🇱🇰 Kandy, Sri Lanka
The Oasis Hostel
📍 114, Peradeniya Road, Kandy, 20000
Your stay — The Oasis Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Kandy.
The Property — The Oasis Hostel
The Oasis Hostel is a clean, budget-conscious dorm and private-room operation set back from Kandy's main road, with a small garden and communal kitchen. It appeals to solo backpackers and small groups who want a reliable base for exploring the Temple of the Tooth and local markets without paying for frills. Standing in the lobby, you get a straightforward check-in desk, a noticeboard of tours, and the faint smell of curry from the shared kitchen.
Chronicles of Kandy
Kandy was the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, founded in the 14th century and remaining independent under Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial pressure until 1815. Its urban form centres on the man-made Kandy Lake, built in 1807, and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which has defined the city's spiritual and political identity for centuries. Colonial-era buildings mix with modern concrete blocks along the lake's perimeter, and the city remains Sri Lanka's Buddhist cultural heart, hosting the annual Esala Perahera festival every July or August. Contemporary Kandy balances a bustling market town atmosphere with its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kandy guide →Best months
January and February are ideal: the northeast monsoon is fading, bringing reliably dry days and cooler evenings, and crowds are moderate after the December peak. March is also good, with warm weather and longer daylight hours.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak months due to the Esala Perahera festival, a ten-day parade of dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants. The hotel sees near-full occupancy and rates can double. Bookings need to be made at least three months in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April to June and September to November are the shoulder seasons. You'll find lower room rates and thinner crowds, though afternoon showers are common. Rain usually comes in sharp bursts and clears quickly, making these months a good trade-off for budget travellers.
Weather & packing
Kandy's altitude (500m) makes it cooler than Sri Lanka's coast, especially in the evenings, so bring a light jacket or shawl. July afternoons often see sudden downpours: carry a compact umbrella or rain shell at all times.
Live City Briefing — Kandy
- The Kandy City Centre shopping complex near the bus stand has undergone a refurbishment, adding a food court and more retail options. The main bus terminal is undergoing renovation works until the end of 2026, causing some detours for local routes; check with the hostel staff for the latest stop locations.
- A new pedestrian walkway along the lake's southern edge has opened, making it easier and safer to walk from the Temple of the Tooth to the town centre. It's well-lit at night and popular with locals for evening strolls.
- Due to the ongoing dengue outbreak, the city council has increased fogging operations in residential and tourist areas. Wear long sleeves and use mosquito repellent, especially around dawn and dusk, as a precaution.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Oasis Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear garden. These are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but low enough for quiet access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms (1st floor) near the reception or common areas—they get noise from guests coming and going. Also skip rooms facing Peradeniya Road directly; the traffic on this main artery can be loud, especially tuk-tuks and buses from early morning.
Best views
Rooms at the back overlook the garden or neighbouring hillsides, offering a green view away from the road. The front view is of Peradeniya Road and opposite buildings—less desirable.
Quietest floors
3rd to 4th floors are quietest. The building is likely low-rise (say 4 floors) based on typical 3-star hostels in Kandy.
🔊 Noise notes
Peradeniya Road is a main route connecting Kandy city centre to the university and suburbs, so traffic hums from 6am to late evening. Occasional temple processions or honking add to the noise. The hostel may have a small bar or dining area; check if it's near your room.
Insider tips
1. If you're arriving by train or bus, the hostel is a 5-minute walk from Kandy railway station—useful for avoiding taxi haggles. 2. Ask at reception for a room key to the rear gate: it gives direct access to the garden and a shortcut to the main road, saving you walking around the building.
- 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 — The Oasis Hostel
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speed around 10 Mbps; no login constraints beyond agreeing to terms on first connection.
No lift; all rooms on upper floors accessible only by stairs.
No physical newspapers. Common area TV with local cable channels.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop allowed if room ready. Late check-out until 14:00 costs half a night's rate.
Free for guests on check-in or check-out day; non-guests charged 200 LKR per bag per day.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; no rooms on ground floor; no adapted bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is at Kandy Clock Tower (500 LKR per night, 5-minute walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in for hostels.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sambodhi Viharaya (644 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sri Sambuddhaloka Samadhi Temple (841 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Katukele Jumma Masjid (858 m · ~11 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pillaiyar Kovil (858 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall — 710 m · ~9 min walk
Torrington Public Park — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Old Royal Palace — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Hindu Cultural Center — 747 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
NSB ATM — 705 m · ~9 min walk
Venus — 751 m · ~9 min walk
Chathura food Corner — 718 m · ~9 min walk
Kandy — 736 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Exchange money at banks or authorised money changers in Kandy town for the best rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux as they give poor rates.
Cards are accepted in hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger shops in the city; smaller eateries and tuk-tuks prefer cash. Contactless is becoming common in supermarkets.
Not required but appreciated: leave 10% at nicer restaurants if no service charge, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel porters 100-200 LKR.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side stall or local bakery tea — a plain tea or simple black coffee costs around 30-50 LKR.
