SRI LANKA
(Republic of Sri Lanka)
General information
Geographical position. Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southern coast of India, from which it is separated by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait.
Square. The territory of Sri Lanka occupies 65,610 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. Capitals - Sri Jayawardanapura (administrative), Colombo. Largest cities: Colombo (616 thousand people), Dehiwa-la-Mount Lavinya (196 thousand people), Jaffna (129 thousand people), Sri Jayawardanapura (109 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 25 districts.
Political system
Sri Lanka Republic. The head of state is the president, the head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is parliament.
Relief. There is a mountain range in the central part of Sri Lanka. There is the highest point of the country - Mount Pidurutalagala (2,524 m). Nearby there are two plains with a relatively cool climate.
The famous Ceylon tea is grown in the valleys.
Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of diamonds, other precious stones, phosphates, granite, and marble.
Climate. The country's climate is generally hot and humid, but the mountainous areas are cool. The average annual temperature in the valleys is about +32°C, in the mountainous areas - about +21°C.
Inland waters. The country's rivers are short and fast. The longest river, the Mahaveli Ganga, flows into the Indian Ocean near the city of Trincomalee; other rivers include Kelani, Kalu and Aruvi Aru.
Soils and vegetation. Dense jungles occupy large areas in the southwest of the country. The mountain slopes are also covered with forests. Various palm trees and mangroves grow in coastal areas. In the so-called wet zone of the country there is a lot of mahogany and several species of rubber and fruit trees. In the dry zone, ebony and satinwood are more common. Almost throughout the country, orchids, hyacinths, acacias, eucalyptus trees, and cypresses grow in large numbers.
Animal world. Representatives of the fauna include the cheetah, leopard, several species of monkeys, elephant, and a large number of different species of birds and insects.
Population and language
The country's population is about 18.933 million people, the average population density is about 289 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Sinhalese (Sinhalese) - 74%, Tamils (Indian and Sri Lankan) - 18%, Moors (Arabs) - 7%, Burgers (Dutch), Malays, Veddas. Languages: Sinhala, Tamil (both official), English, Dravidian.
Religion
Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 8%.
Brief historical sketch
According to Hindu legend, most of Sri Lanka was conquered in ancient times by Ramachandra, who was the seventh reincarnation of the god Vishnu. The written history of the country is chronicled in the Mahavamsa. It was started in the 6th century. and was conducted by Buddhist monks until 1815. According to the chronicle, the island in 504 BC. e. was conquered by the Indian prince Vijaya, whose descendants ruled Sri Lanka, then called Singala, for several centuries. From the end of the 3rd century. n. e. until the middle of the 12th century. Sinhala was dominated by Tamil kings and other invaders from south India.
At the beginning of the 15th century. The island was occupied by Chinese troops, and Singala was divided into several small states. In 1517, the Portuguese, having established friendly relations with one of the local rulers, built a fort in Colombo. Their influence grew, and by the end of the 16th century. The Portuguese controlled quite a large area of the island. In 1638-1639 The Dutch captured almost the entire island by force and it was under their influence until 1796, when the island actually came under British control.
In 1798, the entire territory of the island, with the exception of the kingdom of Kandy, became a royal British colony. In 1803, Britain also occupied the kingdom of Kandy, and in 1815 annexed it to the royal colony. On February 4, 1948, the colony became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. At that time the country was called Ceylon. On May 22, 1972, the country received the name Republic of Sri Lanka. Since 1983, there has been a civil war in the state with the Tamils demanding autonomy, even to the point of secession. At the end of 1995, government troops carried out a successful operation against the Tamils, capturing the province of Jaffna, which was under rebel control. However, the war did not stop.
Brief Economic Sketch
Sri Lanka is an agricultural country with a developed plantation economy. The economy remains dependent on foreign, mainly English, capital and the foreign market. The role of the public sector is increasing. The basis of the economy is the production for export of tea (one of the first places in the world), rubber and coconut palm products. Food crop - rice. Cattle are used mainly for draft purposes. Fishing. Mining of graphite, precious stones, salt. Industry: processing of agricultural raw materials, light, food. Export: tea, rubber, coconut palm products.
The monetary unit is the Sri Lankan rupee.
