Your stay — The Cave
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The Property — The Cave
The Cave is cut into a hillside above Kegalle, its lobby a dim, rock-walled hollow that smells of damp earth and jasmine. Concrete floors, simple teak furniture and open sides that let the jungle sounds drift in make it feel more like a shelter than a hotel. It suits short-stay nature hikers and people en route to Sigiriya or Kandy who want something real, not polished. You swap air conditioning for ceiling fans and the genuine cool of the rock itself.
Chronicles of Kegalle
Kegalle grew as a colonial-era trade stop on the road between Kandy and Colombo, its economy long anchored by rubber and tea estates that still ring the town. The old Dutch and British administrative buildings—some now crumbling, some repurposed as government offices—give the centre a faded, functional feel. Independence brought slow growth; today Kegalle is best known as the gateway to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the surrounding gem-mining villages. It remains a Sinhalese-market town, busy with produce stalls and three-wheelers, most visitors passing through rather than staying.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kegalle guide →Best months
January–March: driest and sunniest, with daytime highs around 30°C, low humidity and clear skies for hiking and wildlife viewing. August (peak dry season in the intermediate zone) offers similar conditions but attracts more domestic tourists.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month thanks to school holidays and local pilgrimages to nearby temples; hotel prices at The Cave can rise 20–30% from the off-peak rate of about 5,500 LKR/night. The Perahera festival in Kandy (July–August) also pulls visitors through Kegalle, though the town itself has no major event.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the budget sweet spots: rain is still moderate (around 150mm/month), rooms often drop to 4,000–4,500 LKR, and the hillsides are lush. Crowds thin noticeably outside the August spike.
Weather & packing
Kegalle sits in Sri Lanka’s intermediate climate zone, so rain can hit any time even in the 'dry' season, often as short afternoon downpours. Pack a lightweight quick-dry rain jacket and water-resistant shoes; leave umbrellas behind as they catch on the narrow cave paths.
Live City Briefing — Kegalle
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (8 km away) recently extended its bathing-viewing hours to 2–4 pm daily after a new viewing platform opened; check current visitor caps as they now limit groups to 50 in peak season.
- The main A1 Colombo–Kandy road through Kegalle is undergoing resurfacing until late 2026; expect 10–20 minute delays near the town centre, best avoided by using the bypass road from Mawanella.
- A new gem museum and lapidary workshop opened in Kegalle's old Dutch courthouse in March 2026, offering free entry and a chance to see sapphire cutting—a good alternative if the orphanage feels touristy.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Cave, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor or above, facing away from the main road. The front-facing rooms at 'The Cave' in Kegalle are quieter and have better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as they may pick up street noise from Kegalle's main road and foot traffic.
Best views
Rooms at the front of the hotel offer views of Kegalle town and surrounding hills, assuming the hotel is set back from the road.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 are likely the quietest, as they are elevated above street level and away from ground-floor bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Kegalle's main road can be busy with tuk-tuks, buses, and local traffic, especially during daytime. The hotel's street-facing side may be noisier.
Insider tips
1. If you're arriving by car, ask about parking at check-in – Kegalle hotels often have limited off-street spaces. 2. Request a fan or extra pillows upon booking, as 3-star properties may have inconsistent availability.
- 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 Cave
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (approx 5 Mbps); premium upgrade at 500 LKR per 24h for higher speeds in all areas.
No lift – stairs only throughout the three-floor building.
No digital newsstand; one complimentary physical English-language newspaper (Daily Mirror) at breakfast. The hotel is a repurposed colonial-era building with a cave-like stone-walled basement lounge – no other notable quirks.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 at 2,000 LKR (subject to availability).
Free secure storage in lobby area during day of stay; no overnight storage.
Step-free access at main entrance (ramp available on request); no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; stairs-only to upper floors.
On-site free parking for up to 4 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is 300m away at Kegalle Market (100 LKR per hour, no overnight charge). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required for online bookings; 5,000 LKR incidental hold at check-in, refundable if no damage or extras.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Kithulgala Temple (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use local bank ATMs in Kegalle town for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel exchange counters which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger shops and hotels; street stalls and local eateries are cash-only.
Not expected but appreciated: 10% in restaurants if service charge not added, small change for taxis (round up), 100–200 LKR for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Short black or tea at a local kade (roadside stall): about 40–60 LKR.
Rice and curry at a local eatery: 250–350 LKR.
Kottu roti or string hoppers with curry at a local restaurant: 300–450 LKR per main.
Kegalle town's main street and bus stand area have stalls selling isso vade, samosa, and roti; look for evening vendors near the clock tower.
No major supermarket chains; use local grocery stores and the weekly Sunday market (pola) for fresh produce.
Local markets in Kegalle town sell affordable cotton sarongs, t-shirts, and slippers.
Local bus (30-50 LKR for short trips around town); from Bandaranaike International Airport, take the public bus to Colombo then change for Kegalle (total ~600 LKR).
Eat at local lunch places serving rice and curry rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; buy bottled water in bulk from a supermarket or refill at your accommodation; negotiate rates for tuk-tuks before getting in.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kegalle, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Cave
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kegalle town area → Hotel Plantation (1–2 km radius)
💡 Flag one near the bus stand or main junction. Negotiate before getting in: 150–200 LKR for short hops. For longer trips into the hills, expect 400–600 LKR. Many drivers don't speak English—show the hotel address printed in Sinhala.
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal → Kegalle Town Bus Stand
💡 Take the Maharagama–Kegalle route (bus numbers 99 or 100). Get off at Kegalle, then 15-min tuk-tuk (300 LKR) to hotel. Ask driver to drop you at 'Pinnawala junction'.
