In mid-November 2023, my friends and I flew to the tropics to live there and work remotely.
Sri Lanka is a great country for remote workers. There are inexpensive villas for rent, cool beaches, tropical nature, and surfing. But during the season – winter – there are a lot of tourists on the island, there are power cuts, and the internet is unstable.
I spent three months in Sri Lanka. Me and the guys rented a big house for 13 people and lived as a community: we had fun together and dealt with everyday difficulties. It was great.
This article will tell you what to consider if you are planning to winterize in Sri Lanka.
1. How to get to Sri Lanka
Settlements comfortable for wintering are located in the south-west of the island. It takes 3-4 hours to reach them from the airport. It is more comfortable and faster to get there by cab than by public transportation. In buses it is inconvenient with suitcases: there are a lot of people and there are no shelves for luggage. From the airport to the southern town of Matara there is a toll expressway. There are no regular buses, only customized shuttles and cabs.
A trip from the airport to Mirissa or Veligama costs $40. It is convenient to order a car through Pickme service: you leave a request on the website and a confirmation comes to your e-mail. If the car is not assigned in advance, you can find a driver on arrival through the service’s application. We booked a minivan for eight people. It cost $80 for a one-way trip from Colombo to Mirissa.
2. Where is the best place to live in Sri Lanka
For wintering I advise you to choose the south-western coast of the island – from Hikkaduwa to Matara. In December – March this region is dry season: there is little rain, and the temperature during the day stably stays around +30 ° C. There are the best beaches for surfing, trendy cafes and restaurants, and there is a great variety of tours. There are the best beaches for surfing, fashionable cafes and restaurants, noisy parties, and infrastructure for tourists.
The northeast coast is in the rainy season at this time, and the center of the island is uncomfortable to live in: far from the ocean. Villages and towns on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, where it is convenient to stay for a long period of time.
Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. Local cafes often serve pancakes, dumplings and stuffed cabbage. Hotels there stand right on the shore, next to wide sandy beaches with a smooth entrance to the water. Hikkaduva or Unawatuna are often chosen for vacation by families with children.
Galle and Matara are big cities where crazy buses, tuk-tuks, vendors, stores and pedestrians converge. It’s easy to fix your laptop, buy clothes or find a fancy new helmet for scooter rides there. But I don’t recommend living in these cities: noisy, dirty, no comfortable beaches. It’s great to come there for a weekend to walk around the center with a camera, eat in European restaurants and spend the night in a hotel. After a day’s stay, you want to leave for a quieter and more secluded place.
Ahangama, Weligama and Mirissa are three villages close to each other. They are located between Matara and Galle – convenient to reach any city if needed. These villages are the mecca of surfers. Ahangam has great spots for professional surfers, while Weligam has the best beach for beginners with many surf schools on the shore. Because surfers come there, trendy cafes and restaurants have opened, and enterprising locals rent out their villas to tourists.
I recommend staying for the winter in one of these villages. Veligama and Mirissa are located 5 kilometers from each other – it’s 10 minutes by bike. Ahangama is a little farther away: from Weligama it’s a 20 minute drive, from Mirissa it’s half an hour. Wherever you stay, you’ll be moving around: go to Ahangama for a party, to Weligama for a cafe or to get your scooter fixed, and to Mirissa for a beach or a massage. It’s more important what kind of accommodation you find than the village you choose.
Without renting a bike, I think it’s better to live in Weligama. There is a bus station there from where public transportation goes in all directions. In Ahangam and Mirissa, buses catch along the road, which is inconvenient. Also in Weligama is well developed infrastructure: there is a market, a railway station, many local shops, communication salons and workshops. If you plan to live on the island all winter, sooner or later you will need household services.
My friends and I stayed in Mirissa, and acquaintances lived in Ahangam and Weligam, but we still spent time together all the time. I felt comfortable in Mirissa: it has a beach that’s good for swimming, great cafes for breakfast, spaces with oceanfront pools for dining and sunset meetings. For domestic issues, it’s an easy drive to Matara. If one wants to party or surf, Veligama is 7 minutes away. I would love to return to Mirissa.
