12 Breathtaking Eco Lodges in Sri Lanka (Yes, They’re Worth the Trip)

If you're dreaming of a tropical escape that blends nature, comfort, and conscious travel, Sri Lanka delivers in spades. From tea-covered highlands to remote beaches and national parks full of stunning wildlife, the island is packed with eco-friendly stays that don’t sacrifice style for sustainability.

Whether you're starting your journey in the capital Colombo or heading to the cultural heartland of Kandy (here’s our Kandy accommodation guide), you’ll find incredible eco lodges tucked into some of the country’s most scenic and serene locations. These aren’t just places to sleep, they’re experiences in themselves. Think solar-powered bungalows, open-air jungle showers, and organic farm-to-table dining. Ready to reconnect with nature, recharge, and travel more mindfully?

12 Must-Book Eco Lodges in Sri Lanka

1. Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge – Kandy

• Price Range: $170-280 per night, including breakfast
• Location: Madukele, 30km outside of Kandy city
• Room Types: Luxury safari tents with king or twin beds, all with private terraces
• Signature Experience: Tea plucking and processing tour with a fourth-generation tea planter

Perched high in Sri Lanka's central highlands, Madulkelle offers luxury safari-style tented lodges with breathtaking views across the Knuckles Mountain Range and surrounding tea plantations. The cool mountain climate is refreshing up here and a nice change from the tropical heat. Their energy-efficient design maximizes natural ventilation, and they actively support local tea plantation workers through community initiatives.

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2. Gal Oya Lodge – Gal Oya National Park

• Price Range: $180-250 per night, half-board basis
• Location: In the heart of Gal Oya National Park, 60 km from Badulla
• Room Types: Spacious bungalows and a two-bedroom villa, all with private verandas
• Signature Experience: Boat safari on Senanayake Samudra Lake to witness swimming elephants

For travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences, Gal Oya Lodge offers an intimate wilderness retreat near the lesser-visited Gal Oya National Park. The lodge consists of spacious bungalows built using locally sourced materials and traditional construction techniques. Their sustainability approach centers on partnerships with local Vedda indigenous communities and a comprehensive zero-plastic policy throughout the property.

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3. Aarunya Nature Resort – Kandy

• Price Range: $220-380 per night, including breakfast
• Location: 20 km from Kandy city
• Room Types: Private villas with plunge pools, garden cottages, and hillside suites
• Signature Experience: Forest bathing sessions in ancient medicinal herb gardens led by an Ayurvedic practitioner

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, Aarunya combines luxury with sustainability. The boutique property features private villas with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Their organic farming practices supply fresh produce for the kitchen, and they actively support local artisans and craftspeople through their operations.

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4. Back of Beyond – Pidurangala

• Price Range: $80-150 per night, including breakfast
• Location: 4 km from Sigiriya Rock
• Room Types: Tree houses, earth houses, and rock cabins built around natural features
• Signature Experience: Pre-dawn hike to Pidurangala Rock for sunrise views of Sigiriya Rock

Just a stone's throw from the famous Sigiriya Rock, Back of Beyond Pidurangala provides rustic yet comfortable accommodations that blend harmoniously with the natural environment. Cabins are thoughtfully designed around existing trees to minimize habitat disruption, and the property features natural swimming pools using biological filtration systems.

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5. Wild Coast Tented Lodge – Yala National Park

• Price Range: $350-700 per night, half-board basis
• Location: Adjacent to Yala National Park
• Room Types: Cocoon suites and pool cocoons with bamboo-lined domed structures
• Signature Experience: Sunset beach dining with gourmet safari cuisine and ocean views

Where the jungle meets the ocean, Wild Coast Tented Lodge features distinctive cocoon-shaped accommodations adjacent to Yala National Park. This luxury eco resort combines high-end amenities with a dedicated conservation focus. They run a comprehensive leopard research and conservation program and power the entire property with solar energy.

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6. Rainforest Eco Lodge – Sinharaja

• Price Range: $130-190 per night, half-board basis
• Location: 15 km from Deniyaya town
• Room Types: Chalets with private decks overlooking the rainforest
• Signature Experience: Night walks to spot rare endemic amphibians and insects with expert naturalists

Adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rainforest, this lodge offers an immersive experience in one of Sri Lanka's most biodiverse regions. The accommodations are constructed entirely from reclaimed shipping containers and recycled materials, showcasing their innovative approach to sustainable architecture. The lodge is located within a working tea plantation practicing sustainable agriculture.

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7. Polwaththa Eco Lodges – Digana

• Price Range: $60-120 per night, including breakfast
• Location: 18 km from Kandy city
• Room Types: Traditional mud and timber cottages with modern bathrooms
• Signature Experience: Traditional cooking class with village women using clay pots and firewood stoves

Offering an authentic rural village experience, Polwaththa consists of simple yet comfortable cottages scattered throughout the forested property. The focus here is on cultural immersion alongside ecological responsibility. Their community-based tourism model directly benefits local families, and they actively support local schools and community development projects.