Brief sketch of culture
Art and architecture. Kandy. Rock with footprints of Buddha; Temple of the Tooth, where Buddha's tooth is kept. Anuradhapura. The "Bo" tree grew from the branch of the tree under which the Buddha was resting when the blessing came upon him. Colombo, Kandy, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Galle, Trincomalee. Museums with collections of historical exhibits.
A little about what will be useful for any tourist to know about holidays in this wonderful country.
Most hotels in Sri Lanka operate a buffet system. The national cuisine of Ceylon is very spicy. But there are also options that are more or less close to the European one, which are less spicy. If you do not like spicy dishes, then talk to the waiter (he will find the most acceptable option for you). The fact is that, most likely, the waiter himself is local and will be a fan of spicy food. Therefore, his understanding of acute and yours will be completely different. So it's best to ask for the least or non-spicy options.
If you still decide to try spicy dishes, then always prefer to eat bread (it cuts well) rather than drink it with water. Sri Lanka is also a good place for vegetarians.
Interactive map of Sri Lanka online
In Colombo there are specialized shops that sell real Ceylon tea. He's excellent. Be sure to bring a couple of jars home. I also recommend buying various exotic fruits in Colombo. Local pineapples are very tasty.
Especially do not indulge in local spirits. Arak is the main national alcoholic drink of Sri Lanka. This is coconut moonshine. Don’t try too much, as it is quite strong, but nevertheless, be sure to try it. Whiskey and Gin from Sri Lanka are not of very high quality, although they are quite easy to drink. So don’t be surprised if drinking in the morning results in a headache, and on vacation on hot days it’s very unpleasant.
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia, better known as Ceylon, located off the southeastern coast of the Hindustan Peninsula. The capital is the city of Colombo.
Location and parameters of the island
Perhaps not every person knows where Sri Lanka is located on the world map. The country is located in the Indian Ocean on the island of Ceylon with coordinates: 79 degrees east longitude and 6 degrees north latitude. Discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1506.
Like some other South Asian states, the country was a colony. The island was owned by Portugal, Holland and England. The state gained its independence in 1948 under the name Ceylon, and in 1972 the country became known as Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is separated from the Asian continent by the Gulf of Manara, about 50 kilometers wide.
The island has the following parameters:
- area is 65,600 square kilometers;
- length from south to north 445 kilometers;
- length from east to west 220 kilometers;
- The length of the coastline is 1350 kilometers.
The northernmost point of Sri Lanka is Cape Pedro, the southernmost is the lighthouse in the village of Dondra.
In ancient times, the island of Ceylon was connected to Hindustan by a land bridge, but at the end of the 15th century, as a result of an earthquake, it lost land connections with the Asian mainland. The island itself, shaped like an egg, was called a pearl, a tear, “Sapphire Island.”
Flora and fauna
The island of Sri Lanka has a diverse flora and fauna. More than 250 species of birds are permanent inhabitants of the island, about 200 species of birds are migratory from Europe, Siberia, and Scandinavian countries, wintering here. In spring, about 250 species of butterflies migrate here.
The fauna of Ceylon is also diverse, representatives of which are:
- buffalos;
- wild boars;
- deer;
- jackals;
- the Bears;
- foxes;
- porcupines;
- elephants;
- monkey.
More than 70 species of reptiles thrive on the island, including crocodiles, snakes, and turtles.
Diverse world and flora in Sri Lanka. More than 3,000 species of all kinds of plants grow here, including ferns, orchids, and medicinal herbs.
The island contains nature reserves, national parks and reservations that preserve unique nature.
A country's economy
Sri Lanka is a multinational country. The population reaches 20 million people. The main nationalities living on the island are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burgers. All of them create the country's economy with their labor.
The island of Ceylon, where Sri Lanka is located, accounts for 10% of all tea produced in the world. The country ranks third in the world in this indicator after India and China. The production of precious stones, cinnamon, and rubber is also very developed here. And although the main industrial sector of the island is textiles, due to the abolition of quotas on clothing imports, local products have been replaced by Chinese ones.
The main economic center is the port of Colombo.
Sri Lanka's main export products are:
- cloth;
- precious stones: sapphires, emeralds, rubies;
- rubber;
- coconuts;
- fish;
- textile.
