Top Things to do in Southern Province
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Discover the best top things to do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka including Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary, Turtle Point, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Tangalle Lagoon, Snake Farm, Goyambokka Beach (Sriyanga Sanjeewa), Mihiripenna Beach, Mirissa Beach, Bentota Beach, Tissa Wewa.
Restaurants in Southern Province
1. Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
At Ashram Sri Lanka, our tranquil retreat is more in-line with the Ashrams of the past. We offer simplicity. We offer a clean and peaceful space. Our Ashram is nestled in a beautiful environment, surrounded by nature in all its magnificence, with fields of greenery and flowers that envelop the senses. We share in nature’s space. We nurture our environment and show it compassion. We believe that our oneness with ourselves and our shared environment ultimately connects to the larger universe and beyond. A retreat with us will provide you with the time and space you need for introspection, reflection, contemplation and meditation. The ultimate aim of meditation is to seek freedom from the wheel of ‘sansara’ – the cycle of birth and death. Even though it is a difficult task, it can be obtained through effort and dedication. And if one aspires to achieve spiritual growth and its benefits through serious meditation Ashram Sir Lanka is the place for you.
Reviewed By Clavetteur - Marlow, United Kingdom
I had misgivings about booking a tour guide and driver for 20 days, but Sam's outstanding feedback here, and his very reasonable price tipped the balance. I'm happy to say it was a good decision. Sam has a thorough knowledge of great places to visit, and was always ready to adapt plans to suit us. He is also a very interesting person who makes new friends constantly, and who dedicates much effort and money to providing drinking water filters to disadvantaged families. At one point my wife said that I should try to find a Sam in each country we visit, but of course he is a one-off. Sam likes to show Sri Lanka as it is, and how the local people live. So lunch would often be typical Sri Lankan food in a roadside cafe (often rice and curry sauces) eaten with the fingers of the right hand. Unfortunately our stay at the Ashram was spoiled by the booming base sound coming from a three-day party in the local village. But Sam was quite willing to cut short our stay and move on. The Ashram is a place for chilling out and winding down, not suitable if your looking for action. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with so many things to see and do. With hindsight, we would have liked more than two nights in Eliya, and would probably give Colombo a miss. Thank you to Sam for helping us fall in love with Sri Lanka.
2. Turtle Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By Breez_Mc - Stockholm, Sweden
The guy running this is really friendly and is super knowledgeable about the turtles that come to this bay. He also keeps an eye on the well-being of the local turtles and waits up most nights when they lay their eggs to protect them from people trying to steal them. One of the guys went out with us to show us the best spots and saw a beautiful big turtle :)
3. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 593 reviews
SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST is a world heritage and bio diversity hotspot which is also a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka. It is one of the few virgin forests left in the world. This evergreen rain forest, a UNESCO World heritage site, is one of the few virgin rain forests left to date. Damp mysterious and teeming with life, the Sinharaja forest reserve situated 120 KM South East of Colombo, is the last expensive stretch of virgin rainforest on the island. At just over 11000 hectares, line across the wet zone the Southern edge of the hill country, Sinharaja is an ecological treasure trove. It is staggering array of flora and fauna place it among the top bio diversity hotspot in the world. Sinharaja Forest Reserve - A UNESCO world heritage site - encompasses the largest single swath of remaining low land tropical rain forest in the country. Over 130 birds, species are found here including many of the 33 species endemic to the Sri Lanka. There also rich reptile population and myriads of insects species, many yet to be classified. Mammals scenes here including the purple faced langur monkey and the giant squirrel. Sinharaja is also home to the elusive leopard. It is preferable to explore Sinharaja on foot, which makes for the truly authentic jungle experience. Best starting point for visits are Deniyaya Mederipitiya to the East or Kudawa to the North.
Reviewed By malwana - Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is a very big rain forest and in a single tour we can see only a very small area. We stayed in Rainforest Eco Lodge and took the tour from there. There were many leaches but hotel provided us leach socks. Even the small kids around 4 -8 years old joined with us and they too enjoyed the tour.
