I needed somewhere to land on my feet that would feel like home after traveling full time non stop for the past 4 years. I needed peace and a place for reflection.
That's when I learned about a small surf town on the Sri Lankan South Coast called Hiriketiya or “Hiri” as the visitors lovingly call it.
Looking for a volunteer position where I could truly get to know where I was staying, I found myself as the community manager for Slow Life Coliving by Nomadico. During my months as a community manager in Hiriketiya I got to know the town on a personal level through building partnerships and having conversations with local business owners. This perspective gave me a deeper understanding of the small surf town that welcomes thousands of tourists every year, yet still remains overlooked in favor of its larger neighbours, Ahangama and Weligama.
Boasting some of the best rated cocktail bars in Sri Lanka, baby waves perfect for learning how to surf, and a main street completely separate from the chaos of passing tuk tuk’s and buses, I quickly understood why the visitors in town often claimed they had “fallen down the Hiri hole”.
In this guide I hope to inspire you to visit the magical small beach town that is increasingly attracting nomads to put down roots.
Short on time? Here's the cheat sheet
💭Living in Hiriketiya is a great option for those looking for a friendly beach town with a close knit community.
🏠The town is small and easily walkable, so long as you stay on the beachside of the main highway.
🛏️Slow Life Coliving by Nomadico is the perfect place to stay if you're interested in meeting other digital nomads and want a convenient place to work from.
🤕Don't rely on luck alone. SafetyWing now offers 2 types of Nomad Insurance coverage options: Essentials for travelers and Complete for expats and digital nomads.
🛂Although your tourist visa initially starts with just 30 days, you can extend it in-country up to 9 months.
📞Save the hassle of getting a local SIM or the cost of roaming with Airolo, an e-SIM that’ll have you connected from the moment you arrive.
☂️Although the town is small and you'll notice a big difference between high and low season,
🏖️Hiriketiya is a great place to stay awhile for long term travelers looking for a chill base.
General Vibe to Expect
Hiriketiya is a unique location as it is less spread out than the other popular surf towns of Weligama, Mirissa and Ahangama. The town's main walking street is located off the highway which makes walking around the town peaceful and more immersive. Without the danger of passing buses, pedestrians can wander the streets and alleyways at leisure.
The laid back, close knit community vibe of Hiriketiya is not something that was curated by accident.
The local Sri Lankans are some of the kindest people I have ever met. It is a sight to see, as someone from a more individualistic country, how collaborative the locals are in their businesses that you would normally think are “competitors”. The surf schools help one another and if one doesn’t seem to have the board you are looking for they will direct you to a school that does. The same collaboration is seen in every aspect of the town whether it be cafes helping each other with their inventory or even the party organizers in town collaborating on the days of their parties so each location has a day assigned to them.
This collaboration is not solely extended to locals. Whether it is giving you complimentary desserts after your meals at Lemongrass Cafe, or restocking mango syrup because they know you love it at Maha Cafe, the locals strive to create a sense of community with the foreign visitors as well.
While people fall in love with Hiriketiya because of the laid back vibe and community minded people, there are also endless activities, cafes and workshops to keep you entertained for months.
The Beaches in Hirikeytika
Hiriketiya boasts two beautiful main beaches: Hiriketiya Beach (used more for ocean activities) and Dickwella Beach (used more for relaxing and sunsets).
Hiriketiya Beach
The main beach located in Hiriketiya Bay is best known for its surfing. With a point break located all the way to the left (if you are looking at the ocean from the beach) and two beach breaks in the middle of the bay, beginner and intermediate surfers flock the bay at most times of the day.
The point break is mostly for those who have the skills to turn as the wave washes over some dangerous reef points. The middle of the bay is perfect for those taking lessons with surf instructors or beginners looking to improve as the sandy bottom is much more forgiving for wipeouts.
In peak season (December- April) the waves are glassy and consistently small while the rainy season brings choppy waters and difficult to read waves. There is an abundance of surf schools located along the beach with surfboards typically renting at 1,500LKR (4.88 USD) per 1.5 hours.
If surfing isn’t your thing, do not fear, Hiriketiya beach is also the perfect spot to catch some rays and drink a coconut while reading a book or observing the surf.
Although the bay is truly paradise, I will warn you that during high season the beach can get very crowded as there is limited sunbathing space.