The country imports food, oil, transport, and industrial equipment.
Leisure and tourism
Recreation and tourism play an increasingly important role in the country's economy. The whole world knows the place where Sri Lanka is located, because the island is known as a seaside resort recreation center. There are also religious and historical Buddhist monuments here. Vacationers can visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the ancient capital of Sri Lanka - the city of Kandy.
Where Sri Lanka is located, there is no bustle or city noise. There is only nature and the sea here. The main entertainments for vacationers are:
- underwater diving;
- picnic in nature;
- fishing;
- cricket.
Resorts Sri Lanka
People planning to spend their current holiday on the island of Sri Lanka should know the positive aspects of choosing resorts in the country. These include:
- convenient and acceptable location of resorts to the airport;
- exotic nature;
- compact location of resorts along the coastline, making it possible to visit them by public transport;
- climatic favorability.
The list of resorts in Sri Lanka is quite large. We list those that are most in demand among tourists:
- Beruwela;
- Mount Lavinya;
- Tangale;
- Kalutara;
- Bentota;
- Hikaduwa;
- Kosgoda;
- Mirissa;
- Unawantuna;
- Hambantota;
- Dikwela.
Resorts Sri Lanka. How to get there? Each of the above island resorts can be reached from the airport by regular public transport in two to three hours. When choosing, be sure to take into account: the presence of underwater currents and wave heights. Where Sri Lanka is located is the subequatorial monsoon, which brings the heaviest rain from May to October. Therefore, it is important to decide on a temporary rest period. It is also recommended to have both a map of the country of Sri Lanka itself and a tourist map of the island, which shows the main attractions.
Since Sri Lanka is a fairly large island with many beaches and resorts, you should not ignore the issue of choosing a vacation spot on this island. It is important to remember that different areas of Sri Lanka can experience very different weather at the same time. So if you are thinking about where it is better to go in Sri Lanka, then you should not forget about the climate. Even if you find a resort in Sri Lanka that suits you completely, take the time to look at what the climate is like in this resort in the month in which you plan to travel.
The most popular resorts in Sri Lanka are located in the west and south of the island, but there are also several good resorts located in the east and north of Sri Lanka. Since the west and south of the island were not as badly damaged by the civil war and the 2004 tsunami, tourism development here was much faster than in the east and north of Sri Lanka. It is therefore not surprising that most of the popular resorts are located in the south and west of the island, despite the fact that the north and east of Sri Lanka have great tourism potential.
If you are thinking about where to go in Sri Lanka, then our article about resorts in Sri Lanka may be very useful for you. In this article we will present short descriptions of popular resorts in Sri Lanka, but you can always get more detailed information on a specific resort on our website. After reading all the information, you will be able to understand which resort in Sri Lanka is best to choose for a holiday at this or that time of the year.
Map of Sri Lanka with resorts
To begin with, it would be nice to find out about the location of all the resorts on the map of Sri Lanka. This page provides a general map of Sri Lanka resorts and a map of the southern coast of the island with resorts. Perhaps some of the resorts described in this article are not marked on the maps, but the most popular resorts in Sri Lanka are still marked.
Beruwala Resort
This resort is great for couples, although all tourists can find good accommodation in Beruwala. When it is winter in Russia, the weather around the Beruwela resort in Sri Lanka is warm and relatively dry. This is the peak tourist season here. From May the weather begins to change as the southwest monsoon arrives here, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall.
The Beruwela resort owes its great popularity among tourists to its beach. This is a magnificent sandy beach, one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka, and with countless palm trees and colorful birdlife. Another advantage of Beruwela is a wide selection of housing to suit every taste and budget. There are both simple guest houses and luxurious villas for rent. But especially popular here are the large hotel complexes, which offer not only all-inclusive meals, but also numerous sports and entertainment events.
It is worth noting that the Beruwala resort in Sri Lanka focused on wellness holidays. Several hotels in this resort specialize in Ayurveda. Therefore, if you want to immerse yourself in the world of traditional Indian healing, Beruwala is definitely the right place for those who want to combine a beautiful beach holiday with Ayurveda.
