Car rental in Weligama puts you on the A2 in the middle of the south coast, about 28km east of Galle and 7km west of Mirissa’s whale boats. The bay here is Sri Lanka’s best known beginner surf spot, and Taprobane Island sits just off the beach.
Rentrals has 50 cars here from $28.72 a day, all with city delivery and no credit card needed. 18 are SUVs and 8 are new.
The cheapest car, the Perodua Viva at $28.72, is automatic 
. The one manual car is the Datsun redi GO at $29.86, so check the gearbox before you book. The other 49 cars are automatic.
Cheapest car is automatic: $28.72/day
City delivery on every car
No credit card required
18 SUVs
What you get with Rentrals in Weligama
Why rent a car in Weligama?
The best moments on this coast happen early. Stilt fishermen go out at dawn, Mirissa’s whale boats leave around 6:30am, and the reef breaks at Midigama are cleanest first thing.
Buses on the A2 are crowded and don’t run to that timetable. With your own car, you can surf at Midigama, eat lunch in Mirissa and watch sunset from Galle Fort on the same day.
When you rent a car in Weligama, every car comes with city delivery and needs no credit card. 49 of the 50 cars are automatic ; the Datsun redi GO is the only manual.
Stilt fishermen between Weligama and Koggala
Stilt fishermen work a short stretch of the south coast between Koggala and Weligama. Each one sits on a crossbar tied to a single pole fixed into the reef, a few metres out in the surf, and fishes with a rod for small fish such as herring and mackerel.
Families pass the poles down, and a good spot is guarded closely. Many of the poles you see near the road at Koggala and Ahangama are now set up for photos, and the fishermen there will ask for a tip.
For working fishermen, go at sunrise or just before dusk, when the fish come close to shore. Car hire from Weligama gets you to the stilts at Ahangama and Midigama in 10 to 15 minutes, well before the first bus.
Taprobane Island: the villa in Weligama Bay
Taprobane is a small rocky island just off the beach in Weligama Bay. Locals knew it as Galduwa, meaning rock island.
In the 1920s, the French Count de Mauny Talvande built an octagonal villa on it and named it Taprobane, the old Greek name for Sri Lanka. The American writer Paul Bowles bought the island in the early 1950s and worked on his novel The Spider’s House there.
The villa is now private and rented out to small groups. At low tide you can wade most of the way across, though only guests can go up the steps.
Check the tide times before you go. With car rental in Weligama, you can come back at low tide or for sunset without waiting for transport.
Kustarajagala: the rock carving of the leper king
Kustarajagala is a figure about 3m tall, cut into a rock face at the temple of the same name in Weligama. It’s usually dated to around the 8th century, and most scholars identify it as the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Locals call it Natha.
The name means “rock of the leper king”. The story goes that a foreign king with a skin disease was cured here and had the figure carved in thanks.
It’s one of the few carvings of this age in the south of Sri Lanka, and you’ll usually have it to yourself. The temple is a few hundred metres off the A2 in town; leave shoes at the entrance and cover your shoulders and knees.
Surfing Weligama Bay and Midigama
Weligama Bay has a sandy bottom and small, steady waves, which is why most surf schools on the south coast teach here. Boards rent by the hour on the beach.
The season runs from about November to April. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rough sea, and the bay gets choppy.
Once you can stand up, try Midigama, about 4km west. Lazy Left and Lazy Right break over reef, and Coconuts is a little further along. Further east, Mirissa has its own reef break.
An SUV or the Suzuki Every van makes carrying boards easier. Car hire from Weligama to Midigama takes about 10 minutes, so you can catch both the morning and evening sessions.
Driving the south coast from Weligama
Mirissa is about 7km east. Whale watching boats leave its harbour around 6:30am from November to April, with blue whales the main sighting.
Matara, about 17km east, has the Star Fort, built by the Dutch in the 1760s, and the Polhena turtle reef. West of Weligama, Koggala is about 15km, Unawatuna about 22km and Galle Fort about 28km.
For Colombo, join the Southern Expressway at Kokmaduwa, inland from Weligama. The trip takes about 2h 15min, compared with 4 hours or more on the A2.
Choosing the right car in Weligama
Perodua Viva
The cheapest car and the cheapest automatic, with a low deposit. Easy to park on the beach road.
Suzuki Wagon R
A small automatic with free cancellation and a low deposit.
Suzuki Alto
Another small automatic with free cancellation.
Suzuki Every
A small van with room for surfboards and dive bags.
Toyota Raize
A new compact SUV, one of 18 in the fleet, with room for families and boards.
