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The best hostels in Arugam Bay

Some of the best backpacker spots in Arugam Bay

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Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Agra Arugambay has a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Arugam Bay. Located around 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, the hostel with free WiFi is also 1.7 km away from Pasarichenai Beach. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, and currency exchange for guests.

One of the best hostels I’ve stayed at! The owner and his team are so thoughtful. The breakfast is incredible with several options (oats, pancakes, string hoppers, coconut roti). The location is great, it’s central and located on a quiet side street across from the beach. I also like the type of guests this hostel has attracts, most of which being young professionals who are considerate of the peaceful atmosphere. I will be staying here again next time I come to Arugam Bay!

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9.7
Exceptional
182 reviews
Price from
£13
per night

Set in the beginning of Arugam Bay, close enough to shops and restaurants but far enough that it is quiet and peaceful, Little Lagoon Hostel is a 3 minute walk away from the beach. The property features air-conditioned private rooms with attached bathrooms and airconditioned dorm rooms with shared bathrooms.

Really clean and well mantained property. The owner is from Belgium and you can feel the european flair. It felt like home right away. Really close to the beach and if you just like to chill there, you’ll also have a really good time. Super friendly and you can also use a small kitchen if you need! Everything was truly perfect!

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9.4
Superb
268 reviews
Price from
£13
per night

Set in Arugam Bay, 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, Guru G Hostel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a bar. The property is around 1.5 km from Pasarichenai Beach, 3.7 km from Muhudu Maha Viharaya and 4.9 km from Crocodile Rock. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.

Location, staff, comfy bed, great vibes, came for 2 nights and extended for many more nights

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9.6
Exceptional
5 reviews
Price from
£8
per night

Dreamy Hostel Arugambay features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and bar in Arugam Bay. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach.

The location is perfect - you’re right in the middle of everything in Abay but it’s in a green environment. The guys that run the place are so friendly and welcoming. Rizmi will do whatever he can to make your stay great, whether it’s a surf, a ride or a party :) Coming here felt like coming home & I ended up staying much longer than expected.

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9.1
Superb
22 reviews
Price from
£17
per night

Situated in Arugam Bay, 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, The Lost Hostels, Arugam Bay Beach - Sri Lanka features air-conditioned accommodation and a garden. The property is around 1.7 km from Pasarichenai Beach, 3.4 km from Muhudu Maha Viharaya and 5 km from Crocodile Rock. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.

I had a lovely Stay in Arugam Bay, i really recommend This Hostel due to its Amazing staff. The cute Indian Guy Harshit is as Irreplaceable as the ‚Skip Intro‘ Button on Netflix. He does a really good Job and you can ask him anytime for Advice. Check in and Never Leave 👍🏻💕

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10
Exceptional
5 reviews
Price from
£12
per night

Set in Arugam Bay and with Arugam Bay Beach reachable within 200 metres, Wave Hunters offers a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge. The property is around 1.9 km from Pasarichenai Beach, 3 km from Muhudu Maha Viharaya and 4.7 km from Lagoon Safari - Pottuvils. Magul Maha Viharaya is 17 km away and Kudumbigala Monastery is 26 km from the hostel.

The place is really nice, both the room and the common space. The owners are really nice and there is a nice vibe, I recommend it both to solo traveler and couple, it’s a good place to meet people and be social

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9.2
Superb
10 reviews
Price from
£16
per night

Set in Arugam Bay, 300 metres from Pasarichenai Beach, Hangten's Surf Skate Hostel offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a restaurant. The property is located 1.5 km from Arugam Bay Beach, 3.8 km from Crocodile Rock and 5.4 km from Muhudu Maha Viharaya. The hostel also provides free WiFi as well as a paid airport shuttle service.

I came to this place by chance as a first time guest and couldn't have decided on a better place to stay. This place has absolutely everything i needed and even more (skate bowl, surfboard rent,delicious food, transport to surf breaks, good vibe ,clean accommodation and I could go on ....) The best hotel I've been to in my travels around Asia 🤙😜

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9.7
Exceptional
6 reviews
Price from
£12
per night

Bike hire and car hire are available at this hostel and the area is popular for cycling.

Lagoon Safari - Pottuvils is 5.8 km from the hostel, while Elephant Rock is 7.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Batticaloa International Airport, 117 km from Little Bay Arugam Bay.

