The Ultimate Guide to Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka

Hiriketiya was by far our favourite place to visit in Sri Lanka, and it has to be on your list of places to visit. If you love beach days filled with surfing, sunset swims and smoothie bowls, you’ll love it here. The barefoot vibe here is infectious, and you will undoubtedly want to visit for longer than you plan. This Ultimate Guide to Hiriketiya shares everything you need to know about visiting, from when to visit, where to stay, the best places to eat and what to do in this laid-back beach town.

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Where is Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is located along the laid-back southern coast of Sri Lanka, approximately a 2.5 – 3 hour drive from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Tucked just outside of the small town of Dikwella, Hiriketiya feels like it is a world away from the buzz of the country’s capital city. With palm-fringed streets dotted with playing monkeys and a relaxed pace, the journey here is more than worth it.

When to Visit Hiriketiya

There are two distinct seasons in Sri Lanka that will determine where and when you travel. The dry season on Sri Lanka’s south coast is from December to April, and this is the best time to visit Hiriketiya. This is when you will see the sunniest days and calmer water (perfect for surfing and swimming), making it the perfect time to visit. This also means that it is much busier to visit at this time of year. The monsoon season in the southwest is from May to September, bringing heavier rain and rougher ocean conditions. This makes it popular with more advanced surfers and those seeking a quieter experience.

Why Visit Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is a tropical paradise with a bohemian vibe that should be on everyone’s Sri Lanka bucket list. Known for its stunning horseshoe bay that is popular with surfers, you’ll also find an abundance of yoga, coastal boutique stays, authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and everything within walking distance. With a palm-fringed golden sandy beach, inviting turquoise water and beachfront cafes serving up the best sunset spots in the area, you will quickly fall in love with ‘Hiri’.

What to Do in Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is one of those places where you can either do a lot or nothing at all, and be equally satisfied. Whether you want to spend your days sunbathing on the beach, your nights eating delicious Sri Lankan cuisine or need some adventure, there is something for everyone in Hiriketiya.

Surfing in Hiriketiya

Surfing in Hiriketiya is one of the main reasons people visit. The beach is located in a beautiful horseshoe bay with mellow waves perfect for beginners and a left-hand point break for intermediate – advanced surfers. You can rent surfboards for around 1000 Sri Lankan Rupees for an hour and get surf lessons on the beach – the whole beach is practically lined with people offering these services. Be warned that the surf does get VERY busy here, so unless you are an intermediate surfer or are happy surfing straight, go early in the morning at sunrise, where you can enjoy the waves almost to yourself.

The Monkeys of Hiriketiya

If you love wildlife like me, then you will love the fact that there are monkeys all over Hiriketiya. Whether it was at breakfast at Salt House or walking down the palm-fringed street, you will always find them jumping around chasing each other. As a huge monkey fan, I loved these little guys being a welcome addition to my Hiriketiya trip.

Hiriketiya Jungle Gym

For fitness fanatics, and I say fanatics, as anyone who wants to work out in the Sri Lankan heat must really enjoy fitness, but you can visit the local Jungle Gym. Enjoy free weights in this alfresco gym that look like they are from The Flintstones! Just a few minutes’ walk from the beach – what better location can you ask for?

Spot Turtles in Hiriketiya

You might be lucky enough to spot turtles in Hiriketiya. On our walk to Raa one night, we saw one swimming in the shallows in front of the surf. We were the only people there to witness it, and it was really special. There are other places you can spot turtles near Hiriketiya, but we read how unethical the setup was, so we didn’t visit and won’t recommend it here. It is those unexpected circumstances that make these experiences so special, so keep your eyes peeled.

Blue Beach (Nilwella Beach)

I am going to mention this beach because we visited based on social media recommendations, and it really was a case of Instagram versus Reality. The beach is ok, but it was quite dirty, and you cannot swim here as it is too dangerous. We stayed for about 10 minutes before leaving and getting a tuk-tuk back to Hiriketiya beach.

The Massage Shed

An absolute must-visit for soothing those sore muscles from surfing all day, or just for weary travellers. Enjoy an hour-long, incredible massage at this budget-friendly location, a short walk from town. Booking is essential as this place is really popular, and for good reason. We paid 7000 Sri Lankan Rupees for an hour-long massage, and it was bliss!