3. Money
The national currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee, LKR. In Sri Lanka I forgot about paying with a bank card: almost everywhere only cash is accepted. I advise you to take dollars with you and a foreign bank card just in case.
On the island money is changed at the official and unofficial rate. For example, 1 $ at the official rate was changed to 330 LKR, at the unofficial rate – to 385 LKR.
You can change money at a pleasant exchange rate at local money changers. I won’t give you their contacts, but you can easily find them in Telegram chats. Another option is to come to any jewelry store in Weligama, where changers work most often. Or ask the owner of your apartment or villa – they always have someone to recommend.
At the official exchange rate, dollars can be changed at any bank or currency exchange office at the airport. On arrival you will still have to get cash rupees for the first day. They give you a receipt there, but the money changers don’t do that. I advise you to keep the document: you will only be able to change rupiahs back to dollars with a receipt.
Our friends at the hotel in Colombo were refused to pay in cash in rupees: they were asked to show a receipt for official money exchange. They didn’t have one – they had to pay by card at a robbery rate of 199 LKR per 1$. I don’t know if it was legitimate, but the hotel administrator didn’t give up even after long arguments.
4. Lodging in Sri Lanka
If you come to Sri Lanka for a long period of time, it is better to rent accommodation from locals: a villa, a room in a house or an apartment. It is more convenient to look for accommodation upon arrival: before paying and signing a contract, it is necessary to inspect the accommodation in reality.
The island does not have very high quality buildings, and the local idea of comfortable accommodation and fast internet is different from ours. Before renting, I advise you to check the real location of the house: how far it is from the main road and what is nearby. From the distance from the highway depends on the level of noise due to passing cars. It is important to make sure that there is enough space in the parking lot to put the bikes of all the people living in the house.
If you want privacy, check to see if the windows face the neighboring house’s yard. Pay attention to the glass in the windows – there are times when only the frames are installed. Check that all doors and locks close.
Without air conditioning, it will be difficult to work and live without it – make sure there is one in every room and all are in good working order. Also check for light fixtures, dishes and linens. Check the speed of your home internet connection.
To avoid cooking problems, check where the gas cylinder is installed and whether the stove is in good working order. Check to see if there is hot water and how hot it is. If there is no water, ask if water heaters will be installed.
In the off-season houses with two or three bedrooms rent for 800-1000 $, from January to March more expensive – from 1500 $. Rooms in villas for two people cost 300-500 $, the price depends on the area, air conditioning and private bathroom.
My friends and I rented a large guest house in Mirissa for 13 people. It had seven double bedrooms, two kitchens, an open balcony with dining table, a spacious living room on the first floor and a courtyard with lawn and palm trees.
Renting the villa cost 1800$ per month. In addition, we paid water and electricity bills of $600 a month. Cleaning cost 100$ and internet cost 200$. We kept another $100 for additional small expenses: trash removal, fixing breakdowns. In the end, each room cost $400 a month.
We did not clean on our own, but ordered cleaning services through the owner of our house. Local women came twice a week and cleaned all the rooms and common areas. We paid 4,000 LKR for each of their visits. It took 32,000 LKR or almost 100$ per month. We did not like the quality of cleaning: the women did not wipe mirrors and windows, the floor was not washed but swept, and they used almost no cleaning products. We often asked them to redo it or showed them what we wanted to see clean: dishes, mirrors, floor.
There are many animals and insects in Sri Lanka. They can be found not only in the jungle, but also in your villa. This imposes certain restrictions. For example, you can not leave food on the kitchen or table – you need to put it in the refrigerator or closed drawers, otherwise leftover bananas or yesterday’s pasta will be eaten by ants. You should not leave the balcony and front door open. We forgot to close it a couple of times and regretted it a lot: monkeys raided our house, brought a lot of garbage and stole food from the kitchen.