Little Bay Hostel in Arugam Bay is an absolute gem! Ruwan is a super accommodating host and made me feel like home from the get-go. He arranges lots of activities to make the guests come together such as dinners and safari drives. The location is great, really close to the beach with the beginner and main surf break and the dorm is nice and clean. I stayed at little bay 2 weeks and wish I could have stayed longer :)

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9.1
Superb
43 reviews
Price from
£9
per night

Waypoint Arugam Bay features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Arugam Bay. Featuring a bar, the hostel is close to several noted attractions, around 60 metres from Arugam Bay Beach and around 1 km from Pasarichenai Beach. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a concierge service and free WiFi throughout the property.

great hostel , friendly vibe, in the middle of the action across the road from the beach

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8.5
Very good
126 reviews
Price from
£7
per night

Situated in Arugam Bay, a few steps from Arugam Bay Beach, Shine Rise Hostel features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a bar. Located around 3.2 km from Muhudu Maha Viharaya, the hostel with free WiFi is also 4.9 km away from Lagoon Safari - Pottuvils. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.9 km from Pasarichenai Beach.

I had a great stay at the shine rise hostel Arugambay . It was very clean and comfortable and had a nice vibe and chill area. Additionally the staff was so helpful with planning my end of the trip, I would definitely recommend staying here:)

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8.8
Fabulous
6 reviews
Price from
£10
per night

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is 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 bit more.
Search hostels in Arugam Bay

Most booked hostels in Arugam Bay this month

Save money on hostels in Arugam Bay – budget options available!

  • Agra Arugambay
    Budget options available
    9.7
    Scored 9.7
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 182 reviews

    Agra Arugambay has a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Arugam Bay. Located around 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, the hostel with free WiFi is also 1.7 km away from Pasarichenai Beach.

    great place with great breakfast! very recommended

  • Shine Rise Hostel
    Budget options available
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 6 reviews

    Situated in Arugam Bay, a few steps from Arugam Bay Beach, Shine Rise Hostel features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a bar.

  • Cactus Arugambay
    Budget options available
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 36 reviews

    Boasting a garden, Cactus Arugambay is set in Arugam Bay in the Ampara District region, 100 metres from Arugam Bay Beach and 2 km from Pasarichenai Beach.

    Lovely spot down the quite end of town, beach 100m away.

  • Early birds
    Budget options available

    Located in Arugam Bay and with Pasarichenai Beach reachable within 200 metres, Early birds provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar.

  • Lagoon
    Budget options available

    Located in Arugam Bay, within 1.1 km of Arugam Bay Beach and 1.9 km of Pasarichenai Beach, Lagoon provides accommodation with a garden and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private...

  • MALLARA Surf Chill Homestay
    5.5
    Scored 5.5
    Average
    Rated passable
     · 2 reviews

    Boasting a garden, bar and free WiFi, MALLARA Surf Chill Homestay is situated in Arugam Bay, 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach and less than 1 km from Pasarichenai Beach.

Great access to the city centre! Check these hostels in Arugam Bay

  • Wave Hunters
    Central location
    9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 10 reviews

    Set in Arugam Bay and with Arugam Bay Beach reachable within 200 metres, Wave Hunters offers a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge.

    Really liked my stay at Wave Hunters. The staff was so nice and helpful. I will definitely be back!!

  • Dreamy Hostel Arugambay
    9.1
    Scored 9.1
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 22 reviews

    Dreamy Hostel Arugambay features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and bar in Arugam Bay.

    Neue und sehr saubere Unterkunft, die Lage war super und der Dorm war geräumig :)

  • Little Bay Arugam Bay
    9.1
    Scored 9.1
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 43 reviews

    Situated in Arugam Bay, 200 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, Little Bay Arugam Bay features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and barbecue facilities.

    Had a very good time there. The owner is a funny guy and available for any needs. Definitely recommended

  • The Long Hostel
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 96 reviews

    The Long Hostel is the most modern, most popular and largest Hostel in Arugam Bay!

    Everything perfect! Clean, arrange,location great:)

  • Waypoint Arugam Bay
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 126 reviews

    Waypoint Arugam Bay features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Arugam Bay.

    Great hostel, great people, clean, comfy - perfect! :)

  • Lemon Tree Hostel
    6.9
    Scored 6.9
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 55 reviews

    Located in Arugam Bay, 100 metres from Arugam Bay Beach, Lemon Tree Hostel provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace.

