Panama
Welcome to the authentic village
life of Panama, Sri Lanka
Panama is more than a destination; it is a legacy. Located at the edge of the Kumana National Park and the sacred Okanda shrine, our village is a mosaic of Sinhalese and Tamil cultures living in harmony for centuries. We are the guardians of the Hena (chena) cultivation, the protectors of the lagoon, and the keepers of the Pada Yatra pilgrimage trail.
Contact us Read moreOur Core Values
Heritage
Preserving the syncretic rituals of the East.
Nature
Living in harmony with the elephants of Kumana and the lagoons.
Sustainability
Tourism that feeds the soil, not just the economy.
The Seasonal Pulse
January
The Emerald Fields: Starting paddy cultivation.
Witness the ritual blessing of the fields as the rice cycle begins.
February
The Watchful Eye: Protecting crops from elephants.
Spend a night in a 'Tree Hut' (Pela) and learn the peaceful methods of human-wildlife coexistence.
March
The Great Harvest: Paddy harvesting period.
The most festive time—participate in the threshing floor rituals and traditional songs.
April
New Beginnings: Tamil & Hindu New Year.
Traditional games, community feasts, and ritual hunting ceremonies.
May
The Golden Harvest: Vesak celebrations and Palu fruit season.
Collecting wild honey in the jungle and tasting the sweetness of the Palu fruit.
June
The Lagoon’s Bounty: Peak fishing and wood apple season.
Learn to cast nets in the lagoon help prepare traditional sun-dried fish.
July
The Sacred Walk: Kathtragama Pada Yatrawa & Okanda Festival.
Join thousands of pilgrims on a spiritual walk through the jungle to the sacred shrine.
September
Preparing the Earth: Landpreparation for Hena & Ampitya Festival.
Experience the ancient 'Ampitya' rituals and the communal clearing of the land.
October
Sowing Seeds: Planting mung beans, ground nuts, and maize.
Hands-on experience in traditional Hena farming techniques.
November
The Monsoon Breath: Rainy season and lagoon fishing.
Foraging for wild mushrooms and medicinal green leaves in the lush rain.
December
The Earth Yields: Groundnut harvesting season.
Join the community in the fields for the groundnut pull and evening fireside stories.
Villas of Panama
Comfortable small villas hosted by village families, offering peaceful stays,
home cooked meals, and an authentic connection to Panama life.
Top Rated
Featured Stay
Featured Stay
Featured Stay
Top Rated
Community Stay
Featured Stay
Top Rated
Community Stay
Panama Community
We are a growing community-based tourism society in eastern Sri Lanka with a shared vision to develop Panama as a dedicated homestay village. What started as a small group of families offering simple home stays has grown into a united initiative providing accommodation, guided activities, and improved facilities for our guests.
We aim to create meaningful travel experiences while ensuring tourism directly benefits our village. When you stay with us, you experience authentic village life, community-led safaris and lagoon tours, and the culture and traditions that shape our home.
Beyond tourism, we support rural schools, assist local temples, and contribute to community development. With training supported by Australian Aid through the International Labour Organization (ILO), we continue building a responsible and sustainable future for Panama Village.
Growing Homestay Village
We are developing Panama as a welcoming homestay destination where local families host guests with genuine village hospitality.
Community Led Experiences
We organize safaris, lagoon tours, village walks, surfing, and camping guided by the people who know this land best.
Tourism with Purpose
We support local schools, assist temples, and contribute to village development through responsible tourism.
Trained and Future Ready
With training supported by Australian Aid through the ILO, we continue improving our standards and strengthening our community.
GRAND EXPERIENCES
Discover the true spirit of Panama through unforgettable village led adventures. From thrilling Kumana safaris and peaceful lagoon journeys to cultural village walks, ancient sacred sites, surfing, and camping under the stars every activity is guided by the hands and hearts of our local community. Experience nature, culture, and connection in their purest form.
danaya at kudumbigala temple
Take part in a traditional offering ceremony and experience local spiritual culture and peaceful temple surroundings.
riverside or beach cooking
Cook and enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food outdoors by a river or beach with our friendly community members.
Kumana National Park safari
Explore the wild beauty of Kumana with experienced local guides. Spot elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and rare bird species in their natural habitat.
lagoon boat tour
Glide across the peaceful Panama lagoon, enjoy birdwatching, and experience traditional fishing life at sunset.
ancient temple visits
Discover historic religious sites and sacred places that reflect
the deep spiritual heritage of the region.
surfing near arugam bay
Ride the waves at nearby Arugam Bay, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous surf destinations, suitable for beginners and experienced surfers.
village life experience
Walk through the village, visit local homes, learn traditional cooking methods, and understand daily rural life in Sri Lanka.
village camping under the stars
Camp in natural surroundings, enjoy traditional meals, storytelling, and
a peaceful night close to nature.
Volunteer Tourism
We don’t want tourists. We welcome Temporary Residents.
Conservation Volunteer
Help our local trackers monitor elephant movements and maintain "living fences" to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Educational Exchange
Spend time at the village school teaching English or digital skills in exchange for traditional cooking lessons.
Regenerative Farming
Learn the secrets of Hena (slash-and-burn, but sustainable) cultivation and help document ancient seed varieties.
Panama Marketplace
Authentic Village Goods
Wild Panama Honey
Pure, medicinal honey gathered from the dry zone forests.
Wood Apple Preserve
Handmade jams from the village’s abundant wood apple harvest.
The Hena Basket
A seasonal box of groundnuts, mung beans, and traditional grains.
Crafted by Hand
Hand-woven mats and lagoon-reed crafts made by the women’s collective.
Why Us
Travel that directly
supports our village
We are not a tour company we are a community. Every stay, safari, lagoon tour, and meal is operated by local families in Panama. Your visit creates real income, preserves traditions, and supports sustainable village life while giving you an authentic Sri Lankan experience.
Contact usContact Us
email us
info@panamavillage.com
phone (landline)
+94 77 123 4567
+94 11 234 5678
our office location
Panama, Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka