Unawatuna is a coastal village on the southwest of the coastal regions of Sri Lanka. Booming with tourism, it’s a major hotspot for beachgoers due to pristine beaches it offers.Unawatuna carries a more livelier and hipster vibe compared to other beach destinations Sri Lanka can offer, similar to backpack haunts in countries like Indonesia, Thailand or Cambodia. The town offers an array of hipster hangout spots, quirky café’s and many boutique hotels and market stalls. It is one of the most famous beaches in Sri Lanka.

Simply put, your first stop should definitely be the main strip of beach in Unawatuna. Lined with beachfront diners, smoothie shacks with the freshest produce in the country and surfing schools if the surf is what brought you here. You can either go for a dip or rent a sunbed and soak up the sun. So many activities to choose from. On the opposite side of the main beach lies Jungle beach, a not so secret secret beach which can only be accessed through a trail through a forest which leads of a pristine beach that’s surrounded by trees and crystal-clear waters lapping against the rock. It’s no surprise if you run into an occasional peacock or two, the surrounding forest is teaming with wild life which makes the trek to the beach even more fascinating. A little further ahead to the west from the main beach overlooking the waves is the Japanese Peace pagoda that sits atop the Rumassala hill. You’ll break a sweat walking up the hill towards this magnificent structure but it’s worth every step. The shrine represents purity and beauty. The shrine features golden statues around the stupa which depicts the various stages of the Buddha’s life. Apart from the main attraction the Rumassala hills also offers panoramic views of the ocean and sunsetDalawella beach is situated approximately 2 kilometers away from the Unawatuna beach where the infamous Palm Tree Rope Swing can be found. It is also a gorgeous stretch of a beach with golden sands and a palm tree oasis which would make a picturesque setting for all travel bloggers out there. As with many of the beaches in Sri Lanka, Unawatuna offers surf friendly waves to quench any thrill seekers thirst. The best season to surf is between the months of November and May and the beach stretch between Unawatuna and Galle offers the perfect spots. The beach is lined with many Surfing schools where you can learn the art of surfing or rent out a board and hit the waters and ride the waves or grab a paddleboard by sunset and simply relax and unwind. Unawatuna is within reach to a number of tourist hotspots such as Galle where a plethora of locations await any thrill-seekingtravelers. Excursions to the Galle fort or Lighthouse or even the Maritime archeology museum is a stone throw away from the main town. Enjoy the best of two worlds!

A beautiful rural town with sandy beaches and historical sites combined. Unawatuna is a popular paradise among locals and tourists alike. This quirky town is a definite jot down in your travel itinerarywhich cannot be missed.