For many years, the resort of Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) has been of great interest among tourists. This is a very beautiful place and a calm beach resort which is located 5 km from the city of Galle. The country's authorities are making great efforts to restore the resort to its former reputation, which suffered greatly after the powerful tsunami of 2004. The entire tourist infrastructure - hotels, shops, restaurants - was built quite quickly. Now Unawatuna is quite ready to receive guests at the highest level.

General characteristics of the resort

From Galle this paradise can be reached via the southern coastal road in 10 minutes. If you look at Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) on the map, you will see that it is located 76 miles from the capital of the country, Colombo. The main advantages of this village are luxurious beaches, an abundance of fruit trees and palm groves.

Resort beaches

On both sides, strips of reefs separate the ocean and the local lagoon, thanks to which there are rarely large waves in this place, which makes swimming quite safe. At the same time, a strong current will not allow you to calmly swim far from the shore on a mattress. You can safely come to the resort with children, as there are shallow water areas on the beach that are protected by reefs even from small waves. The depth in such places is also small - about 1.5 meters.

Sri Lanka, Unawatuna Beach is a favorite place for surfers, divers and just lovers of swimming. The water here is always crystal clear, which makes this place quite popular. In addition, in the vicinity of the beach you can contemplate rich flora and fauna, in particular a huge number of birds: whistling duck, white heron, water hen, sandpiper, turnstone and others. Many of them live exclusively on Rumassala Hill.

Divers are especially attracted by coral reefs, a variety of fish and turtles, and traces of shipwrecks. Previously, the surrounding areas, where mango forests and swamps were located, were often visited by ecotourists. True, now most of the swamps have been drained, and hotels have been built in their place. Along the beach line there is a row of restaurants and cafes, which, in addition to food and drinks, also offer tourists umbrellas and sun loungers.

Weather

It is worth noting that the hottest weather in Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is observed in April (about 32 C). December can be called a relatively cold month (28 C). At the same time, at night in winter the air can cool to 15 C. The average annual sea temperature is 28 C. Rain is rare here, most often it can be short-term precipitation for 10-15 minutes in the morning or at night. As you understand, you can relax quite comfortably at this picturesque resort all year round.

Sri Lanka, Unawatuna: hotels

This picturesque village is best chosen for relaxation by those who like a measured and relaxing holiday. There are no fancy hotels in Unawatuta, and if you wish, you can stay in local hotels on your own. The village has mainly three- and four-star hotels.

Flower Garden 3*. This is a wonderful and very cozy mini-hotel. Consists of chalets and an administrative building, located in a magnificent tropical park. The beaches are just a few minutes from here. Each house has its own garden and terrace, sun lounger and wicker furniture. The rooms are decorated in a tropical style with all amenities.

This hotel is located on the 1st line. The hotel's room capacity is represented by standard rooms and deluxe rooms with jacuzzi. On the territory of Calamander there is a swimming pool, tennis court, and restaurant.

Dalawella Beach Resort 3*. This is a small but very cozy hotel with high-quality service. The hotel has only 7 rooms, which have air conditioning, hot water, telephone, balcony and much more. There is also the opportunity to stay in a small house with a veranda. Local beaches are just a few minutes' walk away.

Lavendish Beach 2*. This hotel is located in a quiet and very picturesque area overlooking the Indian Ocean. Tourists have access to the Internet, 24-hour reception, laundry, bar and restaurant. All rooms are equipped with a minibar, air conditioning, fan, TV and necessary furniture. And the luxurious suite with Jacuzzi offers stunning ocean views.

Meanwhile, you can choose other, no less comfortable hotels, since they are in abundance on the island of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna (hotels are not the only type of housing in the village) can offer a guesthouse (accommodation in a private house with local residents), a hostel (no special amenities are provided, but the price may be quite pleasing) or a motel (suitable for vacationers with a car, however, the level service is unlikely to please).

Unawatuna Restaurants

Along the entire beach you can have a delicious lunch in numerous eateries and cafes. European and Sinhala cuisine predominates in bars and restaurants. Almost all hotels have a buffet, but do not forget that local dishes are very spicy. You need to be extremely careful with alcoholic drinks; many of them have a quick intoxicating effect and a strong hangover effect.