5. Bike and scooter rentals in Sri Lanka
The most convenient way to get around on the island is by scooter or bike. Two-wheeled transportation is used by everyone there: surfers with boards, policemen, children. It is easy to rent a scooter in Sri Lanka: no special driver’s license is required. But if you want to rent a bike, the rental shop will ask you to demonstrate your driving skills and show a category A license.
There are rental outlets in every village, but it’s hard to find a decent scooter during the season. My friends and I rented scooters and bikes from Sumith Rentals in Weligama. The owner there is enterprising but very kind: he helped us with transfers, currency exchange and suggested the best bikes.
Before renting a scooter or bike, you should make sure to check that everything is working: headlights, parking lights, horn, gas tank arrow, brakes. Sri Lanka has chaotic traffic, so it is important that the transportation is in working condition and does not let you down. If you scratch it, pay a penalty. Insurance is not sold. Therefore, before renting, I advise you to inspect the vehicle and take pictures of all scratches and chips, if any. This way you won’t be charged for someone else’s sins.
On average, renting a scooter costs 1000-1500 LKR per day, but the price depends on the condition of the two-wheeled friend. To rent a scooter, you need to leave a deposit of up to $300. They accept dollars, rupees or passport. Sometimes you can agree to rent a scooter without a deposit, but this is an exception rather than a rule.
My young man and I rented a Yamaha FZ-S V3 bike. It cost 1,500 LKR per day or 45,000 LKR per month. This is not cheap: such a bike usually costs from 2,000 LKR per day. But we got a discount: we took it for three months at a time. We were given helmets for free, but most rental offices don’t offer them – you have to buy them in stores in Weligama, Matara or Galle. A normal helmet costs 5000-8000 LKR.
6. Roads and gasoline
The island has left-hand traffic, and the first days on the road are unusual: you have to constantly think about how to rearrange and make the right turn, from which side to expect oncoming traffic.
The roads on the island are good, but narrow: often one lane in each direction. The average speed of traffic is 40-50 km/h. The only wide roads are the toll roads from Colombo to Matara and Kandy, but they are not suitable for scooters or bikes.
The biggest danger on the road is local buses. They travel at a speed of 50-60 km/h and often move into the oncoming lane. When they approach, it is better to pull to the side of the road. If you have to follow them, you should also be careful: buses like to stop abruptly.
There are gas stations in every settlement along the main road. In January – February 2022, a liter of 92 gasoline cost 207 LKR. To fill up a full tank on the bike, we spent 700 LKR. That was enough for a week. In a month we spent 2800 LKR on fuel. In December, a liter of gasoline costs 420 LKR.
7. Public transportation
Tuk-tuks. If you don’t know how to drive a bike, tuk-tuks will be your main means of transportation. These are small scooters with a cab that can seat up to three people on the back seat. Tuk-tuks are parked everywhere along the roads, there are no specific stops. They are easy to catch and go to any place.
Prices are not fixed – from 300 LKR for a ride within one village. It is necessary to negotiate and bargain with tuk-tuk drivers before the trip. They try to profit from ignorant tourists and charge high prices. For example, from Veligama to Mirissa you can go for 700 LKR, but travelers are told that the trip costs 2000 LKR. If the driver doesn’t agree to your price, walk away and look for a more cooperative one.
Buses. You can also travel around the island on crazy buses. They are easy to catch even outside the stop: the drivers react to a raised hand. The fare depends on the distance to be traveled. Tell the driver or conductor the end point or hold out a 100 LKR bill. This is usually enough for any trip.
8. Food and Restaurants in Sri Lanka
Cafes and restaurants. There are two types of cafes on the island: for tourists and for locals – all without air conditioning. In those designed for foreigners, food is more expensive, but more familiar than in establishments for Lankans – they serve pastas, soups, salads, burgers. They are also more comfortable to sit in, more often have a beautiful view, and are better located.
