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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, a 2-minute walk from Madiha Beach, Seek the Sun provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

Scored 9.5
9.5
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
20 reviews
Price from
$24
1 night, 2 adults
Spindrift Hostel Madiha, hotel in Matara

Located in Matara, a 3-minute walk from Madiha Beach, Spindrift Hostel Madiha has accommodations with free WiFi and free private parking.

Without a doubt the best place I’ve stayed in Sri Lanka. I booked in for 4 days but extended like 5 times. Its huge with loads of space to chill on your own but there’s still usually cool people around to chat to if you want to, with quite a social atmosphere especially on the Wednesday pool party and Saturday before Doctors House. All the staff and owners are all super friendly, and are always willing to help with anything, and create a really nice relaxed atmosphere and work hard to keep the place clean and running smoothly for the guests. Extra shoutout aswell to Matt and Bella who do a great job as social volunteers getting everyone together:)
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
86 reviews
Price from
$57.50
1 night, 2 adults
The Doctor's House, hotel in Matara

Located in Matara, a few steps from Madiha Beach, The Doctor's House has accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

Organized, cleanliness
Scored 8.7
8.7
Rated excellent
Excellent
363 reviews
Price from
$48
1 night, 2 adults
JJ's Hostel Mirissa, hotel in Matara

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

The room was big and the bed and pillows were super comfy. The aircon and fan were excellent and needed in the 35 degree heat. Walking distance to everything and lots of group activities organised which I really enjoyed. Yoga every morning was a highlight. The pool was also lovely to hang out in and around. Pretty quiet at night and in the mornings.
Scored 9.1
9.1
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
582 reviews
Price from
$37.50
1 night, 2 adults
Dolphin Cottage Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Dolphin Cottage Mirissa is located on the beachfront in Mirissa, a few steps from Mirissa Beach and a 9-minute walk from Thalaramba Beach.

good place, great breakfast, lovely people and not so far from the beach
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
32 reviews
Price from
$26.60
1 night, 2 adults
drivethru Hostel Polhena, hotel in Matara

Located in Polhena, a 7-minute walk from Polhena Beach, drivethru Hostel Polhena provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking and a terrace.

Scored 9.9
9.9
Rated exceptional
Exceptional
21 reviews
Price from
$47.20
1 night, 2 adults
Hangover Hostels Mirissa, hotel in Matara

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

Rooms are comfy, staff is great, and other travelers are friendly and nice! Location is close to everything.
Scored 8.7
8.7
Rated excellent
Excellent
282 reviews
Price from
$24
1 night, 2 adults
Banana Bunks Mirissa, hotel in Matara

Located in Mirissa, 1.5 miles from Mirissa Beach, Banana Bunks Mirissa provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge.

The staff was very helpful and polite. The location was so lovely. The rooms were very spacious,clean and comfortable. Also very safe. The view from the restaurant is mesmerizing!
Scored 8.4
8.4
Rated very good
Very Good
138 reviews
Price from
$183.84
1 night, 2 adults
Mega Hostel Mirissa, hotel in Matara

In a prime location in the Whale Watching Mirissa district of Mirissa, Mega Hostel Mirissa is located a few steps from Mirissa Beach, a 13-minute walk from Thalaramba Beach and 1.2 miles from...

Situated on an excellent location Bed is really comfy. Hostel rooms are clean. No disturbance from other guests or hosts. The host is caring and helpful. I recommend this hostel for budget travellers.
Scored 6.2
6.2
Rated pleasant
Pleasant
30 reviews
Price from
$18
1 night, 2 adults
Hidden Well Hiriketiya, hotel in Matara

Located on the beachfront in Hiriketiya and featuring a garden, Hidden Well Hiriketiya has free WiFi throughout the property.

I loved this place, I booked one night and ended up staying 5 days! The town itself is lovely, and I had a great stay at this hostel: it is a bit hippie, but clean, a nice walk distance from the main beach, everyone was friendly, and it was so nice to be surrounded by nature. The owners are kind and welcoming, they arranged my laundry for a fair price, and you can prebook great breakfast that they prepare for 1000 rupees
Scored 9.1
9.1
Rated wonderful
Wonderful
153 reviews
Price from
$20
1 night, 2 adults
All hostels in Matara
Looking for a hostel?
Budget travelers know there's 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 little more.

Most booked hostels in Matara and surrounding area in the past month

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Save money on hostels in Matara – budget options available!

  • Seek the Sun
    Budget options available
    Scored 9.5
    9.5
    Rated exceptional
    Exceptional
     · 20 reviews

    Located in Matara, a 2-minute walk from Madiha Beach, Seek the Sun provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

    Proprietari molto gentili e disponibili, stanza a piano terra e ristorante al piano sopra con cibo tipico.

  • Spindrift Hostel Madiha
    Budget options available
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated wonderful
    Wonderful
     · 86 reviews

    Located in Matara, a 3-minute walk from Madiha Beach, Spindrift Hostel Madiha has accommodations with free WiFi and free private parking.

    Nice chill vibe. Rooms are clean, bedsheets are new. Highly recommend.

  • The Doctor's House
    Budget options available
    Scored 8.7
    8.7
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 363 reviews

    Located in Matara, a few steps from Madiha Beach, The Doctor's House has accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.

    Amazing place and amazing people. Worth the hype 😊

  • Madiha Hostel by Land of Rizka
    Budget options available
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated wonderful
    Wonderful
     · 4 reviews

    Located in Matara, Madiha Hostel by Land of Rizka has a garden, shared lounge, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property.

Great access to the city center! Check these hostels in Matara

  • Matara turtle beach hostel
    Scored 1.0
    1.0
    Rated very poor
    Very Poor
     · 1 review

    Located in Matara and with Madiha Beach reachable within a 7-minute walk, Matara turtle beach hostel provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge.

  • Madhia guest house
    Central location

    Located within a 7-minute walk of Madiha Beach and half a mile of Polhena Beach, Madhia guest house has rooms in Matara.

  • Chill Hostel Madiha

    Located in Matara, a 3-minute walk from Madiha Beach, Chill Hostel Madiha provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and barbecue facilities.

  • Madhia guest house
    Central location

    Madhia guest house is located in Matara, within a few steps of Kamburugamuwa Beach and a 17-minute walk of Thalaramba Beach.

FAQ about hostels in Matara

Hostels that guests love in Matara

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  • Scored 9.1
    9.1
    Rated wonderful
    Wonderful
     · 72 reviews
    Very clean, fantastic food, great location and very friendly & helpful staff
    Martina
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $10.50
    Scored 6.8
    6.8
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 75 reviews
    Great location
    Chamara
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $13
    Scored 8.3
    8.3
    Rated very good
    Very Good
     · 77 reviews
    Great location - would suit people on a tight budget. The staff were friendly and helpful.
    jenita
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $30
    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 excellent
    Excellent
     · 67 reviews
    great location, so close to the beach! very friendly staff. simple, no frills hostel. great value.
    Linh
    Solo traveler
  • Scored 8.6
    8.6
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 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
    Travelers with friends
  • Avg. price/night: $57.50
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated wonderful
    Wonderful
     · 86 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 traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $57.50
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated wonderful
    Wonderful
     · 86 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
  • Avg. price/night: $58
    Scored 8.7
    8.7
    Rated excellent
    Excellent
     · 363 reviews
    Legends everywhere. Amazing food, people and experiences surrounded by beach and jungle. By far one of the best hostel/bars/ in sri lanka if not the world.
    Krub1
    Young couple