Hotels in Matale District, Sri Lanka
Matale District sits in Sri Lanka's central highlands, famous for the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and the Dambulla cave temples. The climate is tropical and humid year-round, with the dry season from May to October being best for climbing Sigiriya's 200-meter summit for views of the surrounding jungle, while the wet season from November to February offers cooler hikes through Dambulla's five cave chambers filled with 157 Buddha statues carved into the rock. During the dry months, you can also explore the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple where the Pali Canon was first written down in the 1st century BC, and in the rainy season, visit the Matale spice gardens to see cinnamon and pepper being harvested without the crowds.