2.5 Months in Southern Sri Lanka: Building, Not Touring

I didn't come to Sri Lanka to tick off tourist attractions. For two and a half months, I planted myself in the southern coastal stretch, Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Ahangama, with a singular focus: build my business and prioritize my health. And honestly? It was one of the most productive periods of my life.

My days fell into a rhythm that felt almost too good to be true. Mornings started with walks along the beach, the Indian Ocean stretching endlessly beside me. Then it was coffee and laptop time at a local café, grinding through work for a few hours while the world woke up around me. Midday brought gym sessions, followed by afternoons of recording and editing content, punctuated by client calls timed to the UK schedule. Evenings were reserved for recovery—sauna and ice bath sessions that became non-negotiable parts of my routine.

This lifestyle was unbelievably easy to lock into. There's something about the coastal vibe of southern Sri Lanka that just works when you're trying to focus. No distractions, no pressure to be anywhere else, just the space to build and grow. I know how fortunate I was to experience this.

Sure, I didn't venture up to Sigiriya or explore the tea plantations of Ella. That wasn't the mission. Right now, the business takes priority, and so does staying healthy. The tourist trail can wait.

What struck me most about Sri Lanka was the warmth of its people. Everywhere I went, locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Most spoke excellent English too, which made daily life seamless and conversations genuine. The country itself is stunning—lush, vibrant, and impossibly green even in the dry season.

I'd be lying if I said everything was perfect. The WiFi was frustratingly spotty in most places, which definitely complicated work at times. And perhaps more surprisingly, the local food wasn't really my vibe. I've loved the cuisine in almost every country I've traveled to, but Sri Lankan food didn't quite click for me. Fortunately, the area is touristy enough that you'll find Thai, Italian, Mexican—whatever you're craving.

Would I recommend southern Sri Lanka for a focused work stint? Absolutely. Just bring a backup hotspot and manage your food expectations. Everything else? Pretty much paradise.

If you are planning on going, let me know, more than happy to provide restaurant and cafe recommendations, plus the great gym I went to (which was 10 GBP per month!).

O yeah, and if you're going to the south of the island, surf. It's the number one thing to do there and if you don't, well you'll struggle to fill the time otherwise. Thinking about it, this was the one of few cons about Sri Lanka too, as it's world renowned for it's surf, and with that brings the crowds. I went out a few mornings where there were honestly 100 surfers and you're riding the waves with 10 other people. The benefit of getting better at surfing is you can then advance to all the harder waves (and there are a lot in Sri Lanka) and the crowds definitely decrease then.