If you read reviews about the Unawatuna resort (Sri Lanka), you will probably want to visit this exotic corner. It is difficult to say what exactly attracts vacationers, perhaps the waves of the ocean, the color of narrow streets or the magical jungle. In short, if you are in need of a full-fledged vacation, Unawatuna is waiting for you.
General information
The town is small and quiet, located in the south-west of Sri Lanka, 150 km from the main airport and only 5 km from the administrative center of Galle. The settlement is located on a small piece of land that juts out into the ocean, surrounded by reefs and the unique natural area of Rumassala.
Unawatuna does not know what a fuss is, everything is calm and measured here. The infrastructure is considered one of the most developed in Sri Lanka.
The resort is family friendly thanks to its magnificent sandy beach, which is located in the middle of the jungle, framed by palm trees and other tropical plants. Here people relax, get acquainted with the culture of yoga and Ayurveda. Many people come here just to live away from civilization.
How to get to the city from Colombo and Bandaranaike Airport
There are several ways to get to Unawatuna in Sri Lanka.
The main Bandaranaike Airport is 160 km away, in the suburbs of Colombo. The scenic resort can be reached from here:
- by train;
- by public transport – by bus;
- using a rented car;
- by taxi.
Unawatuna Train
Bus number 187 runs from the airport to the train station. Any train to Matara will do. In this direction, at least 7 trains depart per day, which run through all the villages located on the coast.
Passengers are offered tickets of three classes. Classes 2 and 3 choose only the most desperate and daring ones, since traveling in such conditions is unlikely to be a pleasure. The cost of tickets in the 1st class – Rajadhani car – is almost $ 7. The car has air conditioning, Wi-Fi, clean and comfortable seats.
Children under the age of 12 get a 50% discount, and children under the age of 3 go for free. The journey takes 3.5 hours. The beach is 2 km away from the train station, and you can get there by tuk-tuk or walk. Renting a tuk-tuk will be several times cheaper if you walk literally 200 m to Matara Road (A2 highway).
Prices and schedules are subject to change, please check the official website for up-to-date information. www.railway.gov.lk.
Road by bus
After the tuk tuk, the bus is the most popular form of transport in Sri Lanka. From the airport to the bus station you can take the same bus number 187.
All flights to Matara pass through Unawatuna. Be sure to inform the driver that you are going to Unawatuna, so that they do not pass the resort without stopping. The advantage of traveling by bus is that it is cheap, no more than $10 per person. There is a significant disadvantage in such a trip — it will take 5-7 hours to get from the airport, with at least two transfers.
There are two types of buses from Pettah Bus Station, which is located opposite Fort Railway Station:
- regular – the ticket costs about $3, the journey takes 3.5-4.5 hours;
- express (traveling on a new highway) – ticket price is $6-7, the journey takes 2.5-3 hours.
Bus stop on Matara Road, here you can rent a tuk-tuk and get to your temporary residence.
Traveling by car
The method is undoubtedly comfortable, but not the most affordable, since renting a car will cost a considerable amount. In any case, if you want to travel by car, take care of transport in advance. You can book a car online through one of the many rental services.
Which route to follow
Depending on which route you choose, the time spent on the road depends. The route takes from 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
The express route is the fastest, but you’ll have to pay for it. In this case, it is better to pay and enjoy the ride than to go on a congested free highway. Payment – about $2 in local currency.
Free trails – Galle Main Road and Matara Road (Matara Road). There are regular buses that you need to skip, stopping and hugging the roadside-this is an unwritten rule of driving in Sri Lanka, buses are not to be trifled with here, and in general, driving on the island is not for weaklings. It is also worth remembering that traffic in the country is left-handed.
Taxi
It is most convenient to book a transfer from the hotel where you will be staying. There is a taxi stand in the airport building at the exit of the terminal. In addition, local taxi services are offered at the airport itself. You must agree on the cost of the trip with the latter before boarding. The price of the service will cost an average of $70-100, regardless of where you order it. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Bandaranaike Airport.
