The Best Things to Do in Hiriketiya: A Mini Guide With My Top 8 Activities

Since a lot of people are starting to plan their next vacation, surf trip, or backpacking adventure to Sri Lanka this coming season, I thought it was the perfect time to put a few more helpful travel guides out there.

Hiriketiya Beach is definitely one of my favorite places in Sri Lanka, actually, probably my favorite by a mile. But recently, I’ve had people tell me they didn’t like it, were “bored,” and felt like there was nothing to do there. First of all… so rude. And second, that alone gave me the perfect reason to put together another travel guide on the best things to do in Hiriketiya.

I spent over a month in Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka, and while I know it’s not the most adrenaline-packed place to stay, it’s a beach town, and there’s actually a ton to do if you know where to look. So here’s my mini guide on the best things to do in Hiriketiya, including some of my favorite activities and a few personal tips.

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The Best Things to Do in Hiriketiya: A Mini Guide With My Top 8 Activities

Things to Do in Hiriketiya – My Experience

Ok, so Hiriketiya Beach is a beach town, obviously, so there’s only so much to do, right? But honestly, I had the best time when I was there. I was working from my laptop at the time, so I just wanted a nice place to stay for a month or so while also having some fun, and Hiriketiya was perfect for that.

I took loads of surf lessons (which was so much fun), and I also tried to get more into yoga which is huge here. The Salt House is my absolute favorite yoga studio in Hiriketiya, and I definitely recommend checking it out.

For such a small place, Hiriketiya also has an incredible food scene, with so many good cafes and restaurants. And, super randomly, it even has one of the Top 50 Bars in Asia, Smoke & Bitters.

Hiriketiya also has a really unique nightlife vibe these days, with secret jungle raves and parties that definitely weren’t a thing a few years back. Now they’re happening all the time, and it’s amazing.

Besides all the things to do in Hiriketiya itself, there are also some great day trips. Yala National Park is only about 90 minutes away, and you can easily book a tour from here or just ride your own tuk-tuk or scooter.

So yeah, I personally think there are loads of fun things to do in Hiriketiya, and I had an amazing time living there.

1. Go Surfing in Hiriketiya

Surfing is a huge thing in Hiriketiya Bay, it’s honestly the main reason most people come here in the first place. I personally took about 10 lessons and then kinda called it quits… it’s just so hard to actually get better (at least for me).

But if you’re into it (or want to give it a shot), there are loads of surf schools right on the beach, plus some really cool surf camps. The Salty Pelican is a beautiful yoga and surf camp right by the beach, and Kima Surf Hiriketiya is a bit further back in the jungle but has a stunning property. I actually wish I had stayed there when I was in town.

2. Join a Yoga Class in Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya has a few really cool yoga studios that I actually really enjoyed. It doesn’t have as many options as Ahangama, but it’s also a much smaller town, so that makes sense.

I tried yoga at The Salt House and at Dots Bay House, and both were super fun. The shalas at both places are elevated with direct views into the jungle, which I thought was really cool.

Classes here usually cost around 3,000 LKR and are open for anyone to drop in. So if you’re in Hiriketiya, I definitely recommend giving it a go.

3. Eat at the Best Cafes and Restaurants in Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya restaurants are some of the best I’ve been to, and I was actually surprised by how good they were.

My favorite place, where I pretty much went every morning for a flat white, was Mond Cafe. My favorite pizza was at Bacuzzi, which is right by the beach (way better pizza than at La Playa, in my opinion).

Then there’s Raa, which I actually haven’t been to myself since they only opened last season, but they do traditional Sri Lankan cuisine in a more elevated, modern way, which is super cool.

And for a proper local place to eat, I always loved Lemon grass Cafe. Super chill and always tasty and cheap.

4. Take a Day Trip to Yala National Park

My favorite national park I visited in Sri Lanka was definitely Yala National Park. We did a morning safari there, saw the sunrise inside the park, loads of elephants, and even a leopard, which apparently is really rare, so I felt super lucky.

