Ahangama Travel Guide 2025: My Personal Tips for Sri Lanka’s Coolest Beach Town

Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by Oliver

I called Ahangama home for well over a month, and by now, I’ve done it all — the surf lessons, the yoga classes, the beach days, the coworking spots, the café hopping, the restaurant scene, and even switching accommodations a few times just to get a feel for what it’s really like to stay here.

Ahangama is a small beach town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, and it’s definitely growing — fast. Every time I come back, there’s a new café, a new boutique hotel, or a new beach club. But luckily, it hasn’t hit that overdeveloped Bali-level chaos yet. It still feels laid-back, honest, and a little rough around the edges in the best possible way.

In this article, I’m sharing my personal experience of being based in Ahangama — what it’s like to live here, work remotely, eat out, and explore. My intention is that by the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel like you’ve got a solid handle on how things work around here. Where to stay, where to eat, what to do — all the essentials for a smooth and fun stay.

Let’s dive into my full Ahangama travel guide.

My Experience in Ahangama

The first time I stayed in Ahangama was for over a month in 2024 — and to be honest, it took me a little while to love it. When you first arrive, all you see is the busy main road and not much else. You have no idea that behind the beachside buildings and jungle palms are the most beautiful boutique hotels, hidden cafés, and vibey restaurants and cocktail bars.

It took me a good week or two to really get my bearings — to figure out where to hang out, where to grab coffee, and what the vibe actually was. If it’s your first time here, I’m guessing you’ll feel the same way, so don’t stress if it feels a bit chaotic at first.

Over time, I found my favorite coffee spots, the best yoga classes, places with pools you can use, and restaurants I kept going back to. I started meeting people who were also here for a while, made some friends, and settled into that slow, easy rhythm of Ahangama life. I wasn’t in a rush — and that helped.

On that first trip, I stayed at The Nuga House — a super quiet yoga-focused place tucked away from the road — and later moved into an Airbnb apartment that was perfect for a long-term stay.

I came back again at the start of 2025 for another two weeks. There were definitely a few more new spots on the map, but the vibe was still just as good. That time, I stayed in a couple of boutique hotels (my budget was a little healthier), and I absolutely loved them — I’ll share those recommendations in the accommodation section.

If you’re only visiting for a few days, you won’t have the luxury of figuring things out slowly. That’s why I put this guide together — to help you cut straight to the good stuff: where to stay, eat, chill, and explore.

How to Get to Ahangama Sri Lanka

You’ll most likely land at Colombo International Airport, so that’s where I’ll start. The easiest and most convenient way to get to Ahangama is for sure a taxi or tuk-tuk.

There is Uber in Sri Lanka (yes, really), and technically you can call one from the airport to Ahangama. But when we arrived, we couldn’t find a driver. That said, the app is still super helpful — it gives you a ballpark price, which you can then use to negotiate with the taxi drivers waiting outside.

The drive from Colombo Airport to Ahangama takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic. We paid 12,000 LKR (around $40 USD) during shoulder season, but I’ve heard of people paying between 17,000–20,000 LKR ($55–70 USD), especially during peak season. So definitely do your research and compare before you hop in.

Tuk tuks are also an option (expect to pay 8,000–10,000 LKR), but it’s a longer, bumpier ride — I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re on a tight budget and feeling adventurous.

If you’re really budget-conscious, there’s always the bus or train. Both take 3+ hours, they’re very affordable, and the train ride especially has great views — but it’s not the most seamless start to your trip if you’re landing after a long flight.

Ahangama vs Weligama vs Mirissa

I’ve stayed in all three—Ahangama, Weligama, and Mirissa—and honestly, it just depends on your vibe.

Mirissa is your go-to for nightlife and backpacker energy. It’s got the most hostels, beach bars, and party spots. If you’re here to socialize, it’s a solid pick.

Weligama is surf central, especially for beginners. It’s packed with surf camps like Kima Surf and has the most mellow, learner-friendly waves.

Ahangama – That’s where the food, cafés, and digital nomad scene shine. The best oceanfront spots, the chillest community, and the place to be if you’re sticking around a little longer or working remotely.

Where to Stay in Ahangama Beach

Ahangama has an amazing mix of places to stay — from stylish boutique hotels and chill little resorts to cozy apartments, hostels, and even coliving spaces. I obviously can’t tell you exactly where you should stay (depends on your vibe and budget), but I’ve tried quite a few spots and I’ve got some good recommendations coming up.

I’ve stayed in beach towns all over Asia and Latin America, and I don’t know what it is, but whoever’s designing the boutique hotels and Airbnbs in Sri Lanka gets it. The interior design is always so on point, and the outdoor spaces are so beautiful. For the price you pay, I honestly think Sri Lanka has some of the prettiest places to stay that I’ve found anywhere.

