Dehiwala Zoo In Sri Lanka: A Favorite Spot For Animal Lovers Since 1936 

BY  Sibashree May 4, 2026

Once you cross the massive bay of Weligama, you will find many hidden beaches and coves on the south-western coast.  There is a stretch that goes through small inlets and has beautiful golden sands. These inlets with coconut palms are called Midigama collectively.  While Midigama will win your heart with its quaint beauty at first glance, it is more popular as a surfing spot for intermediates.  It is no less than a treasure hunt with unexplored reefs and secret waves.  Moreover, the surf spots of the Midigama Beach, such as Lazy Left or Ahangama, are diverse and unique in the experience they offer.  However, a local professional surfer confided that the Coconuts are the best surfing spot if you already have some skills.  Hi, are you planning a trip to Midigama Beach anytime soon? Read this blog to know about the location, surfing sports, and more about this beautiful beach.  Where Is Midigama Beach?  The cluster of beaches, known as the Midigama Beach, is between Weligama and Ahangama, a popular beach town and surfing spot.  Furthermore, the beach spans an area of 6 kilometers, including the clusters of inlets.  The best and most budget-friendly way to reach Midigama. It is a train ride of around 3 hours and 15 minutes, and the ticket cost me around Rs. 240.  I took the train from Colombo Fort at 6:15 PM and reached Midigama at 9:25 PM, and the ticket price was Rs 550 for the second class.  Where To Surf On Midigama Beach? I have already shared that the surfing spots in Midigama are diverse. So, the size, the type of breaks, and the surfing style will be different from one surfing location to another.   So, here are the surfing spots everyone loves.  1. Ahangama Ahangama, on the northwest of Midigama, has been a popular surfing hub for the last few years.  It has many surf camps and bars, and its reef breaks are excellent for beginners and mid-level surfers.  Kabalana Beach is the best place to start your surfing expedition here.  2. Ram’s Right  Ram’s Right is the toughest surf break in the region, and you really need to make a quick surfing start.  Furthermore, the barrel sections make it fascinating. Also, you really need to look out for sea urchins here.  3. The Combination Of Lazy Right And Lazy Left  These two offer secure reef brakes, and Lazy Left is slightly harder to surf than Lazy Right.  So, Lazy Right is more suitable for beginners. Here, a surfer can enjoy cruisy rides where the surf breaks over a deep reef.  4. Plantations  It is very close to Weligama, and it is an ideal surfing spot for intermediates.  The entry point is an opening in the rock by the Plantation Surf Inn.  Furthermore, the reef here is deep, and surfing usually continues in the right direction and a few lefts.  5. Coconuts  Coconuts is the place where you will enjoy the classic Sri Lankan reef surfing experience.  Here, you can surf right and left, and the breaks are on both ends of the beach.  However, the east end of the beach is choppier.  6. Weligama Once you are done surfing at Coconuts, you can take a short tuk-tuk ride to Weligama.  Furthermore, with a sandy bottom, it is an ideal surfing destination for beginners.  What Are The Places To Visit Near Midigama Beach?  If you are done surfing, you can explore the historic Galle Fort and the hedonistic Mirissa Beach.  1. Mirissa Beach Mirissa Beach turns into the most Hedonistic place in Sri Lanka in the evening.  The bars here offer amazing happy hour offers. So, you will find the cheapest chilled beer in Sri Lanka here.  2. Galle Fort Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just 25 km away from Midigama Beach.  It is one of the best examples of a European fortified city in South and South-East Asia.  Enjoy climbing up the rampart and having a walk from one corner to another, admire the architecture, and enjoy the 360-degree view of Galle.  Watching the sunset from the top of the fort is also a magical experience.  What Is The Best Time For Surfing In Midigama Beach?  Like all other beaches on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, November to April is the best time to visit Midigama Beach.  Regular storms and high rainfall are the main forces hitting the beach in this season.  Furthermore, when you are planning to surf in Midigama beach, pick early morning or late evening as the time as the winds pick up speed later in the day.  Where To Eat In Midigama Beach?  The main beach of Midigama and the place near the Coconuts have many cool eating places.  Contrary to Ahangama, the Midigama Beach exudes a hipster energy.  If you are looking for a local experience where you will also get some cultural insights, you can visit Sandaru Restaurant.  It is a family-run restaurant, and here you can eat kottu, rice, curry, and other local delicacies.  Another excellent place for trying local delicacies here is the Shirani Home Made Rice & Curry near the Coconut Beach.  Here, you will find the best rice-vegetable combos.  Where To Stay For Surfing At Midigama Beach?  You can stay at the really cool hostels near the Lazy Left if you want to surf at Midigama Beach.  However, if you are traveling with family and you are looking for comfort, Naomi Beach Hotel, the best surfing hotel in Sri Lanka, will be your ideal choice.  It has a stunning infinity pool, and the on-site bar is perfect for chilling after a surfing session.  Moreover, it is close to the Coconuts, for me, the best surfing spot in Midigama Beach.  Also, Surfing Wombats is another place to stay in Midigama for surfing. I can stay here simply because of the pizza they serve.  Furthermore, it is a short walk from the Lazy Left and Lazy Right surfing spots.  Also, if you want to be a part of the surfing camps in Midigama Beach, you must take a tuk-tuk to Weligama, and you will find many reputable surfing camps there.