Resort attractions

Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is not only a passive beach holiday. You can diversify your trip with walks through the surrounding jungle, where you can see many interesting representatives of exotic flora and fauna. An hour's drive from the village is the UNESCO reserve - Kottawa. It is an ancient fortress with bastions and impressive walls. You can also go diving, surfing, fishing or snorkeling.

Entertainment

Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is a great place to relax with your family. In the evenings, on the coast, which curves like a horseshoe, restaurants, jewelry shops, and cafes light their numerous lights. The sounds of pleasant music invite you to a disco, where you can dance and drink some exotic cocktail.

We assure you that you will definitely enjoy your holiday in this paradise. It is also worth noting that according to Discovery, the best beach is located here - the island of Sri Lanka, Unawatuna. Reviews from tourists directly confirm this fact. This cozy village is happy to welcome guests all year round.

If you read reviews about the resort of Unawatuna (Sri Lanka), you will probably have a desire to visit this paradise, exotic corner. It is difficult to say what exactly attracts vacationers, perhaps the powerful waves of the ocean, the color of the narrow streets or the magical jungle. In short, if you need a good rest, Unawatuna is waiting for you.

general information

The town is small and quiet, located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, 150 km from the main airport and only 5 km from. 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 fuss is; everything here is calm and measured. 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 gardens. Here people relax, get acquainted with the culture of yoga and Ayurveda. Many people come here simply to live away from civilization.

How to get to the city from Colombo

There are several ways to get to Unawatuna, each of them is attractive in its own way because it introduces you to the nature and flavor of Sri Lanka.

The main airport, Bandaranaike, is 160 km away in Colombo. From here you can get to the picturesque resort:

• by train;
• public transport - bus;
• by rented car;
• by taxi.

Train to Unawatuna

Bus number 187 runs from the airport to the railway station. Any train going to Matara will do. At least 7 trains depart in this direction per day, passing through all the villages located on the coast.

Passengers are offered tickets of three classes. Classes 2 and 3 are chosen only by the desperate and the bravest, since traveling in such conditions is unlikely to be enjoyable. The cost of tickets for 1st class - Rajadhani carriage - is almost 7 dollars. The carriage has air conditioning, Wi-Fi, clean and comfortable seats.

Children under 12 years old receive a 50% discount, and children under 3 years old travel free of charge. The journey takes 3.5 hours. The beach from the station is 2 km away, you can get there by tuk-tuk or walk. Renting a tuk-tuk will cost several times cheaper if you walk literally 200 meters to Matara Road (A2 highway).

Prices and schedules may change, check the latest information on the official website www.railway.gov.lk.

Travel by bus

After the tuk-tuk, the bus is the most popular mode of transport in Sri Lanka. From the airport to the bus station you can take the same bus number 187.

All flights to Matara connect to Unawatuna. Be sure to tell the driver that you are going to Unawatuna. Advantages of traveling by bus:

• cheap;
• comfortable;
• available;
• You can see the beauty of nature.

There are two types of buses from the bus station:

• regular – a ticket costs about $3, the journey takes 3 hours;
• express – ticket costs $6-7, the journey takes 2.5 hours.

The bus stop is on Matara Road, you can rent a tuk-tuk here or walk.

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.

It is most convenient to order a transfer from the hotel where you will be staying. The cost of the trip is on average $65-80. The journey from the airport will take about 3 hours.

Which route to take

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 will have to pay to travel. In this case, it is better to pay and enjoy the trip than to drive along a congested free highway. Payment is about $2.

Free trails - Galle Main Road and Matara Road Matara Road. There are regular buses here that you need to let through, stopping and hugging the side of the road.

It is important! From other cities in Sri Lanka you also need to go through Colombo.

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Weather and climate. When is the best time to go to Unawatuna?

There are two seasons in Sri Lanka, the main criteria are:

• wave height;
• humidity level;
• amount of precipitation.

Summer lasts from March to July, and the time from August to February is called winter by locals.

This is not the best time to travel to southwest Sri Lanka. High humidity, muddy water, a raging ocean, and heavy rains will deprive your vacation of special impressions and exoticism.

The advantage is low housing prices.

At this time, everything is blooming and fragrant in Sri Lanka, and at night all the beaches are noisy and fun. The ocean is calm, so in the fall there are many couples with children in Unawatuna. The heat is more easily tolerated due to lower air humidity.

The disadvantage is that housing prices increase several times.

Spring is the beginning of the low season, there are few tourists, the beaches of Unawatuna are free, the streets are quiet and calm. The ocean is quite calm, but storms and thunderstorms are common.

