Which resort is closer to Colombo? Colombo and sri lanka west coast Clubs and nightlife.

Hey! Nice hotels in Colombo Is not only a place where you can relax and spend the night near Colombo airport after a flight to Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike Airport is the main international airport in Sri Lanka, so almost all tourists spend some time here waiting for a return flight from the resorts and beaches of Ceylon. Finding a comfortable hotel in Colombo close to the airport is very important during any independent travel, especially when there is a clear plan or route, as we had.

It does not hurt to have a firm hotel reservation for the first night in Sri Lanka and when traveling spontaneously to this exotic country when there is no exact travel schedule. Moreover, the Bandaranaike airport is located near the largest city of Sri Lanka, Colombo, where many consider it necessary to call, as well as near the resort town of Negombo, on the beaches of which you can spend a couple of days if you wish.

Therefore, today I will share with you my selection of the best rated and reviewed hotels in Colombo, which are worth keeping in mind when traveling to Sri Lanka. Also, my article will be useful to those travelers who still want to just spend the night in a good hotel near Colombo airport after arriving in Sri Lanka or before leaving home.

I'll start with a little explanation of why it is so important to book a good hotel near Colombo Airport in advance:

• As a rule, the beginning of a trip to Sri Lanka completely depends on the flight schedule of the aircraft, or rather on the time of its arrival in Ceylon.
• Very often tourists arrive in Colombo at night, having made one or two transfers before, and at the same time they are already very tired.

Agree, the best solution in this case, when fatigue has already accumulated after the flight, will be to go to the hotel and have a good night's sleep before starting to conquer Sri Lanka. The same decision will be relevant for returning home, when your planes take off early in the morning, it is easier to rest first and then arrive at the airport on an organized transfer from the hotel. Therefore, it is very important to know in advance about where to spend the night in Colombo and book a suitable hotel for yourself.

Hotels near the railway station may be needed for those who start their travels with a tour of Colombo or arrive in the evening, and then prefer to take a ride. This is a very exotic, unforgettable way to experience the culture of Sri Lanka. Travelers should keep in mind that the country's main railway station, Fort Colombo, is located in the center of Colombo city.

• Large 5 star hotel with many restaurants and spa - Cinnamon Lakeside >>
• Modern 4 star hotel in the center of Colombo with airport transfer - Fairway Colombo >>
• The hotel is simpler and cheaper, but there is also a transfer to / from the airport -City Beds The Regent >>

Negombo is not only the city closest to the Bandaranaike airport, but also the famous beach resort, where it will be convenient not only to spend the night from the road, but also to relax for a couple of days both immediately after arrival and before returning from Sri Lanka.

For an overnight stay, you can choose a good hotel, simpler, but for a vacation, it's better not to save much and choose a hotel with the best reviews. Fortunately, Negombo has accommodation for every taste and budget: inexpensive guesthouses, decent hotels and luxury villas.

• Nice hotel in Negombo, with pool, spa, restaurant and breakfast included in the room rate, just 10 min. drive from the airport. The hotel is located in the center of Negombo - Palms Villa >>
• Another hotel in Negombo right on the ocean. On the territory there is a palm garden. The rooms are large and very comfortable, breakfast is included in the price - Lankahuts >>

Sri Lanka is surrounded by 1600 km of beautiful tropical beaches, where you can relax all year round. Northerly winds blow from November to March, so at this time the sea is calm and the sun is bright on the west and southwest coast. From April to October, the southwest monsoon blows, at this time it would be preferable to choose a vacation on the east coast.

Beginning from Colombo to the south of the island, there are the most popular beach destinations.

Negombo (20 km north of Colombo) is a popular fishing destination for exotic fish, and fish and seafood lovers also flock here. Here local fishermen catch an incredible amount of lobster, shrimp and crabs, on the beach, near the fishing villages, there are many taverns where you can taste all these seafood cooked over an open fire.