BY  Sibashree Sep 9, 2026

When I reached the Haggala Flower Garden, the mist was sitting close to the rose beds.  It is the cool air of Nuwara Eliya that makes the roses bloom and creates a different ambiance than the Central Lowlands.  I had already spent two days wandering tea estates and colonial-era streets in the town. However, this garden ended up being the one stop I keep bringing up when people ask what surprised me most about the hill country. In this article, I will share what I saw and did at Haggala or Hakgala. I have also mentioned the practical details, including fees, timings, routes, and the best season to catch it in bloom.  A Quick Snapshot About Haggala Botanical Garden DetailInformationOfficial NameHakgala Botanical GardenLocationHakgala, near Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri LankaEstablished1861, Under British Colonial RuleSizeRoughly 28 Hectares (About 70 Acres), Sri Lanka's Second-Largest Botanical GardenElevationAround 1,700 MetresManaged byDepartment of National Botanic Gardens, Sri LankaKnown forRoses, orchids, ferns, and its cool highland climateOpening Hours7.30 AM - 6.00 PMTicketing Hours 7.30 AM - 5.00 PM The Legend And History Behind Haggala Botanical Garden I knew of Haggala as “the rose garden near Nuwara Eliya.” Once I walked through it, though, I came across many signboards.  Also, the local guide shared snippets that pointed to a much longer, stranger story than that. From Cinchona Plantation To Rose Garden The garden was established in 1861 by the British. It was originally an experimental station for cinchona, the tree whose bark produces quinine, the anti-malarial drug that was essential to colonial plantation life at the time.  The focus later shifted to tea before the site was eventually converted into the ornamental botanical garden that draws visitors today.  Standing among the rose terraces, it is genuinely hard to picture rows of cinchona trees where the flowerbeds now are. The Ramayana Connection The other layer to Hakgala's history is mythological rather than colonial.  The garden has a special connection to the Ramayana, describing it as part of the pleasure gardens associated with the demon king Ravana. There is another popular version of the legend. It is the spot where Hanuman is said to have brought the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshmana.  I have not verified the folklore, but every local guide shares it with conviction.  What I Found Walking Through The Gardens It was the most unhurried two hours in Sri Lanka at the Haggala Botanical Garden.  These are the highlights of exploring the botanical garden.  The Rose Garden This is the section most people come for, and it is the one that stayed with me.  Terraced rose beds climb a gentle slope, and even on a visit outside peak bloom I found enough color to justify the walk up.  Locals I spoke to said mid-March through April is when the roses are genuinely at their best. The Fernery And Orchid House Past the roses, the path drops into shadier, damper terrain. It is the fernery, thick with hanging vines and the kind of quiet you only get under a heavy tree canopy.  The orchid displays nearby were smaller than what I later saw at Peradeniya, but the cooler climate here seems to suit certain varieties that don't do as well lower down. Hakgala Rock And The Nature Reserve The garden sits right at the base of Hakgala Rock, part of the wider Hakgala Nature Reserve.  I did not have time to explore the reserve itself on this trip. However, the rock face looming over the garden is a constant, dramatic backdrop while you're walking around. It is worth pausing for a photo even if you are not planning to hike further. Planning Your Visit: Fees, Timings And Getting There Visitor CategoryAdults (12+)Children (5–12)Foreign Visitors LKR 3,540LKR 1,770Local VisitorsLKR 200 LKR 30 How To Reach Hakgala The garden is about 10 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya town on the road toward Welimada and Badulla. So, I took a tuk-tuk trip from where I was staying. The tuk-tuk cost around LKR 1500. If you are combining it with Horton Plains National Park or the Pedro Tea Factory, both popular pairings, it is easy to build a single half-day loop out of Nuwara Eliya covering all three. Best Time To Visit Haggala Botanical Garden Elevation makes Haggala noticeably cooler than most of the island. That cool climate is exactly what makes the roses possible.  