A local landmark on Main Street, run the way it's always been.

The Bay sits right on Arugam Bay's Main Street, a couple of minutes' walk from the sand and close enough to the point break to hear it. Rooms open onto a garden courtyard built around the pool — the kind of place where you leave your board leaning by the door and nobody minds.

Free bikes are parked out front for the ride down to the lagoon; the kitchen turns out an easy mix of Sri Lankan, American, Chinese and Indian dishes, with vegetarian, vegan and halal options on request.