This is the best time for a secluded, relaxing holiday.

Winter is the high season; you need to book accommodation in advance, since there are practically no vacancies left. At this time, the weather in Sri Lanka is ideal for swimming; families with children come here in winter.

Transport in Unawatuna

Given the width of the streets in the settlement, the only transport that can pass here is a tuk-tuk. An original carriage without doors will take you anywhere in the city. The cost of the trip is negotiable.

Buses travel regularly along the main road with breaks of 5-10 minutes.

It is important! An alternative method of transportation is a motorbike; rental costs $10; refueling costs just under $1 per liter.

Beaches in Unawatuna

Long Beach in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka is recognized as the most visited and beautiful. It is located 160 km from the airport and 130 km from the administrative center of Colombo.

The beach is small and especially cozy, but there are a lot of vacationers here. The recreation area is located in a natural bay, protected from the powerful waves of the ocean by a reef; jungle grows on the coast. This is why there are almost never waves near the shore; they remain behind the reef line. Families with children often come here and you can go snorkeling.

Children love the western part of the beach more; here the descent into the water is gentler, the bottom is shallow, and the strip of sand is wide.

On the eastern part of the beach there are bald spots - places where the sand is completely washed away by the ocean; these areas are covered with stones.

Not far from the beach you can find many hotels with different price levels, as well as small family hotels. There are no large hotels, so tourists who travel on their own and not through a tour company come to this part of Sri Lanka.

There are cafes and taverns within walking distance from the recreation area, serving a wide variety of dishes. In the evening, the coast looks like a large restaurant; all establishments set out tables on the soft, warm sand and light torches. The atmosphere is incredible - you will never forget dining under the sound of the ocean. Be sure to take a camera with you, because photos of the Unawatuna beach, without exaggeration, will turn out to be bright and unusual.

Jungle Beach

A quarter of an hour walk from the main beach there is another equally picturesque beach - Jungle Beach. If you order a drink or food at one of the cafes or restaurants, sun loungers are provided free of charge.

A few kilometers from Unawatuna - in the village of Katugoda - is Bonavista Beach. The recreation area is also sheltered by a bay protected by a reef.

Delavella

Another beach in Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is located a few kilometers from the city. A significant drawback of the beach is that it is located along the road.

Attractions

The stall is located at 266 Matara Road. Prices here, of course, are high, so many tourists come here as if they were visiting a museum of antiques.

Turtle farm

Moving east along the coast, you will come to a turtle farm. Animals swim in huge pools; a guide accompanies tourists on the territory, telling them about all types of turtles. The story is told in English. Even if you arrived at the farm on your own and not as part of an excursion group, you will also have to listen to a detailed story from the guide. Vacationers are offered to release small turtles into the sea, they are shown a clutch of turtle eggs and, of course, they can take a photo with a turtle.

• Entrance 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 a bus to Matara, it will take you to the small village of Habaraduwa, where there is a farm. Be sure to warn the driver so they can tell you where to get off. Distance from Unawatuna 7 km. You will not pass by the farm - you will see a large sign.

Just a few tens of kilometers from Unawatuna there 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 swimsuit with you, because in the forest there is a pool filled with the purest water from a stream.

Entrance to the forest is free, you can come here around the clock. The most convenient way is to rent a tuk-tuk or a car. The journey takes half an hour (approximately 20 km).

Mobile communications and Internet

Considering that the town is located on an island, it is difficult to get unlimited Internet here. Mobile Internet here is in no way inferior to the quality of service in Vietnam.

It is important! The best companies are Mobitel, Dialog, Airtel, Etisalat, Hutch.

Mobitel and Dialog cards are sold in almost all stores; SIM cards from other operators are quite difficult to find. 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 really is money in the account.

It is important! Some SIM cards have a limited validity period of 1 month. After this, you need to go to the mobile phone store and activate the card again. The cost of a SIM card varies from 150 to 600 rupees. For a card at the airport with a full package for a tourist you will have to pay almost 1800 rupees.

Tariffs for international calls and Internet services

Which connection to choose in Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is a pressing question for those who are going on vacation, because contact with relatives and friends needs to be maintained. The operator Mobitel offers the lowest rates for calls abroad, and the most expensive tariffs are offered by Hutch.

