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Weligama is located on the south coastal belt of Sri Lanka 150 kilo meters from Colombo capital city. The name Weligama literally translates to Sandy Village which is fitting as it sits on an enormous sandy Weligama bay. Tourism and fishing are the main industries in the area are with tourism growing at a rapid rate. Weligama is the perfect spot to learn to surf with a long sandy beach that has constant gentle waves. Its town is bustling with activity and there is a huge amount of fantastic local food to be found. This is one of those towns where the mix between local and tourism activities is just right. Tourists get to experience the culture of Sri Lanka while the town has not lost its local feel.

🚌 Visit Weligama via Bus: Public buses are available between most major towns across Sri Lanka and Weligama is no exception. Buses travel from Colombo along the coast to Weligama and there are also plenty of local buses to move along the coastal towns of the south. The buses are inexpensive however they tend to be rather slow as the stop to pick up and drop of passengers frequently. There is also a couple of luxury AC buses that run from Colombo.  Read this article if you are visiting Weligama from Katunayaka airport or Colombo. Otherwise if you are planning to come towards Weligama from other tourist destinations in Sri Lanka like Colombo, Hikkaduwa, Kalpitiya, Galle, Arugambay, Kandy, Ella, use this article it shows you to how to visit Weligama.

🚆 Visit Weligama via Train: Visit Weligama via train is a very efficient way, if you are coming directly from Colombo capital city. There are multiple trains each day which take between 3-4 hours and cost 2 USD for 2nd class. The trains can be crowded; however, they tend to get less and less full as the journey continues on the Weligama end. The Weligama train station is right in the heart of the town and most accommodations located within the walking distance. Read this article if you are visiting Weligama via Colombo and wish to travel by train.

🚕 Visit Weligama via Taxi: Taxi transport are available to travel to Weligama however you have to negotiate prices with the driver. Expect to pay around 80 USD for a private vehicle from Colombo which will take around 2 hours. Read this article if you are visiting Weligama via Colombo and wish to travel by taxi. And if you wish to rent a scooter or otherwise rent a car read this article too. If traveler wants to book a taxi before visiting Weligama use this contact form.

Weligama is best approached on foot. Most of the accommodation, supermarkets, markets, bus and train station, restaurants and of course the beach are all located in close proximity city center. Obviously, there are Three wheelers (Tuk Tuks) everywhere. Travelers expect to bargain with the drivers. You should be able to get the price down to 30-50 rupees per kilo meter. Be prepared to walk away if you are not happy with the price and you will see another  Tuk Tuks within seconds. Ensure you agree the price before you hire the tuk tuk. Read this article before engaged surroundings of Weligama area.

Weligama is situated on a coastal bus route which includes the route number 02. And bus to/from Colombo and the Galle (350) and Hambantota (32) buses which run along the coast. This means that going anywhere along the coast is very easy. You can take day trips to Galle, Matara or even go swimming with the turtles in Polhena all on this bus route. There is no need to look up the timetable as buses run often and you just need to jump on. If you are heading in the direction of Galle stand across the road from the Zam Zam hotel and if you are heading towards Matara stand outside Singer Plus. To take a bus you just need to wave it down and then hop on.


It improves your chances of the bus stopping for you if you are at a recognized bus stop which are marked by a blue bus sign on a pole. In addition to the driver there is a second person onboard who handles the tickets. Do not worry about finding the ticket person as they will eventually find you. Have a small note ready to go. Fares for buses are very low and change based on distance. As an example the fare from Weligama to Galle is less than 0.5 USD and from Weligama to Matara the fare is 0.5 USD. Be ready to tell the ticket person your destination and they will then normally ensure you get out at the right stop. Read this article before travel by bus in Sri Lanka will help you to stay safe.

**Be careful getting on and off buses as the drivers barely stop and you are largely expected to jump on/off while it is still moving.

The entire South Coast of Sri Lanka is a great place to visit. Weligama itself is a fantastic town that has amazing beaches, a laid back vibe and plenty of great street food. The good news is even when the ocean has no waves or for those not interested in surfing there is still plenty to do. Check below recommendations.

