Araliya Self Cooking Resort Dambulla

Kumara and his brother were such lovely hosts. They helped set up our day, including seeing elephants, going to Ritagala, visiting a herb and spice garden, and climbing Pidurangala rock. Tea and coffee were always available, and they brought fresh roti with daal as an evening snack. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and affordable. There were birds singing and a lovely veranda to sit and rest, with a slice of jungle right outside. Their kindness and attentiveness in this little oasis shouldn't be missed.

The hosts were full of helpful advice, and we could rent scooters to visit the nearby temples. We also loved the cooking lessons and the food, probably the best we had in Sri Lanka. It's a quiet homestay run by a family who really care. Staying away from traffic was a great choice, since Dambulla town centre is noisy and nothing special. A great place to stay in Dambulla.

The place has lots of character and charm, set in the jungle in a quiet, tranquil spot. They arranged trips to local attractions and cooking classes, gave us complimentary snacks and water, and even offered free transport to the cave temple. We were so well looked after from the moment we arrived. The room, food, and service cost so little for what we got. I'd recommend staying here very highly. Five stars don't feel like enough.

A little outside town, but the friendly family arranged a rickshaw to collect us from the bus stop and take us back the next day. They also gave us a free ride to the cave temple. Our room was bright and spacious, with comfortable beds and mosquito nets, and the WiFi was strong. Breakfast was great, too, all for a very good price. Absolutely recommend!