How to choose a resort in Sri Lanka
A useful cheat sheet
In Sri Lanka, there are many places worth exploring. However, the most crucial aspect when planning a vacation is the choice of the resort where a tourist will stay. So, how do we select the one that suits us best when there are so many resorts? Let’s figure it out together!
Tangalle — a fantastic destination for those who love solitude.
Tangalle is about kilometres of soft white sand, crystal turquoise water, coral gardens, and bays surrounded by wild coconut palms. Due to the length of its beaches, this resort is relatively uncrowded, making it perfect for those who enjoy solitude. The atmosphere is laid-back, and nature is all around, and there is plenty of fresh and affordable seafood and fruits. Here, the famous Sri Lankan easy living is felt like nowhere else. The resort is almost at the southernmost tip of the island: to be closer to the enchanting Indian Ocean.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 1 hour
TO DO IN TANGALLE
- Visit the 205-meter-high rock temple Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara surrounded by other 4 rocks
- Witness beautiful, rare, and endangered turtles as part of The Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project: loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green, leatherback and other turtles that annually arrive on the shores of Sri Lanka
- Embark on a kayaking adventure through the lagoon to observe waterfowl in the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Ceylon Excel** 105/1 Pagngnawasa Road. Asian and Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and healthy eating.
📍Upoint** Kahadamodara Rd Next to The Lankavatara hotel, Kalametiya. Asian and Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Chill House Tangalle Deepankara Road 31/1, Deepankara Road, Medaketiya. Chinese cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
Weligama — perfect for an active and sporty vacation
A resort located in a picturesque place on the shore of the bay and slightly deepens into the ocean. Next to the large bay of the same name, you can find a fishing settlement. The locals have chosen the sandbar here, where they enjoy fishing while perched on tall stilts. However, there are also many picturesque spots for beautiful photographs. The beach is long, with white sand, surf schools, and small waves, making it ideal for those wanting to try surfing for the first time.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 1.30 hours
TO DO IN WELIGAMA
- Visit the tea plantation and the Virgin White factory, where they produce white tea — the healthiest and most expensive in the world. Its cost is about $270 per kg. The place is unique because the tea is harvested here following ancient Chinese tradition, avoiding direct contact between the tea and exposed skin
- Take the time to visit the stone-carved statue, Kushta Raja Gala, a 7-9th-century sculpture that is not only an architectural masterpiece of that time but is also believed, according to legends, to possess healing properties for diseases
- Go fishing in the morning with local pole fishermen. Maybe they will let you try it?
- Experience whale watching in Mirissa
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Catch99 at Naomis Restaurant and Sushi bar 62, Kadabeddagama Gurubebila. Japanese and European cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Layback Rooftop Café, Restaurant & Bar** 247, Main Street Layback Surf Camp Rooftop. Sri Lankan and international cuisine with an emphasis on healthy eating.
📍DelTano’s Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta** 271A Udupila, Mirissa, Matara Road. Italian cuisine with a wide selection of pizza.
Unawatuna — ideal for active vacation
Despite its small size, Unawatuna is a resort with a developed infrastructure and incredibly beautiful landscapes. It’s a cosy place with a mild climate and an excellent sandy beach protected from wind and waves by a large barrier reef, with shallow waters covering almost a quarter of the coast and palm groves. Relaxing here is all about many restaurants, including vegan, Ayurvedic massage salons, simple hotels, and luxurious nature all around. According to Discovery Channel, the beaches of this resort are in the top 10 best beaches worldwide.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 1.5 hours
TO DO IN UNAWATUNA
- Near the shores of Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, there are many diving spots. Shall we go explore the sunken ships? The most famous ones are SS Rangoon and Earl of Shaftesbury
- Visit the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, which is not only home to the famous Bodhi tree but also numerous unique Buddhist statues and paintings that have been preserved since the reign of King Walagamba (103 BCE and approximately 89-77 BCE)
- Meditate near the Japanese Peace Pagoda, which offers an awe-inspiring view of the ocean. Be impressed by its golden statues depicting various stages of Buddha’s life
- Let’s go to Jungle Beach, surrounded by jungles. There, just a few km from the resort, they host fantastic parties
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Wasantha’s Sri Lanka Cuisine** 180/A Yaddehimulla Rd. Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on healthy eating.
📍Kabala Sunset Cafe** Kabala Sunset Cafe** N. 405 Galle Road. Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Sea Waves Restaurant** 177/A Yaddehimulla Road. Asian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and healthy eating.
