Surfing Lion

really nice place, they arrange also surf lessons, but the wall in the middle of the room had cockroaches so i couldn't sleep good with that thought in mind

Family hostel with a nice vibe! But they can maybe do better for the bed sheets and maybe showers and toilet need to be upgraded. Vibes very nice and good location!

The cleanliness of the hostel can be improved

This hostel is a little gem. The place is run by the most amazing Mama, her kindness makes you feel instantly welcome and confortable. Common areas with hamacs and tables are really nice to chill and interact. Great showers and AC dorm. What else do you need in Arugam Bay ? Nothing I swear. Congrats my boss Lady, will definitely come back when visiting srilanka 🫶

The staff is super friendly and helps you with any problem. As well the hostel was very social and located perfectly. I highly recommend you to do the surfing with Dinzo, the son of the hostel owners. He explains you everything really good and in the evening we had an amazing review with photos of the day.

Localização incrível e todo o staff com um ambiente muito familiar e pacífico.

Ich hab den vibe im Hostel geliebt!! Sehr sozial und offen. Die Besitzerin war extrem lieb. Ursprünglich wollten wir 2 Nächte bleiben und haben dann auf 4 verlängert.

Lovely staff the owner and her son were very friendly and helpful. They organised games and movie nights for us and we went out for meals together. The location is great only 2/3 mins walk to the beach and close to all the shops and restaurants, I would definitely recommend this place!

Pretty nice place, I would gladly go back there again

I can't recommend Surfing Lion Hostel enough! I stayed in Arugam Bay for about a week and a half (a very long time to stay in a surfing town when you don't surf) and was initially concerned with how I would spend my time. This hostel is truly run by some of the kindest people I've met in Sri Lanka, and there is an awful lot to do at Surfing Lion. The owner's son teaches surf lessons and Amma (the hostel's mom) offers cooking classes. This is a social hostel, and there's always somewhere to go (t...

Staff was very nice and the chill zone is fun with a great atmosphere, but the facility is very bad and pricy for what it is. It was smelly, no light, not functioning doors at the toilets, showers are not comfortable to use. I moved quickly to another hostel. It still might be what you are looking for if you’ value more social life respect to a comfortable hostel experience.

Really loved the owner, Sarmila (Amma)! She’s incredibly kind and makes every guest feel truly welcome. Thank you for your warm and genuine hospitality.

Absolutely amazing, the most social place ever and great money return. They will take care of you just like you’re at home.

Booked a 6 bed dorm with air conditioning and en suite. we arrived and it was a 16 bed dorm with 1 weak AC uni which didn't reach our area. No en suite with just 4 pretty dirty toilets between 40 people. If someone was showering you couldn't was your hands. Place was nothing like the advertising, very misleading

Great hostel with social people and good vibes. The owners are lovely people and organise fun activities. It’s also quite chill and close to the surf spots & shops.

Just a 5-minute walk from the beach and some great cafés, this is a family-run hostel with a real sense of community — that’s its biggest strength. The facilities could be better (only one proper shower, a big building divided into four rooms with partitions that don’t reach the ceiling, no curtains, etc.). The value for money is fair, and people come here for good times and a sense of family! Thank you !

I originally came here for just two nights, but ended up staying four — that’s how lovely this place is. Senpathi is truly the best man in town, always ready with a smile and genuine warmth. His son Dinzo, the surf instructor, gave me my first ever surfing lessons — and trust me, no matter how much of a beginner you are, he’ll make sure you catch the waves! And then there’s Sharmila Akka — one of the kindest women I’ve ever met. You arrive here as a guest, but you leave as part of ...

Das Hostel ist schön, das Personal super freundlich und die Lage gut. Jedoch ein paar Sterne Abzug dafür, dass unser Bett auseinander gefallen ist und es sich bei den Zimmern eigentlich um einen riesigen Raum handelt, der durch dünne Pappewände mit Öffnung unter der Decke handelt und somit eigentlich circa 30 Leute zusammen schlummern. Leider könnte es auch deutlich sauberer sein. Wir sind zwei Nächte geblieben und dafür war es in Ordnung. Für mehrere Nächte wäre das Hostel für uns...

Really enjoyed my stay here! Sharmila and her family are amazing hosts

Sweetest lady in the world, good people and good socialising, hostel feels very close