The South West Coat

Beaches, Lagoons And Tropical Villages

The coastal areas of Sri Lanka’s South West are extremely picturesque and were considered by early travellers to be the original Biblical paradise or ‘Garden of Eden ’.

Mangrove fringed lagoons and wide meandering rivers flow into the sea to provide idyllic tropical landscapes at beach resorts such as Kalutara and Bentota.

Those who venture inland will find traditional villages interspersed with coconut and rubber plantations.

The bustling capital city of Colombo has a fine collection of colonial era hotels and a busy market district known as The Pettah.

Close to the Airport lies the wide sandy beach at Negombo.

BENTOTA, ALUTGAMA AND BERUWALA

Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resort has a lovely collection of sandy bays, an idyllic tropical lagoon and the long Golden Mile Beach to the south. The most luxurious hotels in Sri Lanka are to be found along this stretch of coastline.

Boat Trips On The Bentota River

Popular boat trips from Bentota Lagoon journey up-river, passing mangroves and sleepy villages enabling travellers to catch a glimpse of rural life along the riverbank.

The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

A favourite with families is the hatchery where turtle eggs are collected from local beaches and incubated. Children can release a handful of baby hatchings into the sea and watch them race into the ocean waves.

WADDUWA AND KALUTARA

The long, sandy beaches around Kalutara are easily reached from Colombo Airport and are ideal for holidaymakers looking for a peaceful and quiet retreat among the coconut palms of the Kalu Ganga River estuary.

The advantage of a stay in this area is mainly that the distance to Colombo Airport is about 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

There is a good selection of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels hidden among vast stretches of coconut palms. Wadduwa is the northern area while Kalutara’s beach hotels are located around an idyllic river estuary.

THE TROPICAL INTERIOR

The heavily populated coastal plain gives way to a tranquil tropical hinterland that combines large rubber estates and terraced rice fields leading to the distant rainforests.

You can go upstream from the coast to experience lovely landscapes and river mangroves by going on Boat Trips from the beach resorts. The most popular are trips up the Bentota River, but you can also travel up the Kalu Ganga River from Wadduwa and Kalutara or experience the vast Madu Ganga River and lagoon further south.

The legendary gem mines at Ratnapura have produced rubies and sapphires for over 2000 years.

THE SINHARAJA RAINFOREST

Deep in the interior and set against the majestic backdrop of the Southern Hills is the Sinharaja Rainforest, the last remaining extent of pristine tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka. .

Nature trails allow visitors to observe the canopy reaching 120-150ft above the forest floor. You can go on a short walk accompanied by a local Forest Guide or go deeper into the forest to access fabulous viewpoints, jungle waterfalls and crystal clear streams emerging from the forest.

There are simple eco-lodges and a few luxury rainforest hotels that are available for those wishing to have a closer look.

COLOMBO

Often overlooked by tourists who use Colombo simply as a stopover destination, a longer stay in the capital will allow you to shop for quality arts and crafts at outlets such as Barefoot and Paradise Road.

A variety of fusion restaurants compete with the best in South Asia for providing contemporary and exciting cuisine.

The Pettah is a teeming oriental bazaar with Hindu and Moslem traders overflowing onto its narrow streets. Spices, gold jewellery and saris are traded in designated areas.

Colombo’s famed Old Empire hotels include the ubiquitous Galle Face Hotel and the beachside Mount Lavinia Hotel.

NEGOMBO

Perhaps the island’s most cosmopolitan beach resort, Negombo has a host of budget to upmarket hotels attracting an eclectic mix of holidaymakers with its long and wide sandy beach. The resort has the huge advantage of easy access to Colombo Airport, which is just 15 minutes away.

NEGOMBO LAGOON AND MARSHES

The vast lagoon to the south of town is fantastic for boat rides to experience beautiful sunsets. The Muthurajawela Marshes at the fringes contain large stretches of mangroves that are inhabited by huge salt-water crocodiles! The marshes are also a paradise for water birds such as herons and egrets..