Beruwela Resort is located approximately 56 km south of the capital Colombo and 90 km from Bandaranaike International Airport. Typically, a taxi ride from the airport to this resort takes about two hours.
Beruwela Beach, 1.2 kilometers long, pleases with its light, fine sand. If you also remember the crystal clear ocean and countless coconut palms that provide shade on the beach, it is not difficult to understand why Beruwela is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. Families with children will appreciate the shallow waters around this beach, which offer good conditions for swimming and swimming. Thanks to the reef, Beruwela is also a good place for snorkeling and diving.
At the southern end of the beach, the Bentota River flows into the Indian Ocean. The diverse flora and fauna of the river and its valley invites you to explore in detail. Boat trips of three hours or more pass through beautiful mangrove forests to Little Adam Peak.
Bentota Resort
Over the past 40 years, Bentota has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a first-class resort. Large hotels with spacious swimming pools, specialized restaurants and luxurious wellness centers are no longer able to accommodate everyone who wants to relax in these resort complexes that fit perfectly into the beautiful landscape. Like many other resorts on the west coast of Sri Lanka, Bentota has several all-inclusive hotels. Guests from all over the world appreciate hotels operating under this concept not only for the numerous included services, but also for the fact that they do not need to think about spending during their vacation and do not need to constantly count money.
In addition to large hotel complexes, Bentota also has guest houses for tourists with a smaller wallet. As a rule, such guest houses are located a few steps from the beach.
The undisputed advantage of the Bentota resort is its magnificent sandy beach. This is a four-kilometer long beach with light and very fine sand, which is bordered by a strip of palm trees. Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate the good conditions for surfing, sailing, diving or snorkeling at this beach. But those who simply want to swim in the calm waters of the Indian Ocean will also find a suitable place for themselves. At the northern end of the beach, the ocean is usually quite calm, making it ideal for swimming. Higher waves can be seen in the southern part of the beach.
Bentota is located right at the mouth of the river of the same name, approximately 62 km south of the capital of Sri Lanka. The international airport is located approximately 100 kilometers from Bentota. It can be reached in about an hour and a half drive.
The Bentota Ganges, which flows into the Indian Ocean near the resort, is home to countless birds and other diverse flora and fauna of Sri Lanka. We recommend taking a mangrove boat tour along this river to Little Adam Peak.
An interesting place of peace and serenity is located 10 kilometers from the resort of Bentota. This is a garden designed by Bevis Bava in 1920 with beautiful tropical plants that can be seen in a paradise with small ponds and winding paths.
If you want to get an insight into the life of the locals, then you should visit the weekly market in the nearby village of Aluthgama. While walking around the market, you can see a lot of interesting things, including unique products that are sold only in Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa Resort
If you are interested in the most popular resorts in Sri Lanka among Russian tourists, then you simply have no right to ignore the Hikkaduwa resort.
Initially, on the site of the Hikkaduwa resort there was a small fishing village, but later a secret place for “selected” tourists appeared there. Today Hikkaduwa is one of the most famous resorts in Sri Lanka. Despite the many hotels, this place has retained its charm.
The beach resort of Hikkaduwa in the far southwest of Sri Lanka is a popular destination, especially for active tourists. During the day, most tourists here engage in water sports, and in the evening they spend time in bars. The resort of Hikkaduwa is especially popular among young people. Divers and surfers appreciate Hikkaduwa's good nightlife, which is mainly concentrated in the southern part of the resort.
Recently, in addition to small hotels and guest houses, Hikkaduwa has also gained large resort hotels that offer all the necessary amenities so that guests do not have to go outside the hotel premises.
The sandy beach of Hikkaduwa is covered with beautiful light sand and countless coconut palms. Surfers can expect good waves at this beach. Both beginners and professionals will be satisfied with the surfing conditions here. In general, Hikkaduwa is considered the best place for surfing in Sri Lanka, where there are many surf schools, board rental stations, and shops offering everything you need for surfing.
The coral reef in the Hikkaduwa area is one of the most famous diving spots in Sri Lanka. Moreover, it is located near the coast. Many of the corals are unfortunately dead, but the variety of colorful fish will satisfy even seasoned divers.
