A blessed land, a real tourist paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, famous tea plantations, tropical forests and magnificent beaches - all this is Sri Lanka. Where is the best place to relax in the former British colony? Almost the entire coast of the island has luxurious and varied sandy beaches with amazing nature, where you can also practice water sports. Next we will talk in more detail about the country, tourist places and attractions.
We're going on holiday to Asia
Sri Lanka or Goa - where is it better to relax? It is impossible to compare popular tourist destinations in a nutshell. Therefore, you need to decide what type of vacation attracts you most. In Sri Lanka, for example, there are many secluded and untouched places by civilization, often located very close to the hotel. But Goa is a resort that is completely different from the rest of India. South Goa is famous for its respectable resorts, where rich Indians and wealthy Europeans relax; North Goa, on the contrary, is noisy, democratic and relatively inexpensive. Advanced young people from Europe come there en masse.
Sri Lanka or Vietnam - where is it better to relax? Vietnam attracts with the beautiful nature of national parks (but not as untouched as in Sri Lanka), the architecture of bygone civilizations, delicious food, hotels with good service and reasonable prices. There is a European spirit here - after all, it is a former French colony. And in Vietnam you can feel nostalgic for our recent past: pioneers in ties, a leader in a mausoleum, a red flag with a yellow star.
Travelers often compare Sri Lanka with Thailand. The latter benefits from a developed infrastructure, but the former Ceylon does not always offer a service commensurate with the money spent. It is better to go to Thailand for partygoers who love active recreation, shows and night discos, but for married couples and people who prefer romantic evenings on the shores of the Indian Ocean, beautiful history and untouched nature, welcome to Sri Lanka.
Colombo: shopping and attractions
Where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka? Colombo is the cultural and financial center of the island state, the largest city and (formally) the capital. Here you can combine a beach holiday, excursion programs, shopping, sightseeing, nightlife and entertainment. Today the city is bustling with life; it is partially built up with modern high-rise buildings, but has retained its special flavor without turning into a concrete jungle.
Travelers rarely stay in Colombo. This city is more of a transit point or a temporary shelter before heading to other parts of the island, flying into Bandaranaike Airport, or finally leaving the country. But there is still a certain tourist infrastructure in the city. There are plenty of places where you can have fun, take a walk, shop or gamble.
There are also plenty of attractions and excursion programs in the capital. There are many ancient temples, known throughout the country, several museums, and outstanding architectural monuments. There is also a beach, however, city tourists rarely choose to relax, preferring suburban beaches. You can also stay in a hotel with an ocean view.
Hikkaduwa
Where is the best place to vacation in January? Sri Lanka is a country that has everything for a year-round comfortable holiday. High water and air temperatures (about 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 20-25 degrees at night) constantly remain at approximately the same level. Only the rainy season can spoil a pleasant pastime. On the northeast coast it lasts from October to May, and on the southwest coast it lasts from May to October.
Hikkaduwa, a popular resort, is located near Colombo. Tourists choose it for its developed infrastructure and good beaches. There are many hotels here, so you can find an option for every taste and budget. Many cafes have menus in Russian, and hotel staff understand Russian. In the northern part of the city there are several large supermarkets, a market, ATMs, bicycle and motorcycle rentals.
The beaches in Hikkaduwa are long and have good tourist infrastructure. Many hotels and cafes overlook the shore, so travelers who want to stay in a bungalow are better off going to another part of the island. Several undeveloped, but quite pleasant beaches are located north of Hikkaduwa. In the city itself, there are surfing and diving schools everywhere, and the weather here is the most suitable for such activities, because high waves are not uncommon here.
There are no outstanding attractions in the resort area itself, but it is a paradise for lovers of nightlife. Every Friday, for example, there is a noisy party in one of the hotels, and many cafes on the main street are open until late in the evening every day.
