Hikkaduwa (Sri Lanka) > Reviews

Advantages: Everyone is incredibly friendly
Disadvantages: Has been hit badly by tsunami and the war

I visited Hikkaduwa twice while I was in Sri Lanka. It's a great place and when I manage to save up enough money to go back to Sri Lanka again Im going to make sure I visit again. Anyone who is going to visit this town must bare in mind that it was hit badly by the 2004 boxing day tsunami. Many of the guesthouses and restaurants on the seafront were destroyed and many of the residents have not got the money to start again. The tourist industries, ... Read review

Advantages: More developed facilities, beach is quite nice
Disadvantages: Prices much higher than elsewhere, hustlers & vendors, there are nicer resorts elsewhere

Hikkaduwa was one of the first beach resorts in Sri Lanka on account of its location and the fine coral that you can see if you go on a trip on a glass bottomed boat. However, now it is too over developed. For a couple of miles there is hostel upon hostel and some plush hotels. Prices are much higher than elsewhere and the beach is fine but not as good as elsewhere. Well, you don't really have space to appreciate the beach as hustlers and vendors ... Read review

Advantages: Great surf spot
Disadvantages: No nightlife

Hikkaduwa is a sleepy town 3 hours by train from the capital city of Colombo. This little beach resort also boasts some of the best surf on the island - and somewhat of a turtle haven whenevver I put my head under the water I seemed to spot a sea turtle. I visited in March/April 2001, just missing peak *tourist* time & spent a great few weeks surfing & hanging out on the beach. I stayed at a small, family run guesthouse & so avoided the high priced, ... Read review