Dickwella Beach
On the other hand, Dickwella Beach, a ten minute walk from the bay, is a large spread out sandy beach perfectly located for sun set watching. With daily stunning views of the sun dipping below the horizon among a backsplash of palm trees, Dickwella is a fan favorite for those chasing orange and pink hues.
While the strong current and crashing waves make it an unfavorable beach to swim, the juice and coconut bars lining the coastline more than make up for this one transgression.
This beach's length is also perfect for those akin to beach walks or runs as during the dry season Dickwella is 2-3 times longer than the bay. Dickwella beach is also home to the famous cocktail bar Smoke and Bitters which is consistently ranked as the best bar in Sri Lanka.
So whether you are looking for a chill day at the beach soaking up rays and searching for seashells, or wanting to try your hand at surfing, Hiriketiya’s two main beaches have everything that you could desire.
Foodie Haven
After a long day at the beach spending all that time in the sun, it is only natural to have worked up an appetite. This is where Hiriketiya’s vibrant foodie scene continues to wow all visitors.
From cafes serving up refreshing iced matcha lattes and local restaurants where one meal can feed 5 people, no matter what you’re craving, Hiriketiya can provide. As a remote worker I spent my days and evenings in restaurants and cafes and became a regular at many places.
With so many options to choose from it can often feel overwhelming so I’ve included my personal favorites below.
Lemongrass Cafe
Lemongrass Cafe is attached to a fruit and veg shop that serves hands down the best rice and curry in town. With the sweetest family running this restaurant it can often be full in the evening, sometimes even needing to wait 15-20 minutes for a table. One serving of veggie rice and curry comes with 4 different veggie curries, a large pot of rice and fruit as a dessert.
At the price of 1000LKR (3usd) this was an almost daily spot for me.
STS Grand
Located in Dickwella next to the main gas station, STS Grand is a very large local restaurant overlooking the sea. While not in the main part of Hiriketiya, this restaurant swiftly became my favorite place for Kottu. Kottu is a local delicacy consisting of chopped up roti mixed with vegetables and a protein. Pro trip: try the chicken and cheese kottu for a true melt in your mouth experience.
With all dishes here ranging from 650LKR to 1000 LKR the price and taste is hard to beat.
Dots Bay House
Dots Bay House is a landmark location in Hiriketiya. Dot’s has been around for more than 10 years. Its large property next to the beach boasts a pool, coworking space, yoga studio, hostel and, of course the star, the restaurant.
While prices are higher than the local joints, I strongly believe everyone must try the La Tikka pizza. A thin sliced pizza with perfectly cooked dough topped with a butter chicken sauce and veggies, I know I will be dreaming of this once I leave. Even better, pair this pizza with the tamakochi margarita (their take on a spicy marg) while participating in their weekly pub quiz and you’ve got yourself the perfect evening.
Isle of Gelato
Boasting a flavor list that changes weekly, this cute ice cream shop is a South Coast favorite. With locations in Weligama and Ahangama there is no wonder why this Isle of Gelato is packed every evening. As someone who does not normally have a sweet tooth, I still found myself going here at least 3 times per week.
Every flavor whether it was berry curd, pistachio or chunk in your trunk (brownie batter and vanilla) was surprisingly light while still being indulgent.
Smoke & Bitters
Set on a sprawling green lawn with views of the sun setting over Dickwella beach, this restaurant and bar has ranked in the top 50 bars in Asia for the past 3 years and is consistently ranked as the best bar in Sri Lanka. Each cocktail is paired with smokey bitters meant to highlight their technique of cooking over wood fires.
Proudly owned and operated by local Sri Lankans, Smoke & Bitters doesn’t just succeed in cocktails, the ambiance and attention to detail of all the staff easily makes this the go to date night spot in Hiriketiya.
Where to Work for Digital Nomads
Even though I have been a remote worker for over 4 years, I still find it difficult to focus on my laptop when I am on my own. In order to be productive I need to work around others so I am constantly on the hunt for new cafes.
Luckily, if you are like me, Hiriketiya is becoming more and more digital nomad friendly. I found myself cycling between two different cafes that all had great wifi, great vibes, and most importantly, amazing coffee.
