Dambulla Cave Temples - how long does it take and is it worth it?
We have a tight schedule. Is Dambulla worth a stop between Sigiriya and Kandy or can we skip it?
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3 Answers from travellers
Dambulla is worth 1.5-2 hours maximum. The cave temples are impressive with beautiful Buddha statues and frescoes. It's not as overwhelming as Sigiriya so you can do it quickly. If you're short on time, it's skippable, but it's a nice contrast to the rock fortress and has good AC inside the caves.
We stopped for 90 minutes on the way to Kandy. It was peaceful and the views from the top of the rock are lovely. Not as strenuous as Sigiriya.
Scam Watch: kandy
TukTuk or tour drivers take you to "gem museums" or "government-certified" gem shops. They receive huge commissions (up to 40%) on anything you buy. Prices are inflated 3-10x the actual value.
Men approach tourists near Temple of the Tooth offering to be guides. After the tour, they demand large "donations" or guide fees (5000-10000 LKR).
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