Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka, with a rich history and culture, and a promising future. It is a place where you can experience the natural, cultural, and historical attractions of this island nation, as well as its diverse and delicious cuisine, and its friendly and hospitable people. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to visit and enjoy Hambantota, and why you should book your trip soon.
How to Get to Hambantota
There are different ways to reach Hambantota from the capital Colombo, depending on your budget, time, and preference. Here are some of the options:
By bus:
You can take a direct bus from Colombo to Hambantota, which takes about 6 hours and costs around 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person. The buses are frequent and comfortable, but they can be crowded and noisy. You can also take a bus to Matara, and then change to another bus to Hambantota, which takes about 5 hours and costs around 400 LKR (2 USD) per person. The buses are less frequent and less comfortable, but they can be faster and quieter.
By train:
You can take a train from Colombo to Matara, which takes about 4 hours and costs around 600 LKR (3 USD) per person for a second-class seat. The trains are scenic and relaxing, but they can be delayed and limited. You can also take a train to Beliatta, and then take a taxi or a tuk-tuk to Hambantota, which takes about 3 hours and costs around 1000 LKR (5 USD) per person. The trains are newer and faster, but they can be more expensive and less frequent.
By car:
You can rent a car or hire a driver from Colombo to Hambantota, which takes about 3 hours and costs around 15000 LKR (75 USD) per car. The cars are convenient and flexible, but they can be costly and risky. You can also take a shared taxi or a van from Colombo to Hambantota, which takes about 4 hours and costs around 2000 LKR (10 USD) per person. The taxis and vans are cheaper and safer, but they can be less comfortable and less available.
By flight:
You can fly from Colombo to Hambantota, which takes about 45 minutes and costs around 20000 LKR (100 USD) per person. The flights are quick and easy, but they can be rare and pricey.
The best option to get to Hambantota depends on your budget, time, and preference. If you want to save money and enjoy the scenery, you can take a bus or a train. If you want to save time and avoid the hassle, you can take a car or a flight.
When to Visit Hambantota
Hambantota has a tropical climate, which means it is mostly dry and sunny throughout the year, with occasional rains and winds. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F), and the humidity is around 75%. The best time to visit Hambantota is from December to March, when the weather is pleasant and the wildlife is abundant. This is also the peak season, which means you can expect more crowds and higher prices.
If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower prices, you can visit Hambantota from April to November, when the weather is still good and the wildlife is still present. However, you may also encounter some showers and storms, especially from May to September.
Hambantota also hosts some festivals and events throughout the year, which can add more fun and excitement to your trip. Some of the festivals and events that take place in Hambantota are:
Hambantota International Port Festival:
A festival that celebrates the opening and development of the Hambantota Port, which is one of the largest and most modern ports in South Asia. The festival features cultural shows, musical performances, fireworks, and more. It usually takes place in January or February.
Hambantota Beach Festival:
A festival that showcases the beauty and diversity of the Hambantota Beach, which is one of the longest and cleanest beaches in Sri Lanka. The festival features beach sports, water activities, sand sculptures, and more. It usually takes place in March or April.
Hambantota Vesak Festival:
A festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, which is the most important religious event for Buddhists. The festival features lanterns, candles, processions, and more. It usually takes place in May or June.
Where to Stay in Hambantota
Hambantota offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget hostels, and from beachfront villas to jungle lodges. Here are some of the best accommodation options in Hambantota, based on the price, location, and facilities:
Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa:
A five-star resort that features a golf course, a spa, a pool, a gym, a restaurant, and a bar. The resort offers spacious and elegant rooms and suites, with balconies, bathtubs, and minibars. The resort is located on the beach, near the Hambantota Port and the Ridiyagama Safari Park. The price is around 30000 LKR (150 USD) per night for a double room.
Peacock Beach Hotel:
A four-star hotel that features a pool, a garden, a restaurant, and a bar. The hotel offers cozy and comfortable rooms and suites, with balconies, air-conditioning, and TVs. The hotel is located on the beach, near the Hambantota Town and the Bundala National Park. The price is around 15000 LKR (75 USD) per night for a double room.
The Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort:
A three-star resort that features a spa, a pool, a restaurant, and a bar. The resort offers simple and clean rooms and cottages, with balconies, fans, and mosquito nets. The resort is located on the beach, near the Hambantota Lighthouse and the Mahapelessa Hot Springs. The price is around 10000 LKR (50 USD) per night for a double room.
Hotel Bundala Park:
A two-star hotel that features a garden, a restaurant, and a bar. The hotel offers basic and budget rooms and dorms, with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and shared bathrooms. The hotel is located near the Bundala National Park and the Hambantota Airport. The price is around 5000 LKR (25 USD) per night for a double room.
Birds Research Centre and Resort:
A one-star resort that features a research and education center, a garden, a restaurant, and a bar. The resort offers rustic and eco-friendly rooms and tents, with fans, mosquito nets, and private bathrooms. The resort is located near the Birds Research Centre and the Ussangoda National Park. The price is around 3000 LKR (15 USD) per night for a double room.
The best option to stay in Hambantota depends on your comfort, convenience, and experience. If you want to splurge and indulge, you can choose a resort. If you want to save and explore, you can choose a hotel. If you want to connect and learn, you can choose a lodge.
What to See and Do in Hambantota
Hambantota has a lot to offer to its visitors, from wildlife and nature to culture and history. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Hambantota, that will make your trip memorable and enjoyable:
Bundala National Park:
A UNESCO biosphere reserve that is home to over 200 species of birds, as well as elephants, crocodiles, turtles, and more. You can take a jeep safari or a guided walk to observe and photograph the wildlife, and enjoy the scenery of the wetlands, lagoons, and forests. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 3000 LKR (15 USD) per person, plus 5000 LKR (25 USD) per jeep.
Ridiyagama Safari Park:
A 500-acre park that offers a safari experience with animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia, such as lions, zebras, giraffes, and kangaroos. You can take a bus tour or a bike tour to see and feed the animals, and learn about their habitats and behaviors. The park is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and the entrance fee is 1000 LKR (5 USD) per person, plus 300 LKR (1.5 USD) per bus or 200 LKR (1 USD) per bike.
Dry Zone Botanic Gardens:
A 300-acre garden that showcases the flora and fauna of the dry zone of Sri Lanka, such as cacti, succulents, medicinal plants, and butterflies. You can take a walk or a bike ride to admire and smell the plants, and visit the butterfly garden, the orchid house, and the bonsai garden. The garden is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person, plus 100 LKR (0.5 USD) per bike.
Mahapelessa Hot Springs:
A natural hot spring that is believed to have healing properties, and is surrounded by scenic views and local stalls. You can take a dip or a soak in the hot water, and enjoy the relaxing and rejuvenating effects. The spring is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 100 LKR (0.5 USD) per person.
Yala National Park:
A popular national park that is famous for its leopard population, as well as other wildlife, such as bears, deer, monkeys, and birds. You can take a jeep safari or a camping tour to spot and admire the animals, and explore the landscape of the grasslands, forests, and lakes. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 4000 LKR (20 USD) per person, plus 8000 LKR (40 USD) per jeep.
Ussangoda National Park:
A unique park that features red soil, cliffs, and grasslands, and offers panoramic views of the ocean and the sunset. You can take a hike or a bike ride to witness and photograph the natural beauty, and visit the archaeological site, where you can see ancient ruins and pottery. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person, plus 100 LKR (0.5 USD) per bike.
Birds Research Centre and Resort:
A research and education center that focuses on the conservation and study of birds, and also offers accommodation and birdwatching tours. You can stay in a rustic and eco-friendly room or tent, and join a guided walk or a boat ride to see and learn about the different species of birds, such as peacocks, eagles, and kingfishers. The center is open from 7 am to 7 pm, and the entrance fee is 1000 LKR (5 USD) per person, plus 2000 LKR (10 USD) per boat.
