Ahangama tips and highlights – Sri Lanka
I like to go to Sri Lanka every European winter, so by now it is my second home The south coast is bursting with pristine beaches, excellent surf spots and lively coastal towns. I love Hiriketiya and usually spend a good amount of time in Midigama as well: the ideal spot to visit Ahangama and Weligama too. Weligama is a great place for those who want to try their first nose dive with a surfboard. You’ll find lots of nice restaurants, coworking spots and bars there, but the beaches are not as nice as in Midigama and Ahangama. Ahangama is bursting with beautiful boutique hotels, brunch spots and fine restaurants. This is my 2026 update! These are my Midigama/ Ahangama tips and highlights!
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Casa Tikiri | Ahangama tips | best hotels
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Best hostels, homestays and the best hotels in Ahangama/ Midigama
(Click on the colored names for rates and availability)
Best Hostels in Ahangama/ Midigama:
Surfing Wombats: super cozy hostel, with delicious pizza and a popular “open mic night” on Tuesdays. If you’re brave enough…
Omnia Hostel: new hostel with private rooms and dorms that everyone is raving about.
Samba Stayed for a week in one of the private rooms. The room was a bit small, but I loved it. Excellent breakfast and great location. They also have dorms.
The Well: beautiful boutique hostel with a lovely pool and yoga shala.
A STUNNING LUXURY HOTEL IN AHANGAMA
Pura Pilates Ahangama
Tip: rent a scooter! Just be sure to apply for an international driver’s license at home before you leave. To drive a scooter or tuk tuk in Sri Lanka you also need a Sri Lankan driving permission. You get this at Department of Motor Traffic in Colombo. It costs arount 35 USD and takes about 3-4 hours. Usually the international driver’s license is fine, but the policy seems to be getting stricter. So check in advance. If you want to drive a tuk tuk you definitely need the permit!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR SRI LANKA TRAIN TICKETS
Dreamsea Surf Camp & Casa Tikiri | Ahangama tips | best hotels
Homestays Ahangama/ Midigama
Ahangama Eco Villa: favorite of many digital nomads because of its pool and good location in Ahangama.
The Whitegates Lodge: small homestay with only 2 rooms. Delicious breakfast every morning. Includes air conditioning, a fridge and a fantastic bed. I stayed here for 10 days. You can also rent a good scooter here. The family is so nice!
MY TRAIN RIDE FROM KANDY TO ELLA
Boutique Hotels Ahangama/ Midigama
Casa Tikiri: (adults only) Perhaps my favorite stay to unwind in all of Sri Lanka. So much atmosphere, beautiful rooms, Italian food and a lovely pool. If you want to pamper yourself for a few days, book a couple of nights here. Highly recommended!
Animals Boutique Hotel: An absolute (adults only) gem. Stunning design, beautiful pool and great location. Good spot to meet other solo travelers.
The Jam House. Stylish and spacious rooms, an great restaurant (try the seafood linguine) and a lovely pool. Loved my stay here!
Cactus and Ceylon Sliders | Best Beaches Ahangama
Mayava Villa: an oasis of tranquility in a prime location with only four rooms. I had a wonderful stay here. A true home away from home.
Blue Waves Surf House: a beach hotel with very comfortable rooms and fun live events. The café on site is also highly recommended. In addition, they offer excellent surf lessons.
Blue Waves Jungle Villa: for those looking for a bit more peace and quiet, this location by the same owners near Kabalana Beach is a great option.
ROOMS AND RATES BLUE WAVES SURF HOUSE
Jamu Surf Lodge
The Merchant: a small boutique hotel with four charming rooms in an excellent location. Here, you’ll find peace and quiet in Ahangama.
The Kip: bright, spacious rooms, very stylish and fully equipped. In addition, The Kip is one of the best brunch spots in Ahangama. There is also a dangerously cute store. Enter at your own risk.
MY STAY AT SOLID SURF HOUSE WELIGAMA
The Kip and the Paddy Lodge (yoga) | Ahangama tips | best brunch spots
Rent your own tuktuk at TukTuk Rental
If you are looking for an amazing way to explore Sri Lanka, rent your own tuktuk at TukTuk Rental! They rent tuktuks from locals to boost their income. A great way to travel around, visit all the places off the mainstream tourist route and support a local family as well! Go to tuktukrental.com to book your tuktuk.
ALL MY HIRIKETIYA RECOMMENDATIONS
Dreamsea Surf Camp: an oasis in a prime location in Ahangama (can be a bit noisy though). Beautiful rooms by the sea and a large pool. You can also book good surfing lessons or a surf package here.
PALM: boutique hotel in the middle of the jungle, with very photogenic cabanas, a gym and a fantastic restaurant.
Kurulu Bay: a truly luxurious retreat on the shores of Koggala Lake, featuring perhaps the most beautiful yoga shala in Sri Lanka and an outstanding restaurant. Here, you’ll find complete tranquility among swaying palm trees and playful monkeys in the trees.
Harding Boutique Hotel: lovely boutique hotel in the middle of Ahangama.
Surfing in Ahangama can be quite “intense.” In particular, the spots near Kabalana Beach are often rough and the risk the wellknown “washing machine experience” is very high here: trying to figure out which way is up. If you prefer to keep your contact lenses in place and want friendlier waves, you should head to Marshmellow Point, Lazy Right or Fishermen’s (depending on the swell of course).
THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN SRI LANKA
Black Honey Café | Ahangama tips and highlights
The best brunch spots in Ahangama/ Midigama
The Kip: beautiful spot, delicious menu. Try the matcha cinnamon roll and the feta spread.
Cactus: getting busier every year, but this ocean side gem offers a wide selection of Instagrammable smoothies, bagels and excellent coffee.
Fruit Café: refreshing air conditioning and ceremonial cacao!
Sundays Café: great coffee and a beautiful garden at the back.
Teddies: fantastic ocean views and a few great surf spots nearby. The menu is excellent, and in the evening they shake dangerously good cocktails.
Sisters and brunch at The Kip | favorite hotspots Ahangama
Zippi: this is where you grab the very best sandwiches in town; try the tuna, trust me; and treat yourself to one of their freshly made juices bursting with flavor.
Le French Café: for the very best French baguettes with a sea view.
Kurulu Bay: the chefs at Kurulu Bay turn every dish into something special. The Prawn Brioche is a return ticket to heaven.
PALM: extensive brunch menu and for a fee you can also use the fantastic swimming pool.
Black Honey Café: my favorite spot after yoga. The best coffee and warm chocolate cookies.
Sisters: delicious Turkish dishes!
The best brunch spots | Ahangama tips
ROOMS AND RATES ANIMALS BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Yoga and Pilates in Ahangama
Pura Pilates: my favorite pilates studio. Beautiful, great aircon and good teachers.
The Paddy Lodge (by Casa Tikiri): stunning yoga shala
Ulu Pilates
Terra Resort
Kurulu Bay: bliss at the Koggala Lake.
Senses
Kurulu Bay yoga shala | best yoga and pilates Ahangama
Best Nights out in Ahangama/ Midigama
Tuesday: ‘open mic night’ at Surfing Wombats after that you can dance the night away on the rooftop across the street at Lay back @ Lazies.
Wednesday & Saturday: get a tuk tuk to The Doctor’s House in Madiha. This is a “cash only” place.
Thursday & Sunday: dance at Lamana (including a skateramp), prepare to sweat, and if you want to continue your night head to Hakuna Matata.
Friday: Trax. This funky spot, with a large garden, is pretty much on the train tracks, hence the name. There are often great nights with live music and DJs.
Saturday: Terra Garden. Skateramp + the best DJs in a beautiful jungle setting.
Sunday: live music, BBQ and/ or a DJ at sunset at Soul & Surf.
MY STAY AT A GREAT SURF CAMP IN WELIGAMA
Sunset drinks at Ceylon Sliders are always a good idea. One of my favorite spots!
On my Instagram you can watch all my Sri Lanka Instastories in Highlights for lots of travel inspiration!
Palm Hotel | Ahangama tips | best hotels
Tip: skip Mirissa and Unawatuna (a day trip is enough); too touristy and full of Russians, who are not always on their best behavior… In Hikkaduwa you will find the impressive tsunami museum, which is definitely worth a visit, but other than that, I did not really like it there.
Secrets of the Sun and Ceylon Sliders
READ ALL ABOUT MY STAY IN KANDY
Shopping in Ahangama
Studio Mukti
Ceylon Sliders
Black Honey Café
Living Room Concept Store
Secrets of the Sun
Nakota Tuwa
Cactus
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Rice and curry | best restaurants | Ahangama tips
The best rice & curry in Ahangama/ Midigama
MAMA’S
Rice & Spoon
Veda Café
Mermaid’s Kitchen
Sri Lankan Rice & Curry House
RECOMMENDED SURF & YOGA RETREAT IN SRI LANKA
My favorite restaurants in Ahangama
Citra: try the golden curry! My favorite restaurant in Ahangama.
Ceylon Sliders
Mr. Sunils Roti Shop: one of my local favorites. Try the roti sandwich!
Veda Café: delicious rice & curry buffet (lunch & diner) 1600 LKR = €5.
Kalage: beautiful garden, with a very tasty menu and creative cocktails.
Coco Kitchen: try the Butter Fish Ceviche!
Sunset at Ceylon Sliders | Ahangama Tips & Highlights
Sea Sons: one of my new favorites. Try the feta from the oven!
Crust
The Kip
Hotel de Uncles. Love the cocktails!
Abrazo
Vertigo: the best pizzas in Ahangama.
Mermaid’s Kitchen: one of my favorite sunset spots. They serve some really good mocktails and homemade ice tea.
The most beautiful beaches in Ahangama/ Midigama
Wild Beach
Midigama Beach
Ahangama Beach: the beach at Cactus and Ceylon Sliders
Kabalana Beach
Paradise Cove: fancy beach club, with comfortable daybeds
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Co-working places in Ahangama/ Midigama
Focus Hub Coworking
Colive
Animals
NETS Cowork & Colive
Hari Hari House
Outpost (in Weligama)
- For the best accommodations go to Booking.com
- Check out unique activities on Getyourguide.com
- Rent your own tuk tuk at Tuktukrental.com
- Find your flight to Sri Lanka HERE
Staying connected in Sri Lanka is easy. I love using Airalo when I travel because it lets me download an eSIM in minutes and stay connected as soon as I land. No roaming fees, no SIM card stress. Click here to try it yourself.
Never visit an elephant park where elephants are ridden and, even at an “orphanage” or “shelter”, do your research in advance to check if the animals are treated well. At the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, the animals are chained up underwater. Do not go there!
MY EXPERIENCE WITH DENGUE FEVER
ALL MY SRI LANKA RECOMMENDATIONS