A semiconductor light-emitting element comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor laminated structure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and a contact layer that are sequentially laminated on the semiconductor substrate; a ridge portion in an upper portion of the semiconductor laminated structure; a channel portion adjoining opposite sides of the ridge portion; a terrace portion adjoining opposite sides of the channel portion and, with the channel portion, sandwiching the ridge portion; a first insulating film covering the channel portion and having openings on the ridge portion and the terrace portion; a single-layer adhesive layer on the first insulating film; a Pd electrode on the ridge portion and a part of the single-layer adhesive layer and electrically connected to the contact layer of the ridge portion; and a second insulating layer covering a portion not covered by the Pd electrode of the single-layer adhesive layer, and the terrace portion.