Cafes for locals serve Sri Lankan food, often in buffet format. You pay a fixed price, about 1,200 LKR, and pile on as much rice and curry as you like – additional side dishes like stewed pumpkin, chicken fillet in spicy sauce, stewed lotus root like zucchini, legumes or grated chickpeas.
You can order separately fried rice with vegetables or chicken for 500 LKR, kotta – ground vermicelli with vegetables – for 600 LKR, roti – coconut tortillas with fillings – for 300-400 LKR. It is cheaper to eat in local cafes than in places for tourists, but the food is spicy and gets boring quickly.
We used to go to Dewmini Roti Shop a lot. It’s a family-run cafe that serves local food at nice prices. I liked to get banoffee roti – banana and chocolate flatbread – for 450 LKR, prawn curry for 750 LKR and mango smoothie for 450 LKR. The food is tasty and quick.
For lunch, we ordered takeaway fried rice with vegetables from a local eatery. This saved us energy during working hours. Toward the end of the winterization, the cooks already knew us and expected us to come at 15:00 to get our food. A portion cost 400 LKR, but it was big, we took one for two people.
For breakfast or dinner we often went to European hipster cafes. In Mirissa, I liked Aloha Coffee Gallery, which served excellent breakfasts: avocado toast for 900 LKR, cappuccino for 300 LKR.
There is a popular cafe Shady Lane nearby. There they made smoothie bowls for 700 LKR, burgers for 1200-1400 LKR, chia pudding with fruit for 1000 LKR. There were always a lot of visitors, especially from 10:00 to 12:00, when most Europeans went for breakfast.
If we couldn’t find a table, we went to Swell. This place is away from the main roads, and it is always quiet and peaceful. It is also delicious: they make excellent smoothie bowls and desserts. I paid about 1500 LKR for a hearty breakfast.
In Weligama, I loved having breakfast at Ceylon Sliders, Moochies, Hang Time. All the places are cafes attached to hotels and hostels, so there are always a lot of guests there. For dinner, we often went to Fish Point – local fishermen’s stalls on the beach, where they cook fresh fish and seafood. There is no menu – you point your finger at the fish you like, pick up shrimp and squid, haggle and ask them not to forget to bring a bottle of beer. Such a dinner for two people cost 4000 LKR. The atmosphere is romantic: the tables are on the ocean, and candles are placed everywhere.
When we missed European food, we went to Rise Italian restaurant for dinner. It served the most delicious ravioli, pasta and closed pizza on the island. Prices are above average: for example, ravioli with pumpkin cost 1700 LKR, and pizza – 1800-2300 LKR. It is better to book a table in advance by phone, otherwise you may not be seated. The opening hours are unusual, Italian-style: from 17:00 to 21:30.
In Ahangam, I loved going to Trax restaurant. It serves breakfast and often hosts loud parties with DJs, cocktails and dance music. Sandwiches cost 1200-1600 LKR, coffee – 400-800 LKR, cocktails – from 1500 LKR.
Doctor’s House near Matara hosts live bands every Wednesday and Friday, and at other times you can relax with a large group. The cafe has plenty of space and large tables almost oceanfront. There’s a breakfast menu until 10:30 and an evening menu from 12:00. Hot dishes cost 1200-1600 LKR, pizza cost 1200-1800 LKR and tapas cost 1000 LKR. From drinks there were cocktails for 1100-2200 LKR and wine for 1100 LKR per glass.
Groceries. After a month of staying on the island, the food in cafes began to seem monotonous and I started to cook more often at home: I cooked pasta and cereals, baked chicken, made salads.
In Sri Lanka there are chains of good supermarkets with a normal selection of food: Food City, Keels, Arpico. We went to the latter more often: we thought it had a better assortment. We bought pasta, granola, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, chilled chicken, sweets and snacks, spices, cream, tomato paste, frozen sausages and bacon. Such a purchase for two people averaged 8,000 LKR. This was enough for three or four days.
