Hostels in Colombo, Sri Lanka

18 hostels available. Prices start from $3 for a dorm bed.

Hostels in Colombo

Couples Female Solo Traveller Older travelers (+50) Boutique Hostel
"…Cross over to the other side towards the People's Bank and turn right. Walk for twenty meters, and turn left before the KFC. The hostel will be just ahead on your right. Rooms and Bathrooms … More
Solo Traveller
"…There are several rooms, one of which has no windows, and is separated from a storage area by a curtain only. The other two rooms have windows and air conditioning, but the temperature is … More

Clock Inn Dehiwala

Dehiwala
Free Breakfast
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel
"…There's also a female dorm room with four bunk beds, which feels a little cramped. All the mixed dormitories are very spacious. All rooms have air conditioners operating throughout the day, making … More
Couples
"…The hostel offers a variety of room types, including female-only dorms. The rooms are spotlessly clean and tidy and have a very pleasant style. They are cooled by air conditioning and have lockers … More
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel Female Solo Traveller Groups (10+ people) Older travelers (+50) Solo Traveller
"…Breakfast is available each morning, and includes à la carte, Full English/Irish and Asian options. At the hostel you will find a restaurant serving local, Asian and international cuisine. … More
Digital Nomads Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…There's a water cooler you can use to refill your bottles, which is great. They also have free unlimited supply of local tea. There's usually some bread and butter laying around for you to munch … More

VIBE Hostels

Kollupitiya
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel
"…We are all about good vibes and our friendly staff are here to assist you with all your travel needs. Some of the amenities you can look forward to: Free WiFi 24/7 Security Personal Check in … More
"…Peaceful Beire lake is next to it and Galle face green / Historic Parliament building is also just 5 minutes walk. World Trade Centre and the Colombo Dutch Hospital restaurant , Five star hotels … More
Solo Traveller
"…Miracle Colombo City Hostel bright and spacious, with comfortable rooms and beds, modern bathrooms, ranging from student-like private dorm rooms to larger multi-bed dorms, offered with and without … More

CityRest - Fort

Colombo 1
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller
"…The seats are not so comfy, but especially during breakfast time, you can sit there for hours doing some writing or reading. The breakfast is fantastic -- so many varieties of tea, coffee, cereal … More

Backpack Lanka

Kollupitiya
Couples Older travelers (+50)
"…de Mel Mawatha (also known as Duplication Road) we’re a located on one of Colombo’s busiest roads, across from Liberty Plaza (shopping mall which also incidentally houses the largest food mall in … More

Clock Inn

Colombo 3
Digital Nomads Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Rooms and Bathrooms The hostel is one of the oldest hostels in the city. While it is cleaned thrice or more times a day, some washroom walls are worn out. There are three four-bed dormitories … More

Layover Hostel

Bambalapitiya
Solo Traveller
"…In case of a late cancellation or No Show, you will be charged the first night of your stay. Check in from 14:00 to 23:00. Check out before 12:00 noon. Payment upon arrival by cash. Breakfast … More
Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller
"…Tour Desk Roadside Parking Clean Rooms & Washrooms Location: Located 5 Kilometers from the Colombo main town on the Nugegoda route. Hostel Jubilee is Ideally located for both complete … More
Solo Traveller
"…Feel free to ask for any help. Free WiFi. Dorms and rooms have lockers which you can secure using your own padlocks. There is no bar so bring your own! Feel free to have some beers (or arrack … More
Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller
"…Shared TV/DVD lounge with international channels, Breakfast upon request and a garden to hangout to sip a complementary cup of Ceylon tea. We could arrange airport pickups/drop offs or round tours … More
Adventure Hostels Beach Lovers Retreat Party Hostel Solo Traveller
M9 Oruwela roada athurugiriya athurugiriya More
Digital Nomads Family-Friendly Hostel Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…The premises are gated; guests check in both at the entrance desk and in the room; and the rooms are locked from the inside, with personnel working throughout the day in the common area of the … More

Hotels in Colombo

"…Triple Facilities: Spacious two story air conditioned cottages ideally designed for families. Hot/Cold water in bathrooms. Tea/Coffee making facility. Mini Fridge. In-house movies. WiFi … More

Hostels in Colombo, Sri Lanka

18 hostels available. Prices start from $7 for a dorm bed.
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Get to know Colombo (no more "I wish I knew this before")

This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Colombo.

