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

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nicely shaded with mature plants while the
open-front cafe has a good water’s edge view
along the narrow beach. You can arrange
mangrove outings here.

oSerein Beach BOUTiQUe hOTel $$
(%224 0005; http://www.sereinbeach.com; Madilla Rd;
r US$55-90; W) An excellent newcomer, this
well-run hotel has a three-storey main build-
ing with a wonderful rooftop deck. The nine
rooms feature recycled materials and solar
energy is used to heat water. The location
is sun-drenched and the beach out front is
unspoiled.

Mangrove Beach Cabanas BUNGA lOW $$
(%077 790 6018; http://www.beachcabana.lk; off ham-
bantota Rd; r from €40; W) On a breathtaking
stretch of near-deserted beach, this superb
place has several rustic but chic cabanas hid-
den under the trees. Inside the cabanas virtu-
ally everything is made of twisted driftwood.
Some units have bathrooms inconveniently
located below ground, while the newest ones
have snazzy outdoor showers and outdoor
lounging areas with fab views. The open-air
bar/cafe is good.

Mangrove Chalets BUNGA lOW $$
(%077 790 6018; http://www.beachcabana.lk; off hamban-
tota Rd; r from €47; W) A sibling of the nearby
Mangrove Beach Cabanas, you’ll find these
large bungalows in an utterly serene setting
close to the beach. It’s a good spot for families
as the mangrove waters are clear and calm for
swimming. You can access the site by a very
Hollywood-feeling creaky bamboo bridge.

Ganesh Garden BUNGA lOW $$
(%224 2529; http://www.ganeshgarden.com; Madilla Rd; r
US$35-80; W) Choose from an array of differ-
ent sizes and styles of cabanas – some have
mud walls, some are built from twisted palm
thatch and others are straight concrete, but
all are comfortable and well designed. It’s on
a nice bit of beach, although we like the views
from the lagoon-side rooms.

Suwaya Villa R eSORT $$
(%224 0844; http://www.suwayavilla.com; Madilla Rd; r
US$40-80; aWs) This plush place, with 25
rooms that verge on luxurious, feels a little
out of place in rustic Tangalla. At the very end
of Madilla Rd, it is surrounded by beach and
mangroves. The swimming pool is a tempting
alternative to the often dangerous ocean.

Sandy’s GU eSThOUSe $$
(%077 622 5009; http://www.sandycabana.com; off ham-
bantota Rd; r from US$40) This is one of those

classic Robinson Crusoe–style beach hang-

outs with seven palm-thatch open-air caba-

nas (some have bedrooms open to the stars

and the sea breezes). Conditions can be basic

(and you may have to inspect a couple to find

a clean unit) but that can be the allure. The

dinner buffet (Rs 1200) is excellent.

4 Rekawa Beach

A few top-end resorts are starting to ap-

pear out in these very isolated sands. The

Hambantota Road is as much as 4km inland

along here.

Buckingham Place R eSORT $$$

(%348 9447; http://www.buckingham-place.com; Reka-

wa Beach; r from US$200; aWs) This gated

compound holds an excellent resort set back

from the beach on a small knoll. The grounds

are as spacious as the rooms. Service is tops,

as is the bar and restaurant. It’s close to the

turtle-viewing area.

The drive out winds through mangroves

on narrow tracks – you’ll want to spend

more than one night.

5 Eating

Just about all the places to stay serve meals.

Many have cafes with dreamy ocean views.

Among the best options are Frangipani

Beach Villas, Lonely Beach Resort, Mangrove

Beach Cabanas, Ganesh Garden and Sandy’s.

Saliya Restaurant S eAFOOD $

(%224 2726; hambantota Rd; meals Rs 250-500;

h7am-10pm; W) Sitting on wobbly stilts, 1.5km

east of the town centre, near the 198 Km mark-

er, this eccentric wooden shack, stuffed full of

old clocks and radios, has great seafood as well

as rice and curry. This is a great lunch stop and

there are nice views over the mangroves.

8 Information

You’ll find plenty of banks and ATMs in the cen-

tre. There’s a popular Cargills Food City (Main

Rd; h8 am-10 pm).

8 Getting There & Away

Tangalla is an important bus stop on the main

coastal road. Major destinations include the

following:

Colombo regular/semi-luxe Rs 248/350, six

hours

Galle Rs 116, two hours

Matara Rs 460, 1½ to two hours

Tissamaharama Rs 110, two hours