We bought fruit separately at markets and local shops. Each time we took three or four yellow ripe mangoes, six or eight passion fruit, a large pineapple, and a bunch of bananas. We gave 2000 LKR for everything.
We also bought coconuts to drink water from them instead of regular water. One coconut cost 100 LKR. If you took a bunch, you could get a bargain for 50-70 LKR per piece. Fruit stalls also sell kurd, a thick yogurt made from a mixture of cow and buffalo milk. It has a slightly sour taste, but if you mix it with fruit, add nuts and maple syrup, it makes a great breakfast. A 500 gram pack of kurd cost 250 LKR.
Apples, sweet peppers, oranges and pears do not grow in Sri Lanka, so these products are expensive. For example, green apples in a supermarket cost 2000 LKR per kilogram, and sweet peppers cost almost 3000 LKR. We still bought them, but rarely.
9. Internet
There are two operators in Sri Lanka – Dialog and SLT Mobitel. I used SLT’s services and did not regret it: the connection seemed to be more stable than that of my friends with other SIM cards. I connected to the operator immediately upon arrival at the airport. The package for 60 GB without calls and sms cost 15 $. I paid in dollars: I didn’t have any cash rupees with me at the time. This package was enough for me for three months, and I often used the mobile Internet on my laptop.
Internet in Sri Lanka is weak: wifi was barely enough to work and video calls were constantly dropped. It was uncomfortable. We paid 6000 LKR for a 100 GB home internet package. Since we lived in a large company, it was enough for one or two weeks. In addition, we paid 10,000 LKR per month for equipment maintenance – in fact, just for owning the router.
10. How to organize a working day
I usually worked from home: there was more or less stable internet, silence and coolness from the air conditioning. You won’t find working people in cafes: it’s hot and there’s not much space, and there are rarely any power outlets or wifi. You can also forget about video calls: everywhere is noisy and crowded, and before lunchtime there is a queue at every table, especially in season.
Because of the frequent power cuts, I tried to keep my laptop and all my gadgets as charged as possible. I made video calls with the camera turned off: the internet was not working. My phone was always at the ready to give out the network as a router. It was not very comfortable to work in such conditions, but I got used to it.
The shape of the sockets is three-pronged. They have three prongs: two main prongs, like ours, round or rectangular in shape, and one more prong in the center – ground. Any supermarket on the island sells adapters. They cost 150 LKR.
Mornings are free time from work. I exercised: I ran on the beach, did stretching, yoga. Then I had a leisurely breakfast with friends, came home and started work at 12:00 local time.
I ate lunch at home, ordering takeaways from the nearest cafes. In the evening, I didn’t finish work until 8:00 p.m. local time. Sometimes later. I only had energy left for a home-cooked meal and socializing with friends.
11. Attractions in Sri Lanka
There are many interesting sights in Sri Lanka, but I will tell only about those places where it is convenient to go from Mirissa for one day. On weekends, we rarely have the energy for long journeys, so we only went to the surrounding areas.
Udawalawe National Park is located 100 kilometers from Mirissa. It is home to elephants, peacocks, crocodiles and other animals. The best time for a safari is in the morning and in the evening close to sunset, when there is no heat and the animals are not hiding in the shade.
We left at lunchtime, got there in time for the evening two-hour safari at 16:00, and came back in the dark. I do not recommend repeating this route on a scooter or a bike: it takes a lot of energy. It is better to spend the night in one of the guesthouses near the national park, and the next day return to the coast. Double rooms will cost 3500 LKR.
The park is not accessible by private vehicle: you must leave your bike or car with a driver in the parking lot at the entrance. For the safari you need to rent an open jeep for 6-8 people. Renting a jeep with a driver costs 3000-4000 LKR. It is not necessary to make arrangements and search in advance: at the entrance there are many cars waiting for tourists. Entrance to the park costs about 4000 LKR. If you buy a group ticket for several people at once, it is cheaper. There were 14 of us and we paid 3200 LKR each.
