The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka 2024

If you’re a digital nomad like us, you know just how crucial it is to find that perfect spot to call home for a bit. Somewhere with lightning-fast WiFi, cozy workspaces, and a community of like-minded folks can make all the difference in your productivity and overall remote working experience.

We’ve all been there—stuck in a noisy hostel in some random beach town in Southeast Asia or South America, suddenly needing to jump on a call or attend a work meeting amidst all the chaos. To make your life a bit easier, we’ve put together a guide on “The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka.”

In this guide, we’ll share our top picks for co-living and co-working spaces for digital nomads across southern Sri Lanka and the south coast. These are the places we’ve loved, tried, and tested, and we’re excited to share them with you! Whether you’re looking for a relaxed and quite work retreat or a fun community hub, we’ve got you covered.

The 6 Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka

What is the Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka?

Of course, you’re dreaming of becoming a digital nomad and joining that amazing digital nomad community, or maybe you already are one but just don’t know where to start. Well, you’re in the right place! We’ve put together a list of the best digital nomad accommodations in Sri Lanka.

We’ve zeroed in on coworking and co-living spaces because they’re essential for the digital nomad lifestyle. Sure, you could work from any hotel room or guesthouse, but we’re after more than just a place to make video calls. We’re talking about connectivity, a digital nomad community, and a comfy workspace – the trifecta of digital nomad success.

So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure. Let’s dive into the best spots where you can work, live, and connect with fellow nomads!

The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Colive

One of the most popular coworking spots in Ahangama, and definitely one of our favorites, is Colive. It’s just a hop away from the beach and has some awesome facilities that make working there super comfortable. We especially loved how spacious the whole place is. The rooms and common areas never feel cramped, which I think is super important.

Colive definitely scores points with its amenities, including a huge outdoor pool—a great bonus since the beach in Ahangama isn’t really swimmable. You’ll also get a garden and terrace, a bar, a restaurant, a big co-working space, and a communal kitchen.

They only have different types of private rooms here, no dorms, but they’re pretty affordable and all come with a desk if you need some peace and quiet while working.

Of course, the WiFi here is blazing fast, which is kind of a given, so I won’t mention it again in the following sections. Plus, you get free bike rentals here, which is definitely another huge plus.

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Outpost Weligama

Outpost is arguably the best coworking spot in Sri Lanka right now. Working and relaxing in Weligama, just 10 minutes from Ahangama and Mirissa, it’s the ideal place if you’re looking for a touch of luxury during your stay.

Some of you might already know Outpost since they have a few locations in Bali, and now they’ve landed in Sri Lanka with this little gem in Weligama. If you haven’t heard about Outpost yet, let me tell you, it’s in a league of its own, feeling more like a 5-star hotel than just a co working space.

The space itself is modern and spacious, drenched in natural light. They’ve got different membership options depending on how often you’re planning to use the space, and private offices are available if you need some extra privacy.

They offer awesome extras like yoga classes and surf lessons to help you enjoy Sri Lanka after a day of work. And if you’re in the mood to socialize, there’s always a community dinner or happy hour where you can connect with other nomads.

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Dots Bay House

Next up is Dots Bay House! Now, this one isn’t exactly a coliving space, but they do have a coworking area, so I think it still counts!

Dots Bay House is a hostel in Hiriketiya on Sri Lanka’s south coast, and let me tell you, it’s one of the coolest spots if you’re after some chill vibes, good surfing, and yoga. Hiriketiya isn’t super touristy, especially compared to Mirissa or Weligama, which makes it quite peaceful.

The coworking area has great WiFi and is super quiet, perfect for getting some work done. The hostel itself offers surf lessons, thanks to its beachside location, and they have yoga classes every morning in their upstairs yoga shala. The whole place has such an awesome vibe with its outdoor garden area, swimming pool, and bar/restaurant, where they serve delicious food and drinks.

However, I’d recommend Dots Bay House mainly if you don’t have a strict nine-to-five job, because it’s more hostel than coliving space (their daily activities and events can be a bit distracting). But if you’re freelancing a bit on the side or only working part-time, it’s definitely one of my top picks.

If you want to find out more about Dots Bay House and other cool spots in Hiriketiya, check out our guide on ‘Where to Stay in Hiriketiya.’

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Nets Cowork & Colive

If you’re looking for a spot that’s super cozy and has a great vibe, then Nets Cowork & Colive is the place for you. Located in Ahangama, the whole property feels like a boutique hotel. With around 15 rooms, it’s never too crowded but still big enough to make some friends and socialize.

Nets offers awesome community areas with a shared lounge, communal kitchen, an outdoor swimming pool, and a super chill rooftop terrace overlooking the jungle. Their coworking area is spacious with high-speed internet, perfect for getting some work done.

The cool thing is you can either just book a room and use their facilities, or go for the full package with breakfast and activities included, which is great if you’re focusing on exploring Sri Lanka and socializing. They even include a trip to Yala National Park, which was our highlight in Sri Lanka, so definitely thumbs up for this.