The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is approximately 115 kilometers from Hikkaduwa, and the international airport near Negombo is 147 kilometers away. Therefore, a taxi ride from the airport to Hikkaduwa will last from 2.5 to 3 hours.
Galle, the most important city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is approximately 25 minutes' drive from Hikkaduwa.
For nature lovers, we recommend taking a boat trip to the lagoon near Dodanduwa, which is just five kilometers south of Hikkaduwa. You can also go to the lake of the same name, where there is a beautiful temple on an island in the middle of the water. To the north of the city is a moonstone mine. During a tour of this place, you can get an idea of how popular jewelry is created.
Kalutara Resort
Tourists who are only interested in the best resorts in Sri Lanka, for some reason, often overlook the Kalutara resort, which, together with Wadduwa, Beruwela and Bentota, forms the most important resort region on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. This is due to the long beautiful beaches, excellent water sports facilities and excellent hotel industry. These premises are also complemented by the magnificent surroundings, which boast of its lush nature and countless coconut palms. The Kalutara area is also famous for its mangosteen fruit, which is considered the best on the island.
Along the beautiful Kalutara beach there are many hotels that offer a high level of comfort and service. The spacious resorts blend harmoniously into the tropical environment and are fully catered for international guests. Spacious swimming pools, good restaurants, as well as exclusive wellness centers where Ayurvedic treatments are often carried out, are available in many of these hotels. As in other resort areas of Sri Lanka, hoteliers in Kalutara are increasingly using the all-inclusive concept, which is especially popular among guests from Russia and Europe.
Kalutara's lively town center has small markets and shops offering a wide range of souvenirs. The selection ranges from textiles or small art pieces to the palm frond or coconut fiber bedding that Kalutara is famous for.
The quiet, kilometer-long Kalutara beach is one of the most popular in the country. Particularly pleasant is the northern area of the beach, where the sandy beach remains almost untouched. Kalutara Beach offers ideal conditions for walking, swimming, surfing and snorkeling.
The Kalutara resort is located at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga River, approximately 45 kilometers from the capital and 80 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport. To travel from the airport to Kalutara you will need from 1.5 to 2 hours.
The main attraction of Kalutara is the Gangatilaka Vihara temple complex. At the center of the temple is the impressive Dagobah, whose white dome can be seen from afar. Although the temple has no historical significance, it is still a popular pilgrimage site for devout Buddhists. The reason for this is the 2000 year old Boddhi tree under which Buddha was enlightened. For visitors, the fact that Dagobah is the only one accessible in Sri Lanka is a special reason to visit the temple. Also a popular excursion destination is the Kalu Ganga River, where boat trips are available. The flora and fauna along the lush banks of the river, as well as the opportunity to watch local fishermen as they work, make this excursion very popular among tourists.
Marawila Resort
If you are thinking about which resort in Sri Lanka to choose, then it is important to understand how you want to spend your time. If you're into outdoor activities and water sports, then the picturesque fishing village of Marawila, just north of Negombo, is probably the place for you. However, you can find a peaceful place here away from the crowds of tourists.
Only a few hotels in the Marawila area have been carefully integrated into nature to preserve the originality of the surroundings. Hotel buildings have no more than three floors and offer a high level of comfort. Luxury hotels with spacious swimming pools, international restaurants and a variety of sports and entertainment activities often offer an all-inclusive concept for their guests. But there are also comfortable middle-class hotels and simple guest houses in the Marawila resort area.
The three-kilometer Marawila beach is washed on one side by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, and on the other hand it is bordered by a strip of countless coconut palms, which provide the shade necessary for sunny days. Families with children and those tourists who cannot swim will appreciate the shallow waters of this beach. Like all beaches in Sri Lanka, Marawila Beach is also open to the public. Water sports enthusiasts and anyone who wants to become one can find good conditions for diving and surfing at this beach. Reef diving tours, where there are many colorful fish and coral reefs, are recommended for all diving enthusiasts.