Dikwella Beach

Around a 10 – 15 minute walk from Hiriketiya beach, you will find Dikwella Beach, a beautiful stretch of beach offering stunning coastal views. Hundreds of palm trees line this area, and it’s a fantastic place to come and enjoy a quieter beach with stunning sunset views. You will find several oceanfront beach shacks here, too, perfect for sunset watching.

Silent Beach, Tangalle

If you fancy a quick day trip from Hiriketiya, then you must add Silent Beach in Tangalle to your Hiriketiya bucket list. Located about a 30-minute drive away from Hiriketiya, Silent Beach is a wild and stunning stretch of coast offering palm tree-lined perfection. Be careful here, as the sea is not suitable for beginner swimmers. The beach has large swell with shore-breaking waves and no lifeguards. There are flagged areas to swim, but this is not a place suitable for children. The beach, on the other hand, is stunning. If you park by the entrance to the Amanwella hotel, and then walk through the grounds to the beach, walk along the beach to the far end past the deck chairs to rent, you will reach the palm trees offering shade on the most picturesque part of the beach.

There are a couple of beach shacks to grab a drink or snacks, but there are no bathroom facilities, so come prepared to know this and leave no trace.

Where to Eat and Drink in Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is home to an abundance of really amazing restaurants, from budget local finds to more sophisticated oceanfront places. We did a lot of research before we visited, and it really paid off, as a couple of places on our list required pre-booking due to their popularity. So without further ado, here are our favourite places to eat in Hiriketiya:

Smoke and Bitters

This place was one of the first places that we booked for our trip to Hiriketiya, and it was amazing. Set amongst palm trees overlooking Dikwella Beach, you want to get here for the sunset seating (5 PM in December when we went). They offer two seating sessions for dinner, and you have to book in advance in order to get a spot. They are known for their award-winning cocktails, but the food is incredible too. Get the Squid in Season and Burnt Leeks with Pork, Bacon and Nduja – chef’s kiss! For cocktails, we loved the Old and Smoked (presentation for this one was amazing), Cherry Cheery Cola and the Mai Chai.

How to book: Book via WhatsApp in advance to secure a table at this must-visit restaurant in Hiriketiya.

Raa

Raa in Hiriketiya was by far our favourite place to eat and drink, so much so that we came twice in our short stay. They are owned by the same people as Smoke and Bitters and are located right on the waterfront in Hiriketiya. You have two dinner seatings here as well, with the sunset option being the best time to visit. Don’t forget to time your visit to see the daily Toddy Tapper who climbs the palm trees to collect Toddy that is used in the cocktails. The food here is elevated Sri Lankan cuisine, and the cocktails are out of this world! Expect western pricing with epic views of palm trees swaying and surfers enjoying the waves. It’s a vibe!

How to book: Book via WhatsApp in advance to secure a table at this must-visit restaurant in Hiriketiya.

The Ruin Hiriketiya

As far as sunset spots for cocktails in Hiriketiya go, The Ruin is up there with the best. Located along the coast from the main stretch of beach, The Ruin is a waterfront paradise nestled in palm trees, and you guessed it – old ruins! Grab a seat at a table, or even hire one of their new sun loungers on the waterfront for the best views of the surf and Hiriketiya bay – you can’t get any closer to the waves! Make sure you check out the ladies’ toilets – they might surprise you!

Salt House

We ate at the Salt House in Hiriketiya for breakfast every morning as it was included in our stay. The food and presentation are amazing. Tucked away in a courtyard of the hotel, the cafe here serves incredible brunch dishes. Think stacks of pancakes or waffles drizzled in gooey sauce, exotic fruit and edible flowers. It was a highlight of our day. They also make fresh fruit smoothies that are an Instagrammer’s dream.

Lemon Grass Cafe

We came across Lemon Grass Cafe at the last minute as our first choice was sold out, and boy, were we glad we did. This local family-run restaurant serves the most delicious traditional Sri Lankan vegetable curry, all for only 1000 Sri Lankan Rupees AND you could have more for free if you wanted. The service was a little slow, but it’s busy for a reason!

Cafe Secret

This newly opened cafe is tucked off the road, so much so that you might actually miss it. When we visited, we were the only guests, but being a new establishment, we didn’t let this put us off. The food and drinks were delicious, reasonably priced, and with great service. The decor is great, and I know once the word gets out, this place will be awesome when it’s busier.

