Sri Lanka's BEST accommodation, for all budgets

Sri Lanka's BEST accommodation, for all budgets

5 budgets, all areas... so you have options for all the places you want to visit. I often like to do several nights in budget stays, then choose a couple of places I'd like to splash out on towards the end of a trip, when I want to relax more than dash around seeing sites! Sri Lanka is spoilt for choice when it comes to sites, activities and accommodation and you can easily become over whelmed by the options which is why I encourage you to make full use of this guide and save yourself valuable time and energy.
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Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Relais & Chateaux
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Yala. UNESCO design award winner Wild Coast Tented is a spectacular luxury tented camp stunningly located where the jungle meets a pristine beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The unique design blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Wild Coast’s soaring, curved, organic structures are an eye-widening architectural triumph. The bamboo-clad, open-air restaurant and bar are positioned beside a freeform turquoise infinity pool, complementing the Yala bushland-and-beach setting. Tucked away in the wilderness, dazzling Cocoon tented bedrooms and a Sanctuary Spa dot the landscape like scattered seed pods. If you can afford it... do it!
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Uga Chena Huts
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Yala. Magical and set amongst the golden dunes and the lush greenery in Yala Sri Lanka, Uga Chena Huts blends Sri Lanka’s most celebrated features – its tropical beaches and its exotic wildlife. Enveloped in a world of scenic splendour and exotic fauna, they offer luxurious private cabins with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding wilderness and seascape.
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98 Acres Resort & Spa
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Featuring the luxurious comforts of a boutique hotel, 98 Acres Resort & Spa is set amidst the stunning landscape of the 98 acre tea estate. A fantastic location for Nine Arch bridge -only an 8 minute walk away. This gorgeous retreat like resort is also only 700 meters from Little Adam's Peak which makes it a perfect place to stay the night before a sunrise trip for the views. The property is located 1.6 km from Ella Spice Garden and Ella Rock is 2 km away. Featuring free Wi-Fi, all rooms include a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchenette, dining area and a private bathroom and a bath or shower and a hair dryer and the accommodation has a beautiful outdoor pool.
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Karpaha Sands, Kalkudah
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Pasikuda beach. Break up the journey from the south to the north by stopping off at this absolutely beautiful boutique cabana style hotel situated right on the beach in Pasikuda.
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Taru Villas - Rampart Street
@ThisWildSoul
A great place for couples, this is a beautiful Dutch design boutique hotel. Set just 500m from Galle International Cricket Stadium and 600m from Galle Light house.
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Living Heritage Koslanda
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Diyaluma Falls (1hr from Ella). Featuring gorgeous design and an outdoor swimming pool and garden with BBQ facilities. Living Heritage Koslanda offers elegant rooms in Koslanda, just 1 km from one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka - Diyaluma.
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Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Tangalle. Featuring a mesmerising secluded beachfront, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is located on cliff in a large coconut plantation with panoramic sea views. Be welcomed with a cultured experience with the beating of traditional "raban drums", and leave with a local blessing and sundown ceremony with local drums and traditional Sri Lankan conch shell blowers.
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The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya - Heritage Grand
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Nuwara Eliya. This iconic hotel in Nuwara Eliya is full of old English charm and harks back to Sri Lanka's colonial past. A step back in time, it offers exceptional service and makes a great place to relax in the heart of Nuwara Eliya. While I was there they had a fabulous live jazz band!
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Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Nuwara Eliya. A slice of England in Little England, with very polite and friendly staff. This is a lovely boutique hotel with only seven rooms, it's located amidst tea plantations on the mountain away from the main hustle and bustle of Nuwara Eliyia so a great place to relax and unwind.
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Heritage Boutique
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Kandy. Fabulous place to stay right in the heart of Kandy. This is a little boutique hotel on the same road as the Temple of the Tooth. It's the ideal location to explore much of Kandy by foot and visit the temple itself. The bed was the most comfortable I stayed in in Sri Lanka and had a very plush duvet. The Aircon was fabulous and the bathroom wonderful. It's a 30 second walk to the temple which makes it perfect for going to see one of the Pooja Ceremony's (not to be missed...! -usually times at 6.30am, 9.30am and 6.30pm, but please check with someone on the gate when you arrive, as these times often change). It's also a great location to check out the lake and the local market and also walk to various good restaurants in the area. Top Tips: -If you want to go to a temple ceremony, try to get to the early morning one- it will be less full of tourists and feel more authentic. -During the Kandy Perarah festival in August this hotel overlooks the road where the elephants are kept and fed during the day, it's also where many of the dancers/elephants get ready for the festival and end their parade at night so it offers an amazing look behind the scenes and an opportunity to chat to the Sri Lankans involved in the parade!