Weligama is renowned as one of the best beginner beaches in Sri Lanka. With long gentle waves and a sandy bottom it’s the ideal place for beginners to learn surf. Surf schools and board hire shops line the beach so you won’t have trouble finding what you need. Expect to pay 3 USD per hour for a board and 20 USD for a hourly lesson. There are dozens of surf schools which providing surf lessons, board hire places as well as restaurants and bars that are more upmarket. The other spot is up near the island and is perhaps the best spot for budget travelers. Here you will find more details from this article.

What better way to spend a day than to relax on the beach. The main beach has plenty of spots where you can throw down your towel and soak up the sun. The water is warm yet still refreshing and there are plenty of little bars and restaurants at different spots along the beachfront where you can grab a drink or something to eat. There is also an active fishing fleet in the area and they are always appreciative of anyone who can help them launch their vessels. Be sure to head down to the beach just before sunsets as the views can be spectacular.

2 kilometer from Weligama is there is a small bay called Turtle Bay (Also know as Weligama Jungle beach). The beach can easily be reached on foot and upon arrival you will find a quiet and sandy beach that has a reef just offshore. It’s a pretty special looking place and a great spot for a swim and picnic. There is a shop on the beach where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat. If you don’t like the idea of walking then plenty of tuk tuk drivers in Weligama will be happy to give you a lift.

➤ Day Trip to Galle : Galle is a popular town for tourists however accommodation in the town can be a costly and very little of the budget accommodation places are near the beach or town. The thing is that there are plenty of great accommodation options further along the coast and from towns such as Weligama, Midigama and Mirissa or you can do a day trip to Galle. Buses run regularly to Galle from the coastal towns and from Weligama it takes 40 mins and generally costs 0.5 USD. There are plenty of things to see in Galle, You can refer this article to what you can explore from Galle.

➤ Day Trip to Polhena (Swim with the turtles) : Polhena beach is extremely popular with the locals, especially on weekends where you will find people floating around on inflatable toys. The beach is located on a small sandy cove and is protected by a reef just offshore which makes it very safe. In some part of the beach you can hire a snorkel and fins and head out to find these magnificent creatures. With a bit of patience and time in the water you are likely to find yourself just meters away from a huge turtle. It truly is an amazing experience. There are a couple of little local kiosks at the beach but not much else so its a good idea to bring a picnic and lots of water with you.

➤ Day Trip to Matara

Matara is located around 30 mints bus ride from Weligama. Head here when the surf is quiet or you need a day out of the water. At Matara there are two forts you can visit, one of which has a really interesting and free museum. If you are there on Wednesday or Sunday you will find a bustling market next to the bus stop and for lunch we highly recommend heading to Hela Bojun/True Sri Lankan taste which is located about 800 meter along the coast from the bus stop, east.

Please refer Things to do in Weligama and 7 Great Things to Do in Weligama articles for more details.

If you prefer to plan ahead, you’ll find loads of guesthouses and hotels on sites like booking.com and Airbnb. But you’ll generally get a better deal if you’re there in person, especially if you plan to stick around for a month or more. Weligama has lots of accommodation with everything from huge resorts to tiny 2 room guest-houses. The standard varies and you will find plenty of guesthouses without hot water so be sure to check out reviews before you book. There is something for every budget and the good news is we were able to keep our accommodation costs low while still being in a clean, comfortable and well located place. The price is normally 15 - 25 USD if you book an AC room online however the fan rooms are cheaper. The time of year will affect the cost too, with peak season starting in December and continuing through to April. Best way to go about things is to book yourself a couple of nights at one of the places listed in this article and, if you don’t want to stay there long-term, use the time to find a different place. Hostels are also a good choice.