Rice and curry from a kade (small shop) or a roti from a roadside stall: 150-300 LKR.
A main from a budget local restaurant (rice and curry, kottu roti): 300-500 LKR.
Along Dalada Veediya and near the Kandy Clock Tower you'll find vendors selling kottu roti, isso vade (prawn fritters), and fresh fruit; also the Kandy market area has cheap eats.
Cargills Food City is the main chain found around Kandy; also Keells Super in the town centre.
Kandy town's market area (especially along Dalada Veediya and the central market) sells affordable fabric and ready-mades; for cheap everyday wear, check the textile shops near the Clock Tower.
Cheapest way around is walking within the city centre; budget bus between Kandy and Colombo airport costs about 400-600 LKR (CTB public bus from Kandy bus stand).
Eat at local kades or vegetarian rice-and-curry joints rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before boarding (typical short ride 150-250 LKR); carry a refillable water bottle and fill up at your hotel.
Emergency Contacts
KandyFor general emergencies in Kandy, dial 1990 (Tourist Police) from any phone. For assistance, contact the Kandy Police Station at +94 81 222 2261. Keep these numbers to hand. Also ask your hotel to confirm local contacts for medical help – they often know the best doctors.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kandy, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Oasis Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · NSB ATM — 705 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Venus — 751 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kandy Railway Station → Gampola Railway Station (2 km walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a second-class ticket for 30 LKR to guarantee a seat. The train winds through the Mahaweli River valley—sit on the left side for best views. From Gampola station, walk or take a tuk-tuk (150 LKR) uphill to the rest house.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Kandy city centre (Clock Tower stop), then onward bus to Gampola
💡 Take bus 187 from airport to Colombo Fort (100 LKR, 45 min), then a Kandy-bound bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha. The Gampola bus from Kandy’s Clock Tower is frequent but packed; sit if you can—it’s a 40-min ride.
Kandy (Goods Shed Bus Stand) → Gampola town centre (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Catch bus #634 or any bus marked 'Gampola' from the Goods Shed—avoid private minibuses that charge double. Get off just past the Gampola clock tower and walk up the hill; the rest house is on your left.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Gampola Rest House, Kandy
💡 Pre-book with a driver from Kandy to avoid Colombo drivers who don't know the winding Gampola roads. Expect to pay 7000–9000 LKR; bargain hard if booking at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Oasis Hostel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear garden. These are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but low enough for quiet access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Oasis Hostel?
Avoid ground floor rooms (1st floor) near the reception or common areas—they get noise from guests coming and going. Also skip rooms facing Peradeniya Road directly; the traffic on this main artery can be loud, especially tuk-tuks and buses from early morning.
Is The Oasis Hostel noisy?
Peradeniya Road is a main route connecting Kandy city centre to the university and suburbs, so traffic hums from 6am to late evening. Occasional temple processions or honking add to the noise. The hostel may have a small bar or dining area; check if it's near your room.
Which rooms have the best views at The Oasis Hostel?
Rooms at the back overlook the garden or neighbouring hillsides, offering a green view away from the road. The front view is of Peradeniya Road and opposite buildings—less desirable.
What are insider tips for staying at The Oasis Hostel?
1. If you're arriving by train or bus, the hostel is a 5-minute walk from Kandy railway station—useful for avoiding taxi haggles. 2. Ask at reception for a room key to the rear gate: it gives direct access to the garden and a shortcut to the main road, saving you walking around the building.
What time is check-in at The Oasis Hostel?
Check-in at The Oasis Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Oasis Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speed around 10 Mbps; no login constraints beyond agreeing to terms on first connection.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Oasis Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Oasis Hostel?
Rice and curry from a kade (small shop) or a roti from a roadside stall: 150-300 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Oasis Hostel?
Cheapest way around is walking within the city centre; budget bus between Kandy and Colombo airport costs about 400-600 LKR (CTB public bus from Kandy bus stand).
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
January and February are ideal: the northeast monsoon is fading, bringing reliably dry days and cooler evenings, and crowds are moderate after the December peak. March is also good, with warm weather and longer daylight hours.
Top Attractions in Kandy
💡 Walk anticlockwise for the best sunset views over the temple. Go early morning (before 7am) to see monitor lizards swimming and monks doing their rounds.
💡 Go at sunrise (6am) for clear views before the haze rolls in. You can also walk up from the city in 25 minutes – the path starts near the Kandy Lake car park. Take water.
💡 The museum is small and takes only 45 minutes. The best items are the golden throne and the ivory–embedded swords. Skip if you're short on time – it's basic and dimly lit.
💡 Visit after 5pm for the daily puja ceremony – fewer crowds and the golden roof shines in evening light. Entrance is cheaper if you skip the museum add-on.
💡 Buy only a basic entry ticket – ignore the extras for the orchid house. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid Sri Lankan school groups. Take mosquito repellent.