spot guide

Asia -Sri Lanka

Arugam Bay

Kitesurfing In Sri Lanka's Best Waves

Updated: December 23, 2018

Looking to kitesurf in Arugam Bay? Often overshadowed by Sri Lankan kitesurfing hotspot Kalpitiya, Arugam Bay holds its own for a kitesurfer looking for a great spot to catch waves and explore an uncrowded kitesurfing location. We appreciated Arugam Bay’s long, wide beach and popular town, with some of the best food we had in all of Sri Lanka! Check out our spot guide to Kiteboarding Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka below.

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Ready to kiteboard in Arugam Bay? Prepare for solo wave chasing and wide open beaches calling your name.

Local Kitesurf information

air temperature

Average During Peak Season: 27-29 °C

water temperature

Average During Peak Season: 28-30°C

Arugam Bay Beach

Main Point (Wave Spot)

Elephant Rock

Whisky Point

wind speed

Peak Season: 12-25 Knots

Popular Kite Sizes: 10 m – 17 m

Sri Lanka is known for consistent and reliable wind. However, wind consistently shuts off when there is a full moon. This typically will be the three days bordering the full moon, though it’s not uncommon for it to be up to a week. The full moon is a monthly holiday in Sri Lanka known as the Poya.

Arugam Bay Beach

ability level

With no other kitesurfers around this area is suited for intermediate to advanced skill level with someone who is comfortable self landing and launching. When the wind turns to off shore, the gusty light conditions turn this location into a spot more suited for advanced level riders.

water conditions

Intense shore break will challenge you to get started but it is worth it with a wave just off shore. Perfect for sending it or taking it for a ride, watch for the wave to close on you. Past the wave will be endless chop. Under the water is a thin layer of sand covering a rock reef, watch for large protruding rocks.

wind

The wind we experienced came side, side on shore. It would come over the palm trees making it gusty closer to shore.

special considerations

Very few people around, self launching is required // Watch out for trash // Keep an eye out for large rocks in the area that are barely covered during high tide

Launching & Landing

We set up our gear on a wide stretch of beach located in front of Hotel Arugambay Beach Inn. Chances are high that you will be the only person attempting to kitesurf here. Take caution if the wind is offshore as you will be on your own.

Arugam Bay Main Point

ability level

Typically no other kitesurfers and potential offshore wind make this spot tricky. The consistent reef break and wind shadow at this point make this spot suited for advanced riders.

water conditions

This long, right hand reef break is consistent and quick. Perfect when the surfers abandon the wave due to strong wind. Watch out for the wind shadow from the palm trees as you enter the bay.

wind

When at the point the wind will be less gusty here compared to Arugam Bay Beach. Wind shadows start to appear the deeper you get into the bay.

special considerations

Watch out for trash // There are many dogs roaming around // Keep an eye out for fisherman // Watch out for surfers // Watch for the reef

Launching & Landing

There is a wide beach to set up your equipment. After you launch, walk with caution as you will be entering over the reef. The reef has a steep shelf that drops off and climbs back up. Entry here can be hazardous.

Whisky Point

ability level

water conditions

Eroding beach and a shore break make for a touchy entrance. The large breaking waves can be found close to the point and should be taken with care due to a variety of large rocks. Other breaking waves can be found close to shore; nice for jumping and increasing that heart rate when ridden. Chop past the waves.

wind

In the summer the wind is slightly stronger and less gusty here then at Arugam Bay beach.

special considerations

Very few people around, self launching is required // Self landing can be difficult with the steep exit from the water and narrow beach // Watch out for trash // Keep an eye out for large rocks in the area that are barely covered during high tide // A few aggressive dogs in the area

Launching & Landing

Long, narrow and almost empty beach. We walked downwind of the surf break. It also seemed like you can walk upwind but beware of large rocks in the water.

Elephant Rock

ability level

Similar to the other areas; rider level is intermediate to advanced. The reasons are lack of other riders and potential for off shore wind.

water conditions

Chop can be found in abundance at this spot. There is a small wave near the surf break, but the large wind shadow can make it almost impossible to ride.

wind

Wind at Elephant Rock tends to be lighter and steadier then at Arugam Bay’s Main Beach

special considerations

Take caution of Crocodiles in the lagoon // Watch out for Elephants in the area // Keep an eye out for rocks in the water // Watch for wind shadow created by large Elephant Rock // Keep an eye out for surfers

Launching & Landing

It’s possible to set up south of the Main Point break in Arugam Bay. Walk around the point and you will be at Pasarichenai Beach, which marks the start of a long wide beach where it is safe to set up and launch. Be sure to avoid the Elephant Rock wind shadow and take caution near the crocodile filled lagoons.

