Are you looking for an ideal travel destination for your Sri Lanka tour? Do you want to explore a land with beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, legendary history, and rich culture? If so, you should not miss Unawatuna, one of the most visited attractions in Sri Lanka and known for its beaches and coral reefs. Unawatuna is home to many interesting and unique activities that can make your Sri Lanka tour truly memorable. Let us learn more about Unawatuna in this article
Unawatuna is a famous place in Sri Lanka, so where is the Location of Unawatuna?
Unawatuna is a small town located approximately 5 km southeast of the Galle City Center and approximately 108 km south of the capital of Colombo. Unawatuna is shaped like a banana and is a small and cozy beach. It takes only about 15 minutes to walk from one end of the beach to the other. Unawatuna has a long coastline lined with coconut and palm trees and clear blue seawater. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, play water sports, or simply lie on the sand and relax. In addition, you can also join tours to explore nearby tourist attractions such as Rumassala Peace Pagoda – a temple built by Japanese Buddhist monks in 2005, Jungle Beach – a bay beautiful beach located west of Unawatuna, Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya – an ancient stone temple with a 9 meter long reclining Buddha statue or Buddhist Temple – a small temple on the west side of the beach with great views of the bay
The right time to visit Unawatuna – a place with a two-season humid tropical climate
Unawatuna has a humid tropical climate with two seasons: the dry season from December to March, and the rainy season from April to November. The average temperature in Unawatuna is approximately 27 °C throughout the year. The best time to visit Unawatuna is during the dry season when there is little rain and the sea is calm. You can also take advantage of special festivals and events in Unawatuna, such as Vesak Day – Buddha’s birthday celebration in May, Poya Day – a monthly full moon celebration, or Perahera Day – a parade of Buddhist monks in late July or early August.
Unawatuna is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, what is it especially famous for?
Unawatuna is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, with fine white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and beautiful coral reefs. However, Unawatuna also has many other interesting things that you can discover when you arrive here:
Myths: Unawatuna is related to several Indian and Sri Lankan myths. One is the story of Hanuman, the monkey god in the epic Ramayana. According to the legend, Hanuman brought a mountain from the Himalayas to Sri Lanka to save Lakshmana, Rama’s cousin, who was shot by Ravana’s rocket. During his flight, Hanuman dropped a part of the mountain onto Unawatuna, creating a Rumassala hill. This hill is said to have many rare plants and herbs brought by the Hanuman from the Himalayas.
Dagaba- House of Buddha: Unawatuna also has an important Buddhist site, Dagaba, also known as stupa or chedi. These are conical or bell-shaped structures built to contain remains or items related to the Buddha or Buddha’s ancestors. The dagaba in Unawatuna is said to contain the hair of the Buddha and is seen as a symbol of peace and happiness.
History: Unawatuna has a long, rich history. This place was once an important seaport in Sri Lanka, attracting many traders from China, India, Persia, Egypt, and Greece. In addition, Unawatuna witnessed many wars and invasions by European countries, such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and England. Traces of this past can be found in ancient structures and historical sites in Unawatuna.
Unawatuna is rich in biodiversity. Unawatuna not only has beautiful beaches but also many unique and biologically rich natural areas. The coral reef can be explored at Unawatuna Beach, which is home to many species of fish, corals, sea turtles, and other marine animals. You can also participate in activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and yachting to admire the beauty of the ocean. In addition, there are many endemic bird species in the remaining swamp area and Rumassala Hill. These birds include storks, pelicans, kingfishers, swallows, white-breasted waterfowls, and more. Many species of flowers and plants can also be seen in Unawatuna, some of which are native to the Himalayas.
Ticket prices, hotels, and resorts for world tourists visiting Unawatuna (USD)
Unawatuna is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, and many different types of accommodations can be found from luxury hotels and high-end resorts to cheap motels and cozy homestays. You can refer to some of the following suggestions:
Hotel:
You can choose one of the following hotels to rest and relax in Unawatuna.
Thaproban Beach House: A 4-star hotel located right on Unawatuna Beach, with spacious, clean, and airy rooms, with balconies overlooking the sea or garden. The hotel also includes restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and spas. Room rates start from 70 USD/night.
– Calamander Unawatuna Beach: A 4-star hotel located on Unawatuna Beach, with modern, comfortable, and luxurious rooms, with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffee makers. The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and a children’s play area. Room rates start from 80 USD/night.
