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The best hostels in Matara

Some of the best backpacker spots in Matara

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Seek the Sun, hotel in Matara

Located in Matara, 200 metres from Madiha Beach, Seek the Sun provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

Great guesthouse with lovely staff. Excellent location just 20 metres to the beaches. Lots of restaurants around. Really good Indian restaurant upstairs with excellent butter chicken. We stayed for 3 nights, went to Tissa and came back and stayed another 2 nights. Highly recommend.
Scored 9.5
9.5
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
23 reviews
Price from
£23.31
1 night, 2 adults
Spindrift Hostel Madiha, hotel in Matara

Set in Matara, 300 metres from Madiha Beach, Spindrift Hostel Madiha offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

Super clean, they change your sheets every couple of days if you’re staying a while. Very social so lots of get involved with if you want to!
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated superb
Superb
97 reviews
Price from
£46.91
1 night, 2 adults
The Doctor's House, hotel in Matara

Situated in Matara, a few steps from Madiha Beach, The Doctor's House features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

I chose this accomodation because of it's position, outside bathroom, good food and live night-life. The rooms were comfortable and the outside bathroom was really good sometimes with peacocks on the roof top :) (what you can find everywhere in Sri Lanka). The staffs were kind and helpful, all the foods and coctails were tasty. Saturday evening was live-music and party till early morning but we wanted to enjoy so it did not bother us. If you want to sleep choose another day except Wednesday and Saturday. Small sandy beach in front of the property but early morning you can watch turtles or swim with them. Very easy to travel to Mirissa or Polhena beach .
Scored 8.6
8.6
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
369 reviews
Price from
£39.16
1 night, 2 adults
JJ's Hostel Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Showcasing an expansive rooftop terrace with day-beds and barbeque, JJ's Hostel Mirissa is a boutique hostel and guesthouse located in Mirissa North, only a few minutes walk from Mirissa Beach.

Social hostel; they organise activities every day. Great for solo travellers. Nice pool if you just want to chill. Hot showers (you need to wait a bit for the hot water)! Not a crazy party hostel, which l loved. Great card game nights:)
Scored 9.1
9.1
Rated superb
Superb
592 reviews
Price from
£30.59
1 night, 2 adults
Downtown Hostels Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Located in Mirissa and with Thalaramba Beach reachable within 200 metres, Downtown Hostels Mirissa provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge.

This hostel is very new so the room, bed and bathroom were very clean and up to date. Bed was comfortable and every bed had its own plug and reading light, and also curtain to bring some privacy. The staff were very helpful and kind! Bit far, but still a walking distance from the busiest area. Location was near to the sunset view point which was nice.
Scored 10
10
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
7 reviews
Price from
£19.58
1 night, 2 adults
drivethru Hostel Polhena, hotel in Matara

Located in Polhena, 600 metres from Polhena Beach, drivethru Hostel Polhena provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking and a terrace.

Place was very clean, and beautifully designed. The pool is amazing.
Scored 9.9
9.9
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
21 reviews
Price from
£37.27
1 night, 2 adults
Hangover Hostels Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Hangover Hostels Mirissa offers clean and comfortable accommodation in Mirissa North. The hostel is a 2-minute walk from the picturesque Mirissa Beach.

The manager Sarath is the best host you could ask for. He really likes to look after his guests in a fun and comfortable environment. I would highly recommend staying here. Location wise you only have to cross the road to gain access to the beach, ideal for those relaxing days. There are organized nights out to the doctors house from the hostel which brings a fun party aspect as well if that is what you also look for.
Scored 8.7
8.7
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
286 reviews
Price from
£21.21
1 night, 2 adults
Banana Bunks Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Located in Mirissa, 2.4 km from Mirissa Beach, Banana Bunks Mirissa provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge.

The staff were extremely kind and helpful. The location was amazing too, close to both parrot rock and coconut hill.
Scored 8.2
8.2
Rated very good
Very good
152 reviews
Price from
£158.14
1 night, 2 adults
Dolphin Cottage Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Dolphin Cottage Mirissa is situated on the beachfront in Mirissa, a few steps from Mirissa Beach and 800 metres from Thalaramba Beach.

Location is good, near turtle beach! Family is very very friendly but only one can speak little English. Room was big, clean enough.
Scored 8.8
8.8
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
40 reviews
Price from
£21.70
1 night, 2 adults
Mega Hostel Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Situated conveniently in the Whale Watching Mirissa district of Mirissa, Mega Hostel Mirissa is set a few steps from Mirissa Beach, 1.2 km from Thalaramba Beach and 2 km from Weligambay Beach.

Nothing. The property is nothing like the pictures and reviews I saw online.
Scored 6.2
6.2
Rated pleasant
Pleasant
29 reviews
Price from
£14.68
1 night, 2 adults
All hostels in Matara
Looking for a hostel?
Budget travellers know that there is no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a bit more.

Most booked hostels in Matara this month

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Hostels that guests love in Matara

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  • Avg. price/night: £113.51
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 83 reviews
    Very clean, fantastic food, great location and very friendly & helpful staff
    Martina
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £8.57
    Scored 6.7
    6.7
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 73 reviews
    Great location
    Chamara
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £10.60
    Scored 8.3
    8.3
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 71 reviews
    Great location - would suit people on a tight budget. The staff were friendly and helpful.
    jenita
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £20.39
    Scored 7.2
    7.2
    Rated good
    Good
     · 14 reviews
    The host was amazing, very accommodating and cooked very good breakfasts. He allowed us to move our Tuk Tuk to his friends house due to security issues with locales. Highly recommend this place for budget backpackers.
    Arron
    Young couple
  • Scored 8.6
    8.6
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 67 reviews
    great location, so close to the beach! very friendly staff. simple, no frills hostel. great value.
    Linh
    Solo traveller
  • Scored 8.6
    8.6
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 67 reviews
    Very close to the beach. And in one of the posh areas of Sri Lanka. Caretakers were very helpful. Safest place to stay if you are a solo backpacker
    Mad_E
    People with friends
  • Avg. price/night: £46.91
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 97 reviews
    loved my stay here. I didn’t want to leave. very comfy beds. modern and clean hostel. amazing pool area. great vibe and good people. best hostel I’ve stayed in in Sri Lanka.
    Megan
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £46.91
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 97 reviews
    As a backpacker and a digital nomad I had the best experience that I could ever dream of. Josh, Charlotte and the wonderful stuff hosted us and took care of all the we needed. the vibe in the hostel is very good and there are many backpackers and nice people. I highly reccomand the place. the facilities are also really really good and the place is brand new.
    Or
    Group