The town Weligama has plenty of food options. Not only is the town full of amazing local food that is super cheap and incredibly tasty but there are also fancier restaurants for those wanting to splash out. At night the beaches are lined with restaurants cooking seafood straight from the fish sellers with tables set up in the sand. Check out our favorites places to eat below. The food scene isn’t the area’s top selling point. For sure, you can always find a decent rice and curry, but if your palate demands a variety of tastes and flavors, the novelty of this ubiquitous dish will soon wear off. Food has always included with more chilies. But for a quick, tasty and very cheap snack, head to ZamZam, opposite the bus station. The AVM Creamhouse, Jayalath Rest, Perera & Sons restaurants are also good choice. Please find more restaurants from here. If you want to buy a drink or beer find details from here.

🍲 Local Food

The best things about travel is getting to experience Sri Lankan food. Sri Lanka excels in that it has an incredibly tasty and fresh local cuisine. Not only is the food amazing but if you eat local you will also save yourself a lot of money. The blend of spices in Sri Lanka are like nothing else. Everything has powerful flavors and you will never get a meal that doesn’t feel like the flavor.

🍲 Short Eats

Short eats is essentially another term for ‘snack’ in Sri Lanka. It covers everything from vegetable wrapped rotis and samosas, to wade and plenty of others. Many of the hotels will have short eats displayed in their windows and you will also find a number of small carts that are around in the afternoon and evening selling them. The AVM Creamhouse, Jayalath Rest, Perera and Sons also good choice.

🍲 Lunch Packs

'Lunch packs’ which are square parcels normally wrapped in paper containing a delicious meal. In Weligama look out for them on the corner across from the bus station where multiple tables magically appear about 11:00 AM stacked with these packs. They have everything from fish or chicken curries to fried rice. These packs are the perfect choice if you are heading to the beach and at a price of normally around 1 USD and they can bargain too.

🍲 Local Fruits

You can easily find many local fruits like Banana, Water Mellon, Wood Apple, Avocado selling in the side corners in the Weligama town. (Railway avenue - clock tower to Train station)

Curd and Treacle

If you like yogurt then you will love this. The curd comes in large terracotta pots and the idea is you scoop a few scoops into your bowl before topping it with treacle. It is a tasty breakfast and the perfect thing to have before a morning surf.It will cost around 1 USD.

And you can find Vegan Friendly cafes from here. Also find top 7 Restaurants in Weligama from here.

Of course, if you find a place to stay where you have access to a kitchen like homestays, you can make your own food – which, if you have the right tools, isn’t difficult to do. Sri Lanka produces all sorts of pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables, and being on the South coast gives you access to an enormous variety of seafood! Between the P-Mart, Food City, the fruit and veg stall on New Bypass Road (facing the beach) and the fish market, Travelers manage to get all that need for English breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can find more details from here.

It is better to buy yourself a Sri Lankan SIM card, then  buy some data, and set up your own hotspot. It’s pretty simple to do this, though you will likely need to stand in a queue for a good hour before being served. Just take your phone, your passport and a few thousand rupees to the Dialog shop in the town centre (Dialog / Mobitel have the best 4G coverage in this part of the country). To give you a sense of price, you can buy a package which gives you 4 GB to use between the hours of 8 AM and 12 PM, and 5 GB to use between 12 PM and 8 AM 😏, for 4 USD. There are lots of other deals available in here.

Sometimes you might get hit with the ‘special tourist price' at first, too. Understandably, people here would like a slice of the wealth tourists bring to the area, but it can get tiresome paying ‘high’ prices when you’re staying here long-term. Just make a few good alliances by being loyal to a select few shops and services and you’ll soon be able to negotiate prices which suit both your needs and theirs. Oh, and when you ask a question which is met with the rather vague ‘head wobble’ (the head wobble can mean many things to many people, like '14 Amazing Facts About Sri Lanka No One Will Tell You' - in BRIGHT SIDE youtube video!), just keep going until you get a definitive answer : Sri Lankan people always want to please, so they’ll often indicate that they can help you, when in fact, they can’t. Please read this article about 'Things to remember when visiting Weligama'.

Weligama is heaven on earth for budget travelers. You can get super cheap accommodation that is clean and welcoming, great food for a bargain price and all of this within walking distance to an awesome long surf beach. Weligama is a must on any Sri Lankan itinerary.

Last Updated on: 2019/01/17

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