Mirissa
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Understand
Get in
By bus
Take an AC highway bus heading to Matara from Fort in Colombo which costs Rs 510 (2-2½ hr). From Matara bus terminal there are regular busses to Weligama or Galle stopping in Mirissa (20-30 min). There are two bus stops: if you have booked an accommodation on the beach you can get off at the first one (rights after the road comes close to the shore and you see the bay); if you stay around the harbour you can take the stop 1 km up the road.By train
You can take the train from Colombo Fort to Weligama (7 km from Mirissa) and then go by tuk tuk to Mirissa. A 2nd class train ticket costs Rs 220. The train schedule is available here. Trips take between 2½ and 3½ hours (depending on the train).Get around
Mirissa is a small village, you can basically get everywhere on foot or if you are travelling to another beach, by the local bus service which is very regular and inexpensive. Be warned, the local tuk tuk owners are renowned for attempting to overcharge you. Scooters are becoming more common to rent at most guesthouses.
See
- Buddhist temple.
- Fisherman harbour.
- Beach.
Do
- Surfing.
- Bodyboarding.
- Swimming.
- Snorkelling.
- Ayurvedic treatments.
Whale watching
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phone: +94 776953452address: Mirissa HarbourGreat company, which provides sustainable whale watching in Mirissa.
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phone: +94 77 359 77 31address: Harbour road, MirissaThe pioneers of whale watching in Sri Lanka and employs youth people who were affected by the tsunami in 2004.
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phone: +94 772220967address: Harbour road, MirissaMirissa Moorings is the premiere boat charter mooring facilities and services in Mirissa offering sailing trips on 6.5-m MiniBee boats (manufactured in Sri Lanka) to local and foreign tourists. You can rent boats with or without a skipper if you have a valid/international sail license.
Eat
Many different restaurants on the beach. Cheaper but still very tasty options are the Roti shops more inland.
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Dewmini Roti Shop
phone: +94 715162604Very nice, quiet place to have a drink or taste the delicious fresh rotis. Little inland (follow small road next to internet place on the main street and look out for the signposting).
Drink
In the beach bars around the beach.
Sleep
There is accommodation available for each type of traveller. You can find budget places starting from Rs 1,000 in off season and Rs 1,500 in season.
Budget
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phone: +94 76 7986 788address: Hostel First Mirissa Beach, Beach Side RoadThey offer free WiFi.
Villa Sea ViewVery nice place run by a local family. Claims to provide the best view in Mirissa. Rooms starting from about Rs 1,000 off season. 3 minutes off the beach and surf point (very right side on the beach when you watch the sea - up the hill).
Mid-range
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phone: +94778081118address: Peacock Villa, Udupila Road (off Udupila junction at Galle Road), UdupilaPeacock Villa is surrounded by large vegetable gardens with peacocks. It's far from the hustle and bustle and a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Splurge
Club MirissaThis guest house is a few streets walk from the beach but is often double booked so if you do decide to stay here, recommend that you do not pay the full amount and only place a small deposit (that you are happy to lose) to attempt to secure the room. Many travelers have complained that they are refused the room and never get their money back. Rooms are US$70/night or Rs 9000.
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Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa
phone: +94 41 745 1090address: 153 Km Post, Ruhunupura, Thalaramba, KamburugamuwaA boutique hotel in the Mirissa beachfront. The hotel consists of standard rooms, suites and villas. It also offers dining and spa facilities.