It is important! From other cities in Sri Lanka, you also need to go through Colombo.
Weather and climate. When is the best time to go to Unawatuna?
In Sri Lanka, there are two seasons, the main criteria are:
- wave heights;
- humidity level;
- the amount of precipitation.
Summer lasts from March to July, and the time from August to February is called winter by locals.
Summer
This is not the best time to travel to the south-west of Sri Lanka. High humidity, muddy water, raging ocean, torrential rains will deprive the rest of special impressions and exotics.
The advantage is low housing prices.
Autumn
At this time in Sri Lanka, everything is blooming and fragrant, at night all the beaches are noisy and fun. The ocean is calm, so there are many couples with children in Unawatuna in the fall. Heat is more easily tolerated due to lower humidity.
The disadvantage is that housing prices increase several times.
Spring
Spring is the beginning of the low season, there are few tourists, the beaches of Unawatuna are free, the streets are quiet and peaceful. The ocean is calm enough, but storms and thunderstorms are frequent.
This is the best time for a private, relaxing holiday.
Winter
Winter is the high season, so you need to book your accommodation in advance, as there are almost no available places. At this time in Sri Lanka, the weather is ideal for swimming, it is in winter that families with children come here.
Read also: Wadduwa Holidays — what can you expect?
Unawatuna Transportation
Given the width of the streets in the settlement, the only transport that can pass here is tuk-tuk. An original cart without doors will take you anywhere in the town. The cost of the trip is negotiable.
The main road is regularly visited by buses with a break of 5-10 minutes.
It is important! An alternative method of transportation is a motorbike, rent will cost 7-10 dollars, refuel transport costs a little less than $1 for 1 liter.
Unawatuna Beaches
Unawatuna Beach
The main beach at Unawatuna in Sri Lanka is the largest in the village. Its length is 1.3 km and its width is about 20 m.
The sandy recreation area is located in a natural bay, protected from the powerful waves of the ocean by a reef, on the coast there is a jungle. That is why the coast almost never has waves, they remain behind the reef line. Families with children often come here. You can go snorkeling, see turtles, sea urchins, various types of fish.
Children prefer the western part of the beach, where the descent into the water is more gentle, the bottom is shallow, the sand strip is wide.
On Unawatuna Beach, there are free sun beds at every cafe. There are relatively few people here, there is always a place to lie down or have a snack. There is no natural shade here, so it is better to stay on the beach until 10-11 am or after 16: 00. What is important — the water here is clean, as well as the sand, the beach is regularly cleaned.
Near the beach you can find many hotels with different price levels, as well as small family hotels. There are no large hotels, so tourists come to this part of Sri Lanka who travel independently, and not through a tour company.
On the beach itself and within walking distance from Pnego, there are many cafes, restaurants and bars serving a variety of dishes. In the evening, the coast looks like a large restaurant, all establishments put tables on the soft heated sand and light torches. The atmosphere is incredible-dinner under the sound of the ocean will be remembered forever. Be sure to take a good camera with you, because the photos of Unawatuna beach will be bright and unusual without exaggeration.
Jungle Beach
A 40 – minute walk from the main beach or 1.5 km off the main Unawatuna road is another equally beautiful beach-Jungle Beach. You can also reach it on foot, but the difficulty is that part of the way passes along a steep slope. Walking in the heat won’t be much fun, but it’s better to take a tuk-tuk for Rs 200. Drivers always stand at the turnoff from Unawatuna’s main street. After the ascent, there is a descent down the path through the jungle, which can only be overcome on foot.
Jungle Beach has a modest size — only 150 m in length. If you order a drink or meal at a single cafe, sun loungers are provided free of charge. Sun beds are located under trees that create a natural shade, there is no need for umbrellas. Employees of the institution clean up garbage throughout the territory, so it’s clean.
