Monkeys In Hiriketiya

What's in this guide

Everything you need to know about finding monkeys in Hiriketiya

A Tale From The Tropics

Can you actually say you’ve been to Sri Lanka if you didn’t see monkeys?

We know there are those bucket list places you’ll tell your friends about – places like Ella, the train from Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, and the national parks. But really, if you didn’t see monkeys, can you actually say you’ve been?

Obviously, of course you can. But there’s something special about the monkeys in Sri Lanka it would be a shame to miss them.

The island is home to some endemic species you cannot find anywhere else in the world and they hold such cultural relevance it’s worth finding them to understand why they’re so important.

Maybe you’ll spot them in the trees on a walk through the jungle roads, maybe they’ll be watching you from the rooftops whilst you eat, sometimes they’ll jump on your balconies and steal your towels, and often they’re just chilling eating fruit whilst you’re relaxing on the beach.

Luckily, Hiriketiya is one of the best towns to find monkeys on the South Coast. And in this guide we’ll give you all the details to make your search a little easier.

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Andrew & Beth, 🇱🇰 Experts

We’re just two travelers who fell in love with Sri Lanka. Now we show the magic of this island through personal stories, pictures, and guides.

Meet The Monkeys

Three incredible species call Hiriketiya home, each with their own unique personality and charm.

Purple-Faced Langur

The elusive leaf-eater
Rare

Grey Langur

The zen master
Common

Torque Macaque

The cheeky troublemaker
Everywhere

Where To Find Monkeys

You're sure to see monkeys in Hiriketiya! Here are some of their favorite hangouts to make your search a little easier.

Central Hiriketiya

Torque Macaques can be found all day swinging from the power cables near La Luna and La Playa.

Dickwella Beach Corner

Grey Langurs are often at the corner of Dickwella Beach and up the hill from Smoke & Bitters.

Hiriketiya Hills

Purple-faced Langurs are rarely seen in Hiriketiya. But if you're lucky, you might spot them from a distance in the hills.

On your balcony

Yep, often the monkeys find you! In the morning they love to explore balconies and hotel roofs, careful or your clothes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about monkey spotting in Hiriketiya.

Monkeys are active in Hiriketiya year round so you’ll get the opportunity to see them whenever you visit. The dry season runs from December to April which is typically the best time to visit when the weather is nice and the surf works best.

The monkeys in Hiriketiya are wild so it’s best to keep a safe distance. Make sure to hide any food or shiny loose objects – you don’t want these guys stealing your phone! Never try to touch or corner them, and always respect their space.

As tempting as it might be to share your snacks, feeding the monkeys is a no-go. Doing so can alter their natural eating habits making them dependent on human-provided food. Some locals treat monkeys badly, so it’s best to leave them in their natural habitat.

On many popular tourist beaches, there will be locals walking monkeys on leads dressed in coats offering them for pictures. This is a cruel practice and they are not treated well. Please avoid paying for photos as it only encourages bad behavior. Instead, photograph them from a respectful distance in their natural habitat.

There are no specific guided tours in Hiriketiya to find monkeys – you’ll need to explore the area yourself using our location guide. If you’d like a more structured wildlife experience, you can visit Sinharaja Rainforest, Udawalwe National Park, or Yala National Park.

Monkeys are the main wildlife in Hiriketiya! But there are more animals to spot. 

In the ocean, you can sometimes find Turtles, especially at Batheegama Beach. In the sky, eagles often cruise above the bay. And in the trees, you can spot one of our favourites, the Giant Grizzled Squirrel – the closest animal to a real-life Pokémon in the world!

If you would like to see more exotic wildlife, you will need to head to Udawalawa or Yala National Parks.