Weligama is the latest hip destination for tourists in Sri Lanka with aspirations to become the South Beach of the country.
The beach resort area has seen an influx of boutique hotels, restaurants and spas in recent years. The authorities have been investing heavily in the area, restoring older buildings and landscaping roadsides.
Tourist numbers have doubled since 2010 with more than 100,000 visitors arriving last year to visit the hotels, resorts, and shops along the 17km stretch of the main road. The resort appears to be catering to the younger, affluent travellers, like a quieter South Beach-type resort in Sri Lanka.
Just one kilometer long, Weligama beach is around 2 hours drive from Colombo airport. Not that many beaches in Sri Lanka are safe for swimming but Weligama is very swimming friendly as well as being popular with surfers. It is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to learn surfing. Weligama offers plenty of other opportunities for water sports. Yoga is also a popular activity in the area.
The main strip is dotted with swanky boutiques and restaurants as well as a lively market that draws tourists, locals, and weekend visitors from Colombo. More than 200 small hotels have sprung up along the stretch in five years.
Most of the hotels are boutique, but there is now also the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa right on the beach and several luxury hotels such as Cape Weligama which is set on an elevated headland with stunning view and has modern well-equipped, and spacious villas and suites.
There are also a large number of private villa and apartment developments hoping to attract foreign investment. So far, the area is proving to be a potentially good investment with the beachfront land value increasing by 84% since 2016. The renowned Balmain Studio Architects recently launched their latest project of 106 apartments in Weligama. SouthBeach is due to be completed in 2023.
The SouthBeach complex is more like a five-star hotel with a restaurant, poolside bar, gym, 35m swimming pool, an art gallery and a music room. With Mahiki, the London Tiki-themed nightclub, well known for its celebrity clientele being named as the food and beverage partner, the development is likely to become an attraction to those visiting Weligama. Property in Weligama is still very affordable for foreign buyers with prices at the most exclusive developments such as SouthBeach starting at around $150,000.
There is plenty to see and do around Weligama for the more adventurous if you don’t want to just relax by the beach. Visiting during the monthly Full Moon Party on the beach is an experience like no other with 100,000 people converging on one place to party all night long.
Of course, there is so much nature to enjoy in Sri Lanka such as the World’s End in Hikkaduwa which is one of the most scenic spots in the country. The view from the top is definitely an experience to remember and perfect for amatueur photographers to get an amazing shot. It is well worth hiring a local guide or even having your own driver show you around this part of Sri Lanka. Helicopter tours are also available from Weligama for those that wish to venture further afield.
Whale watching is not something you naturally think of when considering visiting Sri Lanka. However, the blue whale may be seen off the coast of Mrissa between December and March, and off Trincomalee between March and July. Sperm whales and spinner dolphins are also regularly spotted in the waters off Sri Lanka.
Elephants are, of course, what most people associate with Sri Lankan wildlife. There is now a strong focus on ethical wildlife tourism in Sri Lanka. The elephants in Sri Lanka are considered to be an endangered species due to various human activities. Elephant safaris in Sri Lanka can take place in various locations such as visiting the elephants at the Udawalawe National Park. Elephants in Udawalawe are a guaranteed sight with a population of around 600 elephants estimated to be living here.
Tea plantations are also high on many visitors’ lists with Handunugoda being nearby. This is a low-country tea plantation, owned by third-generation planter and author Herman Gunarathne. The plantation is famed for its ‘virgin white tea’, which retails for over US$1,500/kg, and stocks the shelves of tea gourmet Mariage Frères in Paris.
Weligama has a lot more to offer than just a stunning beach. Direct flights from the UK to Colombo are available with Sri Lankan who are part of Oneworld. You can also travel with Qatar Airways via Doha or Emirates via Dubai.
