Guidebook for Dambulla
Food Scene
Gimanhala
754 Anuradhapura RoadIts a resthouse; Its simple, nice atmo, clean & good Sri Lankan food
In Dambulla Town Centre: Fast take-away food, very good rice & curry ad other local dishes as well as some Western dishes. can eat in or take away!
Mango Mango Restaurant
Ambepussa - Kurunegala - Trincomalee HighwayIn Dambulla Town Centre: Fast take-away food, very good rice & curry ad other local dishes as well as some Western dishes. can eat in or take away!
Very nice new hotel with excellent food. The chef is happy to proper special dishes and have you sit at a private table on the lawn under the stars; good buffet selection for all meals
Jetwing Lake
Very nice new hotel with excellent food. The chef is happy to proper special dishes and have you sit at a private table on the lawn under the stars; good buffet selection for all meals
Everything Else
This is a unique hotel in terms of architecture and natural setting. Worth a visit and to have something to eat there --> very good and stylishly presented local & int food!
Architect: J Bawa - world renowned architect for his semi in-cum-outdoor style. Breathtaking views, nature trials, elephant rides, horse riding can be booked at reception
Heritance Kandalama
This is a unique hotel in terms of architecture and natural setting. Worth a visit and to have something to eat there --> very good and stylishly presented local & int food!
Architect: J Bawa - world renowned architect for his semi in-cum-outdoor style. Breathtaking views, nature trials, elephant rides, horse riding can be booked at reception
Parks & Nature
Great for elephant gathering watching across big open planes and lakes. Beautiful natural setting. Bring your ID to purchase ticket. High prices for foreigners, low for locals. Worth a visit!
72 os moradores locais recomendam
Minneriya National Park
A11Great for elephant gathering watching across big open planes and lakes. Beautiful natural setting. Bring your ID to purchase ticket. High prices for foreigners, low for locals. Worth a visit!
Amazing ancient rose quartz mountain with old monastery. Lovely walk through Naan tree forest (national tree of SL) before ascending up the pre quartz mountain with Buddha Statue half way. Breathaking views across the land. Not very challenging, suitable for kids ad older people, bring water to drink!
Jathika Namal Uyana | ජාතික නාමල් උයන
Madatugama - Pubbogama - Andiyagala RoadAmazing ancient rose quartz mountain with old monastery. Lovely walk through Naan tree forest (national tree of SL) before ascending up the pre quartz mountain with Buddha Statue half way. Breathaking views across the land. Not very challenging, suitable for kids ad older people, bring water to drink!
Sightseeing
This is a mix of nature and ancient SL history. A magical place to visit and imagine how life was here in the 3rd century BC. Its a strict Nature reserve with wonderful ancient big trees and tribal forest around
44 os moradores locais recomendam
Ritigala Archaeological Site & Strict Natural Reserve | රිටිගල පුරාවිද්යා නටඹුන් සහ දැඩි ස්වභාවික රක්ෂිතය
This is a mix of nature and ancient SL history. A magical place to visit and imagine how life was here in the 3rd century BC. Its a strict Nature reserve with wonderful ancient big trees and tribal forest around
Unique UNESCO World heritage site! A 'must see'! I have climbed Sigirya already 5 times and would go any day again .... medium effort/fitness required. Best to start ascend early (around 8-8:30am) as it can get very hot. Take water not to get dehydrated. Nothing to by at the top! Bring your ID to purchase tickets ... again expensive for foreign tourist, cheap for locals
74 os moradores locais recomendam
Sigiriya
Unique UNESCO World heritage site! A 'must see'! I have climbed Sigirya already 5 times and would go any day again .... medium effort/fitness required. Best to start ascend early (around 8-8:30am) as it can get very hot. Take water not to get dehydrated. Nothing to by at the top! Bring your ID to purchase tickets ... again expensive for foreign tourist, cheap for locals
Ancient Royal city - for me the best example of the advanced civilisation in SL some 1ooo years back. Bring water and that and your ID to purchase tickets. Can take quite some time to roam around ... or you can go by bike (new!); please take socks for walking barefoot on the ancient relicts as you will have to remove your shoes/slippers due to the holiness of the relicts!!
51 os moradores locais recomendam
Polonnaruwa
Ancient Royal city - for me the best example of the advanced civilisation in SL some 1ooo years back. Bring water and that and your ID to purchase tickets. Can take quite some time to roam around ... or you can go by bike (new!); please take socks for walking barefoot on the ancient relicts as you will have to remove your shoes/slippers due to the holiness of the relicts!!
Another major important ancient Royal city of a different era! A masterpiece of an ancient 'dagoba', special atmosphere; you can feel the spiritual charge. Again tips re water, hat, socks, ID apply as before,,,,
56 os moradores locais recomendam
Anuradhapura
Another major important ancient Royal city of a different era! A masterpiece of an ancient 'dagoba', special atmosphere; you can feel the spiritual charge. Again tips re water, hat, socks, ID apply as before,,,,
Probably the best Buddhist temple in SL! 6 cave temples of avers ages - ranging from 2,500 years ago to 300 years ago. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!! A must see!!! and the best, its a 5 min drive from our River House!!! Be aware of the monkeys when you climb up to the temple (short but medium strenuous climb, careful of heat!), take water, hats, ID etc as before. Buy ticket at the bottom of the hill. Ticket office is a bit tricky to find, so ask the locals!
Dambulla Temple
Probably the best Buddhist temple in SL! 6 cave temples of avers ages - ranging from 2,500 years ago to 300 years ago. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!! A must see!!! and the best, its a 5 min drive from our River House!!! Be aware of the monkeys when you climb up to the temple (short but medium strenuous climb, careful of heat!), take water, hats, ID etc as before. Buy ticket at the bottom of the hill. Ticket office is a bit tricky to find, so ask the locals!
Mihintale
Girithale
Essentials
Has everything you need to cater for yourself. Check the meat counter carefully before you buy fresh meat ... buy preferably frozen! Important: you get alcohol, wines & beers on 1st floor ... bit of a weird shopping experience more suitable for men to take care of! You will see what I mean ...
20 os moradores locais recomendam
Cargills Food City
Has everything you need to cater for yourself. Check the meat counter carefully before you buy fresh meat ... buy preferably frozen! Important: you get alcohol, wines & beers on 1st floor ... bit of a weird shopping experience more suitable for men to take care of! You will see what I mean ...
Shopping
Factory outlet for the best producer of SL spices! Stop at the factory outlet shop or request a tour of the factory.
Ma's Tropical Food Processing (Pvt) Ltd
157 Kandalama RoadFactory outlet for the best producer of SL spices! Stop at the factory outlet shop or request a tour of the factory.