Mount Lavinia (12 km. South of Colombo) is a tourist area that was considered the most famous during the time of British colonialism. Due to the proximity to Colombo, the beaches have not been particularly clean lately, but the waves in this region are small and calm and the resort is still a favorite destination for many tourists.

Kalutara (37 km. South of Colombo) is famous for its sports clubs, and in terms of cleanliness this resort is not much better than Mount Lavinia.

Slightly to the south are Wadduwa and Beruwala. In Beruwala (56 km. From Colombo), the tourist infrastructure has been intensively developing recently, many new hotels have been built. A wide river flows nearby, which separates the beaches, bars and restaurants of Beruwala from the first-class beach resorts in Bentota.

Bentota (62 km. From Colombo) is a famous resort and is rightfully considered one of the best beach destinations in Sri Lanka. Bentota is located between the ocean and the river, which are connected on a long sandy beach. There are many luxury five-star hotels, a train station, a shopping center, shops, cafes and an open air theater that hosts masquerades and puppet shows. The beaches of Bentota are not crowded, for this they are loved by couples in love and lovers of water sports. On the coast, there are centers and water sports clubs that offer: surfing, kitesurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, spearfishing and scuba diving, sailing. The turtles also fell in love with these places; there are numerous turtle farms on the beaches.

Hikkaduwa (70 km. From Colombo) is a resort that was the first to receive foreign tourists, so there are all conditions for a luxurious vacation and one of the most developed infrastructures. Also, Hikkaduwa attracts tourists with its coral reef, running parallel to the coast full of colorful fish, turtle farms. It will be interesting for divers as well, there are several sunken ships not far from the coast. Surfing a bit off the reef. There is a large fish market in Hikkaduwa where you can buy all kinds of fish and arthropods every day early in the morning.
Several beach resorts are located near the ancient Galle Fort (117 km. From Colombo), and further along the southern coast, wonderful beaches are located in Unawatuna, Koggal, Weligama, Dikwella, Tangalle and Hambantota.

Dikwella and the beaches of the south of the island are the cleanest and widest beaches in Sri Lanka. The ocean is calm here, corals are preserved on the coastal bottom. There are diving centers, fishing opportunities. This area offers a relaxing beach holiday.

In the south, the easternmost beaches are Kalkudah and Pasekudah with Arugam Bay, a 20 km coastal strip where the most famous beaches and bays are located, almost iconic among surfers who come here from April to October.

The eastern part of Sri Lanka is less developed by tourists, and here you can find almost untouched corners of wildlife. Not far from the city, seven hot springs come out of the ground, in which you can take baths.

The pristine beaches of Sri Lanka's east coast are renowned for their soft white sands, delightful bays and tranquil lagoons. The best beaches are north of the natural harbor of Trincomalee, including Nilaveli, Uppuveli, Kucchaveli, Marble Bay, Deadmans Bay, Sober, Pigeon Islands.

Trincomalee is one of the world's best deep-water bays, sandy beaches stretch for several kilometers, the sea is warm and calm. Its wonderful beaches are great for sunbathing and swimming, and the coastal waters are great for water sports, but they are not yet accessible to tourists, as there is no hotel base in the area.

Another area of ​​beautiful beaches is the Jaffna Peninsula in the far north, as well as Casuarina Beach and Manalkau, a number of nearby islands where only wild animals and birds live.

The de facto capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, consists of 15 districts. It is sometimes difficult for a tourist to find his way in them, because to Each of the fifteen districts has at least two names in use. The official name of the area will not be difficult to remember (Colombo-1, -2, -3, etc. to Colombo-15) and unofficial.

The difficulty lies in the fact that unofficial names are used along with official ones. Moreover, it is the unofficial names of the Colombo districts that are most often used for, which makes it difficult for foreigners to understand the location of the object.

