Reviews of Kandy Backpackers Hostel
117/4C, Ampitiya Road, Kandy, 20160 Kandy, Sri Lanka

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Reviewed: 20 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 19 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 16 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewgreat great hostel team, everyone is soooo lovely and friendly and trying to make the best stay possible for you; nice breakfast, amazing cooking class and dinner! also good to connect with others. i‘ve had an amazing daytrip to sigiriya with the best tuktuk guide ever - totally recommend!
thanks
Reviewed: 14 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 10 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe family was super friendly, the dinner it’s amazing.
The toilets need a bit more care, And the bedrooms smell pretty bad, like humidity.
Reviewed: 5 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 1 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewNot very sociable but I went in low season
Reviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewSuper friendly staff
Breakfast could be a bit better but can’t complain for the price
Reviewed: 26 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewSocial hostel!
Not that clean or modern
Reviewed: 20 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewSuper friendly and helpful staff. They cleaned the pool every morning for us and was very helpful with all of our questions. Furthermore the cooking class was cozy and informative with delicious food ofc.
The bathroom was a bit old
Reviewed: 19 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewGood owner Pool area
Very weak WiFi Problem with air conditioning If ur neighbours use it, u cant use it also Very simple breakfast But dinner so delicious Though it's vegetarian
Reviewed: 29 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 21 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe location is good. And the staff is amazingly polite and interactive. Plus I love that puppy they have, the cutest puppy ever.
The cleanliness was bad. The beds also weren’t that clean and honestly it looked shady to be honest.
Thanks
Reviewed: 15 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewGood location near the city center, not too close to the train station. Breakfast was nice, and the place was clean with comfy beds. Friendly staff. Only downside — no water dispenser and they charge for bottled water
Reviewed: 28 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewWe really enjoyed our stay and learned lots during the cooking class!
Reviewed: 20 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewOne of the best hostels I've stayed at in Sri Lanka! Such a nice family vibe. The dinners are amazing. There is a pool!! You can easily walk to the city centre (or take the local bus). I loved exploring Kandy from this place. The family running the hostel is amazing, super friendly and helpful. And I met a lot of nice other backpackers here.
Reviewed: 18 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewGreat value for money, staff were so friendly and helpful with organising activities and day tours! Dinner was great and cooking class was really interesting! Nice to have a pool and communal area was nice and sociable. Walking distance to centre of kandy which was also great!
Limited number of bathrooms, 4 bed room quite small and beds not very comfortable.
Reviewed: 17 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 3 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewPrivate room was good but very simple. AC worked very well, wifi worked very well in my room. The lady who works at the reception is so nice and warm hearted and helpful. The dinner served was local and tasted good!
Slightly separated from the town, but tie quieter and you can easily walk or call a tuktuk
Reviewed: 29 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewCooking class and dinner
Location and cleanliness
Reviewed: 23 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 22 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe staff were so friendly and warm. The place is basic, but had everything I needed! The cooking course and food were exceptional!!
Everything
Reviewed: 21 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewthe hostel is located near the tooth temple.lots of restaurants are near there.staff was really helpful and kind.the cooking class was enjoyable.
the room facilities are a bit old and the room must be cleaner . but generally it was a good hostel . there is a big dog there ,named dj.For I am suffering from animal phobia it was bothering that there is a huge dog every where .
Reviewed: 17 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewVery nice staff, super coolong classes, nice pool (could only be a bit cleaner), double room comfortable with a/c.
Tables in common areas could be a bit cleaner.
Reviewed: 15 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewA little out of the city center, so the area is pretty quiet. Spent 4 nights in the female dorms. Bed was comfortable. Bedsheets seemed clean. Good AC. Bathrooms are quite clean. Cooking classes were very fun and interesting to learn about the culture and the ties between food and the beliefs regarding the Ayurveda traditionnal medicine. Food for dinner is delicious and generous. Breakfast is good as well. Very nice view from terrasse from which you can admire the sunset. Good wifi. It’s possible to ask for laundry for 1500 roupies. I didn't use the pool but others travelers told me it was great. Very nice and available staff, and I met a lot of different traverlers that were so nice and interesting to talk with. A true Backpackers Hostel !
The bed I had in the female dorm was pretty humid, so I had to put an extra cover on it not to feel it. Then it was ok! Walls aren't soundproofed but it’s alright if you have earplugs.