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Stand → Kegalle Town Bus Stand
💡 From the airport, take bus 187 (negombo-Colombo) to Kadawatha, then switch to Kegalle bus. The Golden Gate is a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the bus stand (300 LKR).
Colombo Central Bus Stand (Pettah) → Kegalle Bus Stand
💡 Catch bus #99 (Colombo–Kandy route) from Pettah. Get off at the Kegalle junction, not the bus stand—it's a short walk to the hotel. Buses are cramped and fast, so keep bags on your lap. Carry exact change; conductors rarely break 1000 LKR notes.
Kegalle Town → Golden Gate Hotel (and local sights)
💡 Agree the fare before getting in — a ride from the hotel to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (15 km) should cost 1,200-1,500 LKR one-way. Know the rough distance: 100 LKR per km is fair.
Rambukkana Railway Station → Kegalle Town (via local bus/tuk)
💡 The Kandy-bound trains from Colombo Fort stop at Rambukkana at just over an hour — tuk-tuk from Rambukkana station to Kegalle (10 km, 800 LKR). Book 1st class ahead; otherwise 3rd class is fine but gets crowded.
Kegalle Town → Luck Uyana Cabana Pinnawala
💡 Negotiate before boarding; 300–400 LKR is fair. For night arrivals, arrange a pick-up with the hotel — tuk-tuks stop after 21:00.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Kegalle Railway Station
💡 Book an AC 'Expo' or 'Observation' car for comfort. The train cuts through rubber plantations—pick a window seat on the right side. From Kegalle station, a tuk-tuk to Hotel Plantation costs 250–300 LKR. Don't rely on it for late arrivals; services thin out after 6pm.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Luck Uyana Cabana Pinnawala, Kegalle
💡 Pre-book via hotel or local driver (WhatsApp: 075 234 5678). Avoid airport touts — fixed price should include tolls and AC.
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Rambukkana Railway Station
💡 Scenic hill section. From Rambukkana, take a tuk-tuk (20 min, 600 LKR) to the cabana. No direct train to Kegalle proper — this stop is closer.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Hotel Plantation, Kegalle
💡 Book through the hotel or a reliable local service like PickMe or Uber for fixed rates. Negotiate hard if hailing at the airport—expect around 8,000–10,000 LKR for a standard car. Avoid taxis waiting outside arrivals; they'll quote double.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Golden Gate Hotel, Kegalle
💡 Ask the hotel to arrange this — rates are fixed and the driver will wait at arrivals with a name board. Cash in LKR or USD works; confirm if tolls (around 500 LKR) are included.
About Kegalle
Wikipedia ↗
Kegalle (Sinhala: කෑගල්ල, romanized: Kǣgalla; Tamil: கேகாலை, romanized: Kēkālai) is a large town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It is located on the Colombo–Kandy road, approximately 78 km (48 mi) from Colombo, 40 km (25 mi) from Kandy, 32 km (20 mi) from Kurunegala and 46 km (29 mi) from Av...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Cave?
Request a room on the first floor or above, facing away from the main road. The front-facing rooms at 'The Cave' in Kegalle are quieter and have better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Cave?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as they may pick up street noise from Kegalle's main road and foot traffic.
Is The Cave noisy?
Kegalle's main road can be busy with tuk-tuks, buses, and local traffic, especially during daytime. The hotel's street-facing side may be noisier.
Which rooms have the best views at The Cave?
Rooms at the front of the hotel offer views of Kegalle town and surrounding hills, assuming the hotel is set back from the road.
What are insider tips for staying at The Cave?
1. If you're arriving by car, ask about parking at check-in – Kegalle hotels often have limited off-street spaces. 2. Request a fan or extra pillows upon booking, as 3-star properties may have inconsistent availability.
What time is check-in at The Cave?
Check-in at The Cave is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Cave have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (approx 5 Mbps); premium upgrade at 500 LKR per 24h for higher speeds in all areas.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Cave?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Cave?
Rice and curry at a local eatery: 250–350 LKR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Cave?
Local bus (30-50 LKR for short trips around town); from Bandaranaike International Airport, take the public bus to Colombo then change for Kegalle (total ~600 LKR).
When is the best time to visit Kegalle?
January–March: driest and sunniest, with daytime highs around 30°C, low humidity and clear skies for hiking and wildlife viewing. August (peak dry season in the intermediate zone) offers similar conditions but attracts more domestic tourists.
Top Attractions in Kegalle
💡 Go early between 7am and 9am for the freshest vegetables and to avoid the heat. Haggle politely but prices are already low.
💡 Buy a bag of rambutan for 150 LKR and a glass of king coconut water for 50 LKR. Avoid peak noon – shade is limited.
💡 Walk north from the clock tower for the densest cluster of shops. Cash only. Bargaining is expected on larger purchases, not on single items under 500 LKR.
💡 Borrow a newspaper from the reading room (no card needed) and sit under the jackfruit tree. Closes for lunch 12:00–13:30.
💡 Remove shoes before entering the temple grounds. Donations are appreciated but not required. Visit late afternoon for golden light on the Buddha.
💡 Bring binoculars if you're into trains—Kandy-bound trains pass regularly around 9am and 2pm. Best after rain when the river is full.
💡 Ask the caretaker to unlock the back room — it holds a collection of antique masks rarely shown to the public.
💡 The sign outside says 'Museum of Archaeology' but it's easy to miss—look for the yellow building beside the main road. Ask the caretaker to turn on the lights in the main hall if they're off.