Marawila Resort is located in the Gampaha region, north of the famous tourist resort of Negombo. About 30 kilometers - this is the distance you need to cover to travel from Colombo airport to Marawila. Typically the journey takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Although Marawila does not have a dream beach, this resort is a famous place in Sri Lanka because the village is the center of batik in Sri Lanka. The exclusive Budhi company operates here, which has branches in the capital, as well as numerous small family businesses. Although the art of batik originated on the island of Java, the people of Marawila have been practicing this craft for many years. Art lovers should visit one of the companies, where they can watch the colorful fabrics being made and learn about the complex production process. If you want, you can buy some of the fabrics which will cost much less than in souvenir shops, especially in other parts of Sri Lanka.
Negombo Resort
Once a small fishing village, Negombo has grown into the fifth largest city in Sri Lanka with a population of under 150,000 inhabitants. Today the city, although one of the most important fishing ports on the west coast, is a renowned holiday destination. Already in the 1970s, tourism began to develop in this region of Sri Lanka.
A beautiful beach, good water sports facilities, as well as historical buildings and various cultural influences have made Negombo a popular holiday destination. Along the long sandy beach of Negombo there are large and small hotels of different levels of comfort and in different price categories. Particularly popular among travelers are large hotels that offer comprehensive services and a high level of service. Almost every major hotel has its own wellness center, offering massages, treatments and Ayurvedic treatments.
There is a certain pattern in Negombo related to the level of hotels when moving from north to south. Hotels in the north tend to be more luxurious, but also more expensive, than in the south of the city. Behind the beach is the main Negombo road, where there are numerous restaurants, cafes or souvenir shops. It is also worth adding that Negombo has a pretty vibrant nightlife.
Negombo beach is well suited for families with children, as the entrance to the water is gentle. The eight-kilometer beach has tall palm trees that provide shade, but such palm trees are not everywhere here. Not far from the shore there is an interesting coral reef with colorful marine life. Additionally, in the waters near Negombo there is the Kudapaduwa shipwreck.
Negombo has an excellent location: the capital of Sri Lanka is only 40 kilometers south, and Colombo International Airport is only six kilometers south of Negombo. Due to its proximity to the airport, Negombo is ideal not only for a long beach holiday, but also for a stopover at the beginning or end of a trip to Sri Lanka.
The Portuguese, Dutch and British played important roles in Negombo's history. Evidence of the city's interesting past are numerous buildings and churches, as well as the colonial old town. The most impressive feature here is the Cinnamon Canal, a 100-kilometer canal leading from Colombo to Puttalam. It was created in order to facilitate the transportation of the popular spice.
Wadduwa Resort
The fishing village located near the Kalutara resort is well known for its fantastic beach and charming surroundings. Lovers of a relaxing holiday and water sports will appreciate the beautiful sand and clear ocean in this place.
Wadduwa is a popular destination for foreign tourists, but it is also a popular holiday destination for locals. So it's no surprise that it gets crowded on weekends. But on other days of the week the atmosphere in the resort is quite calm.
Wadduwa has accommodation to suit every taste. Many hotels here operate on a tried-and-true all-inclusive concept, which includes meals as well as numerous sports and entertainment activities. The large resort hotels on Wadduwa Beach have been cleverly integrated into the lush landscape. Therefore, they are characterized by low, usually only two-story buildings.
Wadduwa has several shops selling traditional wood carvings and other souvenirs, as well as several restaurants and bars. Also worth visiting is the original village of Wadduwa, home to local fishermen and rice farmers.
If you choose Wadduwa as your Sri Lanka holiday destination, you will be rewarded with a beautiful beach and a relaxed atmosphere. The golden yellow sandy beach of Wadduwa is one of the most beautiful places on the west coast of Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by fine sand, countless shady palm trees and a sparkling ocean. Moderate waves offer good conditions for windsurfers. However, the beach is relatively safe for swimmers most of the year.
Koggala Resort
To the east of Galle you will find beautiful beaches that have not yet been embraced by mass tourism. One of these beaches is Koggala, which belongs to the resort of the same name. Although the resort offers good tourist infrastructure, the three-kilometer-long beach does not feel overcrowded. Koggala Beach is wide and covered with fine sand, as well as countless coconut trees and bizarre rock formations.
Koggala Resort is especially popular with couples who appreciate a peaceful and tranquil environment. At Koggala Beach, walks along the ocean provide much-needed rest and relaxation. Families with children also sometimes choose this place to relax because the gentle entrance to the ocean is ideal for children.