Local Culture

Please note that Arugam Bay is home to a Muslim population. Throughout town, placed on shop doors, power poles and even tuk tuks are signs reminding visitors to be respectful and cover up while walking on the streets. Though these signs often say “No Bikini On Street”, men covering up (wearing a tank top versus going shirtless) is also appreciated.

Lessons & Rentals

The streets of Arugam Bay are lined with surf board rental shops, however no one in the area rents out kitesurfing equipment. Ruuk Village, based out of Kalpitiya, runs trips to Arugam Bay and may be able to help coordinate rentals and lessons.

Non-Wind Activities

Arugam Bay is a popular beach town with serious surf fever and a decent infrastructure for tourism. There is much to do here, even when the wind is not cranking. You are in the surf capital of Sri Lanka, after all!

Beach Life

If you are looking for a spot to zen out with coconut in hand, your options in Arugam Bay are limitless! The main strip of Arugam bay, particularly the northern side of town (Stardust Rd) away from the fishing boats, makes a great place to lounge around in the sand. There are numerous restaurants along the strip, that with purchase of a drink or food will allow you to stretch out on their lounge chairs and take in the view. Many of the nearby surf areas have great beaches, some even featuring small cafes and coconut vendors. Elephant Rock, a 20 minute tuk tuk ride away, is a great beach area and popular spot to watch the sunset. If you visit, be sure to steer clear of the lagoon as there are crocodiles.

Yoga

Sore from long, bumpy bus rides? Ready to stretch out those kite and surf battered muscles? There are numerous yoga sessions offered throughout Arugam Bay. Organized ones include those at Wave Flow Yoga, hosted at Stardust Beach Hotel where you can channel your zen beachside at the rate of 1200 lkr for one lesson or 5000 lkr for five. Hideaway offers twice daily practices of varying levels. It’s common to find smaller studios handing out flyers throughout town advertising their classes as well.

Pottuvil Lagoon Tours

The Pottuvil Lagoon is located near to Arugam Bay. A mangrove lined piece of undeveloped nature located next to the bustling beach town, this is a space where crocodiles and the occasional elephant call home. While seeing such animals is never guaranteed this is a great way to support the locals and get a glimpse into the local culture.

We did not do a Pottuvil Lagoon Tour ourselves, but spoke to others who arranged such a trip. Most participants emphasized the relaxed nature of the tour. It may not be for you adrenaline junkies but is a great option for families looking for a more moderate activity.

Surfing

Arugam Bay is the mecca of Sri Lanka surfing. Along the coast are multiple spots known worldwide for excellent surfing. When the wind isn’t cranking, Main Point in Arugam bay offers a world class right hand break. If you are willing to travel, Whiskey Point, Lighthouse, and Peanut Farm are a couple of other renowned spots just a tuk tuk ride away. There are countless shops in town offering instruction, rental, and surf-stoked locals full of great information and more than happy to share.

Tuk Tuk Safari

While there are many established 4×4 safaris, we opted for the adventurous “tuk tuk safari”. We hired a tuk tuk through our guesthouse, the Garden Beach Inn, and told him the main goal: elephants! We ventured through some back-road towns on the outskirts of Kumana National Park hoping to get a glimpse of the majestic giants. Lo and behold, thanks to the tuk tuk drivers excellent cell phone communication with friends in the area, we found a herd of about 12 gathered near a watering hole. The concept of a tuk tuk safari made us laugh and roll our eyes initially, but we appreciated the calmness of the adventure. We parked far away and were able to quietly walk to a safe distance from the elephants. It was a peaceful display for some time, until an approaching 4×4 safari with a very loud engine unfortunately chased them away. We were grateful for the time we had watching these amazing animals. We’ve met fellow travelers who opted for a 4×4 safari and loved it. It seems as though regardless of if you want to explore in a tuk tuk or a 4×4, going with a respectful guide will make all the difference.

Seeking out some unique retail therapy? Check out a small, custom made swimwear shop located on the main street of Arugam Bay. Located adjacent to the Haji Fishing Center (look for the large Halvoline sign), this store usually has someone working away on some new styles at an in-house sewing machine. There are plenty of styles ready for purchase, and the option to have something custom made as well.