As for Internet tariffs, all operators offer different tariffs, and traffic is most often divided into daytime and nighttime. Hutch offers the lowest rates - just over 40 LKR per 1 GB.

It is important! To connect to the Internet, you need to create an APN access point.

Prices on the page are for April 2018.

How to top up your balance

There are three ways to deposit money into your account:

• visit a mobile phone store;
• buy a card in any store - instructions are written on the back of the card;
• online on the website of the relevant operator.

The optimal mobile Internet operator is Mobitel, there are almost no complaints. As for the Dialog provider, during the day the Internet speed is quite comfortable, but in the evenings it drops catastrophically. And Dialog’s services are the most expensive. The mobile provider Hutch is quite stable, but finding a card is very difficult.

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Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is a unique place where everyone will find exactly what they expect from their vacation. The resort is beautiful at any time of the year.

Video: overview of the Unawatuna resort and its beaches.

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Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) is an interesting beach destination in Asia. Let's look at holidays in Unawatuna, reviews, how to get there, what to see and which hotels in Unawatuna to choose.

This was my first visit to Sri Lanka. My husband and I chose a place for our honeymoon for a very long time and painfully. I wanted something unusual, bright, that I wouldn’t be ashamed to tell my children about. Standard options like Paris, Greece or Turkey were no longer needed. Personally, I wanted to go to Thailand first, but my husband was categorically against such an idea. I don’t think I need to explain what it is famous for, besides its colorful landscapes. As a result of much debate, we decided to go to Sri Lanka.

Like my husband, I am an introvert. I don't really like noisy places. Therefore, our choice fell on the small coastal town (more like a small tourist village) Unawatuna (Sri Lanka). For those who want to view it on Google - Yunawatuna. The town is located on the south coast of the large tourist city of Galle. For lovers of night beach parties and active excursions, this city is ideal. The main advantage of this beach town is that you can relax here all year round, and on the sea side, the Unawatuna beach is protected by a coral reef, which allows you to keep the sea calm even in the worst weather.

My husband and I flew from Moscow on a direct flight to Sri Lanka. To say that it was quite a difficult flight is simply an understatement. In total, the flight lasted 12.5 hours. But the landscapes we saw upon arrival were worth it. The plane landed in one of the two major cities of Sri Lanka - Colombo. But this was just the beginning of our journey.

There are two ways to get from Colombo to Unawatuna in Sri Lanka.

How to get to Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) from Colombo by bus

At your own pace. This option is budget-friendly; the cost per person will cost $11. Travel time will take approximately 5-5.5 hours. There are only two bus routes from the airport.

• Flight "Colombo-Matara". Goes straight to Unawatuna in Sri Lanka without transfers.
• Flight "Colombo-Gol". When choosing this option, you will need to make 1 change at the Galle bus station.

You can buy a ticket not far from the airport. There are taxi drivers at the exit, and immediately behind them, about 250-300 meters away, is a bus stop with a mobile ticket office. Tickets should be purchased in advance without waiting for the bus to arrive.

How to get to Unawatuna (Sri Lanka) from Colombo by taxi

By taxi. This option will cost much more, but you don’t have to hang around with other tourists for 5 hours. The cost of such a trip will cost from 100 to 120 $, and attention – you can bargain with taxi drivers! This option seemed the most comfortable to us, and we didn’t want to travel by minibus on our honeymoon. Another advantage of such an expensive trip is that the travel time is only 3 hours, which is much faster than by public transport. You can order a taxi online from Colombo to Unawatuna for 4,500 rubles, which is generally inexpensive for four people. ( )

I really wanted to go surfing, but because of the coral reef in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka, it was not possible to do it. But surfing is not the only entertainment at sea, right? We managed to dive underwater and see all the marine life of the coast. For those who will be diving for the first time, you can hire an instructor in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka. For an additional fee, he will provide instructions and a mask with fins.

On Unawatuna Beach in Sri Lanka, guides appear from time to time and offer a short excursion to the temple on the cape. It is relatively inexpensive - from 2 to 3 $. And even if you are not a fan of such holy places, believe me, it is worth it. And what can we say about the breakwater that breaks the water against the rocks near the temple. I have never seen such power before, it’s just a beautiful place.

I was also struck by the cleanliness of the Unawatuna beach in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that there can be quite a lot of visitors before lunch, everyone maintains order, which is good news for such a small town.

In the evening, there are beach musicians on Unawatuna Beach in Sri Lanka. Not much of a party, but quite romantic.