Bentota: beach resort infrastructure
Where is the best place to go on holiday with children in Sri Lanka? Bentota, for example, is synonymous with an exceptionally relaxing beach holiday, where the appropriate infrastructure is available. The small town has many cafes and restaurants where you can taste local food or order European dishes. There are also travel agencies, transport rentals, on the beaches you can find some water activities, and after swimming to your heart’s content, go on excursions.
Unawatuna - year-round holiday
Where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka at any time of the year? You can, for example, go to Unawatuna, a small town on the west coast of the island. This is one of the most popular resort destinations. The main beach is located in a cozy bay, and the sea remains calm even during the strongest winds. There are few hotels here that are suitable for an all-inclusive holiday, so most of the vacationers are independent tourists. Travelers stay in small hotels or directly with local residents. Nightlife becomes active only on weekends, when noisy parties are held on the beach, and live music plays in bars until the morning. Unawatuna is not suitable for shopping, and there are no attractions here.
Galle Tours & Historic Sites
Galle is a large city located near Unawatuna and 145 km from Colombo International Airport. This place is primarily an excursion place. In Halle you can visit the ancient port, which was built by the Dutch in 1663, and in 1988 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as a Catholic church, museums, a lighthouse, several temples, and many outstanding architectural objects in the European style. Of interest are the fisherman's market and the beach, where you can watch local fishermen catch fish straight from the ocean and sell it right away.
In general, if you answer the question of where is the best place to vacation in Sri Lanka (in December, January, February or other months), we can safely recommend Galle. The city is the most developed on the southern coast of the island; there are many attractions and you can have an interesting time. True, there are no beaches at all, and the only entertainment available is walking, which can get boring after a couple of days. Many tourists go to Galle only for day trips, or if they need to go to the hospital or buy something.
The choppy sea of Weligama
Where is the best place for surf lovers to relax in Sri Lanka? Weligama, a resort town in the south, is perfect for them. Most of its coastline is made up of sandy beaches without rocks or reefs, but there are few sunbathing tourists here. The sea is choppy, so the surfing infrastructure is very well developed here, which cannot be said about the tourist infrastructure. There are also no opportunities for interesting shopping; you can only buy the most necessary things: food, simple medicines, clothes.
Mirissa - beach relaxation
Where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka for families with children and tourists who prefer calm beaches? Of course, in Mirissa. First, a resort area arose here, and only then some infrastructure began to develop. There are hotels, cafes and restaurants, but you can only buy the essentials, and there is practically no night entertainment. There is a fish market where you can enjoy fresh fruit and local food. Still, the main attractions of Mirissa are its beautiful beaches and boat rides. True, the main beach of the town usually has strong waves, so it is more of a surfing spot, but to the east there are several very calm bays where there are no waves even in bad weather.
Koggala is a place little touched by civilization
Is Sri Lanka suitable for a holiday in December? Where is the best place to relax? Koggala is a resort village located near Galle. Although the local beaches are little touched by civilization, you still won’t be able to stay in complete silence and away from the crowds of tourists, since a busy highway passes very close by. The infrastructure is poorly developed, and the entire life of the village is concentrated only around the road. You can, of course, go scuba diving or surfing - there are all the conditions for this.
According to reviews, in Sri Lanka, where it is better to relax for both experienced travelers and beginners, the most popular destinations are the places listed above. There are plenty of water sports and a virtually untouched environment. For example, for a beach holiday, tourists recommend Tangalla, the towns of Unawatuna, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa and Kogalla, and for excursions it is better to go to Galle or Colombo.
Review of the best resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka: map, description, season, pros and cons. Find out where the best beach holidays are on the island!
Sri Lanka has many wonderful resorts with good beaches and well-developed infrastructure. In this review you will learn about the most popular resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka. We will tell you about a beach holiday in Sri Lanka: what is good about each resort, how to spend time on vacation and when is the best time to go on vacation.
Map of resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka
List of the best resorts in Sri Lanka
Negombo is located closer than other resorts to Colombo airport - the distance to it is about 30 km. This is very convenient for tourists who have had a long flight. The place is more famous for its fishing conditions than for beach holidays: the coastal waters abound with a large number of fish, their migration period occurs during the high tourist season. The large seafood market is one of Negombo's most famous attractions. Negombo has reefs, which makes the place popular among divers.
