Major city · Sri Lanka
Yapahuwa
A half-day stop between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura: climb the 91 m rock for the carved staircase and views, then move on. One night only if you are slow.
Yapahuwa was the 13th-century capital that once held the Sacred Tooth Relic. The site is compact: a carved staircase with Chinese-influenced lion sculptures, a rock-top stupa ruin and a cave temple. Most travellers spend 2–3 hours here en route through the North Western Province.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep
- avoid May–Jun (southwest monsoon), Nov–Dec (northeast monsoon)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 0
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
Emergency numbers for Yapahuwa119 ▾
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 Yapahuwa, 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
- SafetySafe during daylight; the climb is the main risk.
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 2 h 15 min by car via Kurunegala).
- Getting aroundTuk-tuk from Maho Junction (6 km (3.7 mi)) or walk if staying in Maho.Tuk-tuk from Maho Junction (3.7 mi (6 km)) or walk if staying in Maho.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk from Maho Junction (one way)checkRs 300–500
- Museum or sight ticketSite entry feecheckUS$4 (about Rs 1,200)
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room (Maho), a night, per roomLKR 2,500
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room (Maho), a night, per roomLKR 4,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room (Maho), a night, per roomLKR 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 3,000 · Mid LKR 8,000 · High LKR 15,000
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 2 h 15 min by car via Kurunegala)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep. Avoid: May–Jun, Nov–Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (13 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yapahuwa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 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
Tuk-tuk from Maho Junction (6 km) or walk if staying in Maho. The site is walkable once inside.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car or bus via Maho, about 1 h 30 min
Major ancient city; combine with Yapahuwa for a full day.
Door to door: About 30 min
Car or bus, about 30 min
Regional hub with a lake and rock temples.
Door to door: About 2 h
Car via Dambulla, about 1 h 45 min
Larger rock fortress; better as a separate day.
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.
Maho village
Basic guesthouses near the railway station; limited options.
Kurunegala
30 min drive; wider choice of hotels and restaurants.
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 3,000–6,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 6,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room (Maho)1 × 1 night × LKR 4,000 | LKR 4,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LKR 8,000 | LKR 16,000 |
| Tuk-tuk Maho Junction ↔ Yapahuwa (return)1 × LKR 800 · check | LKR 800 |
| Site entry fee2 × LKR 1,200 · US$4 equivalent, check | LKR 2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 2,320 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 12,760 per person per day, bed included | LKR 25,520 |
2026 estimate in Sri Lankan rupees; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Site entry feecheck | US$4 (about Rs 1,200) |
| Tuk-tuk from Maho Junction (one way)check | Rs 300–500 |
| Bottle of water | Rs 80–120 |
| Simple rice and curry meal | Rs 400–800 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Closed on Full Moon Poya days and public holidays: check the lunar calendar.
- Parts of the rock climb are steep and uneven; wear sturdy shoes.
- The cave temple door is usually locked – ask a guard to open it.
- No ATM or currency exchange at the site; bring cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
YapahuwaYapahuwa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙම ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
Nearest consular services in Colombo; check your embassy's website.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colombo → Maho Junction (train): about Rs 500–1,000, about 3 h (check)
- Tuk-tuk Maho Junction → Yapahuwa: Rs 300–500
Say or show
- ආයුබෝවන් — Hello (ayubowan)
- ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthuthiyi)
- කීයද? — How much? (keeyada)
- වැසිකිළිය කොහෙද? — Where is the toilet? (wæsikiliya koheda)
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 Yapahuwa. 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: Jan–Apr, Aug–Sep · avoid May–Jun (southwest monsoon), Nov–Dec (northeast monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified opening days (Poya closures) and ticket price.
- Walking route from Maho Junction with tuk-tuk anchor.
- Eat page with last-order times in Maho and Kurunegala.
Sources
Ask about Yapahuwa
Loading…
Was this useful?