Stay

Getting There

airport, Language & Currency Information

Nearest International Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Negombo, Sri Lanka

Language: Sinhalese and Tamil are the official languages, however basic English is somewhat common especially among those who work in tourism.

Learning a few phrases such as hello in any local language goes a long way and will surely earn you some smiles.

Sinhalese: Hello-Ayubowan // Thank You-Istuti

Tamil: Hello-Vanakkam // Thank You-Nanri

(We used Ayubowan and Istuti most often during our stay in Sri Lanka.)

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupees (Rs or LKR)

The airport is a great place to withdraw local currency. Please see our note on ATMs in Kalpitiya below

Vaccines & Visa Information

Visa Information: Visas are available on arrival but require you to wait in an additional line to get approved which could take 10 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the time and day. We chose to do an E-Visa ahead of time. As citizens of the United States we were granted a 30 day visa for $35; we were approved within a couple of days. We simply printed out the confirmation and handed it to the agent upon arrival. Thinking of overstaying your Sri Lankan visa? We heard from multiple people that Sri Lanka takes this very seriously; overstaying a visa here could come with a $100 a day penalty. We were unable to confirm this with officials, but decided not to take any chances ourselves!

Click on the links below for further information

Recommended Vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, & Rabies

Rabies

Scroll Over To Find Out Whether Or Not Getting A Rabies Vaccine Is Right For You.

We had a bit of a rabies scare at one point in our trip. We ended up visiting a hospital in Kandy during the wee morning hours only to be laughed out of a consultation room (apparently, cat scratches are not always deserving of a rabies vaccine!). While each case is different, through our little adventure we were informed most rabies vaccines are typically started as a series of shots after a potential transfer of rabies. Check with your medical provider to see what they would recommend. If possible, see if you can get your home providers email information so you can easily contact them abroad!

Japanese Encephalitis

Scroll Over To Read About How We Got Our Vaccines Abroad

We've been told by numerous medical advisors that this is only a concern if you are staying for a duration of greater than 30 days in rural areas. We chose to get the vaccine due to our extended itinerary and visits to rural areas throughout Southeast Asia. These shots were quite expensive in the United States and we decided to get the vaccine in Kandy, Sri Lanka! We had a great experience and were able to save some money. IAMAT is an excellent resource for finding English speaking doctors abroad.

Click Here To Check Out IAMAT

There are only two ATMs located in Arugam Bay, with more in the nearby town of Pottuvil. During our trip, there was a power outtage one night causing the ATMs to be out of order. Withdrawing money in advance at the CMB airport could be a good idea before traveling to Arugam Bay.

Travel To Location

Below are some options for travel from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Arugam Bay. We arrived to Arugam Bay from Ella, since that is a common route for many travelers to take we will list below how to get from Ella to Arugam Bay as well. Please keep in mind there are many different options for arriving to Arugam Bay.

Colombo To Arugam Bay

Private Taxi

This is the fastest and easiest option, which is most welcome after a long-haul flight. Many guesthouses will arrange this for you. If you would like to arrange transportation yourself, there are numerous taxis outside of the airport, prices vary as well as car conditions.

Arranging shared travel could be a great option, as there are a few Facebook groups full of information that are helpful in coordination with fellow travelers who may want to pitch in on a ride share!

Bus

After the bus you can take a tuk tuk to destination or bus to town

There are few direct routes to Arugam Bay and many indirect routes. Keep in mind that taking an indirect route could cause an overnight in one town due to a lapse between departures. Regardless of which route you chose, prepare for a very long journey with multiple stops. We’ve listed some bus route options below.

Bus #98-2: Departs from Colombo Main Bus Terminal to Monragala. From here, take a bus bound to Pottuvil. The last bus from Monragala to Pottuvil leaves at 17:30. The journey from Colombo will take 9-11 hours. You will need to take a tuk tuk from Pottuvil to your guesthouse.