    Great location, right by the beach and the main busy area of Arugam.

FAQ about hostels in Arugam Bay






Hostels that guests love in Arugam Bay

  • 8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 226 reviews
    Cute resort hidden amongst a beautiful garden. The rooms are spacious and have AC which is important in the hot conditions in Aragum Bay. The pool was big enough but could have been a little colder. Great location amongst all the main restaurants but also had its own cafe which served barista made coffee. The staff were very attentive and kind. The manager (whose name I forget but he wore glasses) was very welcoming, helpful and spoke fluent English. Tried the new spa massage which was very relaxing and relatively cheap.
    sarah
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £45.79
    9.5
    Scored 9.5
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 13 reviews
    this new hostel is super clean and has a fresh decor. the evening events bring a nice social vibe to it, with an outdoor cafe and drinking area. the cocktails are some of the best i’ve had in arugam bay plus super cheap if you get the happy hour deal. i really recommend this place as the staff are lovely and the location is right next to the beach/town
    Emily
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £12.11
    8.8
    Scored 8.8
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 123 reviews
    This hostel is wonderful. Very peaceful, you can hear the waves from your bed and go and see the sunrise every morning. Great location. The food is also very good, I loved my free breakfast hehe, the fruit pancakes are great!! I met amazing people there. Booked 1 night, ended up staying 10 days haha :) The staff is lovely, they took great care of us. I am very grateful for their support and help. They are very kind people. I really recommend. Thank you for everything Haroon :)
    Sophie
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £47.37
    9.7
    Scored 9.7
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 182 reviews
    My best hostel on my trip through Sri Lanka. Nalaka and his crew are great hosts. The included breakfast is delicious and they will help you find tours, surf lessons or onward travel. Great little social hostel. I extended several times because I enjoyed the hostel-vibe and arugam bay totally.
    Marco
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £47.37
    9.7
    Scored 9.7
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 182 reviews
    Agra hostel is one of the best hostel i stayed in while traveling for over 7 weeks in Sri Lanka. The owner is one of a kind and made such good memories that will stay for life! The dorms are clean and the beds are really comfortable, close to the main road and the beach but still quiet so you can enjoy your rest after a long day of enjoying Arugam Bay.
    Van Der Aar
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £23.29
    9.1
    Scored 9.1
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 43 reviews
    Little Bay is one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in and the host is one of the best I've ever met. Everything about the hostel was perfect from the cozy vibe to the layout of the dorm rooms and the attentiveness of Ruan (the host) in ensuring my time in Arum Bay was absolutely perfect. Would absolutely recommend to anyone and everyone.
    Mohammad
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £47.37
    9.7
    Scored 9.7
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 182 reviews
    One of the best hostels I’ve stayed at! The owner and his team are so thoughtful. The breakfast is incredible with several options (oats, pancakes, string hoppers, coconut roti). The location is great, it’s central and located on a quiet side street across from the beach. I also like the type of guests this hostel has attracts, most of which being young professionals who are considerate of the peaceful atmosphere. I will be staying here again next time I come to Arugam Bay!
    A
    Alejandra
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £44.21
    9.4
    Scored 9.4
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 268 reviews
    Best hostel in Sri Lanka! What a lovely family that took care of me. The husband makes breakfast in the morning, the rooms are super clean, nice AC for the hot days, a bike i could borrow and just so much hospitality and care you feel when you stay here. I was the first person to stay for the season and i love it. Would definitely recommend ❤️
    Lois
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £59.21
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 176 reviews
    Good location and great welcoming. Friednly staff. Nice sea view with balcony. Clean room and bathroom. Comfy bed. Good vibes! Valure for stay. A/C working super and Internet WiFi connection. I had breakfast at a restaurant in front of the hostel and had coconut and fruit juices. Very cheap for everything. Highly recommend!
    W
    Wright
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £44.21
    9.4
    Scored 9.4
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 268 reviews
    Best hostel I’ve stayed so far in Sri Lanka as a solo backpacker. I loved the low key location away from the hustle and bustle. It was only 10 mins walk into town and with bicycles provided aswell as a travel option it was well worth it to stay here. The staff are all very lovely and love a chat. They kept the space very clean and cozy for all of us staying there. It felt like a home rather than a pit stop which I loved. I’d most definitely look forward to coming back on my future trips!
    N
    Nathasha
    Solo traveller
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