Beginning any trip you need to decide on the initial region. To begin with, you should open any resource for renting accommodation and look at the proposals on the map. This way you can quickly and easily determine the tourist regions. Next, we study the map (geographical location) and reviews from the Internet with specific notes. From Galle to Mirissa, the island is drowned in greenery. Sheltered from the wind are Unawatuna (year-round) and Mirissa (in winter it is definitely calm and benign). Unawatuna is protected by a coral reef from the waves. Veligama is a surfer's paradise in winter - solid wind and waves). Hikaduwa - blows you off your feet...no desire to even look for the legendary turtles on the beach)
In Sri Lanka, the resorts along the waterfront are mostly in the region from Negombo (airport) to Tangal. Our vacation lasted for a month (January 2017). We moved by public transport and cab. The article describes the places that we were able to visit.
Unawatuna - one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island, so do not forget about the wind (unless of course you are a surfer). The most sheltered from the wind all year round is Unawatuna. The village is located in a completely enclosed bay, which is additionally surrounded by a coral reef. Ie there is no wind or waves all year round. Perfect for beach holidays and recreation with children. The only inconvenience will be the process of getting to the place. On the highway (from Negombo) will need to get to the bus station (A), there will change to a tuk tuk and reach the region of the beach.
Accommodation in Unawatuna very much on any purse! So you can book just 2 days through the service Bucking, and then look for cheaper and better on the spot! Many accommodations are located generally along the water, but there is a point with the "busyness" and music. The best choice is the remote region of the beach, closer to the "curl of the bay - to the open sea". Since from the middle of the beach and further toward the "continental land" there are "large for Sri Lanka" hotels and cafes. They play music every night until late at night and sit on a balcony/veranda in a quiet environment will not work. And on beaches also not komilfo - from cafe all time "pulls" soot, as they light kerosene torches ...
The beach vacation in Unawatuna is gorgeous without exaggeration!!! The sand is clean and soft, just fluffy... But the promenade is "ambiguous". Because of this fluffiness of the sand, the evening walk on the beach is extremely difficult, almost impossible. The sand is under a slope and the feet all the time fall through. After 10 minutes of such a walk you want to go on a level road. But there is a great solution - in parallel with the beach is a road, along which on both sides there are stores and cafes. Although the cars drive, but walk comfortably enough, because in the evening the traffic calms down, because it is a local road.
Getting to know the local color. A great walk to Jungle Beach. The road goes through real jungle in some places. Here we first saw a pack of langur monkeys - they seemed just huge)). The beach itself is quite nice and cozy, but the time of getting to it does not make it convenient. There is a drive up. The walk turns out to be fascinating. Bookmark at least 4 hours and need to be back before dark)
Mirissa is the best resort in Sri Lanka
The main accommodation is concentrated along the roads (indicated by arrows). But the beach itself has great hotels, especially near the Parrot Rock Bridge. The only downside of Mirissa is the hard surface of the sand, it is not possible to lie on it. I.e. it is possible to sunbathe only on the trestle beds. Otherwise, Mirissa - the best resort in Sri Lanka without exaggeration) lived here a week and thought to extend the hotel, but all was booked, so went to explore the mountain of Sri Lanka.
In January February here if there are waves, they are very rare and not big. Accordingly, the wind is also. The beach strip is a great promenade for walks during the day and evening!
What to do in Mirissa?
- Follow the trail to Secret Beach Mirissa. The trails are sparse and overgrown in places, but that makes it even more fun to remember) Don't expect anything special from the beach! There will be some rocks and a bit of sand, even a micafeshka will be there. This walk is more to get acquainted with the local color and nature. You can also get to the beach by car road, but it's not as fun)) We walked there by the trail - "skorachalka", and back by car road, because the second time on this trail is not dragging)))
- Go to the fishing harbor/port of Mirissa Fisheries Harbor. It's quite an attraction. You will be charged money at the entrance! (very very little, but the very fact) for walking among the local smelly!!!!!!!! boats with nets and running bald dogs.)) The impressions will remain. From the end of the harbor spit there is a beautiful view of Veligama.
- Climb the small hill right on the beach - Parrot Rock Bridge. You can wait when the tide is low, then you can approach it without getting your feet wet, otherwise the water will be knee-deep. It has a beautiful view of the beach by day and night! The ascent to it is quite steep at one point, but with the help of a partner is easy to overcome.