Mirijjawila Botanic Garden:
A 300-acre garden that displays the diversity and beauty of the plants of Sri Lanka, such as orchids, palms, ferns, and herbs. You can take a walk or a bike ride to admire and smell the flowers, and visit the herbal garden, the rose garden, and the spice garden. The garden is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person, plus 100 LKR (0.5 USD) per bike.
Agro Technology Park:
A park that showcases the agricultural and technological innovations of Sri Lanka, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, solar power, and biogas. You can take a tour or a workshop to see and learn about the different methods and techniques, and taste some of the products, such as fruits, vegetables, and honey. The park is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person, plus 1000 LKR (5 USD) per workshop.
Walawe River Safari:
A boat ride that takes you along the Walawe River, where you can see crocodiles, water birds, fish, and villages. You can enjoy the scenery and the breeze, and interact with the locals and their culture. The safari is available from 6 am to 6 pm, and the price is around 5000 LKR (25 USD) per boat for 2 hours.
Ramba Viharaya:
An ancient Buddhist temple that dates back to the 2nd century BC, and features a stupa, a cave, and a museum. You can visit the temple and pay respect to the Buddha, and see the relics, statues, and paintings that depict the history and teachings of Buddhism. The temple is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person.
Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery:
A historic monastery that is located on a rock hill, and is known for its paintings, sculptures, and caves. You can climb the hill and admire the views, and explore the monastery and its art and architecture. The monastery is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person.
Mulkirigala Rock Temple:
A stunning temple that is built on a 205-meter high rock, and consists of seven cave temples, a reclining Buddha statue, and a library. You can ascend the rock and marvel at the temple, and see the murals, inscriptions, and manuscripts that reveal the secrets and stories of the past. The temple is open from 6 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (2.5 USD) per person.
These are some of the best things to see and do in Hambantota, but there are many more to discover and enjoy. You can also visit the Hambantota Lighthouse, the Hambantota Salt Pans, the Hambantota Harbour, and the Hambantota Town, where you can see and experience the local life and culture of Hambantota.
What to Eat and Drink in Hambantota
Hambantota has a cuisine and culture that is influenced by the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Dutch communities, and is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes. Here are some of the best local food and drinks in Hambantota, that will satisfy your taste buds and appetite:
Hambantota Kottu: A dish made of chopped roti, vegetables, eggs, and meat, and seasoned with curry and spices. It is a popular street food that is served hot and crispy, and can be customized according to your preference. You can find it in many stalls and restaurants, and the price is around 300 LKR (1.5 USD) per plate.
Hambantota Halapa: A snack made of rice flour, coconut, and jaggery, and wrapped in a leaf. It is a sweet and soft treat that is eaten as a breakfast or a dessert, and can be found in many shops and markets. The price is around 50 LKR (0.25 USD) per piece.
Hambantota Curd: A dessert made of buffalo milk curd and treacle, and served in a clay pot. It is a creamy and refreshing dessert that is eaten as a snack or a finale, and can be found in many stalls and restaurants. The price is around 200 LKR (1 USD) per pot.
Hambantota Toddy: A drink made of fermented coconut sap, and consumed as a refreshing beverage or a mild alcoholic drink. It is a clear and fizzy drink that is drunk as a thirst-quencher or a mood-booster, and can be found in many bars and taverns. The price is around 100 LKR (0.5 USD) per glass.
These are some of the best local food and drinks in Hambantota, but there are many more to try and enjoy. You can also taste some of the other dishes and drinks that are common in Sri Lanka, such as rice and curry, hoppers, string hoppers, roti, samosas, vadai, kiri bath, pol sambol, lunu miris, watalappan, arrack, and tea.
Hambantota is a rising destination in Sri Lanka, that has a lot to offer to its visitors. It is a place where you can experience the natural, cultural, and historical attractions of this island nation, as well as its diverse and delicious cuisine, and its friendly and hospitable people. If you are looking for a destination that is off the beaten path, but still has everything you need for a memorable and enjoyable trip, then Hambantota is the place for you.
Book your trip to Hambantota soon, and share your feedback and experiences with us. For more information and planning, visit our website, follow us on social media, and contact us anytime. We are here to help you make the most of your trip to Hambantota.