If you want to buy a couple of souvenirs during your holiday in Unawatuna, then they are at almost every turn. You can buy everything: from various figurines, spices and spices, varieties of tea to homemade rugs of the most unusual colors (I even bought a couple for myself).

Basically, a holiday at Unawatuna Beach in Sri Lanka is not like most. The range of services here is much smaller than at other resorts. For example, I didn’t find a spa, although this didn’t upset me very much. Otherwise, the same experience, but much cheaper.

Unawatuna in Sri Lanka: food and delicacies

For lovers of various exotic fruits, Unawatuna in Sri Lanka will be a paradise! Have you ever seen red bananas? I tried them for the first time here. I won’t say that it’s very different from regular bananas, but it’s still worth a try. Fruits and dried fruits in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka are sold not in tents, not on counters, but literally in fruit huts. It looks quite unusual, but at the same time beautiful.

You can eat beach food in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka, but not the takeaway kind. After all, the sun is scorching, and I don’t really want to eat weathered crabs and other sea creatures. But for local residents this turned out to be quite acceptable. They literally buy it from themselves. I wouldn't eat that, to be honest.

A must-try in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka is the juices. They are squeezed out right in front of you, and there is no unsanitary conditions, everything is washed right away. The combination of exotic fruits in one glass gives an indescribable taste and sensation. Definitely a must try!

But as for the coastal restaurants in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka, everything is pretty decent and tasty, and even the prices are not too bad. Although I expected that they would charge much more for their masterpieces. The cuisine consists mainly of seafood. The price of such dishes varies not depending on the type, but rather on the quantity, which was very surprising. The waiter's tip is already included in the bill, so if you want to thank the employee for good service during your holiday in Unawatuna, you can do this additionally.

Hotels in Unawatuna in Sri Lanka

What I would like to mention separately is the hotels in Unawatuna. As I said earlier, Unawatuna in Sri Lanka is not an elite vacation, for rather ordinary people who love naturalness. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect anything incredible from the rooms. Everything is quite simple, but at the same time clean. But this is the main thing! There are no bugs in the bathroom, all the plumbing is cleaned and no fungi in the room. Popular hotels in Unawatuna.

Unawatuna, Sri Lanka: map, photo, how to get there

Unawatuna is a small but popular resort town located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, 150 km from the international airport. The city is located in close proximity, 5 km, from Galle - a large port city and administrative center. The city of Unawatuna is located on a rocky landmass jutting out into the ocean, surrounded by the coral reefs of the Rumassala Conservation Area.

Near Unawatuna there are:

• To the north: Galle, Gintota, Bussa, Ratgama, Dodanduwa, Thiranagama, Hikkaduwa;
• To the south: Mihiripenna, Talpe, Koggala, Ahangama.

Unawatuna is the most popular tourist city among Russian-speaking guests. Unawatuna has a post office, police, railway and bus stations, several diving centers, many hotels and guest houses, a large number of cafes, bars and restaurants and one liquor store. The tourism infrastructure in this area is developed.

The resort town is located in a closed bay, and, unlike most coastal resort towns, illegal construction on the beach here was prohibited later than objective reality required, and therefore there are countless drinking establishments right on the beach and, as a result, a large crowd of people and the garbage they leave behind.

How to get from the airport to Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a small tourist town located on the Galle-Matara section of the road. It has a small railway station of the same name, but it is worth considering that not all trains stop there. This point must be clarified.

When planning your moves, it is best to use the large city of Galle, located 5 km from Unawatuna, where there is a large railway station and bus station, and from there you can get to Unawatuna itself by tuk-tuk or bus.

You can get from the airport to Unawatuna either by public transport or by taxi. The taxi stand is located at the exit from the airport's arrival hall; the cost of a prepaid taxi to Unawatuna will be about 10-12,000 rupees. depending on the location of the desired hotel. There is no need to book a taxi ride in advance.

In order to get to Unawatuna by public transport, you need to take bus to Colombo No. 187 (24 hours a day) at the airport, which goes to the Central Bus Station. To get there by train you need to walk to the Colombo Fort railway station.

If you decide to use the bus, then from the Central Bus Station you need to walk (about 5-10 minutes) to the Pettah bus station and change there to bus number 2 or 32. Buses from Colombo to Galle run 24 hours a day. The cost of travel by public transport for two will be from 400 to 1000 rupees.

