Only 5 hours from the appealing capital city of Colombo, Dambulla’s located in the Matale District, in the Central province of Sri Lanka. Renowned for the Cave Temple, one of the largest and well-maintained complexes in Sri Lanka, Dambulla houses nearly 80 caves, some of which were considered sacred for meditation purposes. Few other significant tourist attractions include 5 caves, adorned with paintings and statues, making the city a must-see for archeological enthusiasts and travelers looking for peaceful scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Beside visiting the popular and star attractions, some other things to do in the beautiful city of Dambulla are stated below.

The River Rafting experience in the beautiful Kelani River in Kitugala is a must for all adventurers and a perfect day activity when in Dambulla. From the moment you arrive here, the scenic atmosphere will keep you mesmerized and the rafting journey will cover about 5 km in the river with the inclusion of 4 minor and 5 major rapids, having you go up and down like a roller coaster, leaving you joyfully wet and on an adrenaline high long after the experience is over!

One of the most popular outdoor activities in Dambulla that attracts most travellers is the Hot Air Balloon Ride at the Kandalama Lake, from where you take-off for an hour of captivating aerial view of lush greenery, cultural heritage sites, wildlife and many other beautiful landscapes of the city.

A fun and informative way of becoming one with Sri Lanka’s natural beauty is to enjoy a nature safari to Minneriya or Gilitale National Parks, which will give you a chance to witness the ecological habitat and glorious wonders of Sri Lanka’s flora and fauna. Say hello to magnificent herds of elephants and perhaps ride one of them, greet nearly 150 species of resident & migratory birds at the park and just revel in the adventurous yet rejuvenating experience of a wildlife expedition!

Atop the Heritance Hotel Kandalam is the Six Senses Spa in Dambulla which offers a breath-taking view of the lake and the mountains and has a lovely selection of therapies using natural ingredients that are sourced locally and aim for a holistic healing experience. With an assortment of oriental, detox, deep tissue, holistic & energizing massages, these therapies may be a bit steep, but the refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed aura of body, mind & spirit will make it worth every dime spent!

Enjoy a cricket match with an enthusiastic crowd and in the midst of a festive ambiance, unlike the dull and demure atmosphere of most English cricket grounds! A one day match or 20-20 cricket matches mostly happen in Sri Lanka’s chief test match venues, of which Dambulla’s Rangiri Stadium is the only international venue. 30,000 seat strong, the stadium is located on a 60 acre leased site.

Explore the simple yet busy life of the locals in one of Dambulla’s villages. In the company of an experienced guide, visit the village in a tuk-tuk and be introduced to the local customs of the village, meet them & get to know more about their lives, their work and the social activities they engage in. Enjoy riding a bullock cart, or take a boat ride in the lake. Become familiar with different agricultural techniques at a farm and finish the tour with a live cook-out session with a scrumptious traditional Sri Lankan lunch.