It’s a classic story: one quaint fishing village, quickly transformed into a premier beachfront destination and another part of Sri Lanka’s epic backpacking experience. Welcome to Mirissa.
The coastal portion of Mirissa is quite compact. Hostels, bars, and restaurants converge on a small space creating an exciting atmosphere, day and night.
Despite its quick ascension, particularly after the Boxing Day Tsunami, the town is still more tree than tarmac. Beautiful weather, combined with swarms of palm trees, creates a sense of humble paradise.
Headlands, reefs, and rips bring epic surf. It consistency also allows beginners to get into the fun. So bring your board or rent one to catch the waves as the sun sets. Once the town turns dark, the stars sprinkle alongside neon-lathered bars and another long night in Mirissa begins.
Mirissa ticks all the backpacking boxes. There’s charm and culture. It’s beautiful, but just edgy enough. There’s action in the surf, diving, and whale watching, with enough drinks to get around.
The best hostels in Mirissa allow you to experience the heights of the town. They may even partake in the fun themselves, with daily events and rooftop hangouts.
This comprehensive list will help you find the BEST hostel in Mirissa where you can kickstart your adventures. Let’s get into it.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Mirissa
- Best Overall Hostel in Mirissa – JJ’s Hostel
- Most Affordable Hostel in Mirissa – Why Not Backpackers
- Biggest Party Hostel in Mirissa – Space Garden Hostel
- Great Dorm for Couples in Mirissa – Babylon Mirissa
- Epic Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mirissa – Hostel First
Best Hostels in Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Like Ken would say, in Mirissa “life is beach”. The best hostels in town place you close to the ivory shores, while also ensuring you can immerse yourself in Mirissa’s other speciality: nightlife.
JJ’s Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Mirissa
Stepping into JJ’s Hostel for the first time, you’ll quickly sense why it’s my top pick. The boutique hostel offers backpackers in Sri Lanka a dose of luxury without losing value.
Set five minutes from the shores of the idyllic Mirrisa Beach, you’ll quickly set your watch to island time. Once checked in with your bags dropped you can truly embrace the hostel’s relaxed spirit. The communal space is part wide open garden, part alang-alang bungalow, which invites lounging by the pool or interacting with backpackers from around the globe.
As the daily transition of travelers leaving and arriving reaches its zenith, JJ’s social strengths become clearer. The rooftop terraces start to fill out, the conversations soar and the anticipation for the night’s activities heightens. Your lively staff put on their chef hats for BBQ nights, lead board game evenings, and guide the hostel’s memorable bunch of backpacking misfits from bar to bar.
Why You’ll Love This Hostel:
- Delux Rooms
- Clean, Modern Dorms
- Close to Town
JJ’s Hostel is just minutes from the beach and the most happening parts of Mirissa. But for all the fun and games that lie beyond the hostel confines, you’ll never be sad to return to JJ’s.
It’s among my absolute favourite hostels in Sir Lanka because it’s purpose-built. The building, rooftop, open spaces, and pool were meant to give you a top-shelf hostel experience.
There’s nothing old and rickety about JJ’s. The dorm rooms don’t feel packed, you’ll even find seating areas to get to know your fellow bunkmates. Travellers seeking a social hostel with the opportunity to mentally check out early will also have the option of the lovely, deluxe private rooms.
Why Not Backpackers – Most Affordable Hostel in Mirissa
If you still prefer shaving off a few dollars per night, then Why Not Backpackers is the answer. Here fun and budget-friendly go hand in hand. But nothing about this backpacker haunt feels cheap. At least as far as hostels go.
Walking out into the sun-soaked patio where beanbags are draped across the stone, grass floor, is like stepping into your favourite bar. With that first hello, the ensuing, traditional questions, and that one guy trying to guess your accent, you’ll quickly feel a part of it.
If you haven’t figured it out already, Why Not Backpackers is the kind of place that sucks you in. They have a Wall of Lies. The first point? “I am checking out tomorrow”. Did I write that? I may as well have.
For all the money you can save staying here, it probably goes back into the hostel’s accounts in another way. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Why You’ll Love This Hostel:
- Easily Accessible
- Clean, Spacious Dorms
- Tons of Events
Travel can be hectic, which is why this hostel’s easy accessibility sets you up for success. You’ll be a short 200m walk (Tuk Tuk if you’re feeling lazy) from the bus station so you won’t arrive all sweaty and out of breath. Plus, you’re basically on the main drag, with the beach and its nightlife just minutes away.
Yes, if you come here you’ll want to ensure you’re ready to chat it up and have one too many Lion Lagers. But the range of room options will help get you ready for round two. There are multiple smaller, 4 and 6-bed dorms, spread across large rooms. Travellers can also choose private, standard/deluxe double and king rooms.