4. Tangalle Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Zwelp
Perfect way to relax and get away from the busy beachside's in Tangalle, especially in the morning time it's great... I went out at 6.30 (6 should be even better I think) and saw lot's of birds and a lot of water monitor lizards (some big ones) and to top it all off I saw an eagle (Brahminy Kite actually) swooping down and catch a fish couple of meters in front of me on my last 5 minutes... I was completely alone the whole time, very relaxing...When I was done at 9.45 I just saw two other kayaks entering the water. I enjoyed it so much I returned at 4pm to have another go at it... Lot's of birds returning, saw some monkeys in the trees (grey langurs) jumping over my head from tree to tree, and when it became more dark I also saw some bats... Downside at this time, bit more people out. Not that many though, saw like 9 others kayaks... If you decide to do this, make sure to inform at Mallika Guesthouse... Very friendly people and they only ask 750 lkr and tell you to take your time and enjoy, most others charge 1000 to 1500 lkr and some even say you have to pay extra if you exceed a 2 hour time limit (which I did with a big margin both times). Enjoy!
5. Snake Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By ladja211
The owner of the snake farm showed us a number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, introduced us to their life in nature. He also told us stories from his experience with snakes. Very interesting tour.
6. Goyambokka Beach (Sriyanga Sanjeewa)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By Stevieh01 - Wendover, United Kingdom
Came back here for the second year as this is my favourite beach in the world. Although the waves are powerful the natural breakwaters lead to a wash that reaches 20 metres so everyone can get in. Swim further out and you have regular 3 m waves. Great fun. The beach bars, particularly Bamboo do juice, food and beer. I’ve travelled to Thailand, Malaysia, Africa and other countries and I love this beach. Perfect sand. The deserted beach at Rekawa is lovely but you cannot swim due to the rip-tides.
7. Mihiripenna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By dr_nilusha - Colombo, Sri Lanka
One of the safe and sound beaches in Galle. It is a great place to stay at sunset. Sea bath also making us fresh. The only problem is the parking problem.
8. Mirissa Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,033 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine760116 - Cairns, Australia
It’s a great beach for swimmers and surfers little areas where you can snorkel like turtle beach and surf locations in front of coconut tree hill and night plenty of locations where you can have a drink or fresh seafood
9. Bentota Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,256 reviews
Reviewed By SheranFernando - Rome, Italy
Bentota Beach Hotel, an icon in Sri Lankan architecture and a property with a rich history reconstructed by Bawa’s student, Channa Daswatte is a true tribute to Sri Lanka’s most famed architect Geoffrey Bawa. Standing on the balcony of the Geoffrey Bawa Suite, you see the sea on the right and the Bentota river on the left, and Sripada and the central hills on the far right, all in one view. This view, according to architect Channa Daswatte makes this property the one that links the land and the sea. The ‘new’ Bentota Beach is not merely a recreation or a restoration. The main building of the old hotel has been reconstructed newly, as it was built by Bawa. This showcases Bawa’s wide architectural influences ranging from Bali to ancient Sri Lankan monuments. Inside the hotel has the signature of Geoffrey Bawa and the period it was constructed in, but in a modern and functional representation. The lead architect Channa Daswatte has done an amazing job, not only to archive an iconic construction but also through his brilliance, make it a fresh, modern and functional. It is a museum and treasure trove of art and architecture, that concurrently delivers a guests expectections from a modern luxury hotel.
10. Tissa Wewa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
The lake, an artificial reservoir, is thought to have been constructed in the 3rd Century BC, either by Mahanaga of Ruhuna or his successor Yatala Tissa of Ruhuna, in order to irrigate paddy lands and supply water to the flourishing city of Tissamaharama. The lake was restored in 1871 [4] . The embankment (or bund) on the southern shore supports the Tissa-Kataragama road (B464), which is lin
Reviewed By Travel59978838138
Beautiful view with blue mountain range and lots of fruit bats and lots big rain trees Beautiful view true rise fails Tissamaharama Dageba
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