Another little bonus is that the whole place is owned and run by women, which is awesome and just adds to the overall welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Verse Collective

I’d say Collective in southern Sri Lanka is probably the biggest of all the coworking spots. Verse Collective is tucked away in a chill part of Hiriketiya, right on the beach. Seriously, you can see and hear the ocean from your workspace. How cool is that?

The place is huge and packed with awesome stuff to help you work or play. There’s an open coworking area with privacy booths for calls and some downtime. They’ve got an indoor shop and tattoo studio, plus a big outdoor area with a cafe and a small half-pipe for skate and surf fans. The accommodations range from dorms to private rooms, and there’s even a kitchen if you feel like whipping up your own dinner.

Recently, they opened a new spot just 5 minutes down the road called The Rez. It’s an apartment building with multiple 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, each with a kitchen, living area, balcony, and bedroom with en suite. We stayed here, and it’s definitely the better option for couples wanting to stay long-term. You can still use all the facilities at the main location too!

In the low season, it can get pretty quiet, so if you’re looking to socialize a lot, places in Ahangama or Mirissa might be better. But if you’re traveling during high season, Verse Collective hosts loads of events like markets and parties, making it perfect to meet new people.

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka: Clics Hiriketiya

Another great little spot is Clics in Hiriketiya! What people love most about this place is its cozy vibe. It feels more like living in a big share house than staying at a hotel. Clics offers a mix of private rooms and dorms, plus they have a communal kitchen and chill-out area where you can meet other digital nomads or just unwind after a day’s work.

The atmosphere at Clics is super laid-back and friendly. The staff are always on hand to help with anything you need, whether it’s finding the best local food spots or organizing surf lessons. And speaking of surfing, Hiriketiya is known for its great waves, so if you’re into that, this is definitely the place to be.

One downside to Clics is that they don’t offer a dedicated co working space. So, if you need a quiet place to work during the day, you might have to find another spot nearby. However, pretty much everyone staying here is a digital nomad, so the communal areas are often used by people getting work done on their laptops. All the rooms come with desks and great Sri Lanka Telecom WiFi, so you can always just stay in your spacious room and get plenty of work done that way.

However, Hiriketiya is home to plenty of restaurants, cheap local places and cafes where you’re more than welcome to bring your laptop and get some work done. For more info, check out our guide on ‘The Best Restaurants in Hiriketiya‘.

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The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka – Frequently Asked Questions

🔒 Is Sri Lanka safe?

Totally! From our experience, Sri Lanka is a very safe chill place to travel and live. The locals are super welcoming and friendly, and there’s a great sense of community. If you’re a digital nomad planning to stay a while, you’ll feel at home in no time. Just use common sense and take the usual precautions, like you would anywhere else.

🍛 What is Sri Lankan food like?

Sri Lankan food is an amazing blend of Indian, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese cuisines. It’s packed with spices and flavors, with curries, rotis, and hoppers being the go-to dishes. I absolutely adore Sri Lankan street food, especially because it’s super vegetarian-friendly. And if you’re in southern Sri Lanka, you’ll find plenty of modern, western-style cafes (almost like in Bali) where you can get your fix of avocado toast, smoothie bowls, and incredible coffee.

💰 Is Sri Lanka expensive?

It depends on your lifestyle. If you’re a budget traveler, you can get by with around $25-35 USD per day. But if you’re looking to colive in a digital nomad hotspot and enjoy more of the luxury side of things, expect to spend around $40-60 USD per day (including accommodation, food, and activities). Either way, Sri Lanka is definitely way cheaper than most Western countries.

🤔 Do I need a digital nomad visa?

Yes, if you’re planning to stay in Sri Lanka for more than 30 days you will need a digital nomad visa. There is a few different ways of doing this. You can apply for a tourist visa online and extend it twice, each time for a maximum of 90 days. There’s also the option of getting a business visa, which is valid for up to six months and allows you to work remotely while in the country. However, keep in mind that you’ll need proof of sufficient funds and may be required to show your work contract or client agreements. You can easily apply on the official government website by just clicking here.

The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Sri Lanka – Final Words

All in all, Sri Lanka is one of the most up-and-coming destinations for digital nomads. It hits the sweet spot between affordability, connectivity, and culture. Whether you choose to stay in one of the major cities like Colombo or a chill beach town like Mirissa or Weligama, you’ll find plenty of awesome accommodation options perfect for digital nomads.

We stayed on Sri Lanka’s south coast (so not the northern and eastern parts) for over 3 months and absolutely loved this little tropical paradise! Honestly, we preferred it over other digital nomad destinations like Bali. I hope this guide on the best digital nomad accommodation in Sri Lanka helps you plan your stay in this beautiful country. And hey, don’t forget to try the local food, explore the stunning beaches, and dive into the rich culture of Sri Lanka while living your best digital nomad life!

ABOUT US

Oliver and Carae

We are Oliver and Carae, the faces behind Girl on a Zebra. We set out to create a blog that brings a little bit of wild and a whole lot of adventure to our readers. We are throwing out the traditional influencer mold and instead, showing you the real, raw, and exotic side of travel.