Beach holidays in Negombo are mediocre: the water is muddy, some areas of the shore are occupied by fishermen, where they lay out gear and dry fish. There are few umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as water activities, the only exceptions being expensive hotels.
Nevertheless, Negombo is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka thanks to the convenient beaches that stretch along Lewis Place. In addition, there is an optimal choice of accommodation and many photogenic fishermen and beautiful scenery.
Negombo can be visited all year round, however it is very wet in May and October - November.
(Photo © ronsaunders47 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hikkaduwa is located 100 km from Colombo and is the leader in attendance. Divers, surfers, snorkelers, young people and family people come here. Water activities and a modest nightlife have made Hikkaduwa the busiest and best resort in Sri Lanka.
Here are the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and many hotels of different categories. The beaches are ideal for surfing - there is almost always a strong wave. Early in the morning, huge turtles appear near the shore; they are so accustomed to people that they take treats directly from people’s hands.
In the center of Hikkaduwa there is a coral park where you can ride a glass-bottom boat, go snorkeling, or book a boat trip. There are several Buddhist temples in Hikkaduwa, the most famous and popular among them is located on a small island. Entrance to the temples is free, excluding travel fees. Excursions to the mines where precious stones are mined and can be purchased are popular among vacationers.
A great time to holiday in Hikkaduwa is from November to April.
Wadduwa is located 35 km from Colombo. At this Sri Lankan resort you will find golden sandy beaches, coconut palms, diving centers, sailboats, surfing and other entertainment. During the dives you can see the remains of sunken ships. Tennis courts and golf courses are equipped especially for vacationers. All hotels are comfortable.
Fans of excursions will not be bored - they will be able to visit neighboring Kalutara with the Buddhist temple Gangatilaka Vihara and the fishermen's town of Hambantota, take a boat trip along the canals and capture the local beauty.
The best time for an active and beach holiday at this resort is from October to March.
(Photo © Hash Milhan / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
The village of Bentota is located south of Colombo - 65 km (2 hours drive), between the mouth of the river of the same name and the ocean. It is considered an elite and best resort in Sri Lanka, a favorite beach holiday destination for romantics and those seeking solitude.
Here are the largest number of comfortable hotels, uncrowded clean beaches and lush jungle nature, famous mangrove forests grow in this area. The resort offers a lot of entertainment for its guests - sea and river fishing, an exciting safari on the river with crocodiles, excursions to a turtle farm, yacht trips and much more. There is a center for diving enthusiasts.
The best time for a beach holiday in Bentota is from October to April.
(Photo © lola media / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The small resort village of Unawatuna is located 120 km from Colombo. Once a fishing village, this rapidly developing resort is only slightly inferior in popularity to Hikkaduwa and Bentota.
This place is especially loved by tourists who vacation on their own - the resort has many guesthouses at an affordable price. The main advantage of Unawatuna is the calm water in the ocean. The central beach is located in a bay, and coral reefs protect from strong waves, so families with children are happy to relax here.
The entire tourism infrastructure has been created. Vacationers can go diving or snorkeling; lovers of excursions can visit the neighboring resort of Galle. But this is not a place for solitude: the beaches of Unawatuna can be quite crowded.
The optimal time for vacation is from December to April. It is too rainy in May and October–November.
(Photo © iris0327 / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Due to their distance from the airport, the resorts on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka are less popular than on the southwestern coast. Nevertheless, Trincomalee is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka and the most beautiful place on the island: there is a deep-water bay discovered by Admiral Nelson. Trincomalee itself is unique in terms of architecture - there are Muslim buildings, Buddhist and Hindu temples. You can get there by night train from Colombo (9 hours travel time) or by bus (7 hours).
According to some vacationers, Trincomalee beaches are the best in all of Sri Lanka. The holiday is quiet, there is little entertainment here, the infrastructure is still under development, most hotels are inexpensive, bars and restaurants are of the same level.
