Dondra, known locally as Devinuwara, marks the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, situated at the island's tip approximately 6km southeast of the regional centre, Matara. The area is most famous for the historic Dondra Head Lighthouse, built by the British in 1889 using Portland stone shipped all the way from England, and which stands as the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka at 49 meters. The region holds...
Strictly speaking Koggala Lake is a lagoon as it is directly connected to the ocean. Regardless, it is renowned for its natural beauty and biodiversity and is a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Its diverse ecosystem supports a wide variety of bird species, whilst the calm waters are ideal for boating, offering visitors a peaceful way to explore the scenic beauty and the surrounding flora...
Mawella, with its gloriously empty, gold-sand beach, sits on the southern coast of Sri Lanka roughly half way between Dikwella and Tangalle. It offers tranquility and natural beauty yet you can be on the southern Expressway in less than 15 minutes. This pristine stretch of coastline remains relatively untouched, allowing visitors and residents alike to immerse themselves in the unspoiled charm of a...
Hikkaduwa, nestled along the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is a captivating coastal town renowned for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and a laid-back atmosphere. This picturesque destination has gained international acclaim for its excellent surfing conditions, making it a haven for surf enthusiasts from around the world. Beyond its water sports offerings, Hikkaduwa boasts a rich cultural...
Midigama is a small beach resort located between Ahangama and Weligama, approximately 130 kilometers/2.5 hours south of Colombo. It is renowned for its picturesque beaches and excellent, uncrowded, surf conditions which attract surfers from around the world who come to ride the consistent, reliable waves. Midigama is known for its relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, making it a popular destination for...
Running some 300km from Hanthana near Kandy down to Nuwara Eliya, the Pekoe Trail is Sri Lanka's first continuous point-to-point walking trail. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes on the island including twenty-four tea plantations, four nature reserves and two national parks. Split in to 22 stages of roughly 12km/7.5 miles each, the trail has been designed to...
https://www.youtube.com/embed/duSdJsPzbwQ We stumbled upon this love-letter to Sri Lanka on Youtube a couple of weeks ago. It was created by recent visitors. So, instead of the planned blog post about the return of tourists and how a trip to Sri Lanka should be on everyone's list for 2023 we thought we'd just share the video instead. It says it better than we ever could! And when you start trip...
In contrast to many other South East Asian countries, Sri Lanka may genuinely be considered a year-round destination. The received wisdom has always been that the best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and mid-April but that only applies to the South and West Coasts and the myth has arisen because they were the first areas to be developed and promoted for inbound tourism. The East Coast, once...
You may often see us use the terms walauwa or walawwa in our descriptions of large old houses. Walauwa is generally translated in to English as manor house but in reality Sri Lankan walauwas are typically much grander affairs originally being associated with members of the Royal Court in Kandy. Walauwas vary in style, elegance and grandeur depending upon the financial resources of the individual...
Sri Lanka is famed for its abundant wild elephant population and taking a safari in one of our many beautiful National Parks is an absolute "must do" for any visitor. Oftentimes however, safaris have a habit of coming to you as anyone who has ever travelled inland roads will tell you. "Do not feed the elephants" warning notices are, in some parts of the island, the most frequently seen road...
