This article will help you decide Sri Lanka south coast itinerary.
Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is a popular tourist destination in southeast Asia. It sees travelers from all over the globe throughout the year. The south coast of Sri Lanka is known to offer a variety of experiences to its visitors.
It has clear beaches, varied wildlife, and a rich heritage. To explore the southern coast of this island nation, you will need around 6 days. Through this article, we will try to help you create an itinerary. In six days, you will get to cover eight places or towns/cities.
Each of these provide a different memory and fun. From beaches to national park, we will help you explore each of these amazing places.
Day 1: Galle
Let us begin the journey from Galle. This one is a historic city and Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galle City is more popular for its Dutch architecture. Originally, it was built as a fortified city by the Portuguese but was later occupied by the Dutch.
Once you reach Galle, you will have a lot to explore. Start by visiting Galle Dutch Fort. It opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm. Entry is free for all. Near the Galle Fort is the lighthouse. This also belongs to the Dutch period. Though it is open 24 hours, make sure to visit before 10 am for better view.
Your next stop should be the Galle Maritime Museum. The museum tells us about the maritime trade routes and history related to Sri Lanka. Visiting hours are between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm. The entry fee is around LKR 500.
Day 2: Unawatuna
5 km from Galle is Unawatuna, a famous beach destination. Coral reefs, palm trees, clear water, and golden sand make it very popular among tourists. If you are interested in water sports, then Unawatuna is a place for you.
At Unawatuna beach, you can try snorkeling, diving, surfing, etc. There are many nearby cafes and restaurants to try out local Sri Lankan cuisine. Unawatuna Beach takes you away from the bustling city.
The waves allow you to feel relaxed. You can take a walk or just sit and relax on the beach. You will only have to pay for the water adventures you try and food you buy. Apart from that, you can sit on the beach as much as you want. A visit to Galle will be incomplete if you don’t visit this clean beach.
Day 3: Weligama & Mirissa
For Day 3, we have two spots to cover. Weligama is famous for its picturesque bay. If you are willing to learn how to surf, there can be no better place than Weligama. Over the years, it has had a lot of artists and artisans, so Weligama is popular for art and the astists.
Weligama is the best place to observe how the locals do fishing professionally. You get to see the minute details that are important for fishing. There are water sports available on the beaches of Weligama as well.
On the same day, you can also cover Mirissa. This is another coastal town in Sri Lanka. This one, too, has beautiful beaches, but guess what? Mirissa is a starting point for whale watching tours. Apart from that, it is also good for water adventures.
Day 4: Yala National Park
When in or near Galle, you cannot miss to visit Yala National Park. It is a national park but also a strict reserve. There are a total of 5 blocks, but only 2 are open to the public. As per the official website, it has 44 mammalian species and 215 avian species.
At Yala, you can spot elephants, leopards, bears, cormorants, and many more species. Yala National Park hosts a lot of activities for its visitors. You can book a night camp at Yala. There are beach walks, bird watching, a wildlife safari, and much more.
You can book tickets online for any of the activity you want. The pricing differs based on the blocks. The ticket rates may vary between LKR 16,900 and LKR 29,700. You will also have to pay for an entry ticket for the national park.
Day 5: Tangalle
For day 5, let us move on to Tangalle. It is popular for its extremely clean, less crowded, and untouched coastline. If you are seeking a peaceful, serene, and calming beach experience, visit Tangalle. For those who enjoy nature photography and bird watching, Tangalle is no less than a heaven for them.
For such areas, December to April is a very favourable time. If you are okay with dealing with the scorching summer heat, then it is your choice. Apart from the Tangalle beaches, there are nearby beaches, too. You can go to Medaketiya beach, Goyambokka beach, or even the silent beach.
There are other activities, like a cooking class to learn Sri Lankan dishes. Yoga retreat, sea turtle hatchery centre, visit the rock temples, or visit the second largest blowhole in the world.
Day 6: Hikkaduwa & Bentota
On the final day, let us explore two places – Hikkaduwa & Bentota. Hikkaduwa is a resort town. The beaches, coral reefs, and nightlife make it a popular destination among fun lovers. You can make a visit to Hikkaduwa National Park, a coral sanctuary.
Gangarama Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple in Hikkaduwa. It is famous for its hand-painted murals. Bentota is another popular destination for beach lovers, but it also has a Galapota Temple. The large Buddha statue attracts more visitors here.
Both of these destinations are truly amazing if you want your last day to be a slow one. With the proper time, you can visit both of these destinations.
Contact Ceylon Empire Travels to get Sri Lanka south coast itinerary.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