Colombo is a massive city, which sprawls along the west coast of Sri Lanka. Most people will visit Colombo on their trip to Sri Lanka, as it is the main arrival hub for visitors arriving into the country. Colombo is busy, hot, humid, and somewhat polluted, and can be a bit overwhelming when first arriving, however there is definitely some charm (and good people-watching). The main airport is about an hours drive from the city centre (with traffic) and about thirty minutes without traffic, so if you are arriving late, try finding a Colombo hostel near the airport.

The National Museum of Colombo shouldn't be missed. It is the largest museum in Colombo and offers a good introduction into the history and culture of the country. The Galle Face Green Promenade is also the perfect place to watch the sunset in the evening. The promenade stretches about thirteen acres, and on the weekend is filled with market stalls, food vendors, and day trippers -- definitely a good stop to try some local food and for some people watching. Another highlight is a visit to the Turtle Conservation Villa, which is a not-for-profit turtle conservation centre/group located just outside the city -- highly recommended!

Accommodation varies, and there is something for every traveler and budget. From fancy resorts and luxury hotels, to guesthouses and bed and breakfasts to Colombo hostels and budget hotels. Guesthouses and hostels in Colombo are the best places to stay if you want to get a feel for the country and the culture. Most hostels in Colombo are like guesthouses, only they also offer dorm rooms. Hostels are generally quite small (not many rooms) and offer a very friendly, Sri Lankan welcome. Hostes and guesthouses, as well as most of accommodation options, include free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast. Some accommodation options can also arrange airport transfers, which is definitely a bonus if you're arriving on a late or very early flight. Guesthouses usually offer a dinner option, so is a great opportunity to try some local, homemade Sri Lankan food.

Mount Lavinia

Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, is an elegant little suburb, located in the southern outskirts of Colombo. It's about thirty minutes' to a few hours' ride from the international airport, depending on how you choose to travel. A taxi/tuk-tuk will certainly get you there quicker, but you can travel like a local instead and ride buses to save some money while having a memorable adventure! But be aware, during rush hour, traffic can get really bad and getting here by bus can take hours.

There are a few budget Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka hostels in the beach area, all within a few minutes' walking distance from the beach and each other, but mostly there are expensive hotels and resorts, so especially during high season, booking in advance is advised.

Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka hostels are affordable but basic. They offer comfy communal hangout areas where travelers can meet, socialize, and share meals or some drinks. Making new friends here and sharing experiences is easy and fun. If you don't mind the distance from the airport, the location is great, just minutes away from the well-preserved beach and not too far from the main road. The beach is lovely and has a handful of bars and restaurants to offer with great atmosphere. The beach is also a fantastic place to mingle with locals as well as fellow travelers. Try to catch at least one sunset at the beach while you're here -- the view is stunning.

On the other hand, Galle Street, one of the longest streets in the city, has a lot of local eateries (the local food is cheap, delicious, and usually comes in huge portions), supermarkets, ATMs, and large international food chains, in case you get homesick.

Mount Lavinia is a great place to stay if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, but at the same time, not too far away.

Written by local enthusiast for Colombo hostels

Written by local enthusiast for Colombo hostels Kelly Sheldrick

Colombo Hostel Cheatsheet

Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Colombo, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels 18
Average dorm price $15
Average private room price $32
Cheapest hostel in Colombo Ari Backpackers Hostel with $6
Party hostels in Colombo Ari Backpackers Hostel (1 in total)
Most Colombo hostels are located in Kollupitiya, Mount Lavinia, Colombo 1
Average rating of all hostels 6.9

FAQ about Colombo Hostels

We've collected the most common questions for hostels in Colombo. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?

Find your Perfect Hostel Match

We've created more special guides for you:

Family Hostels in Colombo

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6 Best Hostels in Colombo

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11 Hostels in Colombo with Private Rooms

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Other Nearby Cities

Karagampitiya (9 Km / 6 mi.)
Ragama (13 Km / 8 mi.)
Ranala (20 Km / 13 mi.)
Katunayake (27 Km / 17 mi.)
Katunayaka (27 Km / 17 mi.)
Negombo (31 Km / 19 mi.)
Bentota (59 Km / 37 mi.)

Travel Tips for Colombo - from the Community

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