Maru

If you are looking for fresh poke, then look no further. These well portioned bowls were a delicious alternative to local curries and perfect for a hot day in Hiriketiya. Slightly on the pricier side, but really delicious food, only a few minutes’ walk to the beach.

The Hangout

The Hangout is a super popular bar where you can enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment. The vibe is very much geared towards tourists, and the decor is great. Service wasn’t so good; we had to go up to the bar to pay because they only seemed to have one waiter for the entire place (when you see how big it is, you would do the same). We came because of the good reviews, and we did enjoy it, but we enjoyed other places more. Good for large groups!

First Roti Hut

If you are after a quick bite to eat, then you must stop by this little hut on the side of the road. They cook up the most delicious Roti – I have never tasted anything with so much flavour! This place is really great value and a great choice for food on the go.

Kingsley Hot Kitchen

We wanted to visit this place because it had such amazing reviews, but it was ALWAYS sold out. So, for the sake of adding another place to eat in Hiriketiya onto our list, we have mentioned this one, so if you do want to eat some delicious local food, then make sure you book in advance! Food is about 800-1500 Sri Lankan Rupees for a curry and khottu.

Where to Stay in Hiriketiya

When looking for places to stay in Hiriketiya, we wanted somewhere that had AC and a swimming pool so we could easily cool down from the Sri Lankan heat, along with being located within short walking distance of the beach.

Salt House

We ended up finding Salt House, which offered all of the above, along with the most mouth-watering brunch every day, free yoga classes and free surfboard hire. What a winning combination. To top it off, the hotel is surrounded by monkeys! We couldn’t have asked for better accommodation! Book in advance as this place is popular, and we now know why! Explore Salt House in Hiriketiya here.

Top Tips for Visiting Hiriketiya

Money

You can get cash out at the airport from the cash points or exchange currency, but if you don’t, there are cash points in Hiriketiya that charge about 800 – 1000 Rupees per transaction. If you are visiting from the UK, it is better to bring GBP to exchange for Sri Lankan Rupees instead of USD. If you are coming from the US, then bring USD to exchange. This is only if you intend to bring cash to exchange, which was useful for us as the cash points in the airport were empty when we arrived, and we luckily had cash to exchange for our taxi driver’s payment. You can also get cash back at the grocery stores.

These travel cards are widely accepted in Hiriketiya and are not susceptible to credit card fees: Monzo, Revolut, and Wise.

If anything is quoted in USD, check if they actually want to be paid in cash and in Sri Lankan Rupees. We found that most places don’t take USD even when we were quoted in it. When it came to paying, everything was converted to Sri Lankan Rupees, whether we paid cash or card. 

WhatsApp

Most businesses communicate via WhatsApp, whether it is your hotel keeping you updated throughout your trip, booking restaurant reservations or keeping in contact with your favourite tuk-tuk driver. Make sure that you have WhatsApp downloaded before you travel.

How Much Do Things Cost in Hiriketiya

Food Costs in Hiriketiya

• Western Food is around 3,000 Sri Lanka Rupees
• Local Food is anywhere from 800 – 1500 Sri Lankan Rupees

Accommodation Costs in Hiriketiya

The cost of accommodation in Hiriketiya varies quite a lot. You can find budget home stays at $20 a night to more boutique hotels at $100 a night. There is a luxury market here as well, so there is really something for everyone.

How to Get to Hiriketiya

We travelled to Hiriketiya by private taxi, and organised this with our accommodation prior to travel. This seems to be the norm in Sri Lanka, with most hotels offering to help with onward travel. We were met at the airport by our driver, who was holding a sign, and he even waited several hours for us while our flight was delayed. We paid about $90 USD.

How to Get Around Hiriketiya

One of the main reasons that we chose to visit Hirikeyita was that everything is walkable on quiet roads. You don’t need any transport here unless you want it for a specific reason. On both sides of Hiriketiya, there are different beaches, both of which are walkable without having to walk on busy roads. If you want to use transport to get somewhere – perhaps a day trip or a short journey via tuk-tuk, you can easily organise these. Tuk-tuk drivers offer journeys either on the side of the street or via the Pick Me app, which is similar to Uber. Pick Me prices are a lot cheaper than prices in person, but I’ve heard it is also not as reliable. You can always negotiate prices down, but bear in mind you will probably be negotiating for a very small amount in Western terms (like 50 cents).

Looking for more tropical destinations to visit – check out our Guide to San Pancho in Mexico.