The abundance in fauna and flora which attracts the birds to the area is due to King Mahasen who set aside the park’s area as a water source for his people all the way back in the 3rd Century AD! When the irrigation tanks were finally abandoned sixty years ago, wildlife quickly sprung up around the water source and the area was thankfully turned into a national park in 2002. Lucky tourists may spot, elephants, sloth bears, Sri Lankan leopards, deer and wild boar roaming around the forests as adorable lorises swing from the branches on either side. Aditya is a 20-minute drive from Galle and 15 minutes from Hikkaduwa.One of the most important areas in Sri Lanka for birdlife, this national park is obviously very popular with birdwatchers who flock to its boundaries to gaze in awe at the multicoloured show before their eyes.Īlthough visitors primarily head to the park to marvel at the birds that swirl above their heads in the bright blue sky, Kaudulla is also home to a number of large mammals. This hotel takes Sri Lanka's beachside accommodation to a completely new level with fantastic design and furnishing.

We don't generally recommend staying in Hikkaduwa itself: a visit during the evening from nearby Bentota or Galle is usually enough.įurther south from Hikkaduwa is Dodanduwa and the wonderful beachside resort of Aditya. Famous for its lively nightlife, Hikkaduwa also has some of the best restaurants outside of Colombo. Towards the southern end of Bentota and inland a little are several quiet and peaceful small boutique hotels.Īmbalangoda is the mask making centre of the island and an interesting visit, and Ahungala is pleasant, but the next major concentration of hotels is at Hikkaduwa. There are several 5* hotels along this part of the coast, catering to the package holiday market. You'll also find a plethora of restaurants, bars and top-class hotels in this area. The proximity of a large lagoon and a wide sandy beach means that Bentota is the home of water sports in Sri Lanka – with everything from diving to kiteboarding to jet-skiing available here. One of the major west coast beach resort areas is Bentota.

Dominated by a magnificent Buddhist temple, there are several package style resorts along this stretch.

As you head down the coastal road, the first major beach resort in Wadduwa, home to the gorgeous boutique hotel Reef Villa.

Resorts in sri lanka map