► The Nuga House // Best Place to Stay in Ahangama for Yoga

► Jungle Apartment // This is the Airbnb where I stayed for several weeks

► Palm Hotel Sri Lanka // Cool Hotel in Ahangama with Swimming Pool

► Surfing Wombats // Best Hostel in Ahangama (This is where I Stayed as a Backpacker)

► Nirbana Retreat // My number 1 Luxury Hotel in Ahangama

► Pantera Lake House // My Top Boutique Hotel in Ahangama

Best Things to Do in Ahangama

Ahangama isn’t exactly the adventure capital of Sri Lanka — but honestly, that’s kind of why Ahangama is so cool. Like most beach towns down south, it’s all about surfing, yoga, good food, and living slow. Nothing crazy, but if you lean into it, it’s the best kind of vibe.

Still, there are a few things worth highlighting. Surfing is the big one — it’s the main reason loads of people come to Sri Lanka in the first place. While Weligama and Mirissa are more popular surf spots, Ahangama has its fair share of good waves too. Dreamsea is a great little surf retreat and also a beautiful place to stay if you’re into that all-in surf & stay setup.

Another thing I got really into is Yoga. Ahangama has some seriously stunning yoga studios. My personal favorite is The Nuga House — it’s tucked into the jungle and just has the most peaceful vibe. I also really liked The Well. Most classes are in the mornings, and a drop-in usually costs around 3,000 LKR (~$10). Jungle views, monkeys jumping around — what’s not to love?

From Ahangama, you also have easy access to the rest of the island. You can book tours straight from town to national parks like Yala or Udawalawe for an epic safari day. Highly recommend.

Or just hop on a scooter and do your own thing — Galle is about an hour away and makes for a great day trip. The old Dutch fort, the lighthouse, cozy cafés, little art galleries… It’s super cute and definitely worth checking out.

Best Restaurants in Ahangama

One thing Ahangama absolutely nails is the food scene — both the local Sri Lankan food and the more international-style cafés and restaurants. And yeah, you can tell it’s starting to get a bit Bali-esque in that sense… but honestly, I don’t mind it (as long as it doesn’t go full Canggu).

I’ve tried loads of places here and even wrote a whole guide to the best restaurants in Ahangama, but here are a few personal favorites I keep going back to:

Abrazo – This place is my number one Mexican spot. No, it’s not fully authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex, but it’s close enough, alright? The food’s delicious, the cocktails are super tasty, and the beers are ice cold. It also has a great vibe, so it’s perfect for a longer dinner that turns into drinks night.

Little Bang Kitchen – Two things: epic sunset views and the best Japanese food in town. Their sushi is good, but the ramen is where it’s at. The only thing is — and this is a me-problem — when it’s super hot, I’m not in the mood for ramen. But on a rainy off-season day in Sri Lanka? I’ll take three bowls, thanks. Big fan.

Manori’s Kitchen – If you’re craving proper Sri Lankan food, this is one of the best spots in town. I love a good curry spread, and the value here is great. The location is nice too. It’s not the absolute cheapest (there are more local places around if you’re on a tight budget), but it’s still very affordable and super tasty.

Let’s just say, you won’t go hungry in Ahangama.

Best Cafes in Ahangama

Honestly, as much as I love the restaurant scene in Ahangama, I think the cafés might be even better. The coffee culture in Sri Lanka — especially in beach towns like Ahangama, Mirissa, Weligama, Hiriketiya, and Arugam Bay — is just so good. Chill garden setups, great coffee, smoothie bowls, brunch boards, and a lot of creativity.

I’ve got a full guide to my favorite cafés in Ahangama, but here are a few that stood out and became regulars for me:

Cactus – My absolute favorite café in Ahangama. It’s fully outdoors, so don’t come here on a rainy day unless you want to get soaked. But when the sun’s out, this place is unbeatable. It’s right by the ocean with a super chill lawn area, Spanish/Mexican-style decor, and a super cozy vibe. The food is great (I loved their Buddha bowl), but I mostly came back for the flat white. It’s the place to chill out with a good coffee in hand.

Black Honey Café – This one’s a little more tucked away inland, next to peaceful rice fields. It’s got a calm, quiet vibe, big shaded seating areas, and you can even use the pool. The coffee’s excellent, and their bacon and eggs bagel was my go-to. I also liked their mushroom toast. It’s also laptop-friendly, with plenty of plugs — and they encourage working here, so no weird stares.

