What is the dress code for Dambulla Cave Temple?

To get into the Dambulla Cave Temple, men and women have to wear garments that cover their shoulders fully and also reach past their knees. You’re expected to take off your shoes and any headwear, like hats or caps, before you step into the sacred cave area.

This dress rule is enforced in a strict way by guards stationed at the ticket counter and also at the entry gates. If you show up wearing shorts or a tank top, entry will be refused, even though there are usually vendors close by who rent out sarongs. Since the stone floors inside the complex can become painfully hot in the afternoon sun, bringing a thick pair of socks to use after you remove your shoes is a strongly advisable plan.