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Coming to Weligama from Yala is a bit time consuming trip. Ii is a matter of get in to a correct bus or a taxi and it takes 5 - 8 hours long ride. Travelers can have three options to come to this magnificent Weligama beach - Sri Lanka from Yala. This article provide details for, how you visit this coastal town from scenic Yala national park.

Travelers need to go the main bus stop stand in Tissamaharama (aka Tissa). It is located near in the main junction which divide road to Kataragama and Yala. To reach Tissamahara bus stand traveler may take tuk tuk (three-wheeer) or slow bus towards Tissamaharama. Then traveler has two options either take direct bus to Weligama or take bus to Matara.  This is because direct buses towards Weligama are limited. Colombo - Kataragama buses will stop at Weligama and they operate per hour. Otherwise Tissamaharama bus station has direct buses towards Matara and then traveler needs to take separate bus towards Weligama. Some of the Colombo - Kataragama normal buses from SLTB provide online booking availability and please read this article regarding the bus rides in Sri Lanka.

Option 1: Take Colombo - Kataragama bus from Tissamaharama (aka Tissa)
Kataragama - Colombo route number 32 operate all the day in a one bus per hour basis. Kataragama - Colombo bus will stop at Tissamaharama bus stand for a short period of time therefore traveler needs be vigilant and take the bus. Bus fare for Matara from Tissa  between 3 - 4 USD. Total duration for Tissamaharama to Matara would be 3 - 4 hours. You can reach Weligama without any transit and do not forget to get off from Weligama bus station if you miss bus will travel towards Colombo.


Option 2: Take direct bus to Matara from Tissamaharama (aka Tissa)
All most every buses that going towards Matara is will stop in front of the Tissa bus station. In Tissa bus station you need to take 'Hambanthota to Matara' route number 334 or 'Tissamaharama to Matara' route number 334/1 bus. Bus will reach Matara in 3 - 4 hours time and ticket price will be 2 - 3 USD. Your final destination is Matara bus stand. Then you need to take a bus to reach Weligama. Please read this article for visit Weligama from Matara.

We highly recommend to use public transport like buses. Mostly Colombo - Kataragama buses operate all the day and all time. But after 20:00, operate frequency of buses decrease. It is advisable avoid stay public places like bus stations after 20:00. And it is also advisable to plan your journey within day time (avoid night traveling). This is because after 17:00 frequency of buses decrease.

Unfortunately, in current setup [2019/02] there are no trains available from Yala to Weligama / Matara. But currently railway track is building towards Kataragama therefore in future there will be trains available to Matara from Kataragama. If you reach Matara, traveler can take train to Weligama. Please read this article for visit Weligama from Matara.

Some of the taxi services nearby Yala village has bit higher rates. Those rates can be change accordingly therefore you need to talk with them and negotiate prices the taxi. We highly recommend to use public transport instead if taxi prices are high for your budget. If traveler needs any local taxi services like car or van, they were park nearby Tissamaharama bus stand stand. Sometimes people may ask for share a taxi with them, Those offers may be good option.

Travelers can have another option where several social media groups have share taxi rides with each other. You can just join those groups and try to share rides among backpackers. Please join social media below groups:
- Journey to Sri Lanka (Backpacking / Tourism / Information Hub)
- South Sri Lanka Surf Community
- Sri Lanka Taxi Share & Service
- Backpacking Sri Lanka / Taxi Service / Hotel Bookings


Additionally above options travelers can join several Telegram/WhatsApp group among Sri Lankan taxi service providers where they share / update their details, especially drivers who has got empty ride way back to different locations. Join below groups:
- Tourist Help Line Sri Lanka - Telegram group
- Sri Lanka Taxi - WhatsApp group
- Hikkaduwa Airport Drops - WhatsApp group

Minimum cost for Yala to Weligama would be 110 USD. This amount will be change according to the route, vehicle type, passengers.

You can book a taxi to Weligama from the Yala via this form.

Different ways visit to Weligama from Yala in Google Maps

Below map include the different ways come to Weligama from Yala, Sri Lanka including bus routes, train and taxi routes.


Following details may helpful, if you hope to visit Weligama from various other tourist destinations around this lovely Island.

From Colombo Airport (CMB) to Weligama
From Colombo to Weligama
From Hikkaduwa to Weligama
From Galle to Weligama
From Matara to Weligama
From Hiriketiya to Weligama
From Yala to Weligama
From Udawalawe to Weligama
From Ella to Weligama
From Kandy to Weligama
From Sigiriya to Weligama
From Arugambay to Weligama
From Kalpitiya to Weligama

Last Updated on: 2019/05/30