LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS WADDUWA Wadduwa is a village on the coast about 35km south of Colombo . It has golden sand beaches lined with coconut plantations , small fishing communities , private villas and a few hotels . It is famous for its rich cultivation of coconut palms and as a major producer of toddy and vinegar . The shops , sights and Royal Golf course of Colombo are accessible within an hour .
BENTOTA Bentota is a well-established tourist resort with mid to upper class resort hotels . It is best known for its long stretches of sandy beach . The sea is generally calm between December and April , though all the hotels we feature have their own swimming pool . There are water sports facilities on the Bentota Ganga ( river ) with water-skiing , jet-skiing , surfing , windsurfing and sailing , deep-sea fishing and wreck or reef diving ( PADI qualified instructors available ). Boat trips are also popular . The village is a relaxed mix of houses , villas and resort hotels set in lush tropical surroundings , with some shops , local restaurants and a handicraft centre on the roadside . Neighbouring Aluthgama across the river has more shops and a thriving marketplace . The port of Beruwela borders Bentota on the northern side of the river . A short distance inland , the landscaped gardens of Brief ( designed by Bevis Bawa ) are worth a visit , especially for garden lovers .
SINHARAJA RAINFOREST ( INLAND ) Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Sinharaja is the only large undisturbed rainforest left in Sri Lanka where over 800 of the island ’ s endemic species of flora and fauna can be found . Rising from 300 to 1170 metres in altitude , it is humid with dense canopy , cicadas and cascading rivers and awesomely tall trees . There are set walking paths and a national park warden will accompany you throughout . The north entrance to Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve is between 2 and 3 hours drive from any of the villages / hotels along the southwest coast ( the last part is by jeep along a very bumpy track )
BETWEEN BENTOTA AND GALLE There are several sea turtle hatcheries south of Bentota , including the Kosgoda hatchery ( open daily ) where the eggs are protected until they hatch . Just south of this lies the village of Ahungalla with its sandy shoreline , followed by Balapitiya , where the Madu Ganga River enters the sea . Ambalangoda is regarded as the centre for maskmaking in Sri Lanka ; you can watch craftsmen make exotic and colourful masks , traditionally used in dances . The lively tourist resort of Hikkaduwa is popular with water sports enthusiasts . Its coral reef is a good place for viewing reef fish in shallow waters , by snorkelling or from a glass-bottomed boat . Divers can explore the reefs and shipwrecks in deeper waters and there are some diving schools with ‘ PADI ’ qualified diving instructors . The breakwaters at Hikkaduwa are popular with surfers too .
MADU GANGA RIVER AND LAGOON Before the Madu Ganga River enters the sea at Balapitiya , it opens out into a wide river lagoon with 15 islands and many mangrove islets . This area , known as the Madu Ganga Wetlands , is home to pristine mangrove forests and over 300 species of plants and 245 species of animals . It is a fascinating place to explore by boat , not only for its ecological significance but for its beauty and for the local life of the islands and shores .
ACCOMMODATION IN A NUTSHELL
LARGE , 5-STAR LUXURY RESORT HOTELS ON THE BEACHFRONT Blue Water , Wadduwa , is a stylish modern hotel designed by Bawa , set amidst coconut palms , with a delightful spa . Vivanta by Taj , Bentota , offers a high standard of accommodation , facilities and services , including the divine Jiva Spa . Heritance Ahungalla is a superb hotel designed by Bawa with extensive facilities and services , nightclub and spa .
FOR BOUTIQUE LUXURY AND PURE INDULGENCE ON THE BEACHFRONT Serene Pavilions in Wadduwa is an exclusive boutique hotel offering the ultimate in luxury , privacy , and indulgence . Saman Villas is a small luxury resort of the highest standard , with 27 suites , some with private pool , and Sahana Spa . AVANI Bentota and Shinagawa Beach offer beachfront suites and cutting edge design .
HIDDEN GEMS River House , Balapitiya , is a luxurious boutique villa with 5 suites in a beautiful riverside setting . Tranquil and intimate . Lunuganga Estate is a little inland from Bentota , once the beloved country residence of architect Geoffrey Bawa . Beautiful landscapes , tranquil and a rare insight into the psyche of an architectural genius . A unique experience . Rainforest Eco Lodge offers an alternative to the typical hotels of the south west , with an eco-friendly focus and private chalets overlooking a tea paddy field and the rainforest .
CLIMATE The south-western part of Sri Lanka is warm and humid all year round . Sea breezes make the coast a little cooler . The sunny , dry season is between November and March with average temperatures at around 26C . The south-west monsoon brings intermittent torrential rain , winds and rough seas , normally in May , June and July , with temperatures of up to 32C . There is also changeable weather during September and October .
DRIVING DISTANCES Colombo International Airport to Wadduwa 1.5 to 2 hours ( 56km ). Colombo International Airport to Bentota 2.5 to 3 hours ( 90km ). Wadduwa to Kandy 4 hours . Bentota to Kandy 4.5 hours ( 180km ). Colombo to Wadduwa 45 mins to 1 hour ( 30km ).
Buddhist temple
Buddhist monk
West coast beach
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