There are several hotels and guest houses in Koggala that offer simple and comfortable accommodation. The all-inclusive concept is not as common here as in the popular resorts on the west coast of Sri Lanka.
The main town on the south coast, Galle, is just 15 kilometers from Koggala, and the charming town of Matara is just 30 kilometers east of this resort. True, the distance to Colombo International Airport is quite impressive, because it is 175 kilometers. Therefore, it will take you about three hours to get from Colombo airport to Koggala.
The Koggala resort is famous for its fishermen who catch fish while sitting on a pole. In many other fishing villages in Sri Lanka, this traditional fishing technique is already history. However, in Koggala, during the morning and afternoon hours, visitors can see fishermen sitting on poles.
The large lake Koggala is located a few kilometers from the resort of the same name. Although it is actually a natural lake, the water is salty due to the fact that ocean water does flow into it. Boat tours are offered on this lake, during which you can admire the mangroves and tropical plants growing along the shores, as well as the variety of animals and birds that live in the area. There are several islands in the lake, such as the island with a Buddhist monk temple or the cinnamon island, where cinnamon is grown and processed by one family.
Another interesting place is the Koggala Folk Museum, which is located in a beautiful garden. The museum is located in the birthplace of the most important Sinhalese writer of the 20th century, Martin Wickramasingh. Numerous exhibits provide insight into the culture and traditions of Sri Lanka, as well as the work of the famous author.
Tangalle Resort
Located away from the main tourist centers of the western and southern coasts of Sri Lanka, the small fishing village of Tangalle has not yet been touched by mass tourism. Although there are several guest houses and small hotels on the coast, their number is still small. Small but sophisticated boutique hotels on Tangalle Beach offer a good level of comfort.
The Tangalle resort attracts with its calm atmosphere: here tourists enjoy relaxing on the picturesque beach during the day and spend quiet time in restaurants and cafes in the evening. Tangalle is also a stopover for some travelers on trips to the famous Bundala and Yala National Parks, which are located to the east of the city.
The two-kilometer Tangalle beach is covered in golden-yellow sand and is good for swimming. Not far from this beach you will find other picturesque coves and deserted beaches such as Rekawa Beach, located ten kilometers from Tangalle.
Tangalle resort is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, approximately 37 kilometers west of Matara and 80 kilometers from Galle. To the east is only the larger town of Hambantota, which is located about 50 kilometers from Tangalle, in close proximity to the Bundala National Park. The famous Yala National Park, also east of Tangalle, can be reached in about two hours. A taxi ride from the international airport, which passes through the interior of Sri Lanka, usually lasts between 3 and 3.5 hours.
An interesting place near Tangalle is the Howling Hole, which is a hole in the rock with a diameter of about one meter and a depth of 20 meters. It “shoots” strong fountains of water every 10-15 minutes. During the southwest monsoon, from May to September, the height of such a fountain can reach 15 meters.
Trincomalee Resort
Now it's time to present the best holiday resorts in Sri Lanka on the east coast. The most popular of them are Trincomalee and Batticaloa. We will talk about them below.
Beautiful beaches and a photogenic harbor are found in the coastal town of Trincomalee, on the northeastern peninsula of Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is the capital of the eastern province, often called "Trinco". Particularly noteworthy here are the beaches in the north of the city, the natural harbor surrounded by hills, the ferry port and the idyllic suburbs.
Trincomalee is of interest mainly to beach lovers and nature lovers, as well as people who simply want to experience the vibrant life of a typical Sri Lankan city. However, if you are looking for interesting sights, you will be disappointed with this harbor city as there is not much to admire here. The main attraction of the city is the so-called Fort Frederick with the Hindu sanctuary of Koneswaram, which is located on Swami Rock, at an altitude of about 130 meters above sea level. Here, next to the main Shiva temple, there is a small Ganesha temple.
Fort Frederick is certainly worth a visit, but today it is mainly used as a barracks by the Sri Lankan military and as such only a small part of it is open to the public.
There are several small islands off the coast of Sri Lanka in the Trincomalee region, one of which is Pigeon Island. This island has a very beautiful coral reef that attracts snorkelers and divers. The island can be reached in just 10 minutes by boat from Trincomalee.