Official name	Unofficial name
Colombo-1
Colombo-2	Slave island	Slave Island, Union Place
Colombo-3	Collupitiya / Polwatta	Kollupitiya, Polwatte
Colombo-4	Bambalapitiya
Colombo-5	Havelock Town / Kirilapone	Havelock Town, Kirilapone
Colombo-6	Wellawatta	Wellawatte, Pamankada, Narahenpita
Colombo-7	Cinnamon Gardens / Kurunduvata	Cinnamon Gardens / Kurunduwata
Colombo-8
Colombo-9	Dematagoda
Colombo-10	Maradana / Panchikawatte	Maradana, Panchikawatte
Colombo-11	Pettah	Pettah
Colombo-12	Haltsdorf
Colombo-13	Kotahena / Blemendhal	Kotahena / Bloemendhal
Colombo-14	Grandpass
Colombo-15	Matwal / Modera / Mattakkuliya / Madampitiya	Mutwal, Modera, Mattakkuliya, Madampitiyа

Colombo 1 or Fort

The area is located between Colombo Harbor and Beira Lake. It is called so because during the period of Portuguese rule, a military fort was located here, which has not survived to this day. The Portuguese built a fortress in the harbor of Colombo and for hundreds of years it served their defensive purposes, gradually expanding over time. Subsequently, the Portuguese fort came under the domination of the Dutch, after which it was destroyed by the British. From the fortified fortress now there is only a stone block with the coat of arms of the Portuguese king. The area is home to several international hotels, government buildings and the residence of the President of Sri Lanka.

Colombo II or Slave Island / Union Place

It is named so because during the period of Dutch rule African slaves were kept on this island in the middle of Beira lake - by order of the local governor, after one of the slaves killed their master, they lived on the island, unable to leave it. They were taken out of there only to work: in the morning they took them away, in the evening they brought them back.

Colombo-3 or Collupitiya / Polwatta

It is now a modern commercial area. The area got its name from the Sinhalese words "Kolla-ke-pitiya", which translates as "plunder of the land." According to the chronicle, the king of Kandy Rajasingha II (Rajasinghe II) became famous for his despotic decrees, bullying the people, the last straw was the termination of the traditional procession in Kandy and, when popular discontent reached an extreme stage, in 1664 an uprising broke out in the city. It was headed by three people: Udanuwara Ambanwela Appuhamy, Satkorale Manna Appuhamy and Ataklankorale Sundara Appuhamy. The conspirators wanted to kill the king and put his 12-year-old son on the throne. The rebellion was led by these three people who belonged to the most powerful families of Kandy, their attempt was unsuccessful, as a result, the king ordered two rebels to be beheaded, and the third, the most dangerous, poet Udanuvar Ambanvel Appuhami, was given to the Dutch, which he considered the worst torture in existence.

To do this, he was driven out of the Kandyan kingdom to the coastal area, which was at that time under the control of the Dutch. However, contrary to the intentions of the king, the Dutch freed the rebel, and also allocated for use a large plot of land on the ocean, where he began to plant a coconut grove in the place of Polwatte. Subsequently, the former rebel Udanuvar Ambanvela Appuhami took a new Dutch name Van Ry-cloff, through various tricks and personal charm, established contacts with the Dutch, and then successfully opened a brewery using the already abundant coconut molasses and began to export it to South India. Local farms were ruined and former farmers in revenge called the area "plundering of the land".

Colombo-4 or Bambalapitiya

Bambalapitiya is located between the areas of Colombo-3 (in the north) and Colombo-6 (in the south). The population is about 200 thousand people. According to the chronicles, the place became a district of the city only in the 19th century. Until that time, he was famous throughout the district for the bandits who controlled the Colombo-Galle road, along which trade between the center and the south was carried out.

Colombo-5 or Hevlock Town / Kirilapone

Is the central business district of Colombo. Previously, part of it was occupied by the spinning and weaving factories of the Wellawatt company, but now on this territory of 8 hectares is one of the most expensive residential and commercial real estate in Colombo - the multipurpose complex Havelock City.

