Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya Beach, once a sleepy fishing village near Dickwella town, has evolved into a destination for surfers looking for trendy cafes, co-working spaces, and boutique hotels in Sri Lanka. Hiriketiya, or "Hiri," as it is affectionately known among ex-pats and Sri Lankans, has quickly become one of southern Sri Lanka's most popular beaches.

It's easy to see why Hiriketiya is one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations. You may be wondering what Hiriketiya is famous for. Hiriketiya Beach has a glistening beige shoreline and translucent water, and the bay is lined with hundreds of coconut trees that sway with every wisp of the gentle breeze that blows through. In a nutshell, it provides a delightful beach escape experience that can feel rare and unattainable these days.

Today, Hiriketiya Bay is almost unrecognizable, with restaurants and surfboard rental shops occupying nearly every square inch of the shoreline, and once-empty plots of the jungle have given way to hotels, coffee shops, and guesthouses. Such is the development dilemma in tourism-dependent countries like Sri Lanka: on the one hand, valuable job opportunities have been created, but on the other hand, there is often overcrowding (and the problems that come with heavy traffic) and a shift in the traditional way of life.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5

Location: on the south coast of Sri Lanka, around 180 km from Colombo

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Seacoast Sanctuary Beach Hotel