Budget — Mirissa

Mirissa is an affordable Sri Lankan beach stop, more accessible than Galle. A baseline of €45 per person per day covers a decent guesthouse room, three beach-shack restaurant meals, tuk-tuk transport and a whale watching trip.

Accommodation covers every band. Backpacker hostel in the village: £7-13/bed in dormitory. Family guesthouse 200 m from the beach: £22-45/night for a double room with breakfast. Beachfront boutique hotel (Bay Vista Hotel, Coral Sands): £70-160/night. High-end lodges (Cape Weligama — luxury cliff-top resort with infinity pool, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, Mirissa Hills): £175-440/night. In high season (January-February), multiply prices by 1.5 to 2.

Dining is very affordable. Beach-shack restaurant meal: £7-13/person for grilled fish with sides and drinks. Local canteen in the village: £1.70-3.50/person for rice and curry. Western café (No.1 Dewmini Roti Shop, Bedspace): £5-9/person for breakfast or light lunch. Cape Weligama's gourmet restaurant offers a tasting menu at £45-70/person with wine — one of Sri Lanka's finest tables.

Whale watching: 5,000-8,000 LKR (£13-22) per person for responsible operators, 3,000-4,000 LKR for low-cost ones to avoid. Surf lessons at Weligama: 4,000-7,000 LKR (£11-19) for 2 hours with board and wetsuit.

Transport: tuk-tuk Mirissa → Weligama 500 LKR (£1.30), Mirissa → Galle 1,500-2,000 LKR (£4-5.50), Mirissa → Hiriketiya 1,200 LKR (£3) one way. Train Matara (10 km east of Mirissa) → Colombo Fort 3h30 in 2nd class for £1.30.