Is hot air ballooning in Dambulla running in late May worth the price

Honest answer from a pilot: the official ballooning season in Dambulla/Sigiriya runs roughly mid-November to mid-April, when winds are calm and skies are dry. Late May is the start of the southwest monsoon and we typically suspend flights because the wind patterns become unpredictable. A few operators may attempt early-morning lifts on clear days, but cancellations are common, and they will rebook you to the next day or refund. If you happen to be here in season, a flight is around 200 to 250 USD per person for about an hour at sunrise, lifting from a paddy field near Dambulla with Sigiriya rock visible in the dawn light. Yes, it is genuinely worth it once in your life, but only in season and only with a CAA-certified operator with proper insurance.