villa
A chill hostel, good vantage point for the hike in Horton Plains National Park. The owner can arrange a van to take you to the park and also gives you a packed breakfast if you want it. When you come back you can order another breakfast, delicious! It is a 15-minute walk to the city center. If you don’t want this you can also dine great at the hostel in the evening!
Rate per night from:
€7 dorm
€15 double room
Hostels in Sigiriya
tree house hostel
Wow, this is really a great hostel in Sigiriya. It is in the middle of the jungle and nature, which is beautiful anyway, of course. In addition, tours of Sigiriya are organized every day and you can eat great food at the hostel. It is very social and you will meet many sociable travelers.
Rate per night from:
€6 dorm
€14 double room
the traveller’s hostel
Dil is a great host. He will give you many recommendations for Sigirya and the surrounding area. It also knows a secret sunset spot where you can get great views of Lion’s Rock and Pidurangala Rock. The Traveller’s hostel is also in the middle of the jungle, but close to some nice restaurants!
Rate per night from:
€5 dorm
€13 double room
another world hostel
This is another cozy and social hostel. The common areas are cleverly arranged so it’s easy to get talking. At this hostel, you can also book various tours around Sigiriya. The price/quality is very good. The hostel is rated an average of 9.5!
Rate per night from:
€7 dorm
€20 double room
Hostels in Unawatuna
cycling hostel
This is a nice social hostel in Unawatuna. The name says it all: bike along the beaches and sights. You can rent a bike cheaply to go to the many beaches and downtown. The price of this hostel is truly bizarre
Rate per night from:
€4 dorm
Hostel Singha lounge
This hostel is located near the beach. It is a cozy, clean and social hostel. The beds are comfortable and you can also rent bikes here. Just a very nice hostel! The average rating of 9.7 is more than deserved!
Rate per night from:
€6 dorm
pearl villa & hostel
A nice hostel in a quiet location. With a short walk you are in the center of Unawatuna. The hosts are very sweet and help you with your stay. The terrace and garden are also very nicely laid out, you will soon feel at home here!
Rate per night from:
€5 dorm
€7 double room