Name "Unawatuna"

According to the ancient epic Ramayana, during the battle with King Ravana of Sri Lanka, due to the kidnapping of Princess Sita, Rama's brother, Prince Lakshmana, was mortally wounded and special herbs that grow only in India in the Himalayas were required to heal him. Rama's loyal ally, Hanuman (Indian monkey warrior god), traveled from the battlefield to India to collect four medicinal herbs: Mritasanjeevani, Visalyakarani, Suvarnakarani and Sandani.

But, having arrived at the place, Hanuman forgot the names of the herbs and, not having time to search, he tore out the Sanjeevi rock with medicinal plants growing on it and carried it to the battlefield. A doctor was waiting for him on the battlefield, who found and collected the necessary herbs, after which Hanuman threw away the rock as unnecessary and it fell in the area of ​​modern Unawatuna. Locals believe this legend to be the source of many rare medicinal plants found in the area, including the healing plant Kalu Nika. According to one version, the name "Unawatuna" was derived from the words "Unna - Vetunna" - "fallen here."

According to another theory, the name of the city was derived from "Oona - Patuna" (translated as "small entrance (to the harbor)"). These words were usually used to refer to natural harbors in ancient Sri Lanka (Dambakola Patuna, Yapa Patuna, etc.).

The "fall" theory is supported by the fact that there is a serious magnetic anomaly near Unawatuna, caused by a meteorite impact in ancient times, according to the theory of the British scientist Arthur C. Clarke, this area is not included in the magnetic field that covers the entire earth. It is also said that satellites are losing their orbits with an unusual frequency.

Sights of Unawatuna

Rumassala Nature Reserve
(Rumassala)

The territory of the Rumassala Nature Reserve, located on the rock of the same name, includes an underwater reef. The name "Ru-mas-sala" is translated as "Beautiful Rock".

During Portugal's reign of the island, the Portuguese colonists had a terrible reputation and were known as marauders and pirates, it is believed that they sent false light signals from Mount Rumassala to lure unsuspecting Arab merchant ships onto the rocks.

Japanese Peace Pagoda / Seitya Sama
(Japanese Peace Pagoda/Sama Ceitya)

At the top of Rumassala Hill is a large snow-white Buddhist dagoba known as the Peace Pagoda, built in 2004 with the help of Japanese monks. The Peace Pagoda located on Mount Rumassala is also called Rumassala Sama Ceitya.

The stupa is one of 80 stupas built by Japanese monks around the world and one of 4 built in Sri Lanka (the others are located in Bandarawela, Ampara and Walapan.

There is a temple next to the pagoda, at the entrance to which there is a large statue depicting Hanuman - the Indian god from the legend of Rumassala Hill.

Beaches of Unawatuna

There are two beaches in Unawatuna: the large, long Unawatuna beach and the small Jungle Beach. Unawatuna Beach is located in a bay on the coast, while Jungle Beach is accessible by descending from Mount Rumassala. There are waves on Unawatuna Beach, but there are none at all on Jungle Beach.

Unawatuna beach
(Unawatuna beach)

Unawatuna Beach was once considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka, but human activity has caused significant damage to the appearance of both the beach itself and the surrounding underwater reef. The breakwater built to protect the bay, on the one hand, reduced the strength of the waves in the bay, on the other hand, it disrupted the natural flow of currents and thereby practically destroyed the coral reef surrounding Unawatuna.

In recent years, the construction of a series of various hotels, shops and guest houses has also led to a change in the landscape of the area and the active development and sale of the territory of Rumassala Hill for tourism purposes.

The presence of a breakwater and an almost closed bay ensured that the Unawatuna beach was almost free of strong waves, which made the city attractive for tourists with children. However, travelers planning a holiday with children on Unawatuna beach are advised to pay attention to the fact that this beach has quite sharp transition to depth and very questionable situation with beach cleaning: it is removed only by the owners of cafes located on the beach, and even then only in the area where their facility is located. The sand is dark yellow in color, coarse, and various shells and algae are often washed ashore.

Jungle beach
(Jungle beach)

Often on the Internet you can find a description of the wonderful Jungle Beach, almost ideal for a relaxing holiday on the ocean: the idyll is achieved due to the fact that there are practically no waves there.

