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Mirissa is a popular beachside town in Sri Lanka’s tropical west coast, where glistening turquoise waters and arching palm trees line? the shoreline.
Facing out towards the Indian Ocean, the red-hued dome of Coconut Tree Hill is an awesome spot to watch sunset and is one of Mirissa’s most notable locations. To be honest, you can’t really come to Mirissa and not make the short trip out to Coconut Tree Hill for sunset at least once – it’s a beautiful destination and complete no-brainer decision!
Although you can see the hill from most of Mirissa’s shoreline, finding the way can be slightly confusing. In this quick guide I’ll explain how to get there, when to go and what to expect at Coconut Tree Hill!
- Country: Sri Lanka
- Population: 5,000
- Language: Sinhala, Tamil, English
- Currency: Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR): £1/$1 = 390/313 LKR
- SIM cards: I highly recommend getting a SIM card for your travels in Sri Lanka. This means you can use apps like Uber or Grab for cheaper taxi fares and means you never need to rely on WiFi. Mobitel offer great deals or alternatively get an affordable E-SIM here: Sri Lanka: eSIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan
- Visa info: Tourists are required to have a visa before arriving in Sri Lanka, called an ETA, for which the cost is $30 USD. Apply for an ETA online here.
Where is it
Coconut Tree Hill is located on a headland at the eastern side of Mirissa, a town on Sri Lanka’s south coast.
Check it out on the interactive map below.
How to get to there
Walking to Coconut Tree Hill is straightforward and doesn’t require any transport or particular skill level to reach. You could jump in a tuktuk and head there by the main road, but it’s only about 1km from Mirissa Beach.
From the main area of town, just head east from Parrot Rock and along the coastline. You’ll see the towering palms on the hill in the distance. There a cluster of bars at the foot of Coconut Tree Hill and the path continues just after there.
When to go
Coconut Tree Hill is best visited at sunset, and the secret sure got out!
The best time of year to visit for stable weather is between January to April, however regardless of which season you visit in this location will always be busy at sunset. It’s big enough that there’s plenty of space to either take photos or relax and watch the sun go down, but don’t be surprised when you arrive at the crowded dome.
Coconut Tree Hill is open 24/7, so feel free to come at sunrise too for a quieter experience.
Entrance fees
Coconut Tree Hill is completely free.
What to expect at Coconut Tree Hill
The small summit makes you feel tiny, with the towering coconut trees lined in symmetry looking down on you. This is certainly one of the most Instagrammable places in Mirissa!
With opportunities to face the coastline of Sri Lanka or out towards the setting sun in the Indian Ocean, the photography options are basically limitless. The contrast between the red sand, green palms and blue ocean are totally awesome!
Don’t forget to pack your camera, and be sure to stop by one of the nearby bars for an ice cold Sinha or Lion beer after the sun goes down.
Where to stay in Mirissa
Mirissa is a small town where everything you need is close-by.
There are many hostels, hotels and guesthouses just a stone’s throw away from Coconut Tree Hill, so I suggest using Booking.com or Hostelworld to find the best deals.
Best tours in the region
Thank you for reading this travel guide – I hope you found it helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible 
Happy travelling!
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Accommodation: Booking.com, Hostelworld
Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook, TripAdvisor
Transport: 12Go, Omio, Trip.com, Rome2Rio
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