What currency is used in Kandy?

Kandy uses the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

What is the emergency number in Kandy?

In Kandy, call 119 for police, 1990 for the free Suwa Seriya ambulance, 110 for fire.

How much does a day in Kandy cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Kandy?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Kandy without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Kandy travel guide

Sri Lanka

The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, built around a lake in the green hills of the central highlands. Kandy is the island's cultural heart, home to its most revered Buddhist temple.

Essentials

Language: Sinhala and Tamil; English is widely understood in tourist areas
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Plugs: Type D, G and M, 230 V
Emergency number: 119 for police, 1990 for the free Suwa Seriya ambulance, 110 for fire
Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added in restaurants; small extra tips for drivers and guides are appreciated.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $60-110, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Kandy

Kandy Lake: guesthouses on the hills around the lake, a short walk from the temple.
City Centre: the busy grid of markets, bakeries and bus stands below the lake.
Peradeniya: a leafy suburb just west of town, home to the botanic gardens and the university.

Getting around Kandy

The centre and lake are walkable, and tuk-tuks cover the rest; ride-hailing apps such as PickMe help you avoid haggling. The scenic hill-country railway leaves Kandy for Nanu Oya, the station for Nuwara Eliya, and Ella.

Best time to visit Kandy

January to April, the driest stretch, or July and August for the Esala Perahera festival if you book well ahead.

Top things to do in Kandy

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine
Walk the loop around Kandy Lake, ideally early or late in the day
Spend a morning in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, with its orchid house and giant fig tree
Watch a traditional Kandyan dance and fire-walking show in the evening
Walk the forest trails of the Udawattakele reserve just above the temple

What to eat in Kandy

Rice and curry: rice with several small vegetable, dal and fish or meat curries
Kottu roti: chopped flatbread stir-fried on a hot plate with vegetables, egg or meat
Hoppers: bowl-shaped rice-flour pancakes, often with an egg cooked in the middle
Kiribath: rice cooked in coconut milk and cut into squares, eaten with chilli sambol

Day trips from Kandy

Sigiriya: a fortress on top of a huge rock with frescoes and water gardens, about three hours by road
Dambulla: cave temples filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, about two hours by road
Ceylon Tea Museum: a converted tea factory in the Hantana hills, about 30 minutes away

Local etiquette

Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees at temples, remove shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Visible Buddha tattoos can cause real offence, so cover them.

Staying connected

Dialog and Mobitel SIMs are sold at the airport and in town with a passport, and Wi-Fi is standard in guesthouses and cafés.

Staying safe

Tuk-tuk drivers may overcharge or steer you to gem and spice shops, so agree prices or use an app. Watch for monkeys around the lake and temple, and take care on busy roads with narrow pavements.

A local tip

Visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja, when drums sound and the inner shrine is opened to worshippers.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Kandy on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Kandy for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Kandy, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Kandy

What currency is used in Kandy?: Kandy uses the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).
What is the emergency number in Kandy?: In Kandy, call 119 for police, 1990 for the free Suwa Seriya ambulance, 110 for fire.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?: January to April, the driest stretch, or July and August for the Esala Perahera festival if you book well ahead.
How much does a day in Kandy cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Kandy?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Kandy without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

More guides in Asia

All Asia guides · Every city guide