This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Ahangama is a town in the southern part of the country of Sri Lanka. It is known for the quality of surfing in the nearby sea, as well as the many sights to see around the town and in the surrounding area. Most notable of the many places to visit here is the house of a legendary writer in Sri Lanka, Martin Wickramasinghe. Get a hostel in Ahangama near the Koggala Lake if you want the best experience.
After waking up at your hostel, set out to the Handunugoda Tea Estate. This is a lowland plantation of tea that is rival only to the estates on the mountains of Nuwara Eliya and Hatton. There is a tea processing plant at the estate. You can book a tour of the tea factory and the plantation. This is a good opportunity to learn about the origins of the tea industry in the country, as well as the processes used to manufacture tea leaves for export around the world.
Ahangama is also very well known by surfers, although it is not as popular as the towns on the east coast of the country. The surf here is good throughout the year, so bring your surfboard when you come to your hostel. The nearby sea also allows for many other water sports, including diving, swimming, jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Visiting Ahangama is a good time to see the famed stilt fishermen of the country. These solitary figures balance themselves on sticks in the middle of the bay and fish from these early in the morning. If you are not interested in the beaches near Ahangama, you can also check out the nearby Koggala Lake for a wide range of activities. Even if you just want to relax, the lake has a number of great spots to stretch out with a picnic basket and enjoy the view.
Written by local expertz for Ahangama
Jakob Lombardi
