Have you ever dreamed of visiting a tropical paradise, where you can relax on a soft, golden sand, swim in a clear, turquoise water, and enjoy a variety of attractions and activities? If yes, then you should definitely consider Unawatuna beach as your next destination.
Unawatuna beach is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, about 5 km south of the historic city of Galle. It is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the country, and has been ranked among the best beaches in the world by various travel magazines and websites.
Unawatuna beach is not only a stunning natural beauty, but also a diverse and vibrant destination, where you can experience the rich culture, history, and wildlife of Sri Lanka. Whether you are looking for adventure, romance, or relaxation, Unawatuna beach has something for everyone.
In this comprehensive travel guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to plan your trip to Unawatuna beach, including its attractions, activities, food, nightlife, accommodation, transportation, and tips. Read on and discover why Unawatuna beach is the ultimate paradise for travelers.
Attractions and Activities
Unawatuna beach is not just a place to sunbathe and swim, but also a place to explore and enjoy. There are many attractions and activities to choose from, both in and around the beach, that will make your stay more memorable and fun.
Some of the best attractions and activities to explore in and around Unawatuna beach are:
The Peace Pagoda: This is a white, dome-shaped Buddhist temple that stands on a hill overlooking the beach. It was built by Japanese monks as a symbol of peace and harmony. You can climb up the stairs to the top of the pagoda and enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding area. The pagoda is also a great place to watch the sunrise or the sunset, and to meditate and relax.
The Jungle Beach: This is a small, secluded beach that is hidden by a dense forest. It is a perfect spot for snorkeling, as the water is calm and clear, and the coral reef is home to many colorful fish and turtles. You can also hike through the jungle and spot some monkeys, peacocks, and other wildlife. The jungle beach is a short tuk-tuk ride or a 30-minute walk from Unawatuna beach.
The Turtle Hatchery: This is a conservation project that aims to protect and rehabilitate the endangered sea turtles that nest on the beach. You can visit the hatchery and learn more about the turtles and their life cycle, and even get a chance to release some baby turtles into the sea. The hatchery is open from 8 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is 500 LKR (about 2.5 USD) per person.
The Galle Fort: This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 16th century, when it was built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch. It is a well-preserved example of a colonial fort, with its ramparts, bastions, gates, churches, museums, and lighthouse. You can walk around the fort and admire its architecture and history, or shop for some souvenirs and antiques at the quaint boutiques and galleries. The fort is about 6 km north of Unawatuna beach, and you can reach it by bus, train, taxi, or tuk-tuk.
The Yatagala Temple: This is an ancient Buddhist temple that is carved into a rock. It is said to be over 2300 years old, and contains some impressive statues and paintings of Buddha and other deities. The temple is also surrounded by a peaceful garden, where you can see some giant banyan trees and exotic birds. The temple is about 4 km inland from Unawatuna beach, and you can reach it by tuk-tuk or bike.
If you are looking for more adventure and excitement, you can also book online tours and activities for Unawatuna beach, such as lagoon canoeing, snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, and surfing. You can find and compare the best deals and offers on Tripoto, the leading online platform for booking travel experiences.
Food and Nightlife
Unawatuna beach is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also for foodies and party animals. There are many options to taste the delicious Sri Lankan cuisine and culture, and to enjoy the lively and fun nightlife.
Some of the best local food and restaurants to try at Unawatuna beach are:
Rice and curry: This is the staple dish of Sri Lanka, and consists of steamed rice served with a variety of curries, such as chicken, fish, vegetable, or lentil. The curries are usually spicy and flavorful, and are accompanied by some side dishes, such as coconut sambol, papadum, or pickle. You can find rice and curry at almost any restaurant or street stall, and the price ranges from 150 to 500 LKR (about 0.8 to 2.5 USD) per plate.
Hoppers: These are thin, crispy pancakes made from rice flour and coconut milk. They are shaped like a bowl, and can be filled with different ingredients, such as eggs, cheese, honey, or jam. They are usually eaten for breakfast or as a snack, and are served with some spicy sauces or chutneys. You can find hoppers at many cafes and bakeries, and the price ranges from 50 to 200 LKR (about 0.3 to 1 USD) per hopper.