On the one hand, one cannot fail to recognize the attractiveness of this beach, on the other hand, it is necessary to take into account that the size of this very popular beach is 100 m long and 20 m wide, while it manages to accommodate sun loungers tightly adjacent to each other in 4 rows.

It is worth keeping in mind that the path to Jungle Beach may be difficult for older people, because... It runs through the heat and to get to the beach you need to go down from the road, at a decent height, along a path not intended for this purpose. There is a cafe on the beach.

Hotels, shops, restaurants in Unawatuna

Despite the relatively small size of the territory of the city's tourist area, the infrastructure in Unawatuna is quite developed: there are catering establishments of various levels from local cafes to tourist restaurants, a wide selection of affordable housing both in the beach area and in the village itself, located behind the Galle Road , there is a market, a Foodcity chain supermarket, fruit and fish stalls and shops selling souvenirs, jewelry, safaris, clothing, Ayurveda and other products and services that are very necessary for tourists.

Weather in Unawatuna

The best time to visit Unawatuna coincides with the tourist season for the rest of the southwest coast and lasts from November to April. At the end of April and beginning of May, the rainy season comes to the south of Sri Lanka, bringing with it heavy but short-lived rains with thunderstorms and cloudy weather, as well as increasing storms in the ocean.

By the end of July and beginning of August, the rough ocean makes swimming in the south of Sri Lanka, including Unawatuna, unsafe. There is a myth that you can swim in Unawatuna all year round and there is no rainy season there - this is a lie from tourism sellers that can interrupt someone’s life.

In the off-season, the water level on the beaches of the south of the island rises significantly, the agitated water of the ocean covers most of the beach visible during the season, while the bay is not isolated from the ocean and external disturbances still reach the shore, the bottom topography, or rather the depth starting from actually right next to the shore. Sometimes jellyfish come to the shore, but this period falls in August, when there are practically no tourists.

By the end of September the ocean calms down, in October the ocean is still stormy, the weather begins to stabilize by November. The rainy season does not mean round-the-clock downpours and cold snaps (the temperature does not drop below 26C on the coast in principle), but is accompanied by daily high humidity, because... It rains every day and starts in the afternoon. The tourist season begins in November.

Photos of Unawatuna: Jungle Beach and Unawatuna Beach

“Unawatuna is a small village with magnificent sandy beaches, groves of palms and fruit trees. Discovery Channel has named Unawatuna Beach one of the best on our planet.” Such tempting descriptions of this area of ​​Sri Lanka, supported by outdated photos, are published on websites and in travel agency brochures. And we bought into this trick at the time.

Unawatuna beach Sri Lanka

UNWATUNA TODAY

Myth No. 1. “Unawatuna is a quiet and pretty village”

Perhaps 15 years ago Unawatuna was like that. But today the place is teeming with tourists, vendors and tuk-tuks. To get to the beach, you need to walk along a narrow and dusty road without sidewalks.

At the same time, it is impossible to relax for a second, since motorbikes, tuk-tuks and cars are constantly driving along the road in both directions. And they travel, like everywhere else in Sri Lanka, at a decent speed.

Let's add to this chaos shopping arcades on both sides with pestering merchants and touting taxi drivers along the entire route.

Hotels in Unawatuna

• Calamander Unawatuna Beach
• Sea View Deepal Villa
• Nature Villa
• No Name Guesthouse
• French Lotus

All hotels in Unawatuna

And so every day, just have time to dodge. Every tuk driver will be wondering if you need a tuk-tuk or maybe you want to see the blue lagoons? Everyone's concept of beauty is different. We didn’t think it was a very beautiful village with chaotic houses

Myth No. 2. “Unawatuna Beach is one of the best in the world according to Discovery”

Being on the beach of Unawatuna, you wonder what kind of beaches the person who called Unawatuna one of the best in the world visited? Of course, the waves here are more or less calm thanks to the reef, the water here is cleaner, since the sea is calmer, there are palm trees, a Buddhist stupa on the hill... The standard set of a Southeast Asian beach. Yes, it's beautiful here. But there are beaches that are much more exotic and convenient.

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We go to the beach. In this part the water comes close to the bars

Popular Sri Lankan Palms

The most picturesque beach begins

It is best to come for a swim at the far end of the beach, closer to the temple. The waves here are the smallest and there are no rocks when entering

By the way, this is what the hotel beach looks like Unawatuna Beach Resort (Calamander). Ironically, the hotel called Beach Resort does not have its own beach; tourists go to the public one.