Bus #98: Departs Colombo 7 days a week at 22:00 and arrives in Arugam Bay at 05:51. Cost: 940 Rs

Prepare for an adventure! Sri Lanka buses are, among other things, an inexpensive way to get around and a great way to catch up on the latest Bollywood film or cricket match. They can be confusing; surrounded by varying information and full of random stops. Our best advice is to talk to the bus conductor when boarding and paying for your ticket. Confirm where you want to go, and communicate with them what stop you need to depart at. Pay attention and stay on top of the route to make sure you don’t miss your stop. We’ve had buses nearly pull away with our gear still inside. Having Google Maps pulled up (if you load directions while you have WiFi, often they will stay up without any data or connection) is an invaluable tool for recognizing where you are in relation to your final destination. With that being said, buses are a great way to get around and take in the local culture.

Ella To Arugam Bay

Private Taxi

Prices for this trip vary. Taxi and tuk tuk options may be available. Guesthouses in Ella should be able to help you organize a pick up from your accomodation.

Bus

After the bus you can take a tuk tuk to destination or bus to town

At various locations throughout town, it is possible to catch a Monragala bound bus. Check with your guesthouse, as although there is an official bus stop in town, locals know other areas where the bus will pass and you can wave it down. From Monragala, there are frequent buses to Pottuvil.

We traveled from Ella to Arugam Bay via bus, this is what we did:

We hopped on an early morning bus from Ella to Monragala, caught right outside of our hotel. While beautiful, this drive is full of sharp turns in the road alongside steep cliffs. Not friendly for the faint of heart or motion sickness prone! By the time we got to Monragala we decided to splurge and instead of waiting for the next bus to Pottuvil, we took a tuk tuk the rest of the way. It was still a curvaceous drive but with the lack of bus horns and fresh air, it put our queasy stomachs at ease! This is also a super cool way to go through some prime wildlife territory. We saw huge herds of water buffalo, lovely birds and even an elephant! The tuk tuk from Monragla to our hotel in Arugam Bay was 2500 ruppees. If you are curious to take a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka with large gear, keep an eye out for the Piaggio tuk tuks. These are larger, diesel run tuk tuks that are more roomy than others. Though, regardless of what tuk tuk you take, it’s almost a guarantee the driver will be determined to squeeze whatever baggage you have in with you!

After you book your accommodation we recommend reaching out to see what kind of transportation they offer as well as getting contact information for the establishment for some on the go questions. This is helpful if the taxi or tuk tuk driver is having a hard time locating the accommodation as they will usually ask for a phone number so that they can call for directions.

Travel By Tuk Tuk

Tuk tuks are a classic mode of transportation in Sri Lanka, and definitely a unique experience. They are great for shuttling in and out of Arugam Bay as well as organizing surf trips to surrounding areas. It’s common for a tuk tuk driver to drop you off at a spot and return at an agreed upon time.

Accommodation

Arugam Bay is an extremely popular surf town, and therefore has a lot of accommodation options. The main strip of town is easily walk-able from one bustling end to the other, so selecting your accommodation by your preferred beach area is the way to go! If you want to be near the best breaking (and most popular) waves, look for a spot near Main Point on the southern side of the bay. There are countless options, with a particularly strong selection of great mid-range accommodation. We’ve listed some that came highly recommended to us below! Prices change dramatically between low and high season. The prices we’ve quoted reflect more of what you can expect to pay during high season.

Budget

Garden Beach Hotel

This is where we stayed during our trip! A great spot that is about a five minute walk to where we launched our kites on Arugam Bay Beach. The staff are friendly and very helpful to organize travel and excursions.

~ 3,500 LKR / per night

The Beach Hut

Also known as Ranga’s Beach Hut, this spot is excellently located right on the beach. This is close to the kite spot on Arugam Bay beach and has some great deals on budget rooms.

2,500 – 4,000 LKR / per night

mid-range

Stardust

Located very close to a great wide stretch of beach perfect for rigging kites, Stardust is a beach front spot with popular yoga classes taught on site.

5,000 – 14,000 LKR / per person

Upali Beach

A bit far out of town but a great location if waves are your goal! Set up near the main point break, Upali Beach offers a range of options from basic set ups to some pretty glampesque cabanas.

