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4 Medaketiya Beach

A popular area for budget travellers, this long
beach, which extends north from town, of-
fers a mixed bag of places to stay. Some are
decades old and depressing, but there are
also some sprightly new additions, especially
along the narrow streets closer to town.

Starfish Beach Cafe GU eSThOUSe $
(%224 1005; [email protected]; v ijaya
Rd; r Rs 2000-5000; W) Run by a bunch of
energetic and music-loving young guys, this
guesthouse has large and airy rooms that are
as neat as a pin. It’s probably the most popu-
lar backpacker hangout on this strip. As the
name implies, this is the place to get a rotti
from their seaside stand.

King Fisher GU eSThOUSe $
(%224 2472; [email protected]; v ijaya Rd;
r from Rs 2000) Bright colours abound at the
best ultra-cheap option on the strip. The very

basic rooms are adequate and, for the price,

great value.

oFrangipani Beach Villas GU eSThOUSe $$

(%071 533 7052; http://www.frangipanibeachvilla.com;

NU Jayawardana Rd; r US$40-80; aW) Located

close to town and on the nicest stretch of

Medaketiya Beach, this guesthouse is a real

find. The eight rooms (some fan-only) are

spotless and are spread between a house and

a nearby two-storey block. The management

is very enthusiastic and friendly, and organ-

ises a variety of activities. The beachside cafe

is a delight.

oVilla Araliya GU eSThOUSe $$

(%224 2163; http://www.villa-araliya.net; v ijaya Rd; r from

US$45) Set in back of luxuriant gardens are

two bungalows decorated with vintage furni-

ture, including lovely carved wardrobes. The

compound has a charm that’s lacking nearby

and there are also more remote villas on offer.

TANGALLA AREA BEACHES

Tangalla marks the dividing line between the picture perfect tropical coves that dominate

much of the south coast and the long, wind- and wave-lashed beaches that dominate the

southeast of the island. Amidst this long strip of sand are several distinct beach zones, each

with a distinct character.

The following are listed geographically, from Tangalla east to Rekawa.

Tangalla

The town beaches south of the centre are pretty, but sadly the busy main road runs very

close to the edge of the sand, meaning lots of fascinated bus passengers watching you

lounge about in a bikini.

Medaketiya Beach

The long sandy beach here, which extends northeast away from the town, is lined with both

good and bad budget guesthouses and cafes. The sand is golden but dumping waves can

make swimming dangerous. At the northeast end, the busy road turns inland and it be-

comes quieter. Unfortunately, some businesses are now building breakwaters out into the

water, which is screwing up the flow of the beach.

Marakolliya Beach

Virtually a continuation of Medaketiya Beach, but much further out of town, the beach here

is utterly breathtaking. Unfurling along the coast is a seemingly endless tract of soft sand

backed by palms, tropical flowers and mangrove lagoons. At night, turtles lumber ashore to

lay eggs; by day, a lone traveller scours the sands for seashells.

You’ll find plenty of ways you can arrange for lagoon tours, bird-watching or kayak and

canoe rental. Note that the dramatic surf which pounds the beach here has undertows, and

it’s frequently too dangerous to swim.

Rekawa Beach

Around 10km east of Tangalla, this is another corker of a beach. Like Marakolliya but even

less developed, it’s an endless stretch of wind- and wave-battered sand that isn’t safe for

swimming. An access road wanders off the Hambantota Road at the 203km marker.