Video: Calamander Unawatuna Beach Hotel Beach

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.

Myth No. 3. “Unawatuna is the best place for swimming in Sri Lanka”

Having inhaled dust on the way to the beach and frayed our nerves because of the endlessly honking tuk-tuks and pestering taxi drivers, we finally took a swim.

Swimming goes like this: getting into the water was painful because of the stones. In the water you are constantly on alert, as you need to look around so that another motor boat with a glass bottom or someone on a scooter does not pass.

And also to notice the approach of smiling Sri Lankans who want to meet and, as if by chance, touch your friend in the water. Well, it won’t hurt to keep an eye on your things either, since there’s a camera and money in your pocket.

And the waves are really smaller than on other beaches in Sri Lanka. And this is the main advantage of Unawatuna. In the middle of the beach, where there are most sun loungers and tourists, the waves are still decent, so it’s better to go for a swim at the far end of the beach near the temple. But there are usually a lot of locals there and the water can be dirtier, since a stinking river flows into the sea.

In general, despite the listed inconveniences, swimming is more pleasant and convenient than in other cities.

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This is what entering the water looks like. With every wave, these pebbles hit your legs painfully

Without the habit of walking barefoot on rocks, all tourists hobble and wince when entering the water

And sometimes the stones are washed away almost completely into the sea. For example, today the beach looks like this, and tomorrow it looks like the following photo.

But not the entire beach consists of stones, and not always. There are areas where there are fewer stones or they have been washed into the water

You can’t relax in the water, as motor boats and scooters constantly cruise close to the shore

If you wish, you can rent one of the motor or fishing boats and swim in the open sea

Myth No. 4. “Unawatuna - a calm and measured holiday”

After swimming in the waves to our heart's content, we go to relax and sunbathe on the shore. But it was not there. Sellers of elephants, magnets, rags and other rubbish are waiting for you on the shore. Numerous massage therapists, beggars, tour guides with glass bottom boats. The most important thing is to immediately ignore them, don’t ask anything, it’s better to pretend that you don’t speak English, otherwise you won’t get rid of them.

On the shore, the ubiquitous annoying merchants are always at your service

Skinny old massage therapists will ask you every half hour if you want a portion of a high-class massage

Women with rags flapping in the wind surround tourists on the beach

Well, local loving young men are not averse to meeting a pretty tourist, even if she is with her husband

Sri Lankan man tries to meet European woman

A typical Sri Lankan look at a European girl

There are also a lot of dogs on Unawatuna Beach. During the day they are not dangerous. Mostly lying under sun loungers. And when darkness falls, it’s better not to joke with them. One night, near our house, dogs killed a monkey.

Sunsets here look something like this. The sun sets behind the mountain, so you won't be able to admire the sunsets

Unawatuna reviews

We lived in Unawatuna for 2.5 months in a guesthouse 10 minutes from the sea. I can’t say that I was very tired of the beach; we went swimming almost every day. But it’s clearly not possible to relax and rest your soul and body 100% here. Too much noise, a lot of tourists, a lot of attention to your person.

The road to the sea is stressful, you are on guard when swimming, on the shore you refuse sellers and tour guides, and then once again the journey home along the road. I described in more detail about the advantages and disadvantages of Una in the article: ““.

We have this opinion. Although, I know many people who really liked it here, I also know those who were not delighted.

Hotels in Unawatuna

Hotels near the beach on the first line. I advise you to book as quickly as possible, because all normal hotels near the sea are sold out in a matter of hours.

Sea View Deepal Villa A room in a villa with a large balcony and ocean views. There are large family rooms. Rating 8.4

Unawatuna sea view hotel Air-conditioned rooms with large balconies overlooking the ocean. Rating 7.5 out of 10 (according to Booking.com)

Nature Villa Air-conditioned rooms, well-kept grounds and a swimming pool. Rating 9.3

No Name Rest Guesthouse with a good rating and reviews, three minutes from the beach. Rating 9.2

Calamander Unawatuna Beach One of the most decent hotels on the coast. Balcony overlooking the sea. Well-groomed area, swimming pool, restaurant on the shore. Rating 8.7

The Grumpy Elephant Modern hotel, there are family suites and houses by the sea. Rating 7.9

French Lotus Cozy rooms in a well-kept two-story villa. 3 minutes walk to the sea. Rating 9.1