The Kip – A local favorite for a reason. It’s a boutique hotel and a brunch café with a beautiful garden setup and lovely service. The coffee is on point, but what I really loved was their build-your-own brunch board. You pick from breads, toppings, dips — it’s simple but so good. A perfect slow morning spot.

Coworking in Ahangama

Coworking in Ahangama is actually a pretty big thing — and to be honest, most beach towns along the south coast of Sri Lanka have at least a few coworking spots. It’s great if you’re working remotely and hopping from town to town. There’s pretty much always somewhere you can set up your laptop with solid Wi-Fi and a coffee.

In Ahangama, there are three proper coworking spaces that stand out: Colive, Nets, and Focus Hub. All three have solid Wi-Fi, decent work setups, and a nice mix of digital nomads coming through.

• Colive is more of a coliving space — so as far as I know, you need to be staying there to use the coworking area.
• Nets and Focus Hub both offer day passes (starting around $10 USD), and you don’t have to stay there to use the space.

Out of those, Nets was definitely my favorite. It had the best vibe, a cool setup, and all the facilities you’d want in a coworking space — fast Wi-Fi, good lighting, air-con, nice seating, and even a bit of a community feel.

Besides the official coworking spaces, there are also a few cafés that are perfect for working from:

• Black Honey Café – Great Wi-Fi, chill setting, and they don’t mind laptops. I used to come here for a few hours of productive work (and their bagel situation is no joke).
• Cafe Ceylon – They have a cute little coworking corner in their café. Super handy if you want to casually work without committing to a full day pass somewhere.

When I stayed in Ahangama long-term, I had a studio apartment with a table, chairs, air conditioning, and good Wi-Fi — so I often just worked from home. But I still loved mixing it up between cafés and coworking spaces, especially for the social side of things.

Yoga in Ahangama

When I first got to Sri Lanka, I actually went straight to Hiriketiya for yoga because I loved the vibe there so much. But then I realized Ahangama also has an incredible yoga scene, with so many amazing studios and shalas around. I’ve written a full guide on the best yoga and Pilates spots in Ahangama, so definitely check that out if you’re planning a longer stay — but here’s a quick rundown.

There are loads of high-quality yoga studios here, and most places offer morning classes around 8 AM. Some of the bigger studios have additional sessions throughout the day. Drop-in classes usually start at around 3,000 LKR (about $10 USD).

The Nuga House is my personal favorite. It’s kind of the full package for me. First of all, the classes themselves are fantastic. Every teacher I had there brought a great flow — easy to follow, but still challenging enough to feel like a proper practice. It always felt like the perfect way to start the day without being too exhausting.

The setting is also beautiful — the jungle-view shala is upstairs and completely open on all sides, so you’re surrounded by trees while you practice. They also have a little pool you’re welcome to use (bring your own towel), and the on-site café makes a seriously good flat white for your post-yoga chill.

My second favorite is The Well, which honestly has a pretty similar vibe to Nuga. Also a beautiful setting, with an open-air shala that might even be slightly bigger and more open than Nuga’s. The flow of the classes is just as good, and they also have a pool to cool off in afterward.

Both places offer beautiful accommodation too — The Nuga House leans more toward boutique hotel vibes, while The Well feels a bit more like a yoga hostel with dorms. Depends on what kind of setup you’re looking for, but either one would be a solid base if you’re planning to practice regularly.

FAQs About my Ahangama Travel Guide

Is visiting Ahangama worth it?

Definitely! It’s laid-back, beautiful, and offers a mix of great food, yoga, and surf without the chaos of bigger tourist spots. A perfect chill beach town.

What are the best places to stay in Ahangama?

Ahangama has some amazing boutique hotels, cozy Airbnbs, and chill resorts. For me, it’s all about those gorgeous design-focused places that make you feel like you’re in paradise without breaking the bank.

Can you surf in Ahangama?

Yep! While Mirissa and Weligama are the main surf spots, there’s still good surfing to be had in Ahangama. Dreamsea is a great little surf retreat here.

How to get from Ahangama to Mirissa?

Easy! It’s a short 20-minute drive or tuk-tuk ride. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, hop on a scooter and cruise there yourself.

Final Thoughts on Everything You Need to Know About Ahangama

And that’s a wrap—my Ahangama 101! I hope this guide gives you all the info you need to start your trip and get a real feel for what this town’s about. I’ve covered the stuff that matters most to me when I roll into a new beach town, so you’re getting the insider scoop on what’s actually important (at least in my book).

I really hope that my experience here in Ahangama could help you at least a little. My intention is for you to be fully prepped and ready to enjoy your time here without the hassle of figuring everything out on the go (trust me, I’ve been there). Happy travels and enjoy Ahangama!

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