Hiriketiya is way closer to the Yala national park than Mirissa or Ahangama, so it’s much easier to do a safari from here. There are loads of different tours you can book, I usually book mine through GetYourGuide.

One thing I thought was really cool is that a lot of tour companies offer a transfer option. So you’ll get picked up in Hiriketiya, go to Yala National Park, and then after the safari, they’ll drop you off in Ella instead of back in Hiriketiya. I thought that was a super convenient way to do it, two birds, one stone.

5. Join a Jungle Rave in Hiriketiya

In recent years, the nightlife in Hiriketiya has actually picked up quite a bit, to my surprise, to be honest. Years ago, Hiriketiya was definitely the quietest beach town out of all the popular tourist spots in Sri Lanka.

But nowadays, they have these secret jungle raves, which are amazing and kinda reminded me of parties in Mexico. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to go to one myself, but it honestly looks awesome.

So if you get the chance, definitely check them out and then let me know how it was!

6. Have Drinks at Smoke & Bitters in Hiriketiya

I’m only mentioning this because it’s such a special little bar to check out. I mean, how often do you get the chance to hang out at a beach bar that’s actually one of the Top 50 Bars in all of Asia? That’s so awesome.

I went there a couple of times when I was in Hiriketiya, and honestly, I get it. The cocktails here are super creative, and the vibe is just fun, it definitely deserves that spot on the list.

Their food is amazing too. The last time I went, I had smoked and slow-cooked goat meat tacos, and they were delicious. It’s a little more expensive, of course, but only slightly pricier than other restaurants in Hiriketiya, so it’s still totally affordable for most tourists.

7. Take a Day Trip to Udawalawe National Park

If you think Yala National Park might be a little too touristy, or if you’ve already been to Yala and want to try another safari, then Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka is a great alternative. It’s not too far from Hiriketiya either, so it’s totally doable as a day trip.

The main difference between this one and Yala is that sightings of leopards here are much less likely. But in Udawalawe, you’re way more likely to see massive herds of elephants, which is pretty cool. Unlike in Yala, where you’ll usually see just a few elephants at a time (maybe 1–4), in Udawalawe you might see dozens together.

8. Visit Wewrukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya

Ok, so I actually didn’t make it here myself, but I wanted to include it since it’s one of the most interesting things to do near Hiriketiya if you’re up for a little cultural detour.

Wewrukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple about 20 minutes from Hiriketiya. The main highlight is the absolutely massive seated Buddha statue, it’s around 50 meters tall and is actually the tallest one in Sri Lanka.

FAQs About What to Do in Hiriketiya Sri Lanka

How to get from Colombo to Hiriketiya?

I personally always order a Grab for this journey since it’s the easiest option, even though it’s definitely the most expensive. But there are also buses and trains running from Colombo Fort Station to Hiriketiya (Wewrukannala) if you’re on more of a budget.

What are the best things to do in Hiriketiya at night?

Definitely go for a drink at Smoke & Bitters, or on the weekends, head to one of the secret jungle raves.

Is Hiriketiya Beach Sri Lanka worth visiting?

Absolutely. It’s my favorite beach town in all of Sri Lanka, it’s super relaxed, has a beautiful beach, great surf, and just an all-around amazing vibe.

What are the best Hiriketiya restaurants?

I’d say Smoke & Bitters, of course. But I also love Bacuzzi for their pizza, the owner is Italian, super friendly, and the pizza is delicious.

Do You have a Sri Lanka Travel Guide & Sri Lanka Itinerary?

Yep, I have a full Sri Lanka Travel Guide you can check out right here!

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Hiriketiya Beach Sri Lanka

I know Hiriketiya isn’t the most activity-packed place out there, but it’s a beach town, they’re all like that.

Surfing is the main thing here, as well as yoga, and the nightlife has actually picked up a lot over the past two years. So those people who thought it was boring might actually enjoy it more now.

I love Hiriketiya, and I can’t wait to go back soon (I already have a trip planned, guys). I hope this guide on the best things to do in Hiriketiya Beach Sri Lanka helped you get a better idea of what there is to do.