6,900 – 11,900 LKR / per night

high-end

Roccos

Roccos provides upscale accommodation in Arugam It is centrally location in town with hip digs and a pool right on the beach

14,800 – 19,800 LKR / per night

HIdeaway

Hideaway offers a range of beautiful bungalows, this is a hip spot with a popular bar and cafe, as well as events such as yoga, surf movie screenings and range of accomodation gardens massage and great food

Wind Resort: 6,900 – 35,000 LKR / per night

Palm Resort: 7,900 – 26,800 LKR / per night

Garden Beach Hotel

Ranga's Beach Hut

Stardust Beach Hotel

Upali Beach Surf Resort

Hideaway Resort

Rocco's Resort

eat

In Sri Lanka, it’s all about the fresh and the spicy. Formidable seasons provide access to consistently fresh vegetables year round. Bold spices blend together, bringing out an intriguing blend of flavors in dishes that range from inexpensive finger foods to a feast of curries. The staples of Sri Lankan food are rice, coconut and spices. Be prepared to be astounded at the varieties of food that can be created with these three pillars! Keep an eye out for deviled dishes, mouthwatering sweet and spicy concoctions that showcase the unique and intriguing flavors Sri Lankan cuisine brings to the table.

Arugam bay had some of the best food we experienced during our Sri Lanka travels. There’s many options to choose from, including delicious Indian food, amazing local short eats and even some of the best pizza we’ve ever had!

Top Local Eats

Anything Coconut

Coconut lovers rejoice! An insane amount of food is derived from coconuts in Sri Lanka, from noodles, to pastries, to pol sambol; the classic chili spiced sidekick to any truly authentic breakfast here. Eat or drink your way into a tropical dream state. Keep an eye out for the almost neon orange king coconut, and mentally prepare your taste buds to be spoiled. Drinking the sweet nectar of the king coconut has surely ruined us for any other coconut water from here on out!

Rice & Curry

Ahh, the bedrock of Sri Lankan cuisine. Boldly spiced and every bit mouthwatering, the curry in Sri Lanka is quite unlike curry elsewhere. In fact, it differed greatly all over the island. From beautifully spiced vegetables to delicate slices of fish marinating in tumeric bliss, this is a meal worth trying wherever you visit in Sri Lanka. Typically, curry is a lunch specific meal and many great local spots are likely to run out later in the day. After picking your choice of protein (vegetable only is an option, including jackfruit curry at many spots) prepare for a table filled with small bowls of tasty side dishes. Some of our favorites were beetroot, fresh green beans, and the always scrumptious garbanzo beans!

Short Eats

In Sri Lanka, fast bites from local counters are referred to as short eats. However, feel free to order a bunch and turn your meal into a long feast, we certainly did! Hoppers are among the most common of Sri Lankan street foods. Served plain or with an egg cooked in them, these crunchy bowl shaped treats are derived from none other than, (drumroll please) COCONUTS! Coconut milk, mixed with rice flour and eggs and cooked in small cast iron bowl shaped pans create these delectable delights. String hoppers share the name but are quite different! String hoppers look almost like small nests of angel hair pasta. Both styles of hoppers are commonly served with a small assortment of curry sauces, dahl and pol sambol. Samosas are a common short eat as well as rotti, a classic Sri Lankan street food consisting of soft flatbread with various fillings wrapped up inside.

Our Absolute Favorites

Pizza Hub

Prepare for an adventure! Pizza Hub sits off the main street but is well worth the journey to get there. As you walk through the back streets following the signs, be prepared for local children to look at you and say “Pizza Hub?” and help direct you on your journey. It seems as though the only foreigners who visit these parts are all looking for the best pizza spot in Arugam Bay. The setting is humble; clean tables are spaced out in front of the owner and chef’s home. A native to Arugam Bay, he learned to make pizza while working under the eye of an Italian chef in Malaysia (how’s that for cultured?!) From watching YouTube videos, he learned to make his own wood brick oven, and converted his home into a pizza restaurant of course! The pizza here was incredibly good. The crust was perfect; a skillful balance of soft and flaky dough that melts in your mouth. We were blown away by the fresh tomato sauce on the pizza, as well as the creative local options for pizza toppings. If you are in Arugam Bay, make the journey to Pizza Hub. It is a great business run by an awesome person who is truly passionate about the food he creates and the community he is a part of. Also, if you cannot make the journey… THEY DELIVER. This is a must try for any pizza lover.

Special Foods Restaurant & Food Truck

We ate quite a few delicious meals here due to the great consistency and fair prices. If you are looking for a great spot to carbo-load on delicious noodles or kottu, this food truck located at the Southern end of town where Panama Road curves is one of the best places in town to do so. One tip we have: walk up to the window and ask the cook for whatever is fresh. From samosas, to rottis to amazing banana filled pancakes, the otherworldly food magic here lies in this food truck’s short eats. The short eats run on a schedule; coconut, banana and honey drenched pancakes in the morning, potato-loaded vegetable samosas and savory rottis throughout the day, and an late afternoon pick me up of donuts around 17:00. There’s a reason this place is popular among locals who stop by to pick up a bag of deliciousness before hitting the waves. This is one of the best places in Arugam Bay to eat on a budget!