Here is how I would break the year down. SeasonWhat's bloomingMy takeMid-March to AprilPeak rose and orchid bloom.The single best window I would point a first-time visitor toward.May to AugustSouthwest monsoon showers likelyGreener, quieter, and the mist adds its own charm.September to NovemberDrier spells, good visibilityA dependable shoulder-season pick.December to FebruaryCool, crisp morningsChilly at this elevation, and you need to pack a light jacket. Tips From My Visit To Hakgala Flower Garden Go early. I had the rose terraces nearly to myself before 9 AM. By late morning, tour groups had filled in the main paths. Bring a light jacket even in the middle of the day. Nuwara Eliya's hill-country chill is real, and Hakgala sits even higher than the town itself. Rain can roll in quickly at this elevation. A few visitor accounts mention exploring in light rain and still finding it worthwhile, which matched my own experience with a brief afternoon shower. Set aside two to three hours if you want to walk the full garden rather than just the rose terraces. Nearby Places To Combine With Hakgala Hakgala rarely needs to be a standalone trip.  On the same day, I paired it with a walk through central Nuwara Eliya, and it would slot just as easily into a longer hill-country itinerary. Nuwara Eliya town and its colonial-era buildings Pedro Tea Factory Horton Plains National Park and World's End. You can also explore the wider Knuckles or hill-country circuit if you have more days to spare. Haggala Flower Garden Offers A Slow And Delightful Experience Haggala is not a dramatic, headline attraction the way Sigiriya or Adam's Peak is. It is a slow, cool, quietly beautiful stop and the kind of place that rewards an unhurried morning rather than a checklist visit.  If you are already spending time in Nuwara Eliya for the tea country scenery, I would treat Hakgala as close to essential.

BY  Sibashree May 11, 2026

How many places have you been to where you can see peacocks and the mischievous chipmunks everywhere you look?  This is Mirissa for you! One of the quietest beach towns in Sri Lanka.   Also, if surfing at Hiriketiya Beach was a lot of fun, you can plan a one-hour drive to Mirissa for whale watching.   Mirissa has the turquoise Mirissa Beach, the Instagram-favorite coconut tree hill, the secret beach, the parrot rock, and many other natural attractions.   Also, this quaint beach town is the ideal place to attend a cooking class, enjoy a happening nightlife, and indulge in a relaxing spa experience.    Furthermore, whale watching and surfing with turtles are some of the most exciting things to do in Mirissa.   And once you are done exploring Mirissa Beach, you can take a short tuk-tuk ride to Weligama Beach, which is a beginner-friendly surfing destination.   Here is more about why I loved the Mirissa Beach and town.   What Are The Things To Do In Mirissa?   Mirissa was still an emerging destination when I last visited Sri Lanka. Then, it was a welcome break from surfing at Ahangama or Hiriketiya simply because it was less crowded.   However, thanks to Instagram now and especially due to the popularity of Coconut Hill, it is not a hidden gem anymore.   Nevertheless, don’t miss these activities when you are in Mirissa.   1. Spending A Relaxing Time At Mirissa Beach    I am not a diver, but I saw a couple renting gear on the beach for diving and spotting turtles. I talked to them as they came out. It was nice talking to Liam and Saoirse.   I am quoting what Saorise shared,  “The water here is calm, and you just need to go down very little to find the turtles swimming.   Next, we are going to try Weligma Beach.”   Nevertheless, for me, Mirrissa Beach was impressive due to its laid-back charm. Like Delft Island in Jaffna, Mirrissa Beach also appeared to be an ideal destination for backpackers.   It was sunset time, and as the sky started turning the darkest red, the cafes around the beach came to life.   I took a stroll toward the Parrot Rock and climbed it to see how the Sun is going to sleep in the ocean.  If you are not planning to see the sunset here, you can take a 40-minute tuk-tuk ride to Kudawella Beach. There, you will see the Hummanaya blowhole, the second-largest in the world.   2. Enjoying Solitude At Secret Beach  Solitude! This is what I enjoyed at the Secret Beach. It is secluded and does complete justice to its name.   Furthermore, this is a beautiful beach where the sea and the jungle blend.   Also, this beach has shining golden sands, and the palm trees are so well aligned that they look symmetrical.   In addition, I enjoyed sunbathing, swimming, and watching the sunset at Secret Beach.   Now, comes to how I reached the Secret Beach from Mirissa Beach. I took a short tuk-tuk ride for 15 minutes from Mirissa Beach, and it cost me around LKR 300.   From the spot, you will have to hike for around 200 meters to reach the beach.   Also, no one talks about the cliff behind the Secret Beach. I had to just take a short walk, taking the left side path from the beach to reach the cliff.   