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Arawe Retreat
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Arawe is a newly renovated 150-year old nature cottage located around 400m from the centre of Ella. Secluded in nature, the cottage stands on 5 acres of land overlooking a rice paddy field and is the only guest accommodation on the property making it the perfect romantic escape for couples, someone looking for a peaceful escape or somewhere to write a novel! The grounds are home to many local birds and creatures which provides guests with a refreshing nature retreat whilst being close to all that Ella has to offer. Offering barbecue facilities and a garden. This lodge comes with 2 separate bedrooms. A continental breakfast is served every morning at the property. 19 minutes walk to the Nine-arch bridge 275 m to Ella Spice Garden 2.3 km to Little Adam’s Peak
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Fox Resorts Jaffna
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Jaffna. Fox provides accommodation in the remoter city of Jaffna. With an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge.
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Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Weligama Beach. Set right on the beach, Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa offers beach front rooms, a year-round children's pool, relaxation pool and outdoor lap pool. It also offers water sport facilities and has close proximity to the Galle Fort and Blue Whale watching hubs. The resort also offers a garden with outdoor furniture, a minibar, bathtubs and ironing facilities.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Yala. Sophisticated style.
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Sergeant House
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Unawatuna. Adjacent to Unawatuna Beach, Sergent House is set in a boutique villa showcasing colonial architecture and originating in the 1800's. It is a three minute walk to the Unawatuna Beach and a 15 minute drive away from the historic 16th - 17th century Galle Fort.
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Kandalama Lodge
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Dambulla/Sigirya. EXCEPTIONAL -I don't even know how to explain how wonderful my stay here was. The owner, manager and staff are amazing. A-mazing. Best service I have ever had, anywhere. You will leave feeling like you have friends for life. This is the passion project of the owner, a Sri Lankan mixologist who's worked around the world at top hotels. This means you essentially get 5* service and nothing is too much trouble. The place itself is new, well thought out and beautifully designed- the bathrooms are outside and absolutely beautiful. This is the perfect spot for couples or someone looking to relax. The whole place feels incredibly tranquil, a little oasis and impeccably clean, including the pool. Each self contained room has it's own little patio and sitting area, there is also one with a private pool...! The breakfast is the best I had during my entire trip in Sri Lanka and one of the best I've had in the world. We asked for a mix of Sri Lankan and Continental- the variety and quantity (they kept topping it up) was incredible and I'd definitely recommend asking them for a mix of if there are two of you. This lodge is the baby of the owner and you can tell he takes so much pride and joy in it, he wants guests to have a truly exceptional stay and has tried to think of everything, right down to the little details. Honestly one of my favourite stays I've ever had and worth every penny. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Tea Cabins
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Featuring lovely well designed rooms and a beautiful private garden area, terrace and a pool. This is the perfect boutique accommodation for couples or those looking for a little peaceful escape. Located: -18-minute walk from Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. -1.9 km from Ella Spice Garden -2.4 km from Little Adam's Peak. -Ella Rock is 3.5 km from Tea Cabins. Complimentary transfers are available from Ella Town Center. The only thing is, this place gets booked up very early... so if you like the look of it please do check it for your dates now, you will need to book ahead!
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Surf N Sun - Arugambay
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Arugam Bay. Gorgeous design, peaceful living. A little paradise in this bohemian surfing town.
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EKHO Lake House
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Polonnaruwa. Great hospitality, Ekho Lake House is a truly beautiful lakeside hotel, inches from the museum and site of ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It's a fantastic location and at sunset you can see hundreds of flying foxes take to the skies and fly across the lake in search of food! It's also worth noting the staff are amazing and super friendly- they make you feel very welcome, and the food and ambiance are fantastic. If you can't afford to stay here, it's a great place to go for some food, drinks or coffee.
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Gabaa Resort & Spa
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Habarana/Sigirya. In a serene setting in Habarana, 11 km from Pidurangala Rock, Gabaa Resort & Spa - Habarana offers accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace.
