Family dinners
One long table, whoever's in the house. Twice a week.
Social hostels in Weligama and Hiriketiya
Come for the beach, stay for the people.
Happy Hammocks is two social hostels for solo travellers on Sri Lanka's south coast, in Weligama and Hiriketiya. Not a party hostel: a sharehouse by the beach.
- 9.8on Hostelworld · Weligama
- 9.6on Hostelworld · Hiriketiya
Hostelworld ratings as of 10 Oct 2026
Who you'll meet
9 in 10 guests arrive alone.
Most people here are on a long trip, travelling solo and up for company. Here's how to tell if you'll fit in.
You'll fit right in if:
- you're travelling on your own
- you'd rather meet people over dinner than in a club
- you want the option to go out or stay in
- you're happy in a simple, shared dorm
You might prefer somewhere else if:
- you need your own space and new fittings
- you're travelling in a group of more than 4
- you're travelling with children: we're 18+
- you want the party inside the building every night
What we do together
Join in, or don't.
Everything is optional. Some things happen in both houses, some only in one.
Showing 10 activities
Beach volleyball
Teams pick themselves. Skill not required.
Sunset sessions
Down to the beach as the day ends.
Nights out
Pre-drinks at the house on party nights, then out together.
Movie nights
For the evenings you're staying in.
Pool tournaments and trivia nights
Bring your cue, or just your general knowledge.
Open mic and karaoke
Out in town, together. Bring a song, or just come to cheer.
Surf
We'll sort boards and lessons, usually for less than you'd pay alone.
Ice baths
A cold reset, then coffee.
Trips and safaris
Reception books day trips, safaris, taxis and scooters.
Social and sleep rules
Social, not a party hostel. You can sleep here.
Everything is opt-in
Join what you like. Skip what you don't. Nobody keeps score.
Quiet hours from 11pm
Common areas wind down so the dorms can sleep.
Party nights happen out
Pre-drinks at the house, then the party is somewhere else. Music off at 10:30pm.
Dark and cool at night
A blackout curtain at every bed, and the AC on from 6pm to 11am in the AC dorms.
The standard
Simple dorms, done properly.
Here's what comes with your bed.
Blackout curtain for privacy and proper sleep
A shelf for your things beside the bed
Your own reading light
International sockets at the bed
Your own fan in Weligama at every bed; Hiriketiya has ceiling fans instead
A locker for your valuables
- AC from 6pm to 11am
- Most dorms have their own bathroom
- Free towels
- Keycard main door: only guests get in
Dorm rules
- One person per bed
- Sleep in the bed you're given
- No visitors inside the house
- No smoking indoors; the outdoor areas are fine
The honest bit
We're not a hotel. If space and new fittings matter more to you than people, we're probably not your place, and that's fine.
Where we are
Still deciding? Here's where we are.
Two houses on the south coast, about an hour apart by road. We pick places you can walk to the beach and to food from. [Confirm the founder's reason.]
Weligama: The surf town
- What's around
- A beginner-friendly surf break a minute's walk away, the town, the bus stand (300m) and the train station (550m). Mirissa is about 10 minutes' drive.
- Getting here
- About 2.5 hours by taxi from Colombo airport (CMB), mostly on the expressway. Or the train from Colombo Fort or Maradana to Weligama, then a short walk; or the highway bus to Matara and a tuk-tuk back.
- Food and groceries
- A Cargills Food City supermarket next door, restaurants nearby, and a shared kitchen.
Hiriketiya: The quiet bay
- What's around
- Two beaches a 10-minute walk away, up and over a small hill. Fewer crowds than the bigger surf towns. The sandy side of the bay is a gentle wave for beginners; the reef is a fast left for intermediates and up.
- Getting here
- About 3 hours by taxi from Colombo airport (CMB), most of it on the Southern Expressway. Or the train from Colombo Fort to Wewurukannala (around 4 hours), then a 10-minute tuk-tuk.
- Food and groceries
- Cafés, brunch spots and small shops along Hiriketiya Road on the walk to the bay, and a shared kitchen with filtered water.
Guides
Before you book
The small print, in plain words.
Paying
Cash on arrival, no cards. A 500 LKR key deposit and a 500 LKR towel deposit, both returned when you leave.
Check-in and out
Check-in from 2pm, check-out by 11am. Reception is open 9am to 8pm; message us if you'll arrive later. Arrived early? Use the common area and shower until your bed is ready.
Cancelling
Free up to 72 hours before arrival. No-shows pay for the full stay.
Christmas and New Year
From 23 Dec to 2 Jan we ask for a deposit to hold your bed.
Groups
We're built for solo travellers, so groups are capped at 4. Please don't split a bigger group across bookings.
Who can stay
A youth hostel for adults 18 and over. Not suitable for children or pets.
Staying somewhere else?
You're still welcome at our activities.
How social we are
Nobody stays a stranger for long.
Something's planned every day, and twice a week it's family dinner: one long table for whoever's in the house. Our social hosts make sure new arrivals get pulled in. Join in, or sit it out. Both are fine.
What guests say
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