BeruwalaThe most popular beach resorts of the south coast area starting around here and streaches towards Galle and beyond. There are many large hotels catering the tourists but are often busy during the weekends with local tourists.
Benthota
South of Beruwala, Bentota is another major beach resort of the island with many large hotels with beach fronts, beautiful sandy beaches and shallow waters. There is a popular fresh water lagoon which is a popular water racing location
AmbalangodaWooden masks worn during ritualstic folk dances and operas. Now mostly produced for home decorations and for export. Masks are associated with exorcism which are performed as dances. All masks are associated with ledgends and depict humans, demons and animals such as birds or snakes. Some masks patterns are a combination of various types such as snake and a demon or a bird and a demon. A private mask centre Ariyapala Mask Museum is an establish mask craft center and sales outlet. Buddhist Temples
There are several Buddhist temples situated around Madampe lake some dating back to the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura era
There are several Buddhist temples situated around Madampe lake some dating back to the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura era
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is one of the earliest tourist beaches of Sri Lanka famous for its sandy beaches and superb waves for surfing. Once a popular coral reefs at Hikkaduwa are now nearly extinct. There are many hotels and guest houses to suit any budget with varying quality and comfort.
Your itenaries at Hikkaduwa may include hiring a glass bottom boat for coral viewing, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or simply relaxing in the beach.
Your itenaries at Hikkaduwa may include hiring a glass bottom boat for coral viewing, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or simply relaxing in the beach.
GALLE
The capital of the southern province is a city with a colourful history. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. 300 year old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. The beautiful beach of Unawatuna is just 6km south east of the city centre.
The southern coastal belt is the most popular among the tourists and comes to life mainly from October through April when the monsoon moves northeast and the sea becomes calm with blue skies. The earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo. The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4 centuries
Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north. Dutch who captured the coastal cities from the Portuguese improved the defence system of the fort, widening the moat on the landside, improving the ramparts and the bastions. British who captured the city did not make many changes as they shifted the part to the northern town of Colombo and therefore the atmosphere of Dutch days are preserved to date. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use. Still there are many old Dutch buildings intact and, but unfortunately except for those in the private hands. The ramparts and the bastions still bring to life the old world.
The southern coastal belt is the most popular among the tourists and comes to life mainly from October through April when the monsoon moves northeast and the sea becomes calm with blue skies. The earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo. The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4 centuries
Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north. Dutch who captured the coastal cities from the Portuguese improved the defence system of the fort, widening the moat on the landside, improving the ramparts and the bastions. British who captured the city did not make many changes as they shifted the part to the northern town of Colombo and therefore the atmosphere of Dutch days are preserved to date. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use. Still there are many old Dutch buildings intact and, but unfortunately except for those in the private hands. The ramparts and the bastions still bring to life the old world.
Unawatuna
west coast of Sri Lanka, a popular tourist destination is a also a breeding ground for turtles. Legend say that Unwatuna was created from a piece of earth from Himalaya, that had fallen from Hanuman in the Ramayanaya epic.
Unlike the other resorts to the north Unawatuna is still a very quite place and a excellent location to enjoy the tropical beauty in relative recluse. Ideal for snorkelling and swimming. There are some coral reefs to be explored at near by Rumassala and now becoming popular as a bird watching location.
Unawatuna offers a wide range of accommodation scattered around near by village, but for more luxurious places are few minutes drive from the beach. The beach side bars and restaurants are in abundance.
Unlike the other resorts to the north Unawatuna is still a very quite place and a excellent location to enjoy the tropical beauty in relative recluse. Ideal for snorkelling and swimming. There are some coral reefs to be explored at near by Rumassala and now becoming popular as a bird watching location.
Unawatuna offers a wide range of accommodation scattered around near by village, but for more luxurious places are few minutes drive from the beach. The beach side bars and restaurants are in abundance.