The natural beauty of this place is amazing - tall palm trees and lemurs roaming free. Not far from the coast is a coral island, which is favored by divers and snorkelers; there are hot springs a few kilometers away.
It is best to plan your trip from March to August, as November-December is too rainy.
(Photo © Images of Sri Lanka - Sequential Shots / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)
List of the best beaches in Sri Lanka
All the island's beaches are sandy, many of them are surrounded by coconut palms and other tropical plants. The best beaches in Sri Lanka are located on the southwest coast and are not too far from each other.
Bentota Beach
The most famous beach on the island, and according to numerous reviews from enthusiastic tourists, it is also one of the best for a beach holiday. This is where newlyweds prefer to spend their honeymoon. A wide coastal strip, palm trees, complete privacy - these are the main advantages of this place.
A wonderful place and almost complete absence of infrastructure. Since the beach is quite far from Colombo (5 hours by bus), it is visited by single tourists or those who have taken an independent trip around the island.
(Photo © That Guy,Will / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Unawatuna Beach is located in the village of the same name. The coastal strip is not as wide as in Bentota, but the calm water off the coast makes it extremely attractive. The sand is very fine and clean, part of the territory is occupied by cafes and hotels, the rest is available for swimming and water activities. There is shallow water intended for swimming with children.
Hikkaduwa Beach
The longest beach line in Sri Lanka. Orange sand and turquoise water, along the line there are numerous cafes and guesthouses. Strong waves have made this place a favorite spot for surfers, but there are relatively calm areas - near the Chaaya Tranz hotel. There are no sunbeds there, there is enough shade from palm trees, many people come there to swim with their children. Thanks to all this, Hikkaduwa Beach is considered one of the best places for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka.
The Tangalle beach complex has long been persistently included in the lists of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. This is an ideal place for a secluded holiday: you can walk a mile and not see another person. Any accommodation can be found. You can get to the place by bus from Colombo (6 hours).
(Photo © Šejba / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
It's hard to predict where and who will like it more. Sri Lanka is still an amazing island, where every place deserves special attention and admiration, so it is quite difficult to compile a list of the best resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka that claims to be objective. However, we hope that our review will help you decide on a place to stay and you will have a great time.
Introductory image source: © Dhammika Heenpella / Images of Sri Lanka / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Sri Lanka is truly a unique island in every way. This is not just a country of absolute exoticism, the birthplace of tea, elephants and coconut trees. This is something more: here you can find the last island of relict forest; not far from Kandy you can see dense, unspoiled Veddas; here you can look at ancient cities, ruins of palaces lost in the jungle and Buddhist sanctuaries; Here you can also find forests overgrown with dense vines and... crocodile-infested rivers. It’s already enough for all this to become the goal of a separate trip, right? Well, the beaches of this island stretch on endlessly, and it will take at least a month to travel around them all... So when and where will it be best?
In Sri Lanka all year round humid hot or at least warm climate, although not the same everywhere - the climate of the island is greatly influenced by the topography and extent of the island from north to south. The average annual temperature on the plains is about +29 - 31 degrees (seasonal variations are very slight), while in the mountainous part of the country the temperature is around +16 - 24 degrees. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean all year round is about +25 - 27ºС.
The rainy season occurs during from May to September(southwest monsoon) for west and south coasts and with October to April(northeast monsoon) for east coast.
Hence best time for a beach holiday in the country: October - April for south and west coasts And May - September for the east coast. Based on the experience of its own travels, the Bamboo Club company notes that this division is very arbitrary: at any time of the year on any coast of the island there are always enough sunny days a year for a comfortable pastime on the beach.