Colombo 6 or Wellawatta

The coastal area of ​​Wellawatt is located south of Bambalapitiya and Hevlock Town. The area, along the beach from Savoy on Galle Road and Colombo Plan Road, was owned by a burgher named Gauder. According to legend, this gentleman named his children Charlemont, Alexandra and Frances, and then, in order to capture this in the centuries, he consistently gave the corresponding names to the streets that bear these names to the present day. Also nearby is a rescue center and the famous Spearfishing Club, which brought spearfishing to Sri Lanka, founded in 1940.

Colombo-7 or Tsinamon Garden / Kurunduvata

The Sinhalese word "Kurunduvata" means "area of ​​cinnamon gardens". The name remains from the previously numerous cinnamon plantations that were located in this place earlier. The plantations were destroyed more than a hundred years ago, and over time the area was settled by the wealthiest townspeople. This area is the most respectable and prosperous area of ​​Colombo.

Colombo-8 or Borella

Part of the area is occupied by the city cemetery, which has existed since the time of colonialism; its feature is the giant trees that create a dense green canopy with their branches, through which light does not penetrate. There is also a children's hospital, a couple of mosques, a prison, Borella Central Station, and the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu multipurpose stadium, also called Colombo Oval. This stadium periodically hosts international tournaments in cricket adored by all Sri Lankans.

Colombo-9 or Dematagoda

The area of ​​Dematagoda begins where the borders of Borella end. Dematagoda has the Dematagoda train station and bus station. Historically established neighborhood for families with a low budget. There is a Muslim cemetery on the border of the district.

Colombo-10 or Maradana / Panchikavatte

The eponymous railway station is located in Maradan, which is a major hub for intercity and suburban trains, handling up to 290 trains per day. Also in Maradana is a statue of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, the first European American to officially convert to Buddhism. He is one of the founders of the Theosophical Society, founded in collaboration with H.P. Blavatsky, in the USA in 1875.

Colombo-11 or Pettah

Located east of Fort Colombo. "Pettah" is a word from the Indian language, brought by the Dutch in 1658 to Sri Lanka, meaning the profession of the porters who originally settled the area. Each street in the district is characterized by one specific type of product: on one - household goods, on the other - glass and mirrors, on the third - medicinal preparations made with herbs, and on the fourth - jewelry stores. There are many shops in the area as well as Hindu temples old and new Kathiresan and mosques.

Colombo 12 or Haltsdorf

It is considered the center of Colombo's legal life. Over time, the name changed to the current Hultsdorf from Hulffsdorp, Hulfsdorp, Hulsdorp, and also Hulstsdorp. The area was named in honor of the point of the commander-in-chief of the Dutch East India Campaign in Ceylon, Gerard Pieterszoon Hulft - he himself was killed during the siege of Colombo, and his headquarters was located exactly on the site of this area. It was located on a hill and was called the "Southern Village of Khalta".

Colombo-13 or Kotahena / Blemendhal

Translated from Sinhalese means "small garden". It is an area inhabited by Christian Tamils ​​and Indian Tamils. The largest Catholic temple in Sri Lanka, St. Lucia's Cathedral, and the oldest Buddhist temple in Colombo, Paramanada Purana Viharaya, built in 1806, are located in Kotakhen.

Colombo-14 or Grandpass

The area got its name during the Portuguese campaign, then the square was named Grande Passo, with the arrival of the Dutch, the place was called Groote Pas, but with the arrival of the British, the area received its modern name Grandpass.

Colombo-15 or Matwal / Modera / Mattakkuliya / Madampitiya

The area is located near the mouth of the Kelani Ganga River. Here is the Rock House military base, founded during the reign of the British, since 1958 the Sri Lanka Armored Corps has been based in this place.

Advise which resorts are better to pay attention to if you want to see historical places, so that you can swim, and that there are restaurants around or a little life where you can walk in the evening. Huge parties and so on are not interesting, but places like Marawila where the Olenka hotel is located, where there is nothing at all, are also somehow not impressive, because from the hotel to the center of Maravila on a tuktuk some go there.