- To get acquainted with the local color. For this you can make a walking route through non-touristy areas and get acquainted with different animals. Walk for 4-5 hours, but will be remembered better than any excursion. You will see how the locals really live, how their houses and gardens are arranged. You will see banana palms and rice paddies... And of course the animals - the main thing is to walk slowly, quietly and look around). The idea of such a walk we came after we walked along the promenade from Mirissa to Matara. We walked exactly along the beaches until we got tired. Then we got out on the road and took the bus back. The next time we drove to where we finished and continued all over again. So the beaches were walking is not very interesting, rather tedious. Although in some places there are views as in the ads "Bounty". And when we walked to / from the bus stop to the water, then passed through the local housing. It turned out to be much more interesting and fun to walk).
Veligama is a surfer's paradise and a fishing village
On the beach, the wind blows and the waves rock the water. Only surfers are in the water) However, everyone else should come here for fresh seafood too! Right on the waterfront along the road fishermen sell their catch. Here in the local fishermen's cafes you can cook what you bought in 30 minutes. It all costs very cheap, 3-4 times cheaper than any other place on the waterfront in Sri Lanka. We bought 1 kg of shrimp and we were cooked with herbs and spices - delicious. We used to "chew" rubber frozen shrimp) There is nothing else to do here. Well, you can still go to the supermarket for groceries at the same time. From Mirissa we drove to the beginning of Veligama and went to the promenade and walked to the center - the only height on the beach and probably the whole promenade in Sri Lanka. There are also fishing boats on the beach everywhere.
Hikkaduwa - Big Turtle Bay
At least that's what it said on the Internet. As it turned out, they can go out early in the morning and not always) We came from Unawatuna by bus. There's a great fruit market with lower prices than Unawatuna and Mirissa. The beach, on the other hand, is something else. The wind blows not only blankets, but small children) Wind on top of that and icy. In general it is not clear how anyone goes there at all ...
Galle - this is already a "major" city by the standards of Sri Lanka
The resort is not particularly possible to call. Rather, so come from Unawatuna for groceries in the supermarket and fruit market. What you need to visit, of course, is a single attraction - Galle Dutch Fort. It's not too special, of course, but you can walk around the perimeter of the fortress along the water. If it doesn't blow away... The wind is very strong and icy. Inside the fort there are old streets and houses with stores - shopaholics will like it.
Matara is another major city in Sri Lanka
For shopping come here safely. For recreation, no. Dirty, depressing and on the beachfront wind is very strong. The local landmark is the Buddhist Temple with a bridge Paravi Duwa Temple. There are not many visitors here; everyone is mostly locals. On the beaches no one swims. Although at the same time, the beaches of Unawatuna and Mirissa are full of tourists. There are more white tourists in Mirissa than in Unawatuna.
Colombo is a disgusting city!
We mention it here because it is on the waterfront. We stopped here for an overnight stay, because of the proximity to Negombo (airport), on the way back. But if you don't need an overnight stay, you should pass Colombo without hesitation! There's not much to do here. We walked along the promenade, walked through the whole central part. Whether construction or devastation ... everywhere local - no tourists, cars beeping and reeking of exhaust from kerosene or something)... No one swims anywhere, so along the whole promenade! When the train rides, you can hear the sound from everywhere. The video was taken from the 8th floor of the hotel - the sound is like the 1st floor!
We took a special train ride for free) You buy tickets at the train stops at the "windows" (photo below). If you get off at a small station (such as the one pictured below), there will be no checkers at all. We went to the "central station" and got off there. There was a ticket inspector at the platform exit. The train - that's a word, it's more our "electric train" - without windows and doors, only that the move does not enter / exit. But if you hesitate, you can go out on the move - no one will say a word. Buses go by the principle - move - slow down - get in or get out. The bus does not make a full stop!!! Stops only at the end and major stations, or if a lot of people get on).
That is, the main beach resorts of Sri Lanka are Unawatuna and Mirissa. However, Sri Lanka is not only beaches! The mountainous part of the island is a delight with the beauty of nature! And of course Sri Lanka is the tea plantations - from growing to packing - be sure to visit Ella and Nuwara Eliya.
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