sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

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Stardust Restaurant iNTerNATioNAl $$$
(%224 8191; http://www.arugambay.com; meals rs 800-
1800; W) For a memorable setting for a meal,
this superb beachfront hotel restaurant is
just the ticket, with expertly executed Eu-
ropean and Asian dishes, wine by the bottle
(and glass) as well as terrific juices, lassis
and espresso coffee. There’s a lovely terrace
and garden as well as an open-sided din-
ing area that catches the ocean breeze. Not
cheap, but worth it.

Surf N Sun seAFooD, sri lANKAN $$$
(www.thesurfnsun.com; mains rs 600-1200; W)
Enjoy a great setting for your meal on the
gorgeous outdoor deck lounge, with low-
slung cushions, throw pillows, and candles
and lanterns. Good food too, including sea-
food, pizza and the occasional barbecue.

Siam View Hotel BAr
(www.arugam.com; W) After the government
demolished their wildly popular (but ille-
gally built) beachside bar in 2011, the ac-
tion shifted inland to this ungainly-looking
roadside party HQ. Hosts a slew of party
nights, with everything from tech-house
DJs to local reggae bands rocking the
dance floor. As there’s a microbrewery on
the premises you’ll find a selection of inter-
esting beers to sample.
Look for the classic British phone box
outside.

8 Information

There’s only one ATM (located on the main drag)
in Arugam Bay, but many more a short ride away
in Pottuvil.
Arugam Bay Information (www.arugam.info)
Travel and local info.
CyberCafé (wi-fi/internet per hr rs 100/150;
h9am-10pm) offers fast connections.
Pasarichenai Sub Post Office (h8am-noon &
1-5pm Mon-sat)
Tourist Police (%011-308 1044) This Colombo
number connects to the beach police station.
Policemen are usually here during daylight
hours to assist tourists.

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
l ocals are used to seeing Western women in
swimwear on the beach, but as this is a con-
servative Muslim community, consider wearing
a T-shirt over your swimsuit, or even a T-shirt
and shorts to avoid unwanted attention. it’s
considered respectful, for both men and women,
to dress modestly; when off the beach, don’t
wander around in swimwear.

There have been cases of attempted sexual

assault in secluded areas, particularly south

behind the surf point. There is a tourist-police

post on the beach.

8 Getting There & Around

BUS & THREE-WHEELER

Nearby Pottuvil is the gateway to Arugam Bay,

from where you’ll need to get a three-wheeler

( rs 200). The only exceptions are the rare

buses from Pottuvil to Panama, which pass by

Arugam Bay (one continues to Monaragala).

Three-wheeler fares to local surf spots are given

in the relevant sections.

CAR

Private air-con taxis to Colombo cost around

r s 18,000.

MOTORCYCLE & BICYCLE

Virtually all guesthouses can find you a bicycle

( rs 350 to 500) or scooter (rs 1000 to 1500)

for the day.

N orth of Arugam Bay

Pottuvil

% 063

For most tourists the small town of Pottuvil

is simply the transport hub for Arugam Bay,

3km further south. But Pottuvil has several

ATMs, a decent market, a few low-key sights

and a lovely lagoon to explore.

1 ights & ActivitiesS

Pottuvil Lagoon lAgooN

The mangroves, islands and waterways

of Pottuvil Lagoon are a rich ecosystem

teeming with giant monitor lizards, croco-

diles, kingfishers, the occasional elephant

(who does not like to be disturbed), eagles,

SIYAMBULANDUWA

Buses to Pottuvil – from anywhere –

aren’t frequent. But buses to Siyam-

bulanduwa (a market town 37km to

the west) are, and so are buses from

Siyambulanduwa to Pottuvil. You can

get to Arugam Bay most of the time if

you head to Siyambulanduwa. Pottuvil

buses run only until around 5pm, but

the well-run Nethmini Hotel (%055-

355 0891; http://www.nethminihotel.com; Ampara

rd; r with fan/air-con Us$17/27; a) is 1km

from the bus stand.