Home » How to visit Weligama » From Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is a small beach which is recently discovered by backpackers. Travelers can come to Weligama from Hiriketiya using by bus or taxi / tuk tuk. Read below article for, how you visit this coastal town from Hiriketiya beach.

Travelers need to go the main road Matara - Tangalle. It is located near in the Nilwella junction which divide road to Nilwella and Tangalle road. To reach Nilwella junction traveler may take tuk tuk (three-wheeer) or by short distance walking. Then traveler has two options either take direct bus to Weligama or take bus to Matara.  This is because direct buses towards Weligama are limited. Colombo - Kataragama buses will stop at Weligama and they operate per hour basis. Otherwise traveler can take direct buses towards Matara from Nilwella junction bus stop and then traveler needs to take separate bus towards Weligama. Please read this article regarding the bus rides in Sri Lanka.



Option 1: Take Colombo - Kataragama bus from Nilwella junction
Kataragama - Colombo route number 32 operate all the day in a one bus per hour basis. Kataragama - Colombo bus will stop slightly at Nilwella junction bus stop therefore traveler needs be vigilant and take the bus. Bus fare for Matara from Nilwella between 2 - 3 USD. Total duration for Tissamaharama to Matara would be 2 hours. You can reach Weligama without any transit and do not forget to get off from Weligama bus station if you miss bus will travel towards Colombo.

Option 2: Take direct bus to Matara from Nilwella junction
All most every buses that going towards Matara is will stop in front of the Nilwella junction. Traveler need to take 'Hambanthota to Matara' route number 334 | 'Tissamaharama to Matara' route number 334/1 and Embilipitiya to Matara route number 11-342 buses. Bus will reach Matara in 2 hours time and ticket price will be less than 1 USD. Your final destination is Matara bus stand. Then you need to take a bus to reach Weligama. Please read this article for visit Weligama from Matara.

We highly recommend to use public transport like buses. Mostly Colombo - Kataragama buses operate all the day and all time. But after 20:00, operate frequency of buses decrease. It is advisable avoid stay public places like bus stations after 20:00. And it is also advisable to plan your journey within day time (avoid night traveling). This is because after 17:00 frequency of buses decrease.

Unfortunately, in current setup [2019/02] there are no trains available from Hiriketiya to Weligama / Matara. But currently railway track is building towards Kataragama therefore in future there will be trains available to Matara from Tangalle. If you reach Matara, traveler can take train to Weligama. Please read this article for visit Weligama from Matara.

Taxi service are limited in nearby Hiriketiya village. Some of the taxi services nearby Hiriketiya village has bit higher rates. Those rates can be change accordingly therefore you need to talk with them and negotiate prices the taxi. We highly recommend to use public transport instead if taxi prices are high for your budget. Sometimes people may ask for share a taxi with them, Those offers may be good option. And if you equipped with surf boards hiringa tuk tuk would be a good option where you can mount them on top of the tuk tuk tent.



Travelers can have another option where several social media groups have share taxi rides with each other. You can just join those groups and try to share rides among backpackers. Please join social media below groups:
- Journey to Sri Lanka (Backpacking / Tourism / Information Hub)
- South Sri Lanka Surf Community
- Sri Lanka Taxi Share & Service
- Backpacking Sri Lanka / Taxi Service / Hotel Bookings

Additionally above options travelers can join several Telegram/WhatsApp group among Sri Lankan taxi service providers where they share / update their details, especially drivers who has got empty ride way back to different locations. Join below groups:
- Tourist Help Line Sri Lanka - Telegram group
- Sri Lanka Taxi - WhatsApp group
- Hikkaduwa Airport Drops - WhatsApp group

Minimum cost for Hiriketiya to Weligama would be 70 USD. This amount will be change according to the route, vehicle type, passengers.

You can book a taxi to Weligama from the Hiriketiya via this form.

Different ways to visit Weligama from Hiriketiya in Google Maps

Below map include the different ways come to Weligama from Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka including bus routes, train and taxi routes.


Following details may helpful, if you hope to visit Weligama from various other tourist destinations around this lovely Island.

From Colombo Airport (CMB) to Weligama
From Colombo to Weligama
From Hikkaduwa to Weligama
From Galle to Weligama
From Matara to Weligama
From Hiriketiya to Weligama
From Yala to Weligama
From Udawalawe to Weligama
From Ella to Weligama
From Kandy to Weligama
From Sigiriya to Weligama
From Arugambay to Weligama
From Kalpitiya to Weligama

Last Updated on: 2019/05/30