Batticaloa Resort
On the shores of the Bay of Bengal on the east coast of Sri Lanka lies the little-visited and small town of Batticaloa. It has retained much of its original charm. Being half located on an island in a lagoon, the city was only slightly damaged by the tsunami. The 54-kilometer saltwater lagoon has truly scenic views that are recommended to be explored on a boat trip.
The resort area of Batticaloa is mainly known for its "singing fish" phenomenon, the existence of which has not yet been proven. However, it is mentioned even in the Encyclopedia Britannica. To experience this phenomenon, you need to plunge an oar into the water on a moonlit and calm night and keep your ear on the other end of the oar. In this case, you can hear various subtle sounds. This natural phenomenon has not yet been scientifically proven, but it is still the main attraction of the area.
More tangible attractions are Batticaloa's many Hindu temples, as well as the magnificent 17th-century Dutch fort. It is located right on the shore of the lagoon. Many remains of the walls are well preserved.
Another interesting place in Batticaloa is the Lady Manning Bridge, which connects the land to the island. The steel bridge dates back to the British colonial period and is one of the longest bridges in Sri Lanka.
Off the coast of Batticaloa, the Japanese air force sank the British aircraft carrier Hermes in 1942. The sunken aircraft carrier is located at a depth of 55 meters and is one of the most interesting diving sites in Sri Lanka.
If you are interested in beaches in the Batticaloa area, then the best of them, in our opinion, is Kalladi Beach. It is not very crowded and is therefore recommended for those looking for a quiet place to relax.
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There are many countries in the world that call themselves tourist countries. Some countries have long occupied their place on the tourist map, while others have recently broken into the TOP and are visited by more than a million tourists every year. Sri Lanka is a country where tourism has long become an integral part of the culture and budget of the country. This amazing country is visited not only for the beaches, but also for the sights, temples and beautiful nature. The country is quite large, and to see it completely, you will have to travel around it for a long time. And this is where a new map of Sri Lanka with resorts in Russian will help you. Using the map, you can find the resort you need, get directions to it and know in advance what awaits you there.
Sri Lanka is not just a country, it is an island located in the Indian Ocean. Most of the island is washed by the waters of this particular ocean. And the part of the country closer to Asia is washed by two bays: the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Manara. These bays are also part of the Indian Ocean, so the water temperature along the coast of Sri Lanka is almost the same everywhere. Almost, this means that depending on the time of year, different areas of the island have different weather. After all, Sri Lanka is a fairly large island, and therefore it cannot have the same temperature everywhere.
The island's closest neighbor is India. The countries are separated by these two bays. Maritime communication between the countries is well developed, and hundreds of ships and tankers with cargo sail from the coasts of India and Sri Lanka every day in either direction.
Sri Lanka is not the largest state. In terms of total area, it ranks 120th in the world, but the entire coastline of the island is one continuous beach. There is white sand along the entire coast, for which millions of tourists come here. Of course, not all of the island's coastline is beaches. Hotels buy the coast, rent it and create gorgeous beaches with all the amenities. However, most of the coast is considered wild, but this does not prevent tourists from relaxing in such wild places. In fact, a wild beach differs from an ordinary one only by the absence of sun loungers and umbrellas on the shore, but otherwise they are similar. There are trees, palm trees, sand everywhere and a beautiful view of the ocean.
Most tourists fly to Sri Lanka for a beach holiday. But they cannot resist the temptation to admire the nature of the island, learn the history of the country and visit sacred places where they have their own little life and culture. Sri Lanka is often called a prosperous country. The thing is that the island is always in bloom. Here, new flowers and new trees bloom every now and then. The island is beautiful at any time of the year, and nature has made sure that different parts of the island have different climates at different times. And if in the north of the country the winds blow and it rains, then in the southern territory of Sri Lanka it is sunny and you can swim. And vice versa, if it’s bad in the south, then in the north it’s sunny and positive.
For tourists we have a new map in Russian. The map shows the best and largest resorts in the country. See the map, enlarge it, click on the marks to see photos of the resort. This map will definitely help you, and you will be able to travel around Sri Lanka on your own.