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Marino Beach Colombo
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Colombo. One of the most popular major hotels in Colombo, set on the beach with super comfortable rooms and an ocean view infinity pool on the roof.
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Palmera Eco Resort Nilaveli
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Nilaveli. A lovely place to relax. It is a little way to the beach so you might need to get a tuktuk, but this is a great place to relax for a few days.
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Green Nature Paradise Ella
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Nine Arch Bridge/Ella. The perfect place to stay to see Nine Arch Bridge! A little way outside central Ella, this hotel has fabulous views of Nine Arch Bridge (only 100m away) making it one of the best locations to get beautiful photos of the famous Sri Lankan train route and see it/walk down to it early morning before other tourists start arriving around 8am. From this little gem you can easily walk along the train tracks to Ella or take a tuk tuk, and Little Adams Peak is a mere 1.9km walk away. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is also available at the hotel! The units come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV and a delicious daily breakfast with continental, American or Asian options and the host is lovely!
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Mango House Boutique Hotel and Restaurant
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Galle. This beautiful property is gorgeously designed and is only 200m away from Galle Fort Beach. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 600 metres from Galle International Cricket Stadium, 200 metres from Galle Fort and 300 metres from Galle Fort National Museum.
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Voda Retreat
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Unawatuna. - Idyllic. A super stylish boutique hotel perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Very friendly helpful staff. Beautiful bathrooms and eating areas.
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The Black Stone
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. A super cute quirky boutique style guest house with traditional Dutch shutters and unique decor additions including a cool wall of masks. With a great view from the roof terrace, it’s a short 5-10 minute walk to Ella high street yet far enough away that you can’t hear the music from the bars at night- a massive plus because they are loud! Easy access to the train tracks for walking to Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adman’s Peak and Ella Rock- just 2-3minutes walk down the hill make this stay rather perfect!
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Villa Touch of Dutch
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Tangalle. A gorgeous Dutch homestay villa with a luxe feel to the decor. The family house is situated in the gardens and the staff are always on hand and attentive. The breakfast was also incredible and they cater to dietary requirements.
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Whisky Point Resort
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Whisky Point/Arugam Bay. If surfing's your thing, Whisky Point offers one of the best breaks in the area and this is an amazing place to stay.
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Bay Vista Hotel
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Arugam Bay. This hotel is centrally located on the beach/strip and offers a great ambient beach restaurant at reasonable prices for the area. It also offers relaxing yoga on the roof terrace several times a week! Even if you don't stay here, it's a great spot for food and yoga- the times will be posted on a board outside the main street entrance.
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Hotel Lucky Elephant
@ThisWildSoul
Right on the beachfront with lovely comfortable rooms.
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Roys Villa
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Sigirya/Dambulla. The best hostel I stayed in in Sri Lanka! Roys villa is the perfect place to stay if you're visiting Sigirya, especially if you're backpacking or you're travelling solo. There is a great "family dinner" served all along one long table where guests can chat to each other each evening and brings everyone together socially. There's a great relaxed ambiance and it feels like you're surrounded by nature. The vibe is welcoming, relaxed and playful, there is a lovely fire pit lit at night, and the staff are fantastic and warm. They offer lots of group activities and you can climb the rock overlooking Sigiriya fortress rock for sunrise (amazing views) with the group and hear stories of it's history. Check out can take some time if there are lots of guests going on the same day so recommended to pay early or the day before if you want to have a swift check out. As most places it is a cash only system.
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Eagle view villa
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Just outside Ella. Eagle View Villa is the perfect location for 1-2 nights romantic retreat in nature while still on a budget- coming in at around $25 a night for a double room including an amazing breakfast catered to your specific tastes and dietary requirements (usually they serve a full English Breakfast but they also offered us Sri Lankan which we chose and they were happy to do it as early as we wished as we were getting up for sunrise. The villa feels secluded with just 2 rooms with a long shared balcony looking out onto untouched jungle and mountains as far as the eye can see. The rooms are impeccably clean and beautifully designed with little additions such as flower candles you can light at night whilst listening to the sounds of the jungle. We were lucky enough to see a WILD peacock fly into the tree right in front of the balcony and it stayed there for about an hour calling out to females -magical and totally unexpected! The owner is only too happy to help with organising home cooked but delicious dinners or lunches or organising a tuk tuk to Ella town centre which is around 25 minutes away. Top tips: -If you have a mini speaker with you, try chilling to Spotify’s playlist Chakra (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX74VGmwslvwH?si=o0lSJ9t9RFOW02M6hDm8gw) for a utopian like Sri Lankan atmosphere. -Get up for sunrise and watch it from the balcony with your breakfast or for an even more incredible view head upstairs to street level and walk round to the balcony side.
