Reviews of Best hostel Yala
Tissamaharama 133/4,Jinadasa mawata, Helambagaswala, Tissamaharama, 82600 Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

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Reviewed: 18 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewEverything worked as it should. You can book a safari tour through the hostel.
Door handle was broken
Reviewed: 15 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewVery nice room, comfy bed, clean bathroom good shower. Good location walking distance to the beach
No aircon so slightly warm
Reviewed: 27 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewDefinitely the place to stay if you're in Tissa! Host was super nice and helpfull!
Reviewed: 28 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 21 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewA good accommodation for one night. Book the tour here. I booked somewhere else and got into physical threats.
The old man staff was very pushy… he might have made the guests feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes
Hi Zhikun Thanks for stayed with us and taking time to review us. I want to HIGHLIGHT you did not book safari with us, you went to a cheap guys you met on the street. I think you got what you paid. I feel sorry about. I think, our guy need to make sure we are ready for next clients, after checking out times we need the room or bed. But our check out time 1pm We want to give you enough time after safari get yourself ready but if someone takes more than that time, I guess we will be pushy. We have responsibility to give bed to new guests 2pm. I think that’s fair for both parties. Hope you understand. Thank you
Hi Zhikun Thanks for stayed with us and taking time to review us. I want to HIGHLIGHT you did not book safari with us, you went to a cheap guys you met on the street. I think you got what you paid. I feel sorry about. I think, our guy nee… Show more
Reviewed: 17 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewWell set up for safaris, good economic option.
Very limited shower / bathroom options for all guests. Definitely get a room with AC
Hi Alex. Thank you for your short stay with us and taking time to review us. I'm not sure your expectations about Limited showers. however we have 3 showers our maximum capacity 12 people. also you forgot to mention, we have Free Drinking water facility, kitchen with equipment. after safari we have given facility for shower again. free bicycle to go around. i understand some people can't make happy. enjoy your travel Man. thank you.
Hi Alex. Thank you for your short stay with us and taking time to review us. I'm not sure your expectations about Limited showers. however we have 3 showers our maximum capacity 12 people. also you forgot to mention, we have Free Drinki… Show more
Reviewed: 10 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewFriendly staff, great value for morning and seamlessly organised a safari tour. Felt safe and short distance from all amenities
Dated furniture but generally clean
Reviewed: 23 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewQuiet place walking distance from the bus station and city center. Clean. Safari booked with them for a good price.
Internet not working when I was there
Reviewed: 21 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 21 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewVery nice hostel in quiet location about 10 min walk from bus station. My double room had a large comfortable bed with mosquito net and very effective air conditioning. Pleasant lounge to sit in. Shared bathroom was clean and towels were provided. There was also a more basic outside toilet and shower if necessary. Free use of a large kitchen with an electric kettle. The manager was very helpful and friendly. He organised a tuk tuk to Kataragama and a minivan taxi to Ella for me. He can also arrange trips to Yala NP. WiFi was slowish but ok. Better in early hours of morning
Nothing really
Reviewed: 16 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewGreat people
Nothing
Reviewed: 11 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 1 February 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewVery communicative, genuine hosts. Clean and comfortable and easy walk from bus station. Hostel arranged really good safari. Kind, attentive hostel staff who was up early to make coffee and make sure I got to my safari. Would stay again
Reviewed: 31 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 30 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewCan not recommend this place enough! Feels more like a home than a hostel, huge dorm rooms, immaculately clean and smells lovely as you walk in. The owner, Pradeep, was really friendly, humble and caring. He arranged my group safari tour of Yala for a very reasonable price and made us all coffee in the morning before we left for it and breakfast at the park. Very informative and taught me various different things about Sri Lanka. The best shower and sleep I’ve had the entire time I’ve been in the country. Above and beyond on looking after me during my stay would be an understatement. Thank you so much for a wonderful stay and for your kindness!
Reviewed: 15 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewNimal is such a great guy, he helped me in all that I need, thank you very much!
Reviewed: 7 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewFantastic WiFi
Staff were rude, abusive and intimidating. They told us one thing and did another. Friendly at first but then turned all horrible and owner text me swear words. Don’t get me wrong it’s cheap and it’s a bed, but it’s missold and I don’t tolerate abuse. Left a day early.
Lisa. We were expected this is from you. see below other reviews and see the different of your one. we are not going to share what you did here at the hostel in public. people who see this will understand what was happened. have a beautiful vacation, however don't do such a stuff to people. Regards. Pradeep
Lisa. We were expected this is from you. see below other reviews and see the different of your one. we are not going to share what you did here at the hostel in public. people who see this will understand what was happened. have a beautifu… Show more
Reviewed: 14 December 2024 · Stayed in December 2024
Verified reviewVery friendly staff, clean and comfy bed. The hostel is close to the supermarket, cafe just 5 mins walking distance. dormitory room have fan but no air-conditioning, it's still OK to sleep at night.
Reviewed: 16 November 2024 · Stayed in November 2024
Verified reviewPradeep is an amazing host. We had great conversations with him and learned a lot. If you want to visit Yala National park, this is your place to stay. He offers a great tour at a fair price, just hit him up and he’ll have you covered. Hostel has a nice layout. Everything is within walking distance
Reviewed: 30 September 2024 · Stayed in September 2024
Verified reviewEverything was perfect. The owner was very helpful and gave interesting information about the safari and Sri Lanka. I recommend 100%!
Reviewed: 4 May 2024 · Stayed in April 2024
Verified reviewThe owner arranged for us a safari for a good price
The lady that manages the place was nice, but she couldn’t speak any English. The room, the toilet and the place in general was not very comfortable
Dear Guest. Thank you for your feedback . I'm sorry to see your stay with us not meet your expectations. We love to here what type of Facilities do you expect from a hostel. we have air condition rooms to select. clean indoor & outdoor toilet & showers. Free WIFI. Kitchen ,Garden, reading area. Books even bottled water for the drink FREE of charge. Think what you paid and what you received. try different hostel and see what you get for few dollars, see you next time.
Dear Guest. Thank you for your feedback . I'm sorry to see your stay with us not meet your expectations. We love to here what type of Facilities do you expect from a hostel. we have air condition rooms to select. clean indoor & out… Show more
Reviewed: 29 April 2024 · Stayed in April 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 12 March 2024 · Stayed in March 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 16 February 2023 · Stayed in February 2023
Verified reviewMaybe my situation was a one-off, but had a bad experience with this hostel. Was alone for 2 days. Read online that everything would be easy, instead had to arrange afternoon safari myself, and next day full safari group cancelled, so had to pay extra and go alone (would've expected host to have enough of a network to solve this). Hostel is nothing special either, beds are too small and shower is cold.