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8. Talalla Retreat – Talalla

• Price Range: $90-220 per night, including breakfast
• Location: Directly on Talalla Beach, Southern Coast of Sri Lanka
• Room Types: Open-air bamboo bungalows, villas, and beach cabanas
• Signature Experience: Daily sunrise yoga sessions in an open-air pavilion overlooking the Indian Ocean

This beachfront eco resort on the southern coast specializes in yoga and wellness while maintaining strong environmental principles. The open-air accommodations make the most of sea breezes and natural lighting. Their beach conservation initiatives and strict plastic-free policy demonstrate their commitment to protecting the marine environment. If you're lucky, you'll get to see turtles hatching!

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9. Banyan Camp – Udawalawe

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• Price Range: $70-150 per night, full-board basis
• Location: 15 km from Udawalawe National Park
• Room Types: Open-air sleeping platforms, lakeside cabanas, and repurposed buses converted to rooms
• Signature Experience: Outdoor bathing in antique bathtubs overlooking the lake at sunset

Situated near Udawalawe National Park, Banyan Camp offers a back-to-basics approach to eco accommodation. The open-air lodgings provide an immersive experience where guests can sleep under the stars while enjoying sustainable comfort. The property is constructed primarily from reclaimed materials and operates completely off-grid using solar power.

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10. Jetwing Vil Uyana – Sigiriya

• Price Range: $250-400 per night, including breakfast
• Location: 5 km from Sigiriya town centre
• Room Types: Paddy field dwellings, water dwellings, forest dwellings, and marsh dwellings (with and without pool option)
• Signature Experience: Night trail to spot the endangered grey slender loris (Google it, it's such a funny yet cute looking animal!) with the resident naturalist

Located near the iconic Sigiriya Rock, Jetwing Vil Uyana is a pioneering eco-resort in Sri Lanka built over a man-made wetland system. This property features luxurious dwellings that blend in seamlessly with the surroundings. The resort has created its own private nature reserve, supporting diverse ecosystems from wetlands to forest patches. Their dedication to conservation is evident in their private nature reserve that hosts over 80 bird species and comprehensive water recycling system.

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11. Cinnamon Wild Yala – Yala

• Price Range: $150-280 per night, including breakfast
• Location: Border of Yala National Park
• Room Types: Jungle chalets and beach chalets with private terraces
• Signature Experience: Rooftop observatory deck for stargazing and wildlife spotting with night vision equipment

Located on the border of Yala National Park, Cinnamon Wild offers chalets nestled between the wilderness and the ocean. The property maintains a delicate balance between luxury amenities and wildlife conservation. Their comprehensive wildlife monitoring programs and educational initiatives about conservation demonstrate their commitment to protecting Sri Lanka's biodiversity.

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12. Kumbuk River Resort – Buttala

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• Price Range: $140-280 per night, full-board basis
• Location: In Yala National Park, 20 km from Buttala town
• Room Types: Elephant Villa (2-story elephant-shaped lodge), Kumbuk Cabin, and Pepper Garden Cottage
• Signature Experience: River bathing and tubing in the pristine Kumbuk River

Perhaps Sri Lanka's most visually striking eco lodge, Kumbuk River Resort features a two-story elephant-shaped lodging alongside other uniquely designed accommodations. Located on the fringes of Yala National Park along the Kumbuk River, this small resort offers a truly distinctive experience. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their buildings constructed with natural materials and solar-powered electricity throughout the property.

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Planning Your Eco Stay in Sri Lanka

Best Times to Visit

• December to March: Ideal for south and west coast eco lodges
• April to September: Better for eastern coastal properties
• Year-round: Central highlands and tea country eco lodges enjoy pleasant temperatures throughout the year

Eco-Friendly Transportation Options

• Consider traveling by train for longer journeys (particularly the scenic route from Kandy to Ella)
• Arrange shared transfers between destinations
• Choose accommodations that offer bicycle rentals for local exploration

Responsible Traveler Tips for Sri Lanka

• Respect wildlife by maintaining appropriate distances and always following guide instructions in the national parks
• Support local economies by purchasing handicrafts and services directly from community members
• Minimize plastic use by carrying a reusable water bottle and shopping bag
• Participate in conservation activities offered by your eco lodge

Final Words

Sri Lanka’s eco lodges aren’t just about beautiful stays within nature, they’re part of a growing movement toward sustainable tourism within the country. Many of the above properties use solar power, source food locally, support nearby villages, and operate with minimal environmental impact.

When you choose to stay at an eco lodge in Sri Lanka, you’re directly supporting these initiatives and helping protect Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, from its rainforests and tea plantations to its beautiful coastlines. Whether you're exploring the hill country, spotting wildlife in a national park, or relaxing near the beach, staying at one of these eco lodges is a meaningful way to travel more consciously without compromising comfort or style.