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View on Osprey View on REISpace Garden Hostel – Biggest Party Hostel in Mirissa
I’ve probably dug myself a large hole by talking up the party aspect of JJ’s. Could the Space Garden really hold that mantle? Well, yes, dear backpackers, and let me tell you why: Planets, Stars & Space.
Maybe that’s just me nerding out. But there’s something unique about this hostel that takes the party up a notch. I’ve been to many a party hostel, but I haven’t been to many places like the Space Garden Hostel.
Beyond the dorms, which are simple and comfortable, the hostel embraces the cosmos. Whether that be the decor, the wallpaper, or the cosmic lights that dazzle on the rooftop terrace at night. The Space Garden is great for solo travelers and groups of friends. The large, rooftop space is the place to be at night. I even snuck in when I wasn’t a guest.
Why You’ll Love This Hostel:
- Big Free Breakfast
- Bike Hire
- Awesome Staff
We know about how it all goes down after dark. But during the day, life here is about sharing hilarious travel tales and hostel stories. The spacious lounging areas and swaying hammocks become a space to interact and cultivate friendships before the evening beers flow.
The dorms are simple, yet come with a decent curtain to create that pod-like experience and a sense of privacy we all crave. They are bigger than some of my other favorite hostels in Mirissa. But they come with large storage spaces, reading lights, and adjacent outlets. After a big night on the roof or out on the town, the bed curtains come in clutch.
Now awake, you can indulge in the hostel’s hearty free breakfast in a sweet dining space. And if this is your first time visiting Sri Lanka, the staff can then help arrange bike hire, adventures, or onward travel.
Babylon Mirissa – Great Dorm for Couples in Mirissa
A backpacker with a cannon for an arm could throw a ball between Babylon Mirissa and the waters of Mirissa Beach. That would be one way to impress (or annoy) your partner, in a place that is great for travelling couples. Babylon Mirissa offers couples (plus groups/solo adventurers) a laid-back, intimate experience.
Backpackers will be met with welcoming hospitality and will certainly be more refreshed than at other party spots. A major part of this is the open, shady lawn.
Flanked by tables and umbrellas, this is the spot to hang when not at the beach or catching a wave. Meet your fellow hostel goers, grab one of the board games, or plank yourself under the shade with a good book.
Why You’ll Love This Hostel:
- Nice Private Rooms
- Helpful Staff
- Close to Everything
So you’ve spent a day at Babylon Mirissa. Maybe you’ve caught a few waves at the beach a stone’s throw away. Maybe you also ventured off the beaten track to explore Mirissa’s hidden gems. Now you get to really enjoy what this hostel is all about.
Couples will love waking up with a sense of privacy and space. The deluxe queen. and double beds come complete with an air of romance rare in hostels. This isn’t just a big bed added in to make use of a small room. These spaces feel like a leaf out of a beachy hotel.
Colourful decor, wooden accents, and bed posts help to complete the image. Then there’s the private bathrooms with potted plants. What, am I staying at the Radisson?!
It’s not just couples that are well-served here. Travelling groups will be intrigued by the deluxe quadruple rooms. These come with a duo of bunks and a double bed. Enjoy figuring out who gets the double.
Hostel First – Epic Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mirissa
Travelling with a laptop and a surfboard? Save some time and book a bed at Hostel First. Free breakfast, daily yoga, a dose of great waves, and a deadline. There’s a lot to be said about the work/life balance you can strike here.
The communal spaces at Hostel First are varied. There are wide open indoor areas lined with plush bean bags for when you want to type away in utter comfort and awkward posture, just as I am now.
What makes Hostel First the best hostel for digital nomads is its social atmosphere. Maybe it’s the colours of the walls, the bright-coloured kitchen tiles or the airy dorms, there’s a sense of joy here. So after ticking off the day’s gigs, you don’t have to wander far to enjoy the company of others.
Why You’ll Love This Hostel:
- Large Dorms
- Great Events Schedule
- Laundry Services
Whether you’re settling in for a lengthy stay or planning a short excursion to Mirissa, Hostel First has great dorms and large private rooms.
Although the dorms are simple (you can forget the pod vibes), they only feature two bunks, either mixed or female-only. The colours tap into the beach spirit of Mirissa with the abundance of natural light and floor space allowing the room to provide a semblance of home.
As for the private spaces, the deluxe double beds, personal bathrooms, and ample storage space allow for complete separation from the world around you.
The outdoor spaces welcome movie nights, cooking classes, themed dinners, live tunes, and shared experiences. With some random techno tunes not overpowering the scene, you can settle in for good conversations, around the table or BBQ as you work out whether to prioritize the evening or the early morning surf.
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Hide Yo’ Money!Other Hostels in Mirissa
I know how picky we are about the hostels we stay in. They’re more than just places to sleep; they shape the people we meet and the experiences we have. Here are other hostels in Mirissa, guaranteed to enhance your stay in the city!