The beach surface consists of crushed shells and sand, it is much lighter than on Unawatuna Beach, almost white. The advantage of such sand is that it does not heat up much, even in the middle of the day you can walk barefoot without burning your feet.
To the left, behind the rock, is the second part of the secret beach. There is no infrastructure at all. You can lie down on a towel in the shade. In high season, there may not be enough space for everyone, so come early, take food and drinks with you. To get to this part, you need to walk along a path made of stones. This place is incredibly picturesque.
There is a nice coral reef close to the shore at Jungle Beach. Here you should definitely swim with a mask.
Dalavella
Another Unawatuna beach (Sri Lanka) is located in the south of the city. It is located along the road in a small bay. Its length is 130 meters, the width of the sand strip is 7-15 meters.
Thanks to the coral reef, the water here is calm, you can swim with small children. In addition, the beach is shallow, the water here is waist-deep. In the left part of the beach is deeper, large turtles come here, you can feed them with seaweed and watch them, you do not need to touch the reptiles. There is a high probability of encountering turtles early in the morning. As with other Unawatuna reef beaches, you should go snorkeling here — there are all the conditions for an exciting snorkeling experience.
There are several cafes on the beach where you can enjoy drinks and lie down on a sun lounger. On one of the palm trees — bungee jumping, where you can not only jump into the water and make bright shots. In general, the place is suitable for bright photo shoots.
Dambulla Temple – an ancient landmark in Sri Lanka
Miayripenna Beach
Mihiripenna Beach in Unawatuna is adjacent to the above-described Dalawella. Ot is also located in the bay. It’s a bit deeper here, with occasional waves. The sand is clean, they clean it up here. there are a couple of cafes and hotels nearby.
There are a lot of palm trees growing on the shore, you can sit in their shade, but be careful and careful — coconuts may fall from the trees. Huge rocks lie in the water at the edges of the Miayripenn, and palm trees hang over them. This picture makes the beach beautiful and photogenic. Here you can also see “fishermen” on sticks in the water, in fact-this is a way of earning money for local people, they only pose for photos and will ask you for money for it.
Attractions
Japanese Pagoda
There are 80 amazing houses built all over the world, they were built by the Japanese as gifts to different countries. In Unawatuna, a multi-tiered cabin is built on a hillside, giving the impression that the structure grows directly out of the jungle. Near the pagoda, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the town and its surroundings. A temple has been built near the pagoda, and anyone can visit it.
The pagoda is a quarter of an hour’s walk from the main beach, easy to reach, just follow the signs on foot or by car along Matara Road and Rumassala road. There is a parking lot next to the pagoda. Admission is free.
Rumassala Temple
Located just a hundred meters from the Japanese pagoda. The attraction is not very popular and visited, you will not find it in the guidebooks. The monastery has several Buddha statues, unique frescoes and paintings. There is a special silence here. If you are lucky enough to come to the temple during a meal, the monks will hospitably invite you to share the meal with them.
It can be reached on foot from Unawatuna, a 25-minute hike. A small paved path leads from the pagoda to the temple. Head towards the beach and turn left after 100 meters. Entrance to the monastery is free.
Unawatuna Temple
If you walk along the coast of the beach in a southerly direction, you will find yourself in front of a promontory on which a hill rises. There is a temple built here, it cannot be considered a special architectural monument, but it is worth visiting it for the beautiful view that opens from the top. If you want to visit the temple, first remove your shoes and, of course, take clothes with you, since women are not allowed to go inside in a bathing suit. Admission is free.
Rumassala Forest
A tropical forest located near the city. Sri Lanka has national nature parks, but visiting the rainforest is an exciting experience. You don’t need a guide or special transport for a walk – just go for a walk and enjoy nature. You can get to the forest on foot-follow the path from the city center towards the beach, and the path will lead you to one of the most fascinating places in Sri Lanka. The forest continues beyond the beach line.
Be careful and do not go beyond the fences, because in the forest there are houses and land of residents. Mango bushes grow near the water’s edge.