For a stay on the beach
Trincomalee (east coast): May - September
Recommended hotels:* , +* , * , Chaaya Blu 4*
Wadduwa (west coast): November - March
Recommended hotels: Serene Pavilions 5*, Siddhalepa Ayurveda 5*, The Blue Water 4*, Villa Ocean View 3*
Kalutara (west coast): November - March
Recommended hotels: Royal Palms 5*, Mermaid 3*, Avani Kalutara 3*, Hibiscus Beach 3*, Tangerine Beach 4*, The Sands by Aitken Spence Hotels 4*
Beruwella (west coast): November - March
Recommended hotels: Eden Resort & Spa 5*, Lanka Princess 4*
Bentota (west coast): November - March
Recommended hotels: Bentota Beach (Cinnamon Beach) 4*, Vivanta by Taj Bentota 5*, The Surf Bentota (ex. Lihiniya Surf) 4*, Club Bentota 3*, Serendipity 4* (ex. Avani Bentota)
Ahungalla (southwest coast): October - April
Recommended hotels: Heritance Ahungalle 5*
Galle (southwest coast): October - April
Recommended hotels: Amanwella 5*, Cantaloupe Aqua Boutique 4*, Jetwing Lighthouse (ex. Lighthouse Hotel & Spa) 5*, Unawatuna Beach Resort 4*, Weligama Bay Resort 4*
Koggala (south coast): October - April
Recommended hotels: The Fortress 5* Boutique
Dikwella (south coast): October - April
Recommended hotels: Villa Jayananda 3*, Dickwella Village Resort 4*
Tangalle (south coast): October - April
Recommended hotels: Eva Lanka Hotel 4*, Talalla Retreat 4*, Ranna 212 4*, Palm Paradise Cabanas 3*, Buckingham Place 4* Boutique, Turtle Bay 4*
Must-see places in the country
Climbing to the "Lion Rock" will require a lot of effort. But it’s worth it: from the top you will have an amazing view of the surrounding area, and on the top of the rock you will see the ruins of Kassapa’s palace (5th century AD), carved pools and terraces.
Anuradhapura is the oldest capital of Sri Lanka. The exact date of the city's founding is unknown. But archaeological excavations in Sri Lanka confirm that the first human settlements in the area date back to the 5th century BC.
“Not a single drop falling from heaven should fall into the sea without benefiting man,” was the philosophy of those times when Polonnaruwa was the capital of the state. The kings built a complex irrigation system here, and to this day an artificial lake, canals, pools have been preserved here...
Insanely beautiful high-mountain landscapes create unique landscapes, without which a trip to Sri Lanka is unthinkable.
A trip to Kandy will greatly appeal to lovers of cultural treasures. Kandy has a special atmosphere that attracts not only travelers on a spiritual quest, but also ordinary people who dream of seeing with their own eyes the milestones of Sri Lanka's history.
A walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya should be included in your program. This is not just a garden where more than 4,800 plants from all over the world are planted, but also just a very beautiful place - a favorite promenade spot among the townspeople themselves.
Pinnawela is the largest elephant nursery in the country. Moreover, it has the largest number of captive elephants in the world.
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The cave temple complex in Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Anyone who loves nature and wants to see wild animals in their natural habitat can go to one of the country's national parks. The largest park in Sri Lanka is Yala Park, which is located in the southeast of the country, overlooking the beautiful coast of the Indian Ocean.
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Whale and dolphin watching in the open ocean.
Bentota is a famous resort in Sri Lanka, located 62 km south of Colombo. Situated at the junction of the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean, this resort town has the largest water sports center in Sri Lanka and offers a variety of...
Beruwella
Beruwala is a resort town in Sri Lanka, located 58 km south of Colombo and an hour's drive from it. Beruwala is the first Muslim settlement in Sri Lanka, which was founded by Arab traders in the 8th century AD. Home d...
Colombo
Colombo is the recognized capital of Sri Lanka and the largest city. It is also the main seaport, trade and financial center of Sri Lanka. The bustling city of Colombo has an attractive mix of old and new, the charm of a bygone era intertwined...
Dickwella
Dickwella (DICKWELLA) is a picturesque village located between two bays among tropical gardens on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The resort offers a secluded, comfortable stay surrounded by coconut palms in a relaxing atmosphere...