Pay attention to the Kani Lanka Resort & Spa in Kalutara. Relatively not far from Colombo, outwardly I liked the hotel (we stopped by during an excursion to Galle for fellow travelers). And next to the highway is a huge Buddhist complex. I highly recommend taking a tour with excursions around the center of the island already included - we did so and were very pleased, because from the coast to go, for example, to Kandy very far. In Colombo itself, it is worth including the National Museum in the program, you can briefly stop by the Petta market (not for the nervous), see the Presidential Palace (only outside, you cannot take pictures). A truly stunning place - the Buddhist temple of Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara, unique painting, pure energy. But the temple is about 20 kilometers from Colombo. My husband and I stayed at Mount Lavini, which is wonderful but not a beachfront hotel. But nearby Colombo - restaurants, shops, bustling life. If the second time I go to this coast of Sri Lanka, then to Kani Lanka.

I advise, of course, not maravila, where in fact there is nothing of entertainment, but at the expense of non-gombo, think about it. Negombo is a nearby settlement from the airport (20 minutes by taxi), 40 km from Colombo (1 hour by public transport). This city has a large number of restaurants, cafes with European and local exotic cuisine, hotels, guesthouses with evening animation programs and a large number of souvenir shops with perfectly reasonable prices. If you still want a vibrant nightlife or shopping for the whole day, Colombo is always there.
Negombo is a small, beautiful, very colorful fishing village located on the ocean, where every early morning local fishermen return from night fishing on their exotic catamarans and deliver the freshest, tastiest and cheapest seafood on the island. In addition, Negombo is geographically located on the island, which is very convenient for starting any excursion programs or travel in any direction for any number of days. If you have any questions, please contact, I will help you with pleasure.

Hello. You can get to Sri Lanka from Moscow only by Katkras, Emirates and another company through Abu Dhabi (I don’t remember the name). But from personal experience I know that Cathars are the cheapest, unless Emirates gives any super special offers (but this is not the case during the season happens in any airline). I think, or rather I know for sure, after January 14, ticket prices will go down, tk. the New Year's excitement will take place. when are you going?

Hello. New Year's tours to all countries are always very expensive. airlines, accordingly, also raise prices during this period. But there is always a way out - you can only buy an air ticket for December 30 to Sri Lanka and on January 13 back to Moscow directly from your chosen airline via the Internet. here, having arrived in sri lanka, you can rent accommodation for this period and choose your own excursion tour. and all this will cost you a lot cheaper. if you need help write to me in a personal.

Negombo has a very decent club Dolfin 3. You will not regret it. Food and grounds are great! Before that we rested in Taj ex - one name ..... Take a mixed tour right away. If you are flying in the Emirates - on board, ask for a passenger card. Fill it out and you will receive all the news in the future and follow the discounts. We have already flown an SL for 32 thousand. And we fly with them in the UAE. Very convenient connection with flight 132. There 1.5 hours in Dubai. Back 5 hours, but it is imperceptible. While you walk around the DF and eat for free, do not forget (at the Inf counter they will tell you which cafe. In Colombo, chain stores are not expensive, and things are very decent for any age and weight.

Island State of Sri Lanka, which means "Blessed Land" (before independence, this country was called Ceylon) - a real tourist paradise in the middle of the ocean, where guests are waiting for excellent resorts, endless golden beaches, lush green tropical rainforests, famous tea plantations and mysterious ancient cities, lost in the jungle.

Sri Lanka is a godsend for year-round beach lovers. When it is cool to swim and sunbathe in the winter and early spring of the resorts of Turkey, Egypt and the Mediterranean, Sri Lanka hospitably opens all its doors to those who wish to extend this summer for themselves.

Territory of Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka is a unique world where in a small area there is such a variety of cultures, landscapes and climatic zones that you will not find even in countries whose territory is ten times larger.” (Sir Arthur Clarke)

Geographically modern Sri Lanka is divided into 9 administrative zones... Due to the monsoon winds and mountains, Sri Lanka is divided into two climatic zones- this is west and southwest, north and northeast, with different periods of seasonality.

