Major city · Sri Lanka
Badulla
Spend 1–2 days in Badulla: one day for town sights, add half a day for Dunhinda Waterfall.
Badulla, capital of Uva Province, sits in a hilly landscape. Its main attractions are a historic Buddhist temple, colonial churches, a small botanical garden and the nearby Dunhinda Waterfall. The town is a good base for a short stay before heading to Ella or Haputale.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid May–Sep (monsoon)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Badulla119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Badulla, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?LKR in small notes for tuk-tuks, buses, tea and entry tickets.Sri Lanka-wide
- SIM or eSIMDialog, Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) and Hutch sell tourist SIMs at the airport; passport required.Sri Lanka-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Sri Lanka-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Nothing extra if 10% service is on the bill; otherwise 10%.Sri Lanka-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sri Lanka-wide
- SafetyBadulla is generally safe; keep an eye on night train schedules and watch belongings on crowded buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants, with a hose; squat toilets in bus stations.Sri Lanka-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPoya (full moon) days close bars and liquor shops and stop meat sales; many sites close on the day of a Perahera procession…Sri Lanka-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 230 km (143 mi) north of Badulla, 5–6 h by bus).CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 143 mi (230 km) north of Badulla, 5–6 h by bus).
- Getting aroundWalkable town centre; tuk‑tuks and local buses connect to outskirts and Dunhinda Waterfall (5 km (3.1 mi) north).Walkable town centre; tuk‑tuks and local buses connect to outskirts and Dunhinda Waterfall (3.1 mi (5 km) north).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeRs 150–250
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))Rs 800–1,200
- Museum or sight ticketDunhinda Waterfall entryRs 50
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomLKR 5,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomLKR 8,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomLKR 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 1,200 · Mid LKR 2,000 · High LKR 3,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 230 km (143 mi) north of Badulla, 5–6 h by bus)CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 143 mi (230 km) north of Badulla, 5–6 h by bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Badulla: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable town centre; tuk‑tuks and local buses connect to outskirts and Dunhinda Waterfall (5 km north).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dunhinda Waterfall
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Local bus No.314, half‑hourly from Badulla station; 5 km (3.1 mi) northLocal bus No.314, half‑hourly from Badulla station; 3.1 mi (5 km) north
63 m high, small entry fee.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dunhinda Falls Inn
Budget rooms, Wi‑Fi, near railway station; Rs 2,978 per night.
Mount View Hotel
Air‑conditioned rooms, terrace; Rs 5,025 per night.
The Heritage Resort
Bay‑window rooms, restaurant; Rs 7,445 per night.
Nilgira Resort
Singles Rs 6,000, garden balcony; moderate mid‑range.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 1,200–1,800 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 1,800–2,500 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 2,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double room1 × 1 night × LKR 8,000 | LKR 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LKR 2,000 | LKR 4,000 |
| Train Badulla–Colombo (2nd class)2 × LKR 520 · check | LKR 1,040 |
| Bus to Dunhinda Waterfall (round trip)2 × LKR 150 · check | LKR 300 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × LKR 2,500 · check | LKR 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 1,830 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 10,090 per person per day, bed included | LKR 20,170 |
2026 estimate in LKR; flights and long-distance train not included
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Rs 150–250 |
| Meal (rice & curry) | Rs 300–600 |
| Taxi (5 km) | Rs 800–1,200 |
| Dunhinda Waterfall entry | Rs 50 |
| Train 2nd class Badulla–Colombo | Rs 520 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train service limited after Cyclone Ditwah (2025); only 4 trains per day to Colombo, 9½ h express, 11 h night mail, Rs 520/325 (2nd/3rd class).
- Bus schedules to Colombo run until 11 pm; plan return earlier.
- Dunhinda Waterfall entry fee is small but may vary.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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BadullaBadulla
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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මෙහි ලිපිනයට ගෙවන්නTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
US consular services are in Colombo; check the US Embassy website for updates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Badulla–Colombo (2nd class): Rs 520, about 9½ h
- Bus Badulla–Dunhinda Waterfall: Rs 150 round‑trip, 30 min
Say or show
- සමාවෙන්න — Excuse me / Sorry (samāvenna)
- බොහොම ස්තුතියි — Thank you (bohoma sthuthiyi)
- ඇයිද? — How much is it? (æida?)
- බස් නතරය කොහේද? — Where is the bus stop? (bas natharay kohēda?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Badulla. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid May–Sep (monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night‑mail train option for budget travellers.
- Promote tuk‑tuk rides for flexible town‑to‑outskirts travel.
Sources
Ask about Badulla
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