Kottu: This is a popular street food that is made from chopped roti (flatbread) mixed with vegetables, eggs, cheese, and meat. It is cooked on a large griddle, and the sound of the metal spatulas chopping the ingredients is a distinctive feature of this dish. It is usually eaten for dinner or as a late-night snack, and is served with some spicy gravy or curry. You can find kottu at many street stalls and fast food joints, and the price ranges from 200 to 500 LKR (about 1 to 2.5 USD) per portion.
Seafood: This is a must-try for any seafood lover, as Unawatuna beach offers a fresh and abundant supply of fish, prawns, crabs, lobsters, and squid. You can choose your seafood from the display and have it cooked to your liking, such as grilled, fried, or curried. You can also enjoy some exotic dishes, such as shark fin soup, cuttlefish curry, or octopus salad. You can find seafood at many restaurants and beach shacks, and the price ranges from 500 to 2000 LKR (about 2.5 to 10 USD) per dish.
Some of the best bars and clubs to have fun at Unawatuna beach are:
Kingfisher: This is a popular and trendy bar and restaurant that is located right on the beach. It has a cozy and colorful ambiance, and plays a mix of reggae, rock, and pop music. It also serves a variety of drinks, such as cocktails, beers, and wines, and some tasty snacks, such as pizzas, burgers, and salads. It is open from 11 am to 11 pm, and the happy hour is from 5 pm to 7 pm, when you can get two drinks for the price of one.
Happy Banana: This is a lively and fun bar and restaurant that is located on the main road. It has a spacious and modern interior, and plays a mix of electronic, hip hop, and R&B music. It also serves a variety of drinks, such as cocktails, beers, and spirits, and some delicious food, such as seafood, pasta, and steaks. It is open from 11 am to 2 am, and the party night is on Saturday, when you can enjoy some live music and DJ sets.
Koha Surf Lounge: This is a chilled and relaxed bar and restaurant that is located on the beach. It has a rustic and cozy atmosphere, and plays a mix of surf, indie, and acoustic music. It also serves a variety of drinks, such as cocktails, beers, and juices, and some healthy food, such as salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It is open from 8 am to 11 pm, and the sunset session is from 6 pm to 8 pm, when you can get a free drink with any food order.
Doctor’s House: This is a unique and quirky bar and restaurant that is located in a former doctor’s house in a nearby village. It has a vintage and eclectic decor, and plays a mix of jazz, blues, and soul music. It also serves a variety of drinks, such as cocktails, beers, and wines, and some mouthwatering food, such as burgers, tacos, and curries. It is open from 11 am to 11 pm, and the live music night is on Wednesday, when you can enjoy some local and international bands and artists.
Accommodation
Unawatuna beach offers a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets and preferences, from luxury hotels and resorts to cozy villas and guesthouses to budget hostels and campsites. You can find the perfect place to stay at Unawatuna beach, whether you are looking for comfort, convenience, or charm.
Some of the best accommodation options at Unawatuna beach are:
Thaproban Beach House: This is a four-star hotel that is located right on the beach, offering a stunning view of the ocean and the sunset. It has 23 spacious and elegant rooms, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, and balcony. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a spa, and a garden. It is ideal for couples and families who want to enjoy a relaxing and luxurious stay. You can book online a room at Thaproban Beach House for as low as 100 USD per night on Tripoto.
Villa Thawthisa: This is a five-star resort that is located on a hill overlooking the beach, offering a panoramic view of the coast and the jungle. It has 23 stylish and modern rooms, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, and jacuzzi. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a gym, and a yoga studio. It is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy a secluded and serene stay. You can book online a room at Villa Thawthisa for as low as 150 USD per night on Tripoto.
Bedspace Beach: This is a three-star villa that is located a few steps away from the beach, offering a cozy and colorful ambiance. It has 6 bright and airy rooms, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, and balcony. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a pool, and a lounge. It is ideal for backpackers and solo travelers who want to enjoy a social and friendly stay. You can book online a room at Bedspace Beach for as low as 50 USD per night on Tripoto.
Rockside Cabanas Hotel: This is a two-star guesthouse that is located on the beach, offering a rustic and authentic atmosphere. It has 10 wooden cabanas, equipped with fan, Wi-Fi, and mosquito net. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a garden. It is ideal for adventurers and nature lovers who want to enjoy a simple and natural stay. You can book online a cabana at Rockside Cabanas Hotel for as low as 30 USD per night on Tripoto.