Datsun redi GO (manual)
The only manual car. The automatic Perodua Viva costs less, so book the Datsun only if you prefer a manual.
Car rental prices in Weligama: 50 cars from $28.72, 49 automatic
49 of the 50 cars in Weligama are automatic. The exception is the Datsun redi GO at $29.86 a day, which is manual. The cheapest car, the Perodua Viva at $28.72, is automatic. Every car comes with city delivery, needs no credit card and includes 1,400km per rental. 42 have a low deposit, 3 have no deposit, 16 have free cancellation, 25 have full insurance, 18 are SUVs and 8 are new. These are the main models; the full list is on the booking widget.
| Car | Transmission | Key detail | Price/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perodua Viva | Automatic | Cheapest car and cheapest automatic, low deposit | $28.72 |
| Datsun redi GO | Manual | Only manual car, low deposit | $29.86 |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | Free cancellation, low deposit | $30.15 |
| Suzuki Alto | Automatic | Free cancellation, low deposit | $30.15 |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | Low deposit | $30.72 to $31.43 |
| Suzuki Every | Automatic | Van body, low deposit | $31.58 |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | Low deposit | $31.72 to $32.43 |
| Toyota Raize (new SUV) | Automatic | New car | $43.58 |
| All other 49 cars automatic | |||
The Datsun redi GO at $29.86 a day is the only manual car in the Weligama fleet. The cheapest car overall, the Perodua Viva at $28.72, is automatic. All other 49 cars are automatic.Cheap car rental in Weligama starts at $28.72 for an automatic. Prices change with the season and update daily, so check the booking widget for your dates.
Driving from Weligama: distances to Mirissa, Matara, Galle and Colombo
Times below are typical outside rush hour. The A2 is slow through Weligama and Mirissa towns.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midigama | about 4km | 10 min | Lazy Left, Lazy Right and Coconuts reef breaks |
| Mirissa | about 7km | 15 min | Whale watching November to April |
| Koggala | about 15km | 25 min | Stilt fishermen, lake islands |
| Matara | about 17km | 30 min | Dutch Star Fort, Polhena reef |
| Unawatuna | about 22km | 35 min | Beach, Rumassala, snorkelling |
| Galle | about 28km | 45 min | UNESCO fort and ramparts |
| Dickwella | about 40km | 1h | Beach, Wewurukannala temple |
| Colombo | about 150km | 2h 15min | Via the Southern Expressway |
Further along the coast are Hikkaduwa to the west and Tangalle to the east. Between Matara and Dickwella is Aparekka.
Driving tips for Weligama and the A2
- Sri Lanka drives on the left. 49 of the 50 Rentrals cars in Weligama are automatic .
- The only manual car is the Datsun redi GO at $29.86. The cheapest car, the Perodua Viva at $28.72, is automatic.
- The A2 runs right beside the beach through Weligama. Watch for people crossing with surfboards.
- Buses stop without warning, and tuk tuks pull out from side lanes. Keep your speed down in towns.
- Park off the road at Mirissa harbour early in the morning; it fills up before the boats leave.
- The Southern Expressway is a toll road. Carry rupees for the booths.
- Speed limits for cars are generally 50km/h in towns, 70km/h on open roads and 100km/h on expressways.
- The blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, and the minimum driving age is 18.
What you need to rent a car in Weligama
Documents
Passport, your home driving licence and an International Driving Permit. Sri Lanka asks foreign drivers to have the IDP endorsed by the Automobile Association of Ceylon, or to hold a temporary local permit from the Department of Motor Traffic.
Age
Drivers must be 18 or older. Some suppliers set their own minimum age, which shows on the car listing.
Payment
Car rental in Weligama with no credit card. Pay 15 to 20% at booking and the balance at pickup. 3 cars need no security deposit.
Cover and cancellation
25 cars have full insurance, with tiers shown at booking. 16 cars have free cancellation. Confirm the gearbox before you pay.
How booking works
Compare
Pick your dates and compare the 50 cars by price, deposit and transmission.
Reserve
Pay 15 to 20% online. Booking is instant, with no credit card required.
Delivery
The car comes to your hotel, villa or surf camp in Weligama.
Handover
Check the car face to face with the supplier, pay the balance and drive away. No hidden fees.
A south coast day from Weligama
A plan for the dry season, from November to April.
Best time to visit Weligama
November to April
South coast dry season. Clean surf, calm mornings and whale boats from Mirissa.
December to March
The busiest months. Book your car and room early.
