We didn’t drive directly from Colombo to stay at Wild Coast Tented Lodge, although it is possible. Our journey across Sri Lanka took us along the winding roads from Colombo to the Hill country in the Central Province; along the way, we visited several excellent hotels. Only then did we head south. Steep hills and tea plantations gave way to dense forest until the terrain began to shift again, the jungle giving way to scrub and salty air. Then, suddenly, like something out of a dream, Wild Coast emerged from the green.
Alternatively, book Wild Coast Tented Lodge via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Mr & Mrs Smith or check TripAdvisor.
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All photos in this post are by Laskowski & Zadros. © TravelPlusStyle.com.
“Facing the dramatic seafront on the south edge of Sri Lanka, and surrounded by the dense jungle of the Yala National Park, this romantic lodge sets a new benchmark for resort design and safari luxury on the island.”
— from our review of the Wild Coast Tented Lodge
The welcome area alone — a massive dome of curved wood and glass shaped like a weathered boulder — made us stop and stare. Every structure on the property seems to rise organically from the earth, echoing the rocks scattered along the coast. And yet, there’s nothing primitive about it.
We stayed in one of the “cocoons” — that’s what they call the tents here, though that word hardly does them justice. Inside, it felt like stepping into an explorer’s fantasy: all leather trunks, copper bathtubs, and four-poster beds, wrapped in creamy canvas and framed by jungle views on both sides. It was easy to forget we were just a short stroll from the main building — which houses the restaurant, bar, and a shimmering pool that feels like it flows right into the beach.
“Sophisticated, beautiful and private, this place is perfect for anyone wanting to encounter wildlife without compromising on luxuries.” — from our review of the Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Now, about that beach. It’s not the soft-sand-and-calm-water kind. It’s wild, loud, and magnificent — a coastline of untamed waves crashing against massive boulders. You don’t come here to swim. You come to feel alive. We’d often take slow walks before dinner, watching the sea foam curl around driftwood and listening to the wind whip through the dunes. And then, cocktails at sunset — the kind of golden-hour ritual that makes you forget the rest of the world exists.
Of course, the real draw is the wilderness behind the lodge. Yala National Park is right next door, and early morning safaris became our new routine. We’d rise before dawn, climb into an open-top Jeep with our guide, and set off into the mist. Our tracker knew the land like an old friend — he pointed out fresh leopard tracks, a sloth bear’s scratch marks on a tree trunk, and even managed to catch wind of a herd of elephants moving through the forest. It’s not staged or choreographed; it’s authentic, unpredictable, and utterly thrilling.
“The first thing to note about the Wild Coast Tented Lodge is its design. Take the welcome area and the dining complex. They are shaped into organic domes that evoke the rugged nature of the coast. ” —from our review of the Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Back at the lodge, comfort was never in short supply. The food was a particular highlight — fresh, inventive Sri Lankan cuisine with a fine dining twist. We tried everything from curry leaf-crusted fish to jackfruit tacos to wood-fired barbecue under the stars. One night, the staff surprised us with a private beach dinner, complete with lanterns and a bonfire, creating a romantic atmosphere. We hadn’t expected that kind of gesture, but it’s what defines the experience here — thoughtful without being fussy, intimate without being invasive.
“[…] The Yala National Park, on the edge of which the Wild Coast Tented Lodge is located, is one of the best places to encounter elephants — in fact, sometimes they visit the waterhole dug in the middle of the lodge.”
— From our review of Hotel Name
There are little moments we keep replaying in our heads: watching a family of boars cross the footpath between the tents, lounging on our veranda as monkeys chattered from the treetops, reading in the glow of our tent’s lanterns while the jungle hummed outside. The lodge isn’t fenced, which adds a level of rawness that we loved (and the staff is very attentive about safety after dark).
Wild Coast isn’t the kind of place you find by accident — it’s a destination you seek out, a journey you plan for. And it rewards that effort with something rare: a true sense of escape without sacrificing anything. We’ve stayed at plenty of safari lodges and beach resorts, but none quite like this — where the two worlds blend so seamlessly.
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It was the last stop on our trip after visiting sister properties Cape Weligama and Ceylon Tea Trails, but it’s the one we’re still dreaming about. Maybe it’s the leopard tracks. It may be the silence at night. Perhaps it’s just the magic of feeling tiny under a sky full of stars, wrapped in canvas and copper, on the wild edge of Sri Lanka?
Alternatively, book Wild Coast Tented Lodge via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Mr & Mrs Smith or check TripAdvisor.
*All photos in this post are by Laskowski & Zadros. © TravelPlusStyle.com.
Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.
*This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 28/06/2025
The top Boutique and Beach Resorts of Sri Lanka
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