//
Tissamaharama is a town in southeast Sri Lanka.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Specializes in tailor-made private jeep safaris with a focus on wildlife photography and tracking. They offer flexible half-day (morning/evening) and full-day tours led by experienced local guides who know the leopard territories well. The service is known for ethical wildlife viewing and provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing with hotel pickup.
Take a walk around Lake Tissa and the surrounding wet lands. It is full of all sorts of wild life. There are small dirt roads that take you through farm fields and modest homes. It is a great way to see how real Sri Lankans live. Along the main lake, there are often locals fishing with cane poles. Right behind them another person is breading and frying these tasty morsel to sell to anyone passing by. Stay out of the water though as crocodiles are masters of camouflage. When the weather is good, it is a great way to pass the time, while waiting for others to join your safari party or is a budget way to taste the tip of what Yala National Park has to offer.
Closest hostel to Yala National Park. Has open-air dormitory, private room with AC, shaded outdoor patio, and rooftop. It is suitable for those not afraid of occasional wildlife wandering in the premises.
AC and very cheap, simple non AC rooms with attached bathroom, big communal balcony, opened by a motivated couple. They can arrange tours, but are not at all tour-pushy as most of the competitors. One of the few places in Sri Lanka you can have a conversation with a female host in good English. There is a restaurant.
The 6 rooms of the Mihisara Lake View Guesthouse are all en-suite and fitted with hot water. A/C rooms are available. Food and service is exquisite and cheap Jeep tours can be arranged to Yala National Park. Well worth the stay.
The rooms are all very modern, very clean and very large. The owner is very helpful and honest. It is a short drive out of town (Rs 200 in a Tuk Tuk) but air conditioned and clean, it is worth the trip. There is very little to do in Tissa other than get up at 5am to see Yala National Park, so really no need to stay in town.
Very clean guesthouse. The owner Metthe also has his safari company based at the house so it's a great place to get everything taken care of in Yala. Breakfast is included. The guesthouse is new, with Wi-Fi and lots of space to relax, inside or up on their beautiful terrace. The more people the better when it comes to Metthe's safaris, Rs 4500. A lot of places charge the same amount no matter the number of people on the tour. So if you can get a few friends or meet people in town, Metthe can give you a really good discount with tea and snacks too.
This nature resort offers 1 suite and 39 rooms with balconies facing paddy fields and streams. Rooms include A/C & fan, mini bar, tea & coffee-making facilities, electronic safe, and bath.
There are no trains that come out here yet. There are regular buses from most major cities in the south. Expect about a 4-5 hour journey if coming from Galle.
Read in the guideIt is mostly walkable. You may also take local buses with the help of friendly villagers. As normal in Sri Lanka, a tuk-tuk is never far away.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Mattala · Regional · HRI
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Tissamaharama and Sri Lanka.
Travel tipsThe full 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Sri Lankan passport holders, with digital arrival cards and border rules.
7 min read
InspirationThe best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Travel tipsPlan your trip on the Kandy to Ella train in Sri Lanka. Timetables, seat booking tips, carriage classes, and ticket prices for the scenic highland ride.
9 min read
InspirationPlan your trip with the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, from Sigiriya Lion Rock and Kandy temples to Ella tea hills, Yala leopards, and Galle Fort.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.