Weligama is one of my favourite places along the south coast of Sri Lanka. It’s the sweet spot between being surfy and chill, but having all the conveniences you could need. There’s a supermarket, bus/ train stations and more restaurants than you can count serving rice and curry.
It’s also built up enough in terms of tourism that you can also find a decent burger, cocktail, oat milk coffee or ice bath. Not to mention, it’s easily the best place for beginner surfers, and there are solid intermediate and advanced waves nearby.
As you can probably imagine, it attracts A LOT of travellers, and luckily, it seems to have enough backpacker pads to host us all. Most of the hostels have a chill-surfy vibe, are close to the beach and offer some sort of workspace (as Weligama attracts the nomads!)
I’ve visited Weligama four times since my first visit to Sri Lanka in 2019, so I’ve stayed in my fair share of hostels! So, lean in as I take you through my favourites 🙂
In a hurry? Here are my top hostel picks in Weligama
Let’s take a closer look at each hostel
I’ve rounded up the coolest hostels in Weligama to stay while backpacking in Sri Lanka. Whether you’re a surfer looking for the closest bed to the beach or a digital nomad in need of solid Wi-Fi, I’ve got ya. Let’s dive right in!
1. The Spindrift Hostel – Best Overall Hostel
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Price: $$
Best for: Digital nomads, solo travellers, long‑term backpackers, surfers
Highlights: Coworking‑friendly spaces, great Wi‑Fi, clean modern rooms, social events, rooftop hangouts, 5‑minute walk to the beach
Dorms from: $15 USD
Private rooms: $27 USD
Location: Central Weligama – close to cafes, surf schools, restaurants and the beach
Situated just moments from the beach, it’s easy to see why The Spindrift Hostel is a favourite hostel in Weligama. In a few steps, you’re on the sand! It’s a purpose-built hostel, which might sound standard, but a lot of hostels are converted houses. It just means that everything feels more intentional. Big beds, plenty of space, decent lockers and common spaces.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Super central location in Weligama
- Coworking spaces and solid Wi-Fi
- Retro-themed games room with PlayStation or Wii
With heaps of chill-out areas, outdoor spaces, and balconies, you’ll never run out of opportunities to meet fellow backpackers. It’s the kind of place that suits a traveller who wants to spend their days surfing in the morning, working or chillin’ in the afternoon and grabbing dinner with new friends in the evening. There is a rooftop hangout area, and they run social events, so it’s great for solo travellers.
2. Happy Hammocks – Best Social Hostel
Price: $$
Best for: Chill backpackers, long‑term travellers, hammock-lovers and surfers who like peace over parties!
Highlights: Just a few steps from the beach, jungle surf vibe, lots of hammocks, communal kitchen
Dorms from: $10 USD
Private rooms: $20 USD
Location: On the Weligama to Midigama stretch of road
If you’re travelling solo or with a small group, you want to make sure you’re staying in a social spot. Happy Hammocks is the place to be. They have a super social vibe, but aren’t a party hostel. They have plenty of activities to get involved in, like beach volleyball, movie nights and beer pong tournaments. Plus, their family dinners are legendary.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Just a few steps from the beach and restaurants
- Nice community vibe without pressure to party
- Chill areas and plenty of hammocks
Happy Hammocks couldn’t be in a better location, steps from the beach, the centre of town and the bus station, making it the ideal base for travellers. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to hitting the waves, Happy Hammocks can help arrange lessons and rentals to help you hit the water with confidence. Plus, after a big day in the surf, you can come back to clean and comfortable dorm rooms with air conditioning. All beds have blackout curtains and a personal locker.