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Waypoint Arugam Bay
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Arugam Bay. This is personally my top pick for Arugam Bay and one of my favourite places I stayed in Sri Lanka. The owner and manager of this place are amazing and so warm. They create a very welcoming communal vibe which feels open to anyone and they will happily sit, socialise and chat with you if you feel like it. The layout of property itself makes it perfect for meeting people and socialising- so I would say this is the best place in Arugam Bay for solo travellers, and also anyone who enjoys a friendly vibe and meeting new people. They have doorms and private rooms perfect for couple -all are comfortable, clean and well designed. I stayed in a private and the aircon was great. They also have a restaurant on site, offer yoga classes on the roof terrace, and have a lovely area to sit and chill. On the Friday night I was there, they had a live guitarist/singer until around 10pm -he was amazing and lots of people gathered around to sit and listen and it felt like a chilled festival area with all the pretty lights. I asked them to arrange a Tuk Tuk Safari (highly recommend) and they discussed who would do a great job for us, then called the old local Surfing Legend Jaya to come and pick us up. for decades Jaya was a surf instructor and one of the best surfers of Arugam Bay, now in his 60s/70s (or there-abouts) he knows everyone, speaks decent English and has a wicked sense of humour. It's also worth noting Waypoint didn't take a cut for the tour, they just wanted the money to go to Jaya to support him, and he charged less than anyone else we asked in the area (he was also fantastic and made the whole thing extremely fun). -You really get the impression they genuinely just want everyone just to have a great time here. Cannot recommend it enough.
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Villa Dominikku
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Negombo. This is the absolute best place to stay the night after you arrive from the airport or before you leave. -It's a short 15 minute drive to the airport and it's in a very peaceful pretty neighbourhood. The owner and his wife are the most welcoming, warm and hospitable of my entire trip. They will make you feel so welcome, you really feel they care and you become a friend. Nothing is too much trouble and they can arrange a car or tuk tuk to take you anywhere, at any time of the day, including the airport, all for a local price- which is rare! They are warmhearted and honest and really want you to have the best stay possible, The rooms are immaculate and appear brand new, despite this place being open for several years now. There is a garden with sitting areas which becomes beautifully lit at night. Also worth mentioning the shower and aircon are amazing! Despite this being a homestay, it feels like a boutique hotel. The food is delicious and they cater to any dietary requirements. They will also pack you a breakfast to take away if your flight is very early or during the night. The owner will also recommend plenty of great places and things to do in Negombo which is a short 10-15minute tuk tuk away and his tuk tuk driver is ready to take you should you wish. He is also very honest and friendly and charges the local price. Honestly can't recommend this place enough.
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Hotel Garcinia Leaf
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Hikkaduwa. Great value for money and beautiful architecture. - This place is ideal for hideaway breaks. Located in the middle of the cinnamon garden.
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Minthu Homestay
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Minthu Homestay is super cute and for the price of approx $17/£14 includes a Sri Lankan breakfast with an incredible view of the valley and both Ella rock and Adams Peak, making it one of the best places to stay in Ella… the owner and his family are super relaxed and lovely and create a peaceful vibe. It’s also just far enough away from the centre of Ella to be out of earshot of the bars and music joints whilst also being close enough to walk comfortably into town and access the railway tracks to take you to Adams Peak or Ella Rock/Nine Arch Bridge.
