When you are reaching Tangalle, the first aspect to attract you is the intensely blue bays, which once harboured Dutch and British ships. There are not many places along the western and southern coasts of Sri Lanka where you will be able to walk along fabulous sandy shores for kilometres without seeing another soul. So, if ...

If you are travelling south along the coast towards Galle, you will happen upon a town where you will see mostly fearsome looking masks on display at establishments lining the road. This is Ambalangoda, a town located at a distance of 86 km from Colombo, famous for the carving of masks used in exorcism ceremonies and several ...

The main attractions of Avissawella are more in its surroundings, particularly being close to Kitulgala, rather than the town itself, though what remains of the royal residence of Sitawaka is all within easy reach of the town centre. The seat of power under King Rajasinghe I, Sitawaka is far less well-known than Sri ...

Weligama Bay down south is a spectacular crescent of golden sand punctuating the coastline. Weligama has much to offer the visitor apart from sea and sun, however. Weligama, with its spectacular sweep of sandy bay, is a fishing centre 144kms from Colombo renowned for several artistic traditions such as lacework (especially ...

Established as a market outpost supplying farmers, plantation workers and other inhabitants, Bandarawela has always been a popular crossroad, not a cultural Mecca. At 1,230m above sea level, the town boasts the pleasant, healthy climate that makes it the beating heart of the Health Triangle.

Kitulgala, a small village full of friendly locals, little shops and a handful of food spots, is halfway to Hatton from Colombo, and en-route to the hill town of Nuwara Eliya. It is a fabulously peaceful, colourful and historic attraction that is a great place to either relax or take up some of the activities offered, such ...

Tissamaharama, located 264km from Colombo in the southeastern corner of the island, is a city with more history, more archaeological ruins, and more character than many another southern Sri Lankan towns. Although located in the dry zone and surrounded by the barren, windswept land of the Hambantota district, Tissa’s ...

Nestled in a valley at an elevation of 1,041 metres above sea-level, Ella is a quiet, quaint town in the Hill Country, famous for its spectacular views, Sri Lanka’s wildest looking waterfall, ancient caves and wonderful walking opportunities. From the famed Ella Gap, you can see between the green steep mountain-sides ...

Rekawa is certainly the best-known on account of it’s importance as a turtle nesting site in Sri Lanka – so much so that nightly ‘turtle watches’ are held. The stretch of coastline at Rekawa is typically ‘southern’ and very unspoilt with crashing waves, a wide, shell-swept beach, and sand ...