Quick answer
Homestays with Sri Lankan families are available near Galle, in villages around Sigiriya and Habarana, around Kandy and in the hill country. A stay of one or two nights usually includes a private room, home-cooked meals, and time with the family, often including cricket on TV or a game in the garden. Choose a registered homestay with good reviews, dress modestly, remove shoes indoors and bring a small gift.
Key takeaways
- Homestays are available near Galle, Sigiriya, Kandy and the hill country.
- One or two nights is the usual length.
- Home-cooked meals are often the highlight.
- Many families follow cricket closely and love to talk about it.
- Remove shoes indoors and bring a small gift.
What a homestay is
A homestay is a room in a family home, usually with its own bathroom, and meals with the family. Some are in towns, others in villages surrounded by paddy fields or tea. Hosts often take guests to the local temple, market or fields, and some offer cooking lessons.
For cricket fans, the shared love of the game makes conversation easy. Many families follow every match, and an evening watching with them, or a game of cricket with the children in the garden, can be the most memorable part of a tour.
Comfort varies, so check what is provided before booking.
Hosts often go out of their way to share their lives: a morning at the temple, a walk to the paddy fields, a visit to relatives or a trip to the village shop. Saying yes to these invitations is the best way to get the most from a stay.
- →A room and meals with a family.
- →Village or town settings.
- →Cricket in common.
Where to find one
Near Galle, homestays in villages inland and along the coast are easy to combine with a Test. Around Sigiriya and Habarana, village homestays offer paddy fields, tank walks and bullock cart rides, fitting a Dambulla leg. Around Kandy and in the hill country, family homes sit among tea and spice gardens.
Registered homestays are listed with the tourism authorities and on booking sites. Reviews from previous guests are the best guide.
Lankan Stays & Trails works with village hosts around Sigiriya and the south, and can add a night to a cricket trip.
In the hill country, some families on the edges of tea estates offer rooms with views over the plantations, and a chance to see the daily rhythm of plucking and processing from the inside.
- →Villages near Galle.
- →Sigiriya and Habarana villages.
- →Kandy and the hill country.
Home cooking
Meals are usually the highlight. Home-cooked rice and curry, with several vegetable curries, dhal, sambols and fish or chicken, is different from restaurant food: fresher, more varied and often less oily.
Breakfast might be hoppers, string hoppers or kiribath, milk rice. Tell your host about allergies or spice preferences, and try eating with your right hand, the local way.
Many hosts are happy to show guests how a dish is made, from scraping coconut to tempering spices. Joining in the kitchen, even briefly, is usually welcomed and turns a meal into a small cooking lesson.
- →Home-cooked rice and curry.
- →Hoppers or milk rice for breakfast.
- →Tell hosts about allergies.
Etiquette
Remove shoes before entering the house, dress modestly, especially around older family members, and use your right hand to give and receive things. Ask before taking photos of family members.
A small gift, such as something from Australia, chocolates or a cricket souvenir, is appreciated. Avoid heavy drinking in the home unless your hosts offer.
Homestays are a source of income for rural families, and booking direct or through a local operator means more of the money stays in the village. Paying a fair price and leaving a good review helps the family attract future guests.
- →Shoes off indoors.
- →Modest dress.
- →A small gift is welcome.
Fitting it in
One or two nights during a gap in the series works best. Avoid booking a homestay the night before a big match day far away.
For families travelling with children, a homestay is especially rewarding, as local children are quick to start a game of cricket in the garden or the lane outside. Language is rarely a barrier when there is a bat and a ball.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay with a Sri Lankan family on a cricket trip?
Yes, homestays near Galle, around Sigiriya and Habarana, around Kandy and in the hill country welcome visitors. One or two nights during a gap in the series works well, with home-cooked meals and time with the family.
What is included in a Sri Lankan homestay?
A homestay usually includes a private room, often with its own bathroom, and home-cooked meals with the family. Many hosts also offer walks to the local temple, market or fields, cooking lessons or village activities.
Do Sri Lankan families like cricket?
Cricket is Sri Lanka's most popular sport, and many families follow every match. Watching a game with your hosts on TV, or playing in the garden with the children, is a great way to connect, and talk of 1996 is likely.
What gift should you bring to a homestay?
A small gift is appreciated, such as something from Australia, chocolates, a cricket souvenir or a small toy for the children. Avoid alcohol unless you know the family drinks. Give and receive gifts with your right hand.
Is a homestay comfortable?
Comfort varies. Many homestays have clean private rooms with fans or air conditioning and attached bathrooms; others are simpler. Read reviews and check what is provided before booking, especially air conditioning and hot water.
What etiquette should you follow in a Sri Lankan home?
Remove shoes before entering, dress modestly, use your right hand to give and receive, and ask before photographing family members. Accept food and tea when offered, and avoid heavy drinking unless your hosts invite it.
Where are the best homestays for cricket fans?
Village homestays near Galle suit a Test trip, while those around Sigiriya and Habarana fit a Dambulla leg. Around Kandy, homestays among tea and spice gardens suit a Pallekele leg. Choose based on where your matches are.
Are homestays good for families with children?
Yes, homestays are often a highlight for children, who quickly make friends with local children over a game of cricket in the garden or lane. Check that the room suits your family, and tell the hosts about any food preferences or allergies in advance.