Halle
Galle, a port city of Sri Lanka located 116 km south of Colombo, on the southwestern part of the island, was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia, clearly show...
Hikkaduwa
Located 98 km south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is a quiet resort with comfortable hotels and amazing nature in Sri Lanka. Along the coast of the resort there is an amazingly beautiful coral reef - the Hikkaduwa Marine Park,...
Induruwa
The town of Induruwa is located about 65 km from Colombo south of Bentota on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Induruwa is striking in its beauty with its beautiful lush tropical nature, serene beaches and peaceful atmosphere. City...
Kalutara
Kalutara is a resort on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, located forty kilometers from Colombo and preserving the ancient colonial charm. There are a large number of different water sports centers located on the beaches of Kalutara. This resort...
Koggala
The resort town of Koggala, located in Sri Lanka near Galle, is the birthplace of the famous local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The Museum of Folk Art and Culture, built in his honor in the old residence, has an excellent...
Kosgoda
Kosgoda is a small town in Sri Lanka, located 65 km south of Colombo on the west coast of Sri Lanka. In addition to its delightful tropical nature, beautiful beaches and blue ocean waters, Kosgoda has a unique...
Marawila
Marawila is a town on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, 60 km from Colombo. Luxurious beaches surrounded by mangrove forests and picturesque landscapes do not leave any traveler indifferent. In addition, during the migration period, the flock...
Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia, a tiny resort in Sri Lanka, is very popular, located just twelve kilometers from Colombo on the road to Galle. A beautiful beach with clean sand and calm, warm ocean waters have made this resort famous...
Negombo
The resort town of Negombo is located in Sri Lanka at a distance of 37 km from Colombo and only 6 km from the international airport. This is a traditional fishing town surrounded by cinnamon plantations. Clean, wide sandy beaches and calm, safe ocean...
Vaikkal
Waikkal is a picturesque resort town of Sri Lanka in the Negombo region. Exotic nature, golden sandy beaches, inviting warm waters of the Indian Ocean - a truly heavenly holiday that Sri Lanka will give you.
Weligama
Sri Lanka resort Weligama - literally means “sand village”. The name of this settlement was given because of its location on the shore of a sandy bay. Situated in the Matara district at a distance of 143 km from Colombo, Weligama...
When choosing the best resorts in Sri Lanka for a holiday, it is worth remembering that there are several important features for tourists.
The first of them is monsoons. From May to September the country is at the mercy of rains. The second nuance concerns tourist areas. Conventionally, there are two main directions: the southwest and southeast coasts. What is the difference between them, where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka in the summer, a description of local resorts - you will find all this below.
South of Colombo to the town of Galle there is a scattering of the best resorts on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka.
Negombo
Negombo was called “little Rome”, there are so many temples in this city, decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, frescoes, sculptures and ornaments. The city is rich in other attractions, including natural ones. For example, a few kilometers from Negombo there is a famous nature reserve Muthurajawela.
The beaches deserve special mention. Unrealistically beautiful views, magical sunsets, pleasant and clean sand, and warm sea make parting with Negombo, which is inevitable for tourists, incredibly difficult.
Almost all the best hotels are located right on the coast; there are many quite comfortable and cozy guest houses. Tourists will not have problems with food. Negombo has many restaurants with plentiful and tasty food and low prices.
The only drawback may be the quiet and measured flow of life at the resort, but it will appeal to couples looking for privacy, and parents who come to relax peacefully at sea with their children.
Bentota
Bentota is the pearl of the resorts on the west coast of Sri Lanka and one of the most popular places for a beach holiday. Here you can book a small guest house or a room in a hotel of a large global chain - in short, Bentota is more than open to tourists.
The best beaches are the main trump card of the resort. The long and wide coastal strip, fine and gentle sand, and warm sea water attract lovers of swimming and sunbathing here. The waves, although not as strong as, for example, in Hikkaduwa, open up space for surfers and windsurfers, and the enchanting underwater world will win the heart of any diver.