Hikkaduwa — perfect for a vacation with friends and vibrant parties
It is a resort chosen by tourists for its incredible number of bars, restaurants, and the best parties in Sri Lanka. For its ten-kilometre beach and restless waters with many waves, whose beauty you can watch for hours or even try to conquer. Or vice versa for the opportunity to swim in a bay protected from waves near the Hikka Tranz Hotel. Hikkaduwa is also known as the “coral sanctuary” — not far from the shore, there is a massive coral reef, 400 meters long and 2 meters deep, making it particularly attractive to divers. Many large turtles here can freely roam near the water’s edge, especially around the Hikka Tranz hotel.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 2 hours
TO DO IN HIKKADUWA
- Visit the Kanneliya Rainforest, located about 40 km from Hikkaduwa, remains relatively unknown to tourists. This forest serves as a sanctuary through which two rivers flow, showcasing rich and untouched wildlife—a true Jungle Book experience!
- Go diving into the depths of the ocean to see the British tanker “Conch” that struck the Akkurala rock, which is one of the famous wrecks in Southern Sri Lanka, known for its enchanting views and coral formations
- Indulge in a massage session at the top-rated salon in town, “The Body And Soul Spa”
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Canal View Hikkaduwa Sri Lankan Homemade Food Restaurant** 44 Canal Road, Wadugoda`. Asian and Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Sea Salt Society – Beach restaurant & Bar** 598 Galle Road. International cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and vegetarian dishes.
📍Asian Jewel Boutique Hotel Field view 3rd lane Baddegama road Nalagasdeniya. International, Asian, and Sri Lankan cuisine.
Bentota — for a romantic, prolonged and family vacation
This place is considered one of the main beach resorts on the west side of the island, located far from highways and large cities. Why? There are many excellent establishments and hotels suitable for a long vacation, seclusion, or a romantic trip. Additionally, Bentota can offer plenty of exciting activities for water adventure enthusiasts: snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, and underwater hunting. All the beaches of this resort have a gentle ocean entry; there can be days without waves. So why not spend the entire winter here?
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 2.45 hours
TO DO IN BENTOTA
- Enjoy the views of Bawa’s Lunuganga Gardens designed by Geoffrey Bawa, who has been named “the father of Asian architecture”
- Visit the 12th-century Galapatha Temple, which according to legend shares a maze of subterranean tunnels with other temples in the area
- Brief garden — a garden where you can forget about time due to the beauty around and which has remained almost unchanged for a century. Additionally, there are over 100 species of various trees growing here
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Malli’s Seafood Restaurant** Taniperuwa Watta Near Galapatha Temple, Hungantota. International and Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Vintage Restaurant** Pitaramba Road, No.13, Sri Dharmavijayarama Road. Asian and Sri Lankan cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Nova Seafood Restaurant** Beach Road, Bentota. International and Asian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
Kalutara — suitable for fans of excursions and active tourism
The name of this resort can be translated from Old Sinhala as “black river” — named after the Kalu Ganga River that flows nearby. Despite the name, it is a very beautiful river surrounded by jungle. Kalutara is a modern tourist spot for a respectable retreat with excellent service, a good beach, and options for active tourists: there are many sports clubs and opportunities for interesting day excursions, such as to the ancient city of Kandy, Ella, or Galle. Another feature is the absence of a shallow water strip along the shore, making it more suitable for adults and those who love water sports.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 3 hours
TO DO IN KALUTARA
- Take a photo on the bridge over the Kalu Ganga River, connecting the west and south parts of Kalutara
- Embark on a fascinating excursion to the Spice Garden — one of the oldest plantations and cinnamon gardens on the island
- Visit one of the oldest and most revered Buddhist temples on the island — Kalutara Bodhiya
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
📍Green Lobster Waskaduwa Seafood Restaurant** 518 Kudawaskaduwa. Chinese and Asian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
📍Red Lobster Tours & Restaurant** 218 St, Sebastian Road Katukurunda. Asian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and vegetarian dishes.
📍Olu at Anantara Kalutara Resort** St. Sebastian’s Road Anantara Kalutara Resort. International, Asian, and Sri Lankan cuisine.
Pasikudah — perfect for a romantic, calm, and relaxing vacation
This place, on both sides of the protruding cape into the ocean, is known for its wide sandy beach — 4 km long — with a gentle water entrance: a multitude of small shells extending into the ocean create a beautiful shallow area for hundreds of meters. In the 70s, Pasikudah was one of the most developed tourist regions in Sri Lanka, and there are still large but relatively inexpensive hotels attracting tourists.
The travel time from Mattala Airport to the resort is 6.5 hours
TO DO IN PASSIKUDAH
- Buy fresh produce at the authentic Bridge Market — a marketplace bringing together small-scale rural producers from Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province
- Experience authentic Ayurvedic practices at “Giman Free Suwa Piyasa”
- Try diving to the sunken wreckage of ships and planes, including the Dutch Squadron Catalina PBY-5A and HMS Hermes