Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

Ambalangoda is a coastal town between Bentota and Hikkaduwa, and it's the centre of Sri Lanka's traditional mask-making. Carved from light kaduru wood and brightly painted, these masks were made for folk dramas and healing rituals, and they make one of the island's best souvenirs.

What to see

• Mask museums and workshops — family workshops along the main road explain the craft, often with carvers at work. Ariyapala and Sons is the best-known name.
• Three mask traditions — Kolam masks are used in comic folk plays, Sanni masks represent demons of illness in healing rituals, and Raksha masks are the fierce demons used in processions.
• The town's coast — a long beach used by local fishermen, usually much quieter than its neighbours.

Visiting tips

• Most museums are free or ask for a small donation, with a shop alongside.
• Allow about 1 hour.
• Prices vary widely. Good masks take skill and time, so look at the quality of the carving and painting.
• Ask before photographing people at work.
• See our shopping guide for more tips.

When to visit

Workshops open all year. December to April is best if you also want to enjoy the beach, as the sea is rough during the south-west monsoon.

Getting there

Ambalangoda is on the Coastal Line railway and the coast road, about 2 hours south of Colombo by train, and 20 minutes from Hikkaduwa. The Southern Expressway also has a nearby exit. It's an easy stop on any south coast road trip.