Sri Lanka resorts, beaches, attractions and hotels - map (click to view full size)

Therefore, at any time of the year on the island of Sri Lanka, you can find a place to relax. But so far the region to the west and southwest of Colombo remains more developed and popular for recreation.

Climate and weather of Sri Lanka. When to go swimming

On the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the dry season lasts from October to May, on the northeast coast from April to November.

The best time for swimming in the ocean and doing water sports on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka is from October to April, on the northeast coast from March to November.

For lovers of a calm ocean, it is better to travel to Sri Lanka during the high season on the east coast (i.e. from March to November) - at this time there are no waves at all.

Sri Lanka Resorts

Almost the entire coast of the island consists of sandy beaches. Most of the island's surface is an undulating plain with a height of 30 to 200 meters. The most abrupt transition from the plain to the mountains is observed in the southeast. In the north, on the contrary, this transition is very smooth.

Sri Lanka's beaches are not only luxurious, but also very diverse. They differ in landscape, wave, depth of coastal waters, and some even according to the Forbes magazine rating, where they are included as the best beaches in all of Asia.

Sri Lanka has clean sand, warm ocean, bright sun, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing at your complete disposal. And also an environment that is almost unspoiled by man: coral reefs, jungles, deep fresh rivers, mountains and a clear ocean. You can see a variety of birds, animals, fish, reptiles, sea animals not in the zoo, but in nature, in the wild, in their natural habitat.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka

Southwest coast

Most tourists who come to Sri Lanka choose the beaches of the southwest coast, located south of Colombo, for recreation.

The most famous resorts of the southwestern and western coasts of Sri Lanka are Marawila, Negombo, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Induruwa, Hikkaduwa, Koggala, Tangalle. Let's see what kind of beaches there are on the Southwest coast of Sri Lanka.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: Bentota

The city of Bentota, which is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, near Colomobo, has some of the best beaches on the island. Many high-class hotels and small hostels for budget vacations have been built on the coast.

The beaches of Bentota are preferred by lovers of quiet relaxation, newlyweds and couples in love. Also, lovers of active recreation on the water come here, there are many centers for water sports and equipment rental.

In Bentota, you can happily stroll along the almost deserted beaches, rent a boat and go upstream of the Bentota River, which flows into the ocean right on the beach. The beauty and views of Bentota are unique, exoticism and luxury have merged together here.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: Tangalla

The ancient city of Tangalle (Tangalle) has retained the charm of an 18th century Dutch colony.

The beaches in the vicinity of the city of Tangalla in the South of Sri Lanka (and there are four of them here - Medilla, Medaketia, Goyambokka and Pallikaduwa) are some of the most beautiful in the country. Lush tropical greenery, palm trees hanging over the water, wonderful weather and warm sea all year round - all this makes a vacation here unforgettable. Hotels along the coast offer tourists a full range of services; there is also an infrastructure in the form of shops and restaurants here.

Due to the distance from Colombo (195 km), there are few tourists here, and for several kilometers on the coast you can not meet a single person. Perfect for a secluded VIP vacation.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: Unawantuna

Unavantuna Beach is located in the village of the same name, located along the highway from Colombo to Galle, 164 kilometers from the airport.

Unawatuna is known for its most beautiful semicircular beach, which in 2004 was included in the Discovery Channel in the top ten in the world. The blue lagoon with clear water is protected by a double coral reef. Swimming here is pleasant and safe, as the depth of the lagoon is only 6 meters, and the water warms up perfectly throughout the year.

Divers will find quaint reefs in Unawatuna, a variety of fish and sea turtles, and wrecks such as the British steamer Rangoon, which was wrecked 100 years ago.
Holidays in Unawatuna attract eco-tourists with many hiking trails in the tropical jungle and the Kottawa Rainforest Sanctuary, a 45-minute drive away.