3. Hangtime Hostel – Best for Ocean Views
Price: $$
Best for: Solo travellers, surfers, digital nomads, social backpackers
Highlights: Rooftop cafe with ocean views, 1-minute walk to the beach, surf lessons, yoga classes, coworking-friendly spaces, great food, super social vibe
Dorms from: $37 USD
Private rooms: $9 USD
Location: Prime spot on Weligama’s beach road, just steps from the main surf break, cafes, and restaurants
With stylish and comfortable bunk-beds made from old Sri Lankan fishing boats, Hangtime has found an excellent way to not only honour Sri Lanka’s tradition but ensure guests’ convenience, too. Aside from traditional local meals, at the restaurant you can order sushi, pizza, salads, and fresh fruit juices.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Social but not mega party vibes
- Rooftop cafe with epic ocean views
- The cafe is laptop-friendly, so good for nomads
Look out over the tropical horizon from its rooftop position, and sip a cold drink as the sunsets. They run daily surf lessons, yoga classes and social events that make it really easy to meet people without the pressure to go out and party.
4. The Surf Hostel Weligama – Best Budget Hostel
Price: $
Best for: Solo travellers, surfy backpackers, social travellers, budget-conscious
Highlights: 550m from Weligama Beach, daily surf events, in-house cafe, partnerships with Be Cool Surf Camp, super social vibe, close to the train and bus stations.
Dorms from: $8 USD
Private rooms: $22 USD
Location: 550m (8‑minute walk) from Weligama’s main surf beach; next to the bus station and close to the train station
The Surf Hostel Weligama is just a few minutes from bus and train stations, so travelling to town and other nearby areas is fast and convenient – and, of course, it’s close to the beach. The staff are super friendly and will be happy to assist you in organising any additional services, including tuk-tuk rides, tours and hitting the waves.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Daily surf events with discounts on lessons
- Social vibes make it easy to meet people
- Walking distance to the beach
Guests can choose from private, mixed and female dorm rooms that are thematically designed, have air-conditioning, hot water, as well as individual lockers big enough to fit backpacks. The Surf Hostel is a chilled, friendly place to meet other travellers and plenty of spaces to relax, including the outdoor garden and indoor common area, where it’s highly likely you’ll find someone with a guitar playing Wonderwall.
5. Elsewhere Surf Camp & Fitness Resort – Best for Digital Nomads
- Price: $$$
- Best for: Solo travellers, surfers, fitness lovers, social backpackers, digital nomads
- Highlights: Beachfront location, 2x daily surf sessions, rooftop bar, pool, ice-bath gym & yoga studio, nightly events, coworking space, all-inclusive surf camp option
- Dorms from: $17 USD
- Private rooms from: $92 USD
- Location: 50m from Weligama Beach, walking distance to surf breaks and cafes
Elsewhere is a newer addition to the hostel scene in Weligama, and it’s a bloody good one. It’s a super social surf and fitness resort – smack bang on Weligama Beach. It has an included air-conditioned co-working space with solid WiFi, so it’s ideal for the nomad traveller who also needs to work between surfs.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free A/C coworking space with solid Wi-Fi
- Daily surf lessons and events
- Swimming pool, ice bath, yoga and more.
It’s the kinda of place where you still start your day with sunrise yoga or a barista-made coffee on the rooftop, followed by two surf sessions a day. The nights are just as fun with themed dinners, nightly events and Friday DJs. The vibes are super social, and it has a real community feel to it.
Grab Yo Self Some Insurance
If you travel for long enough, things can go wrong. Tuk Tuks break down, luggage can get lost, and reef cuts can require a trip to the local hospital. Believe me, it’s a lot nicer to pass that bill over to the insurance company.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Still not sure where to stay in Weligama?
And there you have it, folks, the coolest hostels in Weligama! By now, you should have a good idea of what you can expect from hostels in the area and have narrowed down your choices. Undoubtedly, Weligama deserves more than just a day of exploration, and if you want your stay to be comfortable, convenient, and unforgettable, finding the perfect host is key!
If you still can’t make up your mind, I can highly recommend The Spindrift Hostel. It’s a chill set-up, close to the beach with daily social activities. If you need to get some work done during your stay, it has your back with a co-working space, too! You can’t go wrong 🙂
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Sri Lanka for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Sri Lanka covered.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