May to September
Southwest monsoon. Rough sea in the bay, more rain and lower prices.
October
Shoulder month. Afternoon showers, and the surf starts to settle late in the month.
What to keep in the car
- Board straps or a soft rack for surfboards
- Seasickness tablets for the whale boats
- Reef shoes for Midigama and Taprobane
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Kustarajagala
- Towels and a mat for wet, sandy seats
- Rupee notes for parking, tolls and surfboard hire
Suggestions from Rentrals
Book the cheapest car with confidence
The $28.72 Perodua Viva is automatic. The Datsun redi GO at $29.86 is the only manual.
Pick a van or SUV for boards
The Suzuki Every from $31.58 fits 2 boards inside. Boards on a roof need straps.
Leave by 6am for Mirissa
Whale boats leave around 6:30am. Allow 15 minutes plus time to park.
Book a free cancellation car
16 cars have free cancellation. Useful if the sea is too rough for a boat or a surf.
Check the tide for Taprobane
Low tide is the time to wade out. Check a tide table the day before.
Use the expressway for Colombo
Join at Kokmaduwa. It saves close to 2 hours compared with the A2.
Clear the sand before return
Shake sand off and wipe seats before handover to avoid cleaning charges.
Photograph the car at handover
The inspection is face to face. Take photos of each side, the wheels and the fuel gauge before you set off.
Car rental in Weligama: frequently asked questions
How much does car rental in Weligama cost?
Car rental in Weligama starts at $28.72 a day for the Perodua Viva, which is automatic. The next cheapest is the Datsun redi GO at $29.86, which is manual. The Toyota Raize SUV is $43.58. The fleet has 50 cars, with no credit card needed and city delivery on every car. Prices update daily.
Are the rental cars in Weligama automatic or manual?
49 of the 50 cars are automatic. The exception is the Datsun redi GO at $29.86 a day, which is manual. The cheapest car, the Perodua Viva at $28.72, is automatic. Check the transmission badge on each listing before you book.
Where can I see stilt fishermen near Weligama?
Along the coast between Weligama and Koggala, especially around Midigama and Ahangama. Go at sunrise or just before dusk. Ahangama is about 10 minutes west by car, and Koggala about 25 minutes.
Can I visit Taprobane Island?
The villa on Taprobane is private and rented to guests. At low tide you can wade out from Weligama beach and see it up close. Paul Bowles owned the island in the 1950s and worked on The Spider’s House there.
What is the Kustarajagala carving?
A figure about 3m tall cut into a rock in Weligama, usually dated to around the 8th century and identified as Avalokiteshvara. The name means “rock of the leper king”, after a legend of a foreign king cured here. It’s a few hundred metres off the A2.
Is city delivery available for car hire in Weligama?
Yes, every car includes city delivery. The car can be brought to your hotel, villa or surf camp in Weligama. Add the address and time when you book. The damage inspection takes place face to face at handover.
How far is Mirissa from Weligama?
About 7km east, roughly 15 minutes on the A2. Whale watching boats leave Mirissa harbour around 6:30am from November to April. Leave Weligama by 6am to park and check in.
What is the mileage allowance for car rental in Weligama?
Every car includes 1,400km per rental. A day trip to Galle and back is about 56km, and Colombo and back about 300km, so the allowance covers a long stay on the south coast.
Is Weligama good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Weligama Bay has a sandy bottom and small, steady waves, and most south coast surf schools teach here from November to April. Midigama’s reef breaks, about 4km west, suit surfers with more experience.
How far is Weligama from Colombo?
About 150km, usually 2h 15min on the Southern Expressway, which you join at Kokmaduwa. The A2 coast road takes 4 hours or more. The expressway is a toll road.
Are there SUVs for car rental in Weligama?
Yes. 18 of the 50 cars are SUVs, including the new Toyota Raize at $43.58. Use the SUV filter on the booking page to see them all.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Weligama?
Yes, plan on it. Sri Lanka asks foreign drivers to carry an International Driving Permit endorsed by the Automobile Association of Ceylon, or a temporary local permit from the Department of Motor Traffic. Bring your home licence and passport too. The minimum driving age is 18.
Rent a car in other Sri Lanka destinations
Planning a longer route? Rentrals has cars in 64 more towns across Sri Lanka. Choose a region to see them.
South coast
Colombo and west
Cultural triangle
North and northwest
Book your car in Weligama
50 cars from $28.72 a day, 49 of them automatic, with no credit card and city delivery on every car. Compare the fleet above and pick the car that fits your south coast trip.
Weligama car rental guide