Unavantuna is an ideal beach and holiday destination with young children. During the year, the temperature of the ocean off the coast of Unavantuna never drops below 27 degrees.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: Mirissa

Here, on Mirissa, there is an atmosphere of relaxation. Unlike previous beaches, organized recreation is not well developed here.

Tourists come here, as a rule, making independent travels in Sri Lanka. But no one forbids you to go with an overnight stay there for a day or two from the same Bentota or Unavantuna. Accommodation can always be found on site upon arrival, and a distance of 30 kilometers from Unavantuna, or 100 kilometers from Bentota in general, allows you to make a day trip to Mirissa with a return in the evening back to your hotel.

Blue whales can be seen in Mirissa from November to April. They come close to the shore, you can admire the huge beautiful sea inhabitants from the excursion boat.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: n lie down weligama

Weligama is located 144 km from Colombo, 30 km from Galle, in the Matara region in the south of the island, on the shores of a beautiful bay. There are many boutique hotels offering exquisite service. Weligama's most exclusive hotel is located on Taprobane Island, 200 meters from the coast. Singer Kylie Minogue dedicated the song "Taprobane (Extraordinary Day)" to this island.

The sandy bottom all over the bay makes it safe for swimming and surfing. Board rental alternates with small restaurants along the entire beach. There is even a good Russian surf school (I won't say which one).

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: K ogalla

Kogalla is one of the most popular resorts in Sri Lanka, attracting primarily fans of scuba diving. The nature of Koggala is unique: a coast with golden sand beaches and coral reefs, a large freshwater lake with many islands, evergreen rainforests. Amazing coral reefs and a variety of marine life make every dive an exciting and unforgettable experience.

In Kogall there is a rental of boats, catamarans, bicycles. The hotels organize transfers to the water sports center in Unawatuna, boat trips for dolphin and whale watching. You can visit Buddhist temples on the islands of Lake Koggala. Koggala is located 135 km from Colombo. It has its own small airport.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: Pottuvil Point

Pottuvil Point Beach, which is located in Arugam Bay near the city of Pottuvil, is one of the ten best surfing spots in the world. From April to September there are great waves for this sport.

The only problem is that there are practically no shelters on the beach, so you need to bring a lot of fresh water with you for drinking and, if necessary, small tents.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa Beach

The resort town of Hikkaduwa is a fairly popular destination among tourists who visit this beautiful country.

In the season (from September to May) it is an excellent beach with turquoise water and a beautiful underwater world, and in the off-season, when a fairly strong wind is blowing, it is an excellent place for water sports, for example, surfing. Hikkaduwa is more suitable for lovers of active recreation and entertainment on the water and on the beach.

Hikkaduwa is chosen for recreation by mostly professional divers and surfers; tourists-lovers of water sports, young people and that category of tourists who care about the availability of places for evening entertainment at the resort.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: Wadduwa

Wadduwa is the closest "suburban" resort to Colombo on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Getting from Wadduwa to Colombo and back is extremely easy and quick. Just 35 kilometers separate Wadduwa from Colombo and about 70 from the international airport. This close proximity to the capital makes Wadduwa a very attractive resort for those tourists who like to explore the big cities, get acquainted with their sights, do extensive shopping, spend evenings in city restaurants and cafes, and return to their cozy country beach hotel in the evening.

Rest in the hotels of Wadduwa is possible all year round, but the most favorable period is from September to May. Wadduwa is one of the best places for quiet rest and relaxation away from the bustle of the city. Wadduwa got its name from the name of local healers - "Veda", who used to live in this area. Now the doctors have been replaced by experienced specialists from spas and health centers, who offer Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation classes, and treatment courses.

However, it must be admitted that as a resort, Wadduwa is hardly suitable for lovers of everything stylish and fashionable. The atmosphere here is very authentic and at the same time very attractive.
The beaches of Wadduwa stretch for 7 km along the ocean and are covered with a wide strip of light golden sand. The entrance to the water is steep. Swimming in strong waves is unsafe.