Udara Antiques Antique Shop
The shop is located at 266 Matara Road. Prices here, of course, are high, so many tourists come here as if to a museum of ancient objects.
Turtle Farm
Heading east along the coast, you will come to a turtle farm. Animals swim in huge pools, on the territory of tourists is accompanied by a guide, telling about all kinds of turtles. The story is written in English. Even if you arrived at the farm on your own, and not as part of a tour group, you will also have to listen to a detailed guide’s story. Vacationers are invited to release small turtles into the sea, show a clutch of turtle eggs and, of course, you can take a picture with a turtle.
- Admission to the farm costs approximately $7.
- You can visit the turtles daily from 8-00 to 18-30.
The most convenient way to get there is by tuk-tuk, but you can take a bus or rent a car. If you want to use public transport, take the bus to Matara, which will take you to the small village of Habaraduwa, where the farm is located. Be sure to warn the driver so that they can tell you where to get off. Unawatuna is 7 km away. If you don’t pass by the farm, you’ll see a large sign.
Kottava Forest
Just a few dozen kilometers from Unawatuna is a small rain forest. This is not a very popular place among tourists, but this does not make the forest any less attractive and fascinating. There are not as many exotic animals and birds here as in national parks, but there are a lot of plants here and they are all bright and unusual. Be sure to bring a bathing suit, because there is a pool in the forest filled with the purest water from the stream.
The entrance to the forest is free, you can come here around the clock. It is most convenient to rent a tuk-tuk or car. The journey takes half an hour (approximately 20 km).
Mobile communication and the Internet
There are 2 main mobile operators in Sri Lanka: Mobitel and Dialog. They both provide services at long-term rates and so-called “tourist rates”. Given that the town of Unawatuna is located on the island, it is difficult to get unlimited Internet access here. In tourist settlements, 3G and 4G communication standards will be supported.
On a note! All companies – Mobitel, Dialog, Airtel, Hutch.
Mobitel and Dialog cards are sold in almost all stores, but it is quite difficult to find SIM cards of other operators. It is easier to purchase a SIM card directly at the airport, you can choose a full travel package, which provides Internet traffic and a certain time for calls abroad at reduced rates. Immediately after the purchase, check whether there is really any money in the account. You will need a passport to make the purchase.
Some SIM cards have a limited validity period of 1 month (30 days). After that, you need to go to the mobile phone store and activate the card again. The cost of the SIM card itself varies from 150 to 200 rupees. For a card at the airport with a full package for a tourist, you will have to pay almost 1,300-2,000 rupees.
Rates for international calls and Internet service
What kind of connection to choose in Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is a topical issue for those who are going on vacation, because you need to maintain contact with relatives and friends. Mobitel offers the lowest prices for calls abroad, while Hutch offers the most expensive rates.
As for Internet tariffs, all operators offer different tariffs, and traffic is most often divided into day and night time. So the most favorable rates:
- Mobitel’s 40 GB Internet package (20 GB during the day + 20 GB at night) costs Rs 1999;
- The Daylog Gb package (6 GB during the day +4 GB at night) costs Rs 1,299.
It is important! To connect to the Internet, you need to create an APN access point.
There are three ways to deposit money to your account:
- visit a mobile phone store;
- buy a card in any store – instructions are written on the back of the card;
- in online mode on the website of the corresponding operator.
The optimal mobile Internet operator is Mobitel, there are almost no complaints. As for the Dialog provider, the Internet speed is quite comfortable during the day, but in the evenings it drops catastrophically. And Dialog’s services are the most expensive.
- Dialog operator’s website — www.dialog.lk.
- Mobitel official website — www.mobitel.lk.
On the sites, you can choose a suitable service package, top up your account, find out the rates for calls to different countries, and so on.All information is available in English.
Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is a unique place where everyone will find exactly what they expect from a holiday. The resort is beautiful at any time of the year.
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