Hangover Hostel: This is a one-star hostel that is located on the main road, offering a fun and lively vibe. It has 8 dorms and 2 private rooms, equipped with fan, Wi-Fi, and locker. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a terrace. It is ideal for party animals and budget travelers who want to enjoy a cheap and cheerful stay. You can book online a bed at Hangover Hostel for as low as 10 USD per night on Tripoto.
Transportation
Unawatuna beach is easily accessible by air, road, or rail, as it is well connected to the rest of the country and the world. You can find the best way to travel to Unawatuna beach, depending on your time, budget, and convenience.
Some of the best ways to travel to Unawatuna beach are:
By plane: The nearest airport to Unawatuna beach is the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, which is about 150 km away. You can fly to Colombo from many international destinations, such as India, China, Singapore, Dubai, and London. You can then take a taxi, a bus, or a train from Colombo to Unawatuna beach, which will take about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic and the schedule. You can book online a flight to Colombo for as low as 100 USD per person on Tripoto.
By bus: The cheapest and most convenient way to travel to Unawatuna beach is by bus, as there are many buses that run from Colombo and other major cities to Unawatuna beach. You can take a direct bus from Colombo to Unawatuna beach, which will take about 3 hours, and cost about 200 LKR (about 1 USD) per person. You can also take an indirect bus from Colombo to Galle, which will take about 2 hours, and cost about 150 LKR (about 0.8 USD) per person, and then take a local bus from Galle to Unawatuna beach, which will take about 15 minutes, and cost about 50 LKR (about 0.3 USD) per person. You can find and compare the best bus deals and offers on Tripoto.
By train: The fastest and most scenic way to travel to Unawatuna beach is by train, as there are many trains that run from Colombo and other major cities to Unawatuna beach. You can take a direct train from Colombo to Unawatuna beach, which will take about 2 hours, and cost about 300 LKR (about 1.5 USD) per person. You can also take an indirect train from Colombo to Galle, which will take about 1.5 hours, and cost about 250 LKR (about 1.3 USD) per person, and then take a local bus or a tuk-tuk from Galle to Unawatuna beach, which will take about 15 minutes, and cost about 100 LKR (about 0.5 USD) per person. You can find and compare the best train deals and offers on Tripoto.
Tips
Unawatuna beach is a safe and friendly destination, but there are some tips and precautions that you should follow to make your trip more enjoyable and hassle-free. Here are some of the best tips for visiting Unawatuna beach:
Drinking laws: Sri Lanka has strict laws on alcohol consumption, and you should be aware of them before you drink. The legal drinking age is 21, and you may be asked to show your ID at some bars and clubs. Alcohol is not sold on public holidays, full moon days, and religious festivals, and you may face a fine or imprisonment if you violate this rule. Alcohol is also not allowed on the beach, and you should respect the local culture and customs when you drink.
Travel advice: Sri Lanka is a developing country, and you may encounter some challenges and inconveniences when you travel. You should be prepared for some delays, cancellations, or changes in your transportation, accommodation, or tours, and be flexible and patient. You should also be careful of scams, touts, and pickpockets, and avoid any suspicious or illegal offers. You should also respect the local laws and regulations, and avoid any political or religious discussions or conflicts.
Safety precautions: Unawatuna beach is generally safe, but you should still take some precautions to avoid any accidents or injuries. You should always swim within the marked areas, and avoid swimming at night or during rough weather. You should also wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You should also avoid any wild or stray animals, and seek medical attention if you get bitten or scratched. You should also carry some basic first aid kit and medicines, and have a travel insurance that covers your health and belongings.
Cultural etiquette: Sri Lanka is a diverse and multicultural country, and you should respect the local culture and etiquette when you visit. You should dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees when you visit any religious or historical sites, and remove your shoes and hats when you enter any temples or shrines. You should also avoid any public displays of affection, and refrain from touching or pointing at anyone with your feet or left hand, as these are considered rude and offensive. You should also greet people with a smile and a nod, and use the local words for thank you (“isthoothi”) and hello (“ayubowan”).
Conclusion
Unawatuna beach is a paradise for travelers, as it offers a perfect combination of beauty, diversity, and charm. You can enjoy the golden sand, the turquoise water, and the diverse attractions and activities, as well as the delicious food, the lively nightlife, and the rich culture and history. You can also find the best deals and offers for your trip to Unawatuna beach on Tripoto, the leading online platform for booking travel experiences.
Unawatuna beach is a destination that you will never forget, and that will make you fall in love with Sri Lanka. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Unawatuna beach today, and discover why it is the ultimate paradise for travelers.