Those looking for something exotic and adventurous can visit the Water Sports Center (by the way, the largest in Sri Lanka) or go on excursions to see with their own eyes the impressive local temples and the world's largest sculpture of a seated Buddha. And that's not all, of course. The mysterious Tropical Art Nouveau Gardens, an exciting river safari, a trip to a turtle farm - and many, many more surprises await you.
Despite all of the above, Bentota is considered a quiet place where it is good to relax, being alone with yourself and feeling harmony with the world around you. Perhaps this is the secret of a good vacation at this resort in Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa
This one is popular the resort bears the unspoken name of the capital of diving if not all of Sri Lanka, then the west coast for sure. There is a beautiful coral reef, sunken ships, and, of course, scuba diving training centers. For diving enthusiasts, this is the best holiday destination in Sri Lanka.
However, holidays in Hikkaduwa are somewhat controversial. This is a completely modern resort with a developed infrastructure - but there are no bounty-style beaches here: hotels and other buildings come so close to the water and obscure nature. Hikkaduwa has gorgeous, strong and high waves, which delights desperate surfers - but a small child will be better off in the pool here.
Hikkaduwa itself is poor in attractions, but for noisy and life-loving young people this resort has much more freedom than in Negombo or Bentota.
The west coast of Sri Lanka offers other resorts where you can go for a beach holiday: Kalutara, Unawatuna, Wadduwa, Beruwela, Mount Lavinia, Tangalle, Galle.
East Coast
At first glance, the resorts on the east coast of Sri Lanka are not as diverse and numerous as those on the west. However, they have one common and important feature - a record low amount of rain for the country, even in the off-season. If it is better to relax in western resorts from November to April, then for a tour to the eastern ones you can also choose the “forbidden” monsoon time - from April to September.
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is an exotic and distinctive Sri Lankan resort. Its main feature is its incomparable flavor: small two-story hotels, picturesque sandy beaches and special customs. The overwhelming majority of the local population professes Islam, with all that implies (modest and covered women's clothing, restraint in drinking alcohol, etc.).
Although the sea off the coast is shallow and children can easily splash around in it, Arugam Bay still attracts surfers more than family tourists. The waves here can be really steep – up to 2 meters high – so the resort organizes international competitions.
An interesting feature of Arugam Bay is its seasonality. When it rains in other parts of the country, the local beaches are sunny and hot. Therefore, when deciding which Sri Lanka resort is best to choose for a summer holiday, first of all remember Arugam Bay.
Hambantota
Hambantota is not usually included in the list of popular resorts in Sri Lanka - it is a developing city with modest infrastructure. There are few hotels and almost all of them are located on the coast; there is a small selection of cafes and restaurants.
But these not the most attractive conditions do not stop those who want to see the incredibly beautiful ocean or outlandish Buddhist temples, or visit fruit plantations. And there are quite a few such delights in Hambantota - to the great joy of connoisseurs of exotic and at the same time cultural recreation.
Passikuda
Passikuda is a relatively young beach resort in Sri Lanka, but it has almost everything you might need for a vacation:
- sunny beaches with white sand;
- inexpensive accommodation options (guest houses, hotels);
- calm and shallow sea near the shore, without strong waves and undercurrents;
- a variety of leisure options (from boat trips to excursions).
The most popular recreational activities here are snorkeling and boating. You can also fly over the resort and the beach on a seaplane and see all the heavenly beauty from above. True, in order to eat, you will have to go to the hotel - there is no choice of restaurants as such. Passikuda won't spoil you with shops either - it's better to go to neighboring towns for shopping.
A feature of some local beaches is coral shoots and sharp shells that you can accidentally step on. Therefore, tourists are advised to put on special slippers in advance (both on the beach and when entering the water).
Overall, it is a captivating and magical place. Here you can escape from worries, bustle and noisy human flows. You can relax on Passikuda during a family vacation; it is also suitable for a romantic trip, and even for a tour with friends - if, of course, you don’t mind spending time in peace and quiet.
