Joe's Bungalow Yala

The crew and chef were really friendly, and the food was delicious. You can bring your own groceries, then the chef will cook them the way you like.

The road from the Colombo area is in good shape after you leave the highway, but the final 300 meters are rough. We had to let passengers out before driving our car over that stretch, so be ready for it. Given where the bungalow is, that part is understandable. There's plenty of shade from the trees, so it stays cool and refreshing even in the evening. The bungalow has a nice pool and two bedrooms: one with two single beds, the other with three. Several chairs outside the rooms convert into beds for extra sleeping space. An in-house cook is available, but you'll need to bring the vegetables and other ingredients yourself. He prepared them well, and the food was delicious. We had a great, relaxing stay and would recommend it.

The food was great, and the staff were courteous and friendly. We had two very enjoyable nights in the bungalow and would definitely return. A few upgrades would help, though: the road leading to the property, toiletries in the bathrooms, and an electric kettle so guests can make tea or coffee when they want.

We left after only a few minutes. The place was extremely dirty and smelled terrible, there was no electricity, and we saw underwear being washed in the pool right in front of us. It felt like a scam. I’d rather sleep under a tree than stay in this hole.