You can enjoy a 360-degree view of the ocean from the cliff top.   3. Whale Watching  Visiting Mirissa Beach during sunset time was worth it.   I returned the next morning for the whale-watching tour to start. The tour started at 6 AM, and it was a 4-hour tour. The cost was ₹1948 or around 6500 LKR.   Early morning is the best time for whale spotting at Mirissa Beach, as the water starts getting choppy as the hours pass.   Furthermore, November to April is the best time for blue whale spotting here, and March and April are the peak months.   Also, on my tour, along with the blue whales, I also spotted humpback whales, turtles, and dolphins.   4. Watching Sunset From The Parrot Rock  As I mentioned earlier, Parrot Rock offered the best sunset viewing point on Mirissa Beach.   This rock island is just a 5-minute walk from the main beach. However, I had to wade through water to find the base of the staircase leading to the top of the Parrot Rock.   During high tide, the water can be knee-deep. So, here you will need some local guidance regarding when to cross the water.   So, be careful and carry a small bag and only the things you need if you want to climb up the Parrot Rock.   5. Exploring The Cocount Tree Hill   Now, this Coconut Tree Hill is a rage on Instagram and somehow overhyped.   However, the tangerine soil and the series of trees here look picturesque, and the views from here are amazing.  Before I got to the top of the Coconut Hill, I enjoyed a swing ride just below.   I visited it very early in the morning. The plan was to see the sunrise from the Coconut Tree Hill and then start the whale tour.   Furthermore, the hike was easy, and it was almost a no-sweat climb.   6. Enjoying Sunset Drinks, Bites, And Beats  Mirissa has a really cool nightlife. However, I found the cafes here a little overpriced. Instead, I found a place to relax and watch over the activities on the beach after sunset hours.   After watching the sunset from the Parrot Rock, I was planning a return for the day, and then I found Petti Petti.   It has an elevated infinity pool, which is magical. You can even relax sitting in the comfortable beanbags and sip the most refreshing cocktail.  Petti Petti remains open from 8 AM to 10:30 PM every day.   7. Surfing At Weligama Beach  Surfing at Mirissa Beach is not a pleasant experience. So, it is always better to take a bus ride for 15 minutes to Weligama Beach.  With a sandy bottom and gentle waves, it is a beginner-friendly place for surfing. I surfed with the AMA Surf School there, and the cost was around ₹7000, and the surfing tour was for 1 hour and 15 minutes.   8. Enjoying The Cafe Vibe In Mirissa  Mirrissa has some amazing cafes, but they are still overhyped if you compare them with the craze on Instagram.   Nevertheless, I loved Aloha Coffee Gallery, which is very close to the Main Street of Merissa.   I had a French Press coffee and toasts there. Also, I found many young professionals working there, and the Wi-Fi connection was pretty good.   I found that the place was quite popular among youngsters and digital nomads.   9. Spotting The Turtles   Now, many people tell you that Turtle Beach is the best place to spot turtles in Mirissa, and it’s a lie.   When I reached it at around 10 AM, the beach was already crowded, and naturally, the water was murky.   I could spot two turtles, but they looked stressed and in a hurry to hide.   Then, a local told me about a place that was a walk of around 10 minutes west of the beach. There is a Roti shop nearby, in the name of DewMini Roti Shop.   That was indeed a great place for seeing turtles, as there were no boats and only a few locals hanging around.   Again, from there, I took a local bus to Polhena Beach, and the ticket price was ₹30. There, the reefs were shallow, and thus these reefs and the turtles were easily visible.  10. Visiting A Tortoise Hatchery   I love turtles. So, when I got to know about the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, I decided to take a drive for 2 hours and visit it.   This conservation center is, in fact, closer to Galle, and there, I saw Hawksbill turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, and loggerhead turtles.   Many injured or disabled turtles stay in this conservation center, and you will even find baby turtles that are just 3-days old.   The conservation center also has a program in which you can release the baby turtles into the ocean water.  Behind the conservation center is a hatchery. There, all the eggs are kept buried for hatching. The conservation center buys these eggs from local fishermen who collect the eggs so that poachers do not take them or predators do not eat them.   The conservation center remains open from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, and the entry fee is LKR 1000.