We were unlucky with the weather: it was pouring rain. However, it did not frighten the animals. I enjoyed the safari: we met elephants, crocodiles and birds at arm’s length. They ate grass, poured mud and did not pay any attention to us. Of course, you should not expect a safari like in Africa, but I still advise you to go.
Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara Temple. Buddhist temples can be found in every village and town in Sri Lanka. They are often located on high ground and offer beautiful views of the surrounding area. For example, Mulkirigala Temple 50 kilometers from Mirissa.
We went there by bike, the one way trip took an hour and a half. Entrance for foreigners costs 1000 LKR. The temple was built in a rock. The halls are caves, where all the walls and vaults were decorated with images of Buddha. It looks very cool. It takes about 4 hours to go to the temple and explore it.
But most impressive is the view from the top of this temple. There are narrow and slippery steps leading up through the jungle. At the top is a large statue of Buddha, and around it are endless green forests. It is pleasant to meet the sunset or meditate there, if it is not hot. The temple is open from 07:00 to 20:00.
The town of Galle is 36 kilometers from Mirissa, an hour one way by scooter. We went there when we wanted to take a break from village life: to admire the buildings and architecture, to do some shopping.
It is convenient to go to the city by bus. The journey took 45 minutes, the fare cost 120 LKR. I will not specify the route number: we stopped every passing bus on the road and asked the driver if he was going to Galle. The answer was almost always in the affirmative.
Galle was built by the Dutch in the 16th century. Since that time, the colonial historic center with its narrow streets, arched balconies, cathedrals and the imposing fortress wall surrounding it has survived. There, it’s best to get around on foot to leisurely peek into the small shops of local vendors, sip coffee and take photos of each house. So don’t settle for local tuk-tuk tours at the entrance to the fortress.
There are great places in town for lunch or dinner: Pedlars Inn, The Tuna & The Crab. We had gelato at Isla of Gelato. Any guidebook marks this place as a must-visit because they offer real Italian gelato. One scoop cost 550 LKR, two scoops cost 800 LKR.
On the edge of one of the fortress walls stands a white and red lighthouse. It’s a great place to watch the sunset, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. This is my favorite place in Halle.
12. What else to do in Sri Lanka
Surfing. At Veligama Beach, it is easy to rent a board and hire the services of an instructor to explain the theory and show practical elements in the water. You don’t need to book in advance, you can make an agreement on the spot. A board rental costs 200-300 LKR per hour, an English-speaking local instructor costs 2000 LKR per hour. In two or three lessons you will learn the basic theory and safety techniques, and then go ahead and practice on your own.
There are many surfing groups on Veligama beach. Although the beach is large, there is not enough room for everyone – it is important to be careful both in the water and on land, and follow safety rules. Don’t hit other surfers, watch where your board is going, and cover your head when you get out of the water so you don’t get hit by others.
I don’t like surfing, so I didn’t practice this winter. But my friends surfed every day: they got up at dawn and went to the ocean with a board. It’s a cool physical activity that builds endurance, strength, and balance.
Massage. On Fridays, I would go for massages at local spas. It helped relax my body and disconnect from my worries. There are two spas in Mirissa: Secret Root Spa and Badora Spa. I enjoyed both and alternated visits depending on where they were available.
I went to Secret Root for a complex, which consisted of two treatments. In the beginning, warm aromatic oil was poured on my head, and then I had a general massage. It lasted an hour and a half and cost 6500 LKR. After the procedure I felt great: my skin was soft and soft from the oil, and my body felt light and free. After the massage, I also loved relaxing in the garden of the spa center and drinking masala tea, which is offered to all guests.
