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Green Garden Cabanas hOTel $
(%077 624 7628; http://www.greengardencabanas.com;
Mahawela Rd; r fan/air-con from US$28/35; aW)
Set back from the beach, this hotel has a range
of rooms, including well-kept cabanas with
wooden floors and tidy bathrooms. Rooms in
the main building have private terraces with
views out to the fruit-filled gardens. The turn
is at the 196 Km marker.Palm Paradise Cabanas ChAleTS $$
(%224 0338; http://www.beach.lk; Goyambokka Rd; r from
US$80; W) Set on Goyambokka’s beautiful
main cove, the wooden cabanas and villas are
hidden behind a veil of coconut palms. The
units are of various vintages but the overall
property is well-maintained. Being tucked up
in your wooden hut listening to the waves is
undeniably romantic.Rocky Point
Beach Bungalows GU eSThOUSe $$
(%077 497 7033; http://www.srilankarockypoint.com; Go-
yambokka Rd; dm/r from US$20/35, bungalow from
US$40; W) There’s a range of accommodation
at the sunny compound back off the beach.
You can opt for one of the four-bed dorm
rooms or a private room in the main building,
or a bungalow. All rooms have nice private
terraces and balconies.Goyambokka Guest House GU eSThOUSe $$
(%077 790 3091; http://www.goyambokkaguesthouse.
page.tl; Goyambokka Rd; r Rs 4400-6000; W) This
whitewashed colonial villa set under a ceiling
of dancing palm trees is back off the beach.
It offers 10 pleasant and well-priced rooms,
some of which come with outdoor showers.oAmanwella l UXURY hOTel $$$
(%224 1333; http://www.amanresorts.com; off Matara–
Tangalla Rd; ste from US$550; aiWs) One of
the most luxurious beach resorts in Sri Lan-
ka, each of the Amanwella’s 30 suites has its
own private plunge pool and is so sybaritic
that you may need to be prised out on check-
out day. All of the units have ocean views, and
some are right on the beach. The entrance is
just east of the 193 Km marker.& Around Tangalla
% 047
Tangalla is the gateway to the wide-open
spaces and wide-open beaches of southeast
Sri Lanka. It’s the last town of any size before
Hambantota and has some old world charm.But you’re really here to find your perfect
beach and revel in it.1 ights & ActivitiesS
Tangalla’s harbour is an interesting place for
a minor exploration. There’s evidence of the
Dutch all around here. Follow Harbour Road
around the point and into the military area
(which is usually wide open); there are great
vistas from the viewpoint (harbour Rd) along
the grassy verge.Rest House hiSTORiC BUilDiNG
(harbour Rd) The shady Rest House was once
home to the Dutch administrators. It’s one of
the oldest rest houses in the country, and was
originally built (as a plate on the front steps
indicates) in 1774.oTurtle Watch Rekawa e COTOUR
(%076 685 7380; http://www.tcpsrilanka.org; Rekawa
Beach; adult/child Rs 1000/600; hfrom 8pm, days
vary) From April to September, green, hawks-
bill and occasionally even leatherback turtles
struggle ashore at night to lay their eggs on
Rekawa Beach. Tours are run by volunteers
from the non-profit Turtle Conservation Pro-
ject and locals. The emphasis is on protecting
the turtles, so camera flashes and other lights
aren’t allowed. Call ahead to check condi-
tions; if no turtles are sighted, you can return
another night. A three-wheeler from Tangalla
costs around Rs 1500; you’ll need a driver to
find this place. Unlike the turtle hatcheries
on the west coast the eggs here are left undis-
turbed in the sand and are protected in situ.
The visitor centre has good displays.4 Sleeping
There are several areas in and around Tan-
galla in which to stay. As you go east, many
are very remote and lie at the end of rough
tracks off the Hambantota Road.4 Tangalla
The following option is above the beach, just
southwest of the centre.Moonstone Villas hOTel $$
(%077 675 8656; http://www.moonstonevillas.com; 336
Matara Rd; s/d from US$72/90; aWs) A Cana-
dian-run complex with modern and pleas-
antly decorated rooms. It’s a slick operation
and the grounds are pretty, although a bit
cramped. The beach is down and across the
busy main road.