🇱🇰 Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Sayare Inn
📍 545, Ibbankatuwa Wewa Road, Dambulla, 21100
Your stay — Sayare Inn
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sayare Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) for a quieter experience. These rooms tend to be farther away from the street noise, which can be significant on Ibbankatuwa Wewa Road due to the hotel's location near the main thoroughfare.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor may experience more street noise, and rooms near the lift may be disturbed by the constant traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might be noisier due to staff activity.
Best views
Rooms on the higher floors (3rd floor or above) may offer a view of the surrounding landscape or the nearby Anuradhapura Road, depending on the room's orientation.
Quietest floors
The 3rd floor and above are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential noise from the street, especially during peak hours, as Ibbankatuwa Wewa Road is a main thoroughfare. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to the main road may result in some traffic noise on the upper floors.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process, as the hotel may be busy during peak travel seasons. Request a room with a kettle for a hot beverage, as amenities might be limited in the standard rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Sayare Inn
free, 500 Mbps fibre-optic internet, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary access to PressReader digital newsstand
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (standard), LKR 1,000 (approximately USD 5) late check-out fee for 2 hours
available at front desk, LKR 500 (approximately USD 2.50) per bag per day
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible rooms available on request
on-site parking available, LKR 500 (approximately USD 2.50) per night, nearest public car park at Dambulla Bus Station (LKR 200, approximately USD 1 per day), no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: LKR 200 per night (approximately USD 1, mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: LKR 10,000 (approximately USD 50) advance deposit, LKR 5,000 (approximately USD 25) incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Somawathi Dagoba (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Dambulla Cave Temple (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Buddha statue (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Buddhist Museum — 2.1 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Sugath Pharmacy — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Dambula Bus Station — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Travelers can change money at banks, licensed money changers, or exchange counters at the airport. Be cautious of poor rates at airports and tourist bureaux.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Dambulla, especially in tourist areas. Contactless payments are less common, but mobile payments like PayHere are becoming increasingly popular.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding off the bill or leaving around 5-10% in restaurants and bars is considered polite. For taxi drivers and hotel staff, a flat rate of 100-200 LKR is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee from a street vendor costs around 100-150 LKR.
A meal from a local eatery or street food stall costs around 500-800 LKR.
A budget-friendly dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 1,000-1,500 LKR for a main course.
Street food is readily available in the Dambulla town center, particularly around the Temple of the Golden Cave.
Sri Lanka's national supermarket chain, Keells Super, has a store in Dambulla.
Affordable clothing can be found at the Dambulla Market, which offers a range of local and ready-made garments.
A day pass for public transportation in Dambulla costs around 200-300 LKR. From the airport, the cheapest way to get to Dambulla is by taking a bus (around 500-700 LKR) or a taxi (around 3,000-4,000 LKR).
Use public transportation to get around, which is affordable and convenient.Eat at local eateries and street food stalls for budget-friendly meals.Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist bureaux, as the rates are often unfavorable.
Emergency Contacts
DambullaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dambulla, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Sayare Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Sugath Pharmacy — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Dambulla Rest House
💡 Book through the hotel or a local operator like PickMe; drivers rarely use meters, so agree on the fixed fare before setting off. Avoid touts at arrivals.
Colombo (Pettah Bus Stand) → Dambulla (Central Bus Stand)
💡 From Colombo Fort railway station, take a tuk-tuk to Pettah. Direct buses run to Dambulla; the ride is bumpy but scenic. Get off at the main bus stop—then it's a 10-minute walk to the Rest House. Carry small change.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Dambulla (via Kandy)
💡 Book 1st or 2nd class in advance for seat comfort. Ride ends at Kandy—then walk to the clock tower bus stand (5 mins) for a Dambulla bus. The train journey through hill country is worth the extra time. Total cost includes train fare plus bus fare (50 LKR).
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Dambulla (via Kandy)
💡 Take the airport bus to Kandy (approx 2.5 hrs, 650 LKR), then change to a Dambulla-bound bus from the Kandy clock tower bus stand. Cheapest but adds a transfer—worth it if you're not in a rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Sayare Inn?
Request rooms on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) for a quieter experience. These rooms tend to be farther away from the street noise, which can be significant on Ibbankatuwa Wewa Road due to the hotel's location near the main thoroughfare.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sayare Inn?
Rooms on the ground floor may experience more street noise, and rooms near the lift may be disturbed by the constant traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might be noisier due to staff activity.
Is Sayare Inn noisy?
Be prepared for potential noise from the street, especially during peak hours, as Ibbankatuwa Wewa Road is a main thoroughfare. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to the main road may result in some traffic noise on the upper floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Sayare Inn?
Rooms on the higher floors (3rd floor or above) may offer a view of the surrounding landscape or the nearby Anuradhapura Road, depending on the room's orientation.
What are insider tips for staying at Sayare Inn?
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process, as the hotel may be busy during peak travel seasons. Request a room with a kettle for a hot beverage, as amenities might be limited in the standard rooms.
What time is check-in at Sayare Inn?
Check-in at Sayare Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sayare Inn have Wi-Fi?
free, 500 Mbps fibre-optic internet, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sayare Inn?
LKR 200 per night (approximately USD 1, mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Sayare Inn?
A meal from a local eatery or street food stall costs around 500-800 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sayare Inn?
A day pass for public transportation in Dambulla costs around 200-300 LKR. From the airport, the cheapest way to get to Dambulla is by taking a bus (around 500-700 LKR) or a taxi (around 3,000-4,000 LKR).
Top Attractions in Dambulla
💡 Try a fresh king coconut (50 LKR ~15p) and a spicy gram rotti from the stalls out front. Haggling not needed for small items just pay the asking price.
💡 If there's a match on, locals watch from the hill overlooking the ground—a fun free way to catch a game. Otherwise it's a short, pleasant walk from town centre.
💡 Come late afternoon—the breeze picks up and the light is good for photos. Free entry. No shade on the path, so bring a hat.
💡 Take a tuktuk from the centre (~300 LKR) or walk 30 mins uphill. Bring water and wear decent shoes—the last bit is steep and loose. Free access.
💡 Go early morning (around 7am) to avoid crowds and heat. The ticket is 1500 LKR (~£4) for foreigners, but the surrounding gardens and golden Buddha statue area are free to walk around.