The car from Exotica Bungalows picked us up in Colombo and drove us to the delightful little hotel by the sea at Hikkaduwa – a vibrant, tourist-friendly coastal town in southwestern Sri Lanka, renowned for its golden beaches, bustling nightlife, and excellent surfing (especially from November to April). Located about Located about 100km south of Colombo, it is a hub for snorkeling, diving, and spotting sea turtles at shallow reef sites.

At Exotica Bungalows, the manager Anuruddha offered us warm welcome and the staff served us glasses of King Coconut water. King Coconut (Cocos nucifera var. aurantiaca), known as thambili in Sri Lanka, is a bright orange variety of coconut indigenous to Sri Lanka, primarily cultivated for its sweet, nutritious, and electrolyte-rich water. Unlike common coconuts used for cooking, these are typically consumed fresh for hydration and wellness.

We settled in, ate rice & curry for lunch, walked on the beach and had a restful afternoon.

That evening, we watched the sunset, drank Scotch on rocks in the garden and had Onion Soup, a delightful seafood platter and fresh fruit for dinner.

Everyday, the Bungalows’ chef Nishantha made delicious dishes to order:

One evening he arranged a beach BQ with soup, fish and various meats, sausages, vegetables and fruit.

Next day, it was fresh red mullet with Vase Felix Filius Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2024 and Halapa – a traditional Sri Lankan, gluten-free, sweet, and chewy steamed snack made from Kurakkan (finger millet) flour, grated coconut, and caramelized Kithul treacle, typically seasoned with cardamom. It is distinctive for being wrapped in a Kanda leaf, which adds a unique aroma during steaming. 

It was a memorable week at Exotica Bungalows.

Things To Do At Exotica Bungalows

• Relax, walk on the beach, swim in the warm sea and eat good food. Reasonable wines are available at Sandagiri in Hikkaduwa town
• Visit Seenigama Temple
• Take a boat ride on Hikkaduwa Lake
• Visit Turtle Beach

• Post published 13 March 2026