Wadduwa hotels, as well as hotels in other resorts of Sri Lanka, organize and conduct wedding ceremonies.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: Beruwela

Beruwela is as well known to tourists and travelers as Bentota. Beruwela is the most popular Sri Lankan seaside resort with numerous hotels of any class.

Beruwela is a bustling tourist resort in Sri Lanka and lives the life of tourists and the tourist season, which lasts all year long, only slightly weakening in June-July due to strong waves.

Beruwela is ideal for swimming. The beach line is covered with light yellow fine sand. The entrance to the water is gentle, calm, gradual, without drops. We recommend this resort for families with children, as well as for tourists with no skills or with little experience in swimming.

Small cafes and shops with clothes and souvenirs are located along the beach strip. A nearby water sports center offers diving, including diving training, snorkelling, windsurfing, banana rides, laps, jet skis, jet skis.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka: Kalutara

Kalutara is a resort area in the southwest of the island, famous for its sports clubs. It is ideal for water sports: water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and hunting, sailing.

You should not swim here during storms. The beaches are fringed with lush exotic vegetation, creating an atmosphere of privacy and out of reach of the hustle and bustle of big cities.

Best beaches in Sri Lanka: Induruwa

The town of Induruwa is located 64 kilometers from the capital of the island - Colombo. Induruwa is a relatively new tourist area. He has not yet acquired the popularity of, say, Beruwell or Negombo. But for a good rest, everything is already there. There was always something - the ocean, the sun, burning during the day and pleasantly warming in the evening, and clean air, smelling of green tea leaves. And something has appeared recently - cozy hotels, restaurants and car rental offices.

Beach in Negombo

The beach closest to the airport is seven kilometers away, which is why it is so popular - there are always a lot of people here. Negombo is the name of the lagoon and city, north of the center of which the beach begins. For divers, Negombo is interesting for its long-sunken ship, which has turned into an artificial reef. But it should be borne in mind that a large river flows into the ocean near the Negombo beach, so clear water is rare.

East Coast Resorts

Trincomalee beaches, Sri Lanka

Trincomalee (or simply Trinco) is a large city and port in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, known since the time of the ancient historian Ptolemy. It is separated from Colombo by more than 250 km.

The city lies on a peninsula in the Coddiyar Bay with intricately indented shores. The large natural harbor, the fifth largest in the world, has made it the center of maritime trade since ancient times.

Trincomalee's rich history attracts tourists from all over the world. Recently, whale watching boat trips have become very popular in Trinco. In Cannia (8 km from Trinco), there are several hot springs. During a tour in Trincomalee, excursions can be combined with rest.

Trincomalee is home to the best beaches in eastern Sri Lanka. There are many shallow bays where the water does not reach the neck of an adult even a hundred meters from the shore. The beaches are covered with the purest white sand. The most famous of them are Uppuveli (6 km from the city) and Nilaveli (16 km). The rocky island of Pigeon, where wild pigeons nest, is famous for its coral reef and abundance of fish species. A boat can be rented from any hotel or jetty to sail to the island for diving and snorkeling.

Trincomalee is a great place both from a historical and cultural point of view, which is rich in ancient Buddhist monuments, and from the point of view of a relaxing beach holiday.

From July to November, this is the best place in Sri Lanka for a vacation with a child, because there is a very large area of ​​shallow water. The most popular beaches of Trincomale are Nilaweli and Uppuveli.

Nilaveli Beach is ideal for sunbathing, sea bathing and snorkeling. A few meters away from the coast, there is a rocky island under the water, which is a great snorkeling site.

Passekudah and Kalkudah

The beaches of Passekudah and Kalkudah are great places to practice and learn windsurfing and water skiing. The coastline of Kalkudah Bay is 2 km. the length of the beach, Passekudah, is 4 km south of the bay.