Breakfast

Rotti Point

A humble roadside stall open early for a great, inexpensive breakfast in Arugam Bay. This is a wonderful spot to try some authentic Sri Lankan food. The traditional breakfast of dahl curry and string hoppers was absolutely brilliant here.

Thatntha's Tea Shop

Walk too fast and you could miss this wonderful little shop along Main Point Road. Prepare to gorge on some delicious sweet and savory roti options. A popular choice is the “Aussie Special”, a cheese, tomato and onion filled roti topped with a generous spread of guacamole. An ideal breakfast before hitting the waves!

360 Arugam Bay

Great spot if you are looking for a western style breakfast in Arugam Bay. The menu here is very large and features both Sri Lankan and western foods. The western style breakfast is very popular here and includes smoothie and coffee in the selections.

LUnch & DInner

Bambini's Cafe

A popular place among the tourist surfing crowd, Bambini’s is full of incredibly chill and friendly servers. Bambini’s has a wide selection of both local and western options. Some of our favorites here include the savory roti and unique avocado lassi (served sans-plastic straws, woop woop!) Prices are fair and portions are large.

Blue Ocean

A quaint place run by a small staff, food here typically involves a bit of a wait. We found that it was worth it! Located along the main street, the atmosphere is lovely and the spot is ideal for people watching. The menu is large and features a great selection of local food. We enjoyed the roti and curry very much! The papadam that accompanies the curry is amazing and it is hard to pass up ordering a passion fruit lassi. A wonderful choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Balaji Ocean View

Sri Lanka’s close proximity to India has fortunately created a migration of delicious recipes. Balaji Ocean View is a great place in Arugam Bay to try a dosa: a thin lentil pancake with a variety of fillings sure to make your belly happy. We choose the cheese onion masala dosa (500 Rs) which came with two curry sauces. Huge portions, great prices and friendly staff make this stop worth while.

Meena's

Loved by locals, Meena’s is a great stop in Arugam Bay for some authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. The kottu we had here was the most vegetable dense of all the places we tried in Sri Lanka, and the spiciest as well! If you are looking for a healthy, local meal in Arugam Bay, this is a great place to try.

Squeeze mE bOWLS & sMOOTHIES

An equally healthy and delicious spot, Squeeze Me serves up some Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls and creatives juices in their roadside food truck. Everything here is served without plastic. Our generously sized smoothie bowl came in a halved watermelon rind and adorned with wooden spoons. It’s great to see small shops like this taking such progressive measures! Friendly staff and amazingly fresh treats make this spot a great stop for breakfast, or a midday pick me up!

East Beach Surf REsort

Great prices and a large menu that offers something for everyone make this a great place to stop by. There is a mixture of Sri Lankan and western food. We ordered the curry here and were stoked with the portions as well as the flavor. The vegetable rotis are made fresh and are a great snack throughout the day.

Finding The Best Seafood
In Arugam Bay

There are many seafood restaurants to choose from, including some very romantic candle lit set ups on the beach. At many spots, you choose the seafood selection you want and the cooks get to work barbecuing your choice on a charcoal grill right before your eyes. Our tip for choosing a seafood restaurant in Arugam Bay is to stroll around and find what spot looks the freshest to you. Prices are fairly similar throughout Arugam Bay, so base your dinner selection on which catches look the best to you!

Snacktopia

A great way to eat on a budget in Arugam Bay is snacking! We loved exploring the local grocery stores to pick up new snacks. Food City is the biggest grocery store along the main strip. Most of the food you will see in Sri Lanka grocery stores is produced in Sri Lanka and unique to the area. We particularly liked the local chocolate bars, freshly roasted cashews and spicy cassava chips!

Sri Lanka is home to nearly 30 varieties of bananas. If you enjoy bananas, you shouldn’t leave the country without at least trying one of them! We grew quite fond of the super sweet and tiny ones that make your hands feel gigantic. Look for fruit shops along the main strip of Panama Road. You can’t go wrong trying whatever juicy delight is in season!