Off the beaten path around Hambantota

This page is about less-frequented places of interest in the
Deep South of Sri Lanka.

Find a list of links to dozens of off-the-beaten-path destinations
all over Sri Lanka here...

Hambantota

Popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka's Deep South

Mirissa near Weligama is Sri Lanka’s major destination for whalewatching and Rekawa is the most important turtle nesting beach. The climate of particularly Tangalle and Hambantota and Kirinda at the southern coastline of Sri Lanka differs from the soutwestern beach resorts. The summer monsoon rains do not reach so far to the east. The much drier climate is a reason why the south coast has become increasingly popular in tecent decades. Another reason is wildlife. There are four national parks in Sri Lanka's Deep South. Yala is the most famous one, for spotting leopards in particular. The nearby Bundala is for birdwatching. Udawalawa further inland has a large elephant population. Lunungamwehera is rarely visited. A very special attraction at the southern coast is one of the world's very few blowholes, Hoomaniya between Matara and Tangalle.

Lonesome places in the hinterland of Sri Lanka's southern beach resorts

2**stars & rarely visited

Two stupa-crowned rocky hills in the wilderness of Yala National Park are an attraction in itself. But this picturesque place is a acred site, much frequented by Buddhist pilgrims. Nonetheless, the charming ancient site is not yet crowded with noisy busloads of tourists. Sithulpahuwa is not only recommendable destination for photographers. It's actually a former monastery of some historical significance. Situhulpahuwa was the major forest monastery of the southern kingdom known as Rohana. Important Mahayanist sculptures are still in situ. For heritage travellers in the Deep South, Sithulpahuwa is definitely a must-see.

3***stars & not overcrowded

There are several places in the hinterland of the Deep South that are rarely visited, waterfalls and forest hermitages in particular. However, the most important heritage destinations are not off the beaten path any more. Mulgirigala in the hinterland of Tangalle and Situlpahuwa in the vicinity of Yala National Park are nevertheless worth visiting. And though frequented by foreigners, they cannot be called overcrowded. 

1*star & almost secret

Rambavihara (Ramba Viharaya) is an archaeological site that can easily be reached. It‘s on the way to Udawalawe National Park. The temple ruins are not a overwhelming sight, not comparable to the big temple towns in ther northern Cultural Triangle. But for those who can not travel to Polonnaruwa, the Ramba Vihara might give an impression of the island’s Buddhist monastic culture. Actually, it was an important monastery during the Polonnaruwa period. It’s somewaht surprising that the Ramba Viharaya is almost never visited by foreigner.

1*star & almost secret

Wawul Pane an off-the-beaten path worth mentioning due to ist uniqueness. It’s one of the very few dripstone caves in Sri Lanka, and ist definitely the largest one. It can only be visited with gumboots and torches. Visitors are very rare in Wawul Panne, which is located in the eastern foothills of the Sinharaja range.

1*star & rarely visited

A typical cave temple, rather gaudy, is Sankapala on the way to Ratnapura. Several tourists take a break here, because it’s very close to the main road A18. It’s not a major attraction for lovers of art. But it’s an interesting religious site, as there are Hindu temples, so-called Devales, attached to the former Buddhist hermitage. Sometimes ceremonies are held at these Hindu Devales by Sinhalese priests, so-called Kapuralas.

2**stars & rarely visited

Burduruwagala between the south coast and Ella in the hillcountry are the largest group of rock-cut Buddhas on the island. However, the largest free-standing Buddhas are further east. Maligawila close to Buttalam is still a pilgrimage site in the first place, not a tourist hub. This will allow you to observe the ceremonies of Buddhist devotees and take pictures of locals instead of fellow tourists. For lovers of Buddhist art, Maligawila is certainly a must.

2**stars & rarely visited

When travelling from Buduruwegala to Maligawila, there are two archaeological sites in the Buttala area that are almost on the way. They are rarely visited, though one of them, the giant stupa of Yudaganawa, is very imposing. Actually, this is the largest stupa in the southern half of the island. The current shape, not a dome, is the result of restaurations carried out in the heydays of the Polonnaruwa period. A smaller and older stupa and some typical temple ruins can be seen at the Dematamal Vihara at the opposite side of Buttala.

1*star & almost secret

One of the many waterfalls in the foothills of the central highlands and the Sinharaja range is Kirindi Ella near Pelmadulla were the main roads A4 from Colombo via Ratnapura to the east coast and A 18 from the south coast meet. Driving to the Kirindi Falls is a detour of only 5 km up and down. Though it‘s easy to find and not far away, the observation platform of these picturesque waterfall in a jungle is rarely visited by foreigners.