La Luna
This beachside restaurant holds a very special place in my heart as it was the first breakfast spot I went to when I arrived in Hiriketiya. I immediately fell in love with La Luna at first bite, their Shakshouka is probably one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Served with a plethora of pita bread, I had this meal at least 3 times a week for months.
On top of this, the mostly outdoor cafe has a serene ambiance as it has a very large yard and is perfect for a morning spent on your laptop. While a bit pricier than other cafes in town (~ 2,500LKR per meal) it is completely worth it.
Maha Cafe & Sauna
Situated above their sauna and ice bath, Maha Cafe & Sauna is Moroccan inspired with beautiful handmade wood tables and the softest pillows and rugs to sit on. With the best views of the surfers, this was my number 1 spot to work, catch up with friends, or simply gaze into the sea.
While they are not yet serving food (as of November 2025) their drink menu is unique, featuring items such as a butterfly pea latte, and a Sri Lankan spiced Homemade Cold brew. My personal favorite was the iced mango matcha latte which had a generous helping of their homemade mango syrup.
Not only are their drinks some of the best in town, they are also the most affordable with the mango matcha running for 1200LKR (3.89 USD) versus the rest in town ranging from 1500-2000LKR (4.87USD –6.49USD).
Where to Stay in Hiriketiya
While Hiriketiya has gained popularity in the last few years, accommodation options are still limited as the small surf town is developing. Some may choose to stay at hostels or guesthouses, but if you need a stable connection to work it can be a bit more difficult to find a place.
While I cannot speak for any other location, Slowlife Coliving by Nomadico is one of those places that provides everything anyone could need. With 5 private rooms and 2 shared dorms (2 beds in each) this coliving house acts as a true family home.
With its purpose to bring digital nomads from all corners of the world together, not only did I have a stable place to work in their coworking space, I made friends that quickly felt like family. From family dinners cooked in the shared kitchen, beach olympics, sunset swims, late night talks, and sweet treat runs this coliving was not just a place to sleep.
Almost every single guest during my time there extended at some point because it felt impossible to leave the vibrant community and the stunning home. With its location being a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute drive) from the surf, it is truly an unbeatable spot for all digital nomads.
What to Know Before Coming to Sri Lanka
Below I have included the absolute need to know before coming to Sri Lanka/Hiriketiya to make your time here as smooth as possible.
Visa Process
First of course is the visa process. To begin with, as a foreigner, you need to apply for the 30 day tourist visa which costs 50USD.
Once you are in the country you can extend online for another 2 months for 100USD. If you would like to extend past those initial three months you will need to go to Colombo or hire a travel agent to go to Colombo for you and extend your visa another 3 months. You can then extend your visa again one more time this way.
After spending a total of 9 months in the country, you will not be able to extend again and will need to leave the country.
Prices upon publication, we recommend double checking if these numbers have changed for your stay.
Best Time to Come
Secondly, Hiriketiya, like most of the island, works in seasons.
December - April being the high season with more consistent sunshine, glassy small waves, and all restaurants and clubs open in full swing. This is easily the most crowded time for Hiriketiya, but if you don’t mind crowds, it can be the most social and best time weather wise.
I prefer less crowds and don’t mind the occasional rain showers so I would recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons which are September - November and April - May. With less crowds, comes less convenience. Most restaurants and bars will be closed all through the off season with things picking up again only in November.
How to Get Around
Lastly, Hiriketiya is definitely the only town on the South Coast that I would consider walkable. With the beach area and the main street completely separate from the busy main road, the streets of Hirikeyita are often filled with pedestrians.
Unlike Weligama and Ahangama, which I would consider unwalkable in many areas, Hiriketiya’s small size and unique location have given it an advantage to those looking for somewhere they do not need a scooter to get around in.
Will You Give Hiriketiya a Try?
While I have done my best to highlight all the most important parts of Hiriketiya, the truth is that in order to truly feel the magic of this small town, you must experience it.
From cooking classes, swimming with turtles, exploring the hidden Blue Beach Island, and surfing, Hiriketiya is by far the best town on the South Coast for long term travelers looking for a chill base.
I owe so many thanks to this vibrant town and will forever be grateful for my time there. If you have made it this far in my article and are still contemplating whether or not you should go, please book the flights immediately, I promise you will not regret it!
.png)
.png)
