Socially Conscious Travel
Sustainability, Cultural Respect, Community Impact for the Mindful Nomad
Sometimes, you don’t need the deepest pockets to find the most stylish places to stay or indulge in activities to have a great holiday in Sri Lanka. We are inspired by the island’s vastness of smaller projects that stand out – homely accommodations, offerings that takes you show Sri Lanka’s way of life differently, often run by passionate, hospitable, hands-on owners who create welcoming, authentic spaces for you.
While we don’t want these to sound like a budget airline, these stays and projects are ideal for any Sri Lanka itinerary—especially if you’re looking to keep costs down or aren’t drawn to flashy luxury hotels and other options to enjoy the island. They typically offer a no-frills approach to hospitality and might even be the best (or only) options available in more remote areas. Many are charming and full of character, while others simply offer what it says on the tin – clean, comfortable, and great value – quite simply, What you see is what you get!
For example, finding quality budget hotels in Sri Lanka can sometimes be a challenge, especially with a growing number of chic and luxury properties opening. In some areas, affordable options seem few and far between—or entirely absent.
Our founders, being die-hard Sri Lankans at heart, understand this landscape well. They’ve seen how local entrepreneurs —and occasionally like-minded expats who’ve made Sri Lanka their second home—bring forward creative, socially conscious ideas that make a real difference.
Through our one-of-a-kind feature, Socially Conscious Travel, we aim to highlight and celebrate some of Sri Lanka’s very own, most inspired, small-scale locally rooted hospitality projects. We believe that through this socially responsible lens, travelers get to experience a deeper, more meaningful connection with the island—its people, neighborhoods, and culture.
These are places where you won’t have to compromise on style, design, or comfort—but still capture the spirit of responsible and socially conscious travel in Sri Lanka.
We share some of our personal favorites here, all of which can be built easily into an itinerary or as a standalone vacation of your preference. This initiative is work in progress, as we continue to discover and encourage more of these unique projects to join us in bringing them to our audience.
Tamarind Gardens Farmhouse & Community Engagement
At Tamarind Gardens Farm Stay, we believe that true travel experiences come from meaningful interactions. Exploring the local village allows guests to step into the daily lives of the community, gaining firsthand insight into the customs, traditions, and simple joys of rural Sri Lanka. As you wander through the village, you’ll see families tending to their gardens, children playing under the shade of mango trees, and artisans practicing their crafts in open workshops. This experience goes beyond sightseeing—it’s about building connections and understanding the local way of life. You’ll be welcomed with genuine warmth, invited to share conversations, and even join in daily activities like cooking, farming, or weaving. The village is a place where time slows down, where life is lived with intention and harmony, and where every interaction leaves a lasting impression.
The Mud House
Spread on a large expanse of forest on the outskirts of a small village in Northwest Sri Lanka, The Mudhouse is a private and seductive jungle lodge, far away from the beaten track. Flanked by lakes and blessed with abundant birdlife, wildlife and natural beauty, the lodge offers rustic accommodation in private and individually designed mud huts. Run with environmental sustainability as its core focus, it aims to be a positive force for the people and nature with whom the co-exist. Serving traditional, healthy farm to table meals and providing a range of local excursions and activities, it offers a unique chance to experience rural Sri Lanka in all its colourful splendor. The lodge has been run with a strong dedication towards sustainability, experimenting with different models of community based and environmentally focused tourism. |
The Eagles Crest Lodge – Knuckles Homestay
Eagles Crest Lodge lies tucked away in the idyllic Knuckles Mountains range. Surprisingly unknown for most visitors to Sri Lanka, this mystical expanse of forest is home to ancient cultures, pristine environments and a charming way of life. Simple but cozy, Eagles Crest is a small lodge with views over the breathtaking mountain range. The lodge owners, your hosts, lived in the village all their lives. Our friend Sid is the local connection, an experienced Knuckles expert, responsible for arranging walks through the surrounding hills and villages and acting as a translator for interactions along the way. The area is a paradise for nature lovers. Our guided walks will get you under the surface of the customs, culture and habitats. If you are curious about getting beneath the surface and experiencing the charms and warmth of rural hospitality with some adventure and exploration in nature, this is your paradise.