Bedspace Beach: A 3-star hotel located near Unawatuna Beach, with simple, cozy, and romantic rooms, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has restaurants, bars, and gardens. Room rates start at 40 USD/night.
Resort:
One can choose one of the following resorts to enjoy a luxurious and classy vacation in Unawatuna:
– Thambapanni Retreat: A 4-star resort located near Unawatuna beach, with luxurious, bright, and sophisticated rooms, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, and safety. The resort also has restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and spas. Room price from 90 USD/night.
– Coco Bay Unawatuna: A 4-star resort located near Unawatuna beach, with modern, comfortable, and elegant rooms, flat-screen TV, minibar, and hairdryer. The resort also has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and a fitness area. Room rates start from 100 USD/night.
– Dalawella Beach Resort: A 3-star resort located on Dalawella beach near Unawatuna, with simple, clean, and airy rooms, flat screen TV,…
Interesting experiences at tourist attractions in Unawatuna.
Unawatuna Beach and coral reefs: Unawatuna Beach is an ideal place for swimming, located in a small bay protected by a coral reef. You can enjoy the tropical scenery and feel peace here. The beach is also a breeding ground for sea turtles and a great snorkeling spot. Many colorful fish and corals can be observed. In addition, coral reefs can be explored in Rumassala, where there are many rare and unique marine species.
– Peace Pagoda: Unawatuna Peace Pagoda is a beautiful structure donated by Japan. It is located on a hill approximately two kilometers from Unawatuna. From here on, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Unawatuna Bay and Galle City. Unawatuna Peace Pagoda is a symbol of peace and happiness and is an ideal place for meditation.
– Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Buddhist Temple: Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple located in a quiet forest about three kilometers from Unawatuna. The temple is built on giant rock and contains the largest stone Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. The temple also contained many murals and other Buddhist items. You feel sacred and pure here.
– Turtle hatcheries (Habaraduwa): If you love sea turtles, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the turtle farms in Habaraduwa, about 15 km from Unawatuna. Here, you can learn about different species of sea turtles, how to protect them from dangers, and how to release them into the sea. You can also touch and take pictures of lovely turtles.
Other attractions that you should not miss when visiting Unawatuna
In addition, Unawatuna has many other attractions that you should not miss when visiting, such as:
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple: This is an ancient Buddhist temple built around the 3rd century BC. This temple is famous for its Buddha statues carved from stone and Bo trees, which are over 2,300 years old. You will admire artistic masterpieces and feel peace and sacredness in this place.
Rumassala Island: This is a small island located near the coast of Unawatuna, with an area of approximately 4 square kilometers. The island has a beautiful and diverse natural landscape, with coral reefs, pristine beaches, virgin forests, and high mountains. You can hike, climb, scuba dive, or camp here to explore the island.
Galle Castle: This is a historical structure, built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch and British. This castle is surrounded by thick and tall walls, and there are fortresses, churches, museums, and other buildings. Through this castle, you will learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Sri Lanka.
How to get to Unawatuna and prices for tourists around the world?
Unawatuna is located in the south of Sri Lanka in the Galle district, Southern Province of Sri Lanka. You can travel to Unawatuna by many different means:
By plane: You can fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, and from there take a bus, taxi, or train to Unawatuna. The travel time is approximately 2-3 hours.
By train: You can take a train from Colombo Fort to Galle, and from there take a bus or taxi to Unawatuna. Travel time is approximately 3-4 hours. This is an economical and enjoyable way to travel, as you can take stunning coastal views along the way.
By bus: You can take a bus from Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal to Galle, and from there take a bus or taxi to Unawatuna. Travel time is approximately 4-5 hours. This is the cheapest way to travel, but it is also quite tiring and cramped.
By taxi: You can hire a taxi from Colombo or Bandaranaike International Airport to Unawatuna. Travel time is about 2-3 hours. This is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, but it is also the most expensive.
Finally, there are some suggestions for you regarding the impressive information that you should not miss when visiting Unawatuna.
I hope you will have interesting and unforgettable experiences when coming to Sri Lanka, a beautiful and attractive island nation. If you need more information or advice about traveling to Sri Lanka, please contact us- Srilanka. We are always ready to serve you. Thank you for reading this article and have a nice trip!