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Wild Bee Hostel
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Gorgeous hostel situated very close to Ella high street. This is my first choice for a hostel if you're in Ella and have the budget for it -it is a little more expensive than the others and you can get your own private accommodation for less nearby but if you're after a hostel vibe and want to meet other people this place is lovely and the staff are fantastic. -200 metres from Ella Spice Garden -700 metres from Ella Railway Station -4.6 km to Nine Arch Bridge -2.6km to Little Adam's Peak -3.6 km to Ella Rock -49 km from Horton Plains National Park. Some rooms at the property have a lovely balcony with a mountain views! A delicious vegetarian breakfast is available each morning :)
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Royal Vantage
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Royal Vantage is good if you’re on a very very tight budget. The water is hot, wifi speedy and location is great -right next to the railway so it’s a very quick 4-5 mins walk to Ella’s main high street along the tracks, or a little further along the tracks you can access Ella Rock, Nine Arch Bridge, Adams Peak or Ella train station. The owner is only too happy to help and has his own tuk tuk with which he can offer you rides at a far far reduced price from anything you will get on the high street (for example we were quoted 4000LKR, and 5000LKR for a trip which he then quoted for as 1500LKR -which we took). He also has a generator so power cuts aren’t an issue like in some budget accomodations. The only thing I will say is that this place is still relatively close to Ella’s high street, so you will be able to hear music at night and the train coming through in the morning. However, a pair of earplugs remedy this issue well. It’s also a cool way to see the train come through & get a few photos each day.
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Down Town Hostel Ella
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ella. Very close to Ella's main high street, this hostel arranges activities and is just 400m from Ella Spice Garden and very close to the railway tracks to access Ella Rock/Little Adams Peak and Nine Arch Bridge. American and Asian breakfast options are available each morning. The only thing I would note about this stay is it's very close to the middle of Ella's High Street so there may be noise from the bars/music that is heard into the smaller hours of the morning so if this bothers you I suggest staying further away from the main strip.
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Gem Field Rest
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Ratnapura. If you're planning to check out the gem mines and markets of Ratnapura, this is the perfect place to stay. The owner is very hospitable and can help you arrange logistics and excursions for a fair price. He is honest and will give you an honest opinion on things to do in the area and places to go. Staying here is value for money, the water is hot and the aircon very good. It's a calm, clean environment to return to after a hectic day in one of Sri Lanka's most authentic towns and rooms all have balconies to sit out on.
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Little Lagoon
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Arugam Bay. Little Lagoon is a pretty little hostel offering bunks and private rooms. Well designed, it offers lots of lovely sitting areas and a calm environment away from the main hustle and bustle of Arugam Bay. Situated at one end of the main strip, it's a short, easy walk to the centre along the beach or the road. Hot tip: Please note, not all the private rooms have aircon- so do double check because if it's high season in this area, you will want it!
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GypSea Arugambay
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Arugam Bay. Great location in Arugam Bay, nice little well designed rooms, just off the main strip and just a 3 min walk to the beach.
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Nilaveli Hybrid Holiday Hotel
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Nilaveli/Trincomalee. Nothing fancy, but it's good value. It has a nice pool and garden area and good aircon- which you will need!
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C1 Colombo Fort
@ThisWildSoul
Area: Colombo. C1 Colombo Fort offers private rooms and cheaper bunks set right in the heart of the Colombo.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Alice! I have a fondness for seeking out unique, once in a lifetime, once in a destination experiences. I've personally explored 32 countries to date. My favourite destinations so far have been Flores in Indonesia, Varanasi in India, Nyungwe in Rwanda and Chiapas State in Mexico -because they were all a little off the beaten path and totally magical! I'm an experienced solo traveller and a small group travel leader! I love trying new things, connecting with locals, hiking through nature & seeing different cultures unique and quirky traditions! I work as a freelance Travel Coordinator for the global adventure travel company WeRoad ( https://www.weroad.co.uk/ ) leading small group adventure tours to worldwide destinations several times a year. If small group travel with fab vibes is your jam, you're welcome to use my discount code: INCOORLEAKEALI for 10% OFF ANY of their tours. If you prefer doing your own thing and customising your own bespoke trip, read on... because you're in safe hands with these guides! I'm a thorough researcher and planning trips is my forte. I've taken great care over these resources, they also, where possible, empower locals I highly recommend and have personally worked with. This is invaluable because when you get on the ground the most useful thing in many of these destinations is contacts you can trust and are dependable! When I'm not planning my next trip, I spend my days as a rowing coach and freelance artist/designer. You might also find me attempting to touch my toes at yoga, or learning to dance with fire poi! One of my favourite places on earth is actually Burning Man Festival and as you can imagine I have a joie de vivre nature and that's just what your trip will have if you choose my services! So, if you want the best travel experience poss, search up my destination guides with confidence, purchase a custom itinerary or hop on a destination consultation with me, and I will thoroughly prep you for your best time ever! x
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