Sun & Moon Hostel
Just out of my top five hostels in Mirissa, Sun & Moon Hostel, could easily be your chosen destination due to its mix of style and comfort. Like JJ’s, there’s an air of sophistication with this hostel, without it asking for an exorbitant price.
Surrounded by what could only be described as coastal jungle, the swaying palms create a sense of serenity, a hostel tucked away from it all.
A common theme here in Mirissa, the dorms are simple. Yet again space is prioritized over having too many beds. Guests will also become fond of the linen and blankets which can help overcome the groaning of the top bunk.
The rooms are linked by an exterior balcony, great for stepping just outside your room for fresh air and views. But to really get among that action, Sun & Moon’s rooftop is one of the best in town.
Sun loungers are spread across the sun-soaked roof. Bar stools envelop the bamboo bar, where you sit moments from sipping on your favourite cocktail.
The Hostel
One of the newest hostels in Mirissa, The Hostel (a bit braggy, but I digress) is clean, modern, and ticks the boxes. The bunks may seem like a step back to the ’90s, yet they are very comfortable, especially when you consider the cool stream of the a/c lapping your sleeping self.
The kitchen is fitted with all you need to cook up your go-to meals, whether that be chicken cordon bleu or instant ramen. Speaking of ramen, each room comes with its own kettle, so if you just don’t feel like departing the dorm, eat dinner (or breakfast?) in bed like a real king or queen.
Close to Mirissa’s central bus stop, it’s easy to access The Hostel. Plus, with the beach just a 5-minute walk away, you can catch a few waves, cook up a big breakfast (there’s also an espresso machine), and ask the staff for tips to enjoy the afternoon.
If you feel like staying put, head out to the terrace, get some laundry done, or call up your dormmate for a friendship-destroying board game.
Satori Beach Hostel
There are some amazing Mirissa hostels. Some focus on the party. Some have great rooftops, dorms, or terraces. Others are great for digital nomads. But only ONE lies on the beachfront.
Forget walking even 100 meters to the sand and surf, wake up with the sounds of the waves, the sun pouring in and the sand so close you can almost touch it. And that’s not all—Mirissa offers more than just beachside bliss.
Situated strategically along the migration paths of numerous whale and dolphin species, this coastal town is renowned for its whale-watching opportunities.
Satoria Beach Hostel offers four levels of waterfront views. Whether you got a private room or “settled” for the dorm, you’ll wake up with splendid vistas that simply won’t compute be the norm for the regular broke backpacker. Did I mention the dorm’s private balcony? Oh yeah, there is that too!
But the fun isn’t over, after a morning swim, head to the rooftop for a spot of yoga or find fellow travellers at the restaurant, bar, and beachfront chillout lounge. Wherever the day takes you, everyone converges in the common area for the Satori Family Dinner, followed by the evening’s social events.
What To Pack For Your Mirissa Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
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Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
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Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Hostels in Mirissa FAQs
Here’s what people usually ask me when they look for hostels in Mirissa.
How much do hostels in Mirissa cost?
Hostels in Mirssa are certainly on the low end. Dorms tend to set you back between $8 and $12 USD. Private rooms hover around $30 USD and above, although I’ve found the private rooms here in Mirissa to be of a high standard. Of course, it all depends on your definition of cheap.
What are the best hostels in Mirissa for couples?
I recommend Babylon for couples seeking a private room or are fine with shacking up in the dorms. Either rooms provide comfort, style, and a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. For something similar, with a bit more going on, check out JJ’s Hostel.
What is the best hostel in Mirissa near the airport?
If you’re flying into Sri Lanka, you’ll likely land at Bandaranaike Aiport, outside of Colombo. You could then fly to Koggola Airport, but the most common way to reach Mirissa is via train or bus to Welligama. You can then bus or tuk-tuk to your hotel. If you stick with public transport, the Space Garden Hostel and Why Not are closest to a bus stop.
Travel Safety Tips for Mirissa
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Over To You
Like all hostels worth their salt, the Mirissa iterations celebrate what makes the town so special. The dorms are full of natural light and they aren’t packed to the brim. There’s plenty of outdoor space, with a mix of terraces, lawns, and shady gardens.
Mirissa’s hostels embody a vibrant social spirit. Some places go above and beyond, ensuring your memories are filled with fun, others offer the freedom to relax or engage in lively conversations as you please.
While my absolute favorite JJ’s Hostel, has something for everyone, creating the most well-rounded hostel experience in town.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Sri Lanka for a wealth of info!
- Planning out an itinerary for Sri Lanka is a great way to maximise your time.
- Plan your road trip around the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka to visit.
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Sri Lanka covered.
- This guide to the National Parks of Sri Lanka will also help you plan your itinerary
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