At Badora Spa, I always opted for an hour-long full body massage. It cost 2500 LKR. But they also offered other programs: massages after workouts, anti-stress, for pregnant women. The prices depend on the duration of the procedures – 1500-3500 LKR.
Beach vacation. I liked swimming in Mirissa: there is a wide beach with soft sand and a gentle bottom. There are strong waves, but if you swim a little farther from the shore – everything is calm and you can swim comfortably.
There are cool beaches in Midigama, Ahangam and Kabalan. There are fewer people there, but few cafes and other infrastructure on the shore. You don’t need service to enjoy the clear ocean, though. There are tall palm trees, soft yellow sand and azure waves all around. Beauty.
If you want to spend the whole day by the ocean in comfort, it is better to go to a beach club – a cafe on the shore, where you have your own beach, swimming pool, sun loungers, food and drinks. It is pleasant to relax there, read a book under the sound of waves, swim, drink cocktails and socialize. You don’t need to pay separately for entrance or pool, you just buy food from the menu. There is no minimum order amount. Prices for meals are above average, a two-course lunch with a drink cost 4000 LKR.
In Mirissa I liked The Slow with its wicker furniture and cozy atmosphere. Petti Petti is a beach club with loud music but a long pool where it’s great to splash around in the heat. In Cabalan, you could have a great vacation at Timeless Villa, which also offered surf lessons and lodging options. In Weligama, I vacationed more often at Kurumba Bay. It’s really nice there: there’s a pokeshaya, an Italian cafe, an ice cream shop and a bar on the premises.
Beach clubs on Google Maps: The Slow, Petti Petti, Timeless Villa, Kurumba Bay
Snorkeling. There is a beach in Mirissa called Turtle Point where you swim with sea turtles. They arrive more often in the morning, before the midday heat. Snorkeling mask and snorkel could be rented from an enterprising local on the beach, cost 500 LKR per hour. He also told us in which part the turtles swim and if anyone had seen them today.
13. Where to find friends
Coliving. In Mirissa, there is the home station of the coliving project around the world, Smena Station. They hold biweekly check-ins where they gather 12-15 people to live and socialize together. The guys work together remotely, travel the island, cook breakfasts, surf, have parties and learning events. Some meetings are open to the public – anyone can come and meet cool people.
I spent my first two weeks in Sri Lanka while I was looking for permanent accommodation at the Smena Station retreat. We quickly bonded and became a friendly family. There are admins on the retreat who manage the process and help with household issues. In the first days in Sri Lanka this is especially important. The admins told us where to rent a scooter, gave us contacts for currency exchange and told us where the tastiest breakfasts were.
I paid $570 to participate in Smena Station. The price included accommodation in a room for two with air conditioning and private bathroom and participation in the program of activities and socializing. We paid for our own meals, activities, and transportation. I think the price was justified: I paid not only for accommodation, but also for a pleasant environment and new acquaintances.
Surf Schools. It’s still easy to meet at surf schools that not only teach the basics of surfing, but also bring people together. For example, Soul Temple organizes parties for students, sports training, lectures and educational events.
Surf schools organize camps. At Soul Temple they last from 7 to 10 days and include intensive surfing instruction, accommodation, activity program, breakfasts. Participation costs from $730 per week. This is a good way to find company: these trips bring together people with different interests.
What’s the bottom line
It was great to spend the winter in warmth: not seeing snow and not wearing a down jacket, swimming in the ocean, walking in the jungle and watching the peacocks in the garden. I was often in a good mood, slept great, improved my health and relaxed. But it is difficult to focus and launch big and important work projects in such an environment. The atmosphere in Sri Lanka is one of idleness rather than productivity.
What I liked about this winterization was that I lived in the company of friends. We didn’t need entertainment, attractions, parties, we were good with each other. I was once again convinced that the most important thing is not where to go, but with whom.
I plan to repeat the winterization experience, but I want to try a different continent, like going to South America. I will definitely share my experience in another article.
