Dikwella is an appealing coastal town on the scenic southern coast of Sri Lanka. Attracting travellers of all ages and nations, Dikwella still remains relatively uncrowded. The area offers some of the best (empty!) surf breaks and seduces travellers to while away their holiday resting on soft sands in paradise bays.
To this day, Dikwella still remains undiscovered by mass tourism, allowing visitors to take advantage of a lavish selection of accommodations for every budget, from basic guest houses to exquisite private villas. You’ll have your choice of deserted shorelines and great dining venues.
Dikwella preserves the authentic Sri Lankan village life style. Shady coconut plantations, swaying palm trees fringing the beach and spectacular stilt fishermen towering above the water are among the major highlights of the area. The centre of the city is crammed full of street stalls selling genuine Sri Lankan products, beautiful lace, spices, fruit and vegetables.
Besides numerous natural attractions, Dikwella also offers traditional, cultural and historical sights. The town is known for its fabulous temples, archaeological sites and splendid natural parks, which are an absolutely must-visit.
Dikwella is generously dotted with tiny local stores selling fabulous lace (one of the region’s traditional industries), typical souvenirs and handmade items.
A few fashion boutiques set in the centre of the city sell quality beachwear, accessories, sandals and bags. These are a couple of jewellery stores in the area too, where you can hunt out some fabulous jewellery yourself or someone special back home. Dikwella houses several supermarkets, where you can purchase groceries, toiletries and other necessities.
Dikwella hosts one local fruit, vegetable and spice market, and a couple of street stalls selling various knick-knacks, souvenirs and other trinkets.
Dikwella is a splendid beach retreat providing an idyllic atmosphere with aquamarine water and soft golden sand. The beaches are almost completely void of tourists and there are numerous water sports for you to try.
Surfers are blessed with excellent conditions almost all year round, and divers can admire magnificent coral reefs and beautiful tropical marine life within a short boat ride off the Dikwella beach. If you prefer to stay on solid ground and enjoy some sightseeing, Dikwella boasts natural, cultural and historical attractions to amaze and keep you entertained.
Make a day trip to fantastic Yala National Park, visit tea and rubber plantations, climb to the massive Buddha statue from where you can watch a breathtaking view over to the southern coast. You could even participate in the traditional Devil Dance – Dikwella has so much on offer!
Dikwella boasts chic and classy resort restaurants that offer elegant and sophisticated atmosphere along with an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan and European cuisine. Providing guests with breathtaking views, you can be sure to get a truly remarkable dining experience at these restaurants.
Midrange cafes located on the beach cater to people wishing to experience a wider range of genuine local cuisine. Besides enjoying authentic Sri Lankan curries and kotu rottis, you can sample delicious seafood with traditional spicy coconut sauces.
Local diners are the most affordable and the most authentic eateries available in Dikwella. These venues serve an authentic food in a no-nonsense setting. Not as attractive as beachside venues and upmarket restaurants, these diners allow you to experience the real Sri Lankan cuisine – if you dare.
Laidback, sophisticated and very relaxed, Dikwella is definitely not the party centre of Sri Lanka. Housing a couple of bars located in the centre of the town, and a handful of establishments lining the beach, this is an ideal place to indulge in long strolls along the beach, chill out at a beach bar and take in a magnificent sunset.
Dikwella visitors usually head to the beach to witness one fo the island’s stunning sunsets, casting brilliant reflections on the water surface. Unique and exotic views of the stilt fishers is another highlight of the area, which you may see in travel agent’s brochures or watch live on one of the Dikwella beaches.
Situated towards the south of Colombo International Airport (a.k.a Bandaranaike International Airport) on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Dikwella is an ideal base for immersing yourself in the fascinating local culture, enjoying a secluded beach retreat or trying your hand at various water sports.
An irresistibly relaxed beach town with the occasional beach party and opportunity for whale watching.
One of the last towns on the coast before the great expanse of the national parks, known for its paradise beaches.
The most famous national park in Sri Lanka with near guaranteed elephant, crocodile and buffalo sightings.
There are three Ministry Approved villas in Dikwella. As Dikwella is a rather exclusive southern village, villa prices tend to be higher than in other parts of Sri Lanka. Dikwella villas range from USD $880 per night for five-bedroom villa resorts to USD $4,900 per night for the luxurious fifteen-bedroom Ani Villas, which takes luxury holidays to the next level.
Most of our villas have dedicated staff, including butlers, chefs, nannies, 24-hour security personnel, drivers and many other services you won’t find in a hotel. This is why we say “Spend just one night in a villa and you’ll never stay in a hotel again.”
Although it is possible to get to Dikwella, Sri Lanka over land or water, the best way is to fly.
It can take anywhere between 3 hours to 5,5 hours to reach Dikwella from Colombo International Airport depending on traffic. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.
Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. It is recommended to negotiate about the price before getting into the car, as metered taxis do not travel long distances from Colombo.
If you are travelling in a larger group, hired minivan is the best option to reach Weligama. The service is available through the travel agencies in the Colombo airport at the arrival level.
The train journey is one of the fastest, picturesque and affordable options to get to Dikwella. Though may be not the most comfortable mode of transportation if travelling in the second and third classes, as you may not be able to reserve a seat in advance. Trains to Matara depart from Colombo Fort once a day. From Matara train station you can opt a taxi or tuk-tuk to reach Dikwella.
Buses depart from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus terminal every two hours, and go to Matara city, which is around 20 km away from Dikwella. From Matara, you can take either taxi of tuk-tuk to get to Dikwella.
There are plenty of options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:
Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private car and chauffeur can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.
Wandering around Dikwella is the best way to get a closer look at the city, stroll along shops, markets and places of interest. The city isn’t large and can be easily covered on foot, though if you are planning to explore other beaches and locations, you might need to rent or hire transport.
If you are planning to travel further afield, tuk-tuk is a convenient and a very affordable way to explore the nearby locations. You can simply flag one down the street, but before getting inside the three-wheelers always negotiate the price. Also, if you can drive the tuk-tuk, there are a couple of rental shops, where you can hire a vehicle at a very reasonable cost.
If you prefer travelling on two wheels, motorbike rental shops are widespread in Dikwella. However, take into account that the traffic can be somewhat chaotic in Sri Lanka, so a certain level of experience is required. Moreover, you should have an international driver license on your person at all times, and for your safety always wear a helmet.
Ministry of Villas is passionate about delivering exceptional service. We believe it’s the little things that make staying in a villa so special. Let us do the ground work for you and help you plan the perfect holiday.
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