Explore UNESCO World Heritage Dambulla Cave Temple
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka • INR 1980 approx.• 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Dec
20°C – 30°C, january offers pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
20°C – 30°C, january offers pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Steep climb with many stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Steep climb with many stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Value for money
Medium
Entry fee is reasonable, but crowds can diminish value.
Entry fee is reasonable, but crowds can diminish value.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Getaway
Couples found the serene atmosphere and historical significance deeply moving and romantic.
Breathtaking Murals
Visitors were captivated by the stunning murals and the stories they told. A must-see.
Spiritual Journey
Couples enjoyed the peaceful ambiance and the opportunity for a shared spiritual experience.
Tiring Climb
Travelers found the many steps challenging, especially in the heat, making it less accessible.
Overcrowded Site
Some couples noted the crowds detracted from the experience, especially during peak season.
Dress Code
The strict dress code was inconvenient for some, requiring extra planning for a visit.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Wednesday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Thursday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Sunday
07:00 AM - 07:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
A duo embarks on a journey to Dambulla Cave Temple.
Join a traveler on a captivating visit to Dambulla Cave Temple.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
MEDIUM
23-29°C
December marks the beginning of the dry season, offering pleasant temperatures and reduced rainfall, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities.
December marks the beginning of the dry season, offering pleasant temperatures and reduced rainfall, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities.
Open
No significant restrictions; however, increased tourist activity may lead to higher prices and busier attractions.
No significant restrictions; however, increased tourist activity may lead to higher prices and busier attractions.
Recommended
December offers favorable weather conditions for visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple, but visitors should anticipate higher prices and moderate crowds due to the onset of the peak tourist season.
December offers favorable weather conditions for visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple, but visitors should anticipate higher prices and moderate crowds due to the onset of the peak tourist season.
January
HIGH
20-30°C
January offers pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
January offers pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Open
No specific restrictions, but early booking is recommended due to high demand.
No specific restrictions, but early booking is recommended due to high demand.
Recommended
January is an excellent time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, offering favorable weather conditions. However, expect larger crowds and higher prices due to peak tourist season.
January is an excellent time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, offering favorable weather conditions. However, expect larger crowds and higher prices due to peak tourist season.
February
HIGH
20-32°C
February continues the dry season with warm temperatures and low chances of rain.
February continues the dry season with warm temperatures and low chances of rain.
Open
High demand may limit availability; advance reservations are advisable.
High demand may limit availability; advance reservations are advisable.
Recommended
February offers warm and dry weather, suitable for exploring Dambulla Cave Temple. Be prepared for significant crowds and elevated prices during this peak season month.
February offers warm and dry weather, suitable for exploring Dambulla Cave Temple. Be prepared for significant crowds and elevated prices during this peak season month.
March
MEDIUM
20-35°C
March experiences higher temperatures with continued dry conditions, ideal for sightseeing.
March experiences higher temperatures with continued dry conditions, ideal for sightseeing.
Open
No significant restrictions; more options available as crowds lessen.
No significant restrictions; more options available as crowds lessen.
Recommended
March provides warm and dry weather with moderate crowd levels, making it a favorable time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
March provides warm and dry weather with moderate crowd levels, making it a favorable time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Buses arrive at Dambulla Main Bus Station on the Kandy-Jaffna Highway. From Colombo, take direct buses (routes 48, 48/3, 49). From Kandy, it's a 2-3 hour ride. From Sigiriya, buses run every 30 minutes.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis are available from Dambulla and surrounding areas. From Sigiriya, a taxi ride takes about 30 minutes. Within Dambulla town, taxis quickly transport visitors to the temple entrance.
Car
Driving to Dambulla is convenient. From Colombo, take the A1 and A9 highways (3-4 hours). From Kandy, it's a 2-3 hour drive. From Sigiriya, it's about 20 minutes. Parking is available near the temple.
Walking
Visitors must walk up a series of stone stairs to reach the cave temples, a 10-20 minute climb from the base of Dambulla rock.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required