Get in
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
[edit]Do
[edit]Birdwatching over lagoon lake at Hideaway Lodge. Also at guest house called Three Little Birds.
Kayaking around the lagoons costs Rs 500-1000
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]- 1 Salt Breeze, ☏ +94 765821743. Coffee shop overlooking the beach near city. You can rent bicycles here, too.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Three Little Birds Homestay, Marakolliya. Simple cheap rooms run by lovely couple. Has fabulous bird watching spot at end of property overlooking beautiful wetland area. Can visit for lunch if not staying here. $10 rooms.
Mid-range
[edit]- 2 Surya Garden Guesthouse, Pubudu Mawata, Seenimodara, Nakulugamuwa (Between Dickwella and Tangalle), ☏ +94 473473663, +94 777-147818, [email protected]. Charming, small resort right on the uncrowded sandy Tangalle beach with an Italian-Sri-Lankan management. The three bungalows, open-air restaurant, as well as other facilities are hidden in the large and carefully maintained tropical garden. $45-55.
- 3 Taragala Chalets, Kalametiya (Between Tangalle and Tissa), ☏ +94 711597259, [email protected]. Right next to the Kalametiya bird sanctuary. Beautiful gardens full of birds and family bungalows complete with resident peacock Freddy who will eat rice out of your hand. $31 for one person to $52.
Splurge
[edit]- 4 Anantara Tangalle Peace Haven Resort, Goyambokka Estate, ☏ +94 47 767 0700, [email protected]. The resort offers 152 rooms and pool villas which includes accommodation for differently abled guests. Whale watching excursions are available for guests. Starting from $270.
- Dickwella Resort, Batheegama, Dickwella, ☏ +94 412255271. Surrounded by sandy beaches, fitted with an ocean-view terrace and canopied beds. Apart from the distinct décor, other amenities include air-conditioning and a mini-bar. Guests can join excursions to Galle City, the Mulkirigala Rock Temple, or Yala National Park for a safari adventure. Massages are available at the Sanctuary Spa. The restaurant’s buffets, fresh seafood, and stone oven-baked pizzas are also touted by the resort.
- Turtle Bay, . Kalametiya Beach, Gorupokuna (Nearby Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary), ☏ +94 477 887853-54, [email protected]. A small boutique hotel with beach views. Rustic atmosphere with wooden furnishings. The hotel has a quiet beach, a sauna, an outdoor pool and an Ayurvedic spa. The onsite restaurants and bar allow you to eat anywhere on the property, including the beach. $150-240.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Colombo. The easiest way is to take a bus, tuk-tuk or taxi to Matara. A tuk-tuk takes 1-1.5 hours and costs around 2000 Rs, ask the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal where the "Express Highway" buses leave. There are regular buses to Colombo, which take 2-2.5 hours. Buses go also to many other cities from the terminal.
- Matara
- Mirissa
- Kalamatiya (bird sanctuary)
- Hambantota
- Tissamaharama (gateway to Yala National Park)