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Фотогалерея ‒ Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Guide to Unawatuna

Unawatuna Virtual Tour

Unawatuna is regarded as one of the finest resorts in Sri Lanka, perfect for a peaceful and relaxing vacation. The main beach is nestled in a bay and protected by a coral reef, allowing for year-round swimming in the sea with minimal waves. A short distance from the resort lies Jungle Beach, surrounded by lush jungle. While it was once a hidden gem among tourists, it continues to gain popularity each year.

For those who prefer a more active experience, there are opportunities for water sports like snorkeling and diving. However, surfers seeking high waves may find Unawatuna less suitable.

Although the resort itself may not offer an abundance of attractions, many interesting places can be found in its vicinity. A visit to the city of Galle to explore the Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is highly recommended. Nearby, you'll also find the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya temple complex, which dates back over 2,300 years, as well as the Sinharaja Forest and Yala National Parks. For whale watching, consider heading to Mirissa. You can explore these sites independently by renting a car, taking a taxi, or using a tuk-tuk, or you can opt for guided tours.

Tips for tourists

Population
5365
Time zone
utc+5:30
Language
Sinhalese and Tamil
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Tours to Unawatuna

The small and cozy tourist town of Unawatuna is perfect for a beach vacation. It was once an unremarkable fishing village, but over the last few decades, the picturesque palm groves and coastal area have made this place very popular.

Compared to European resorts, a hot tour to this Sri Lankan resort can be found relatively cheap. The majority of your budget will be allocated to the long flight.

Thanks to the abundance of small and cozy guesthouses, accommodation prices are relatively low. The same can be said for meals. A ten-day hot trip to Unawatuna will cost around 2000 USD.

If you are planning your own trip, it is worth budgeting around 4000 USD for a more extended family vacation. In this case, the final cost of the trip can be significantly reduced because you have control over most expenses.

Unawatuna's beach vacation is considered one of the best in the world. Its main highlight is the frequent appearance of turtles crawling onto the coast to warm themselves.

It's challenging to determine which of the attractions in this Sri Lankan resort will leave the most unforgettable impressions. Whether it's the jungle, the fort at Galle, the stupas, or the temples, every tourist will find something of interest.

If your budget allows, consider taking a tour of Sri Lanka's national parks. For those with limited travel funds, flying to Unawatuna from May to October can lead to finding relatively inexpensive tours during this period.

Interesting places in Unawatuna

Most of the significant attractions are located outside of Unawatuna. The most convenient way to explore them is by booking an excursion with one of the local tour companies. For hiking enthusiasts, there are some interesting routes, including Unawatuna's main beach, which is home to several notable temples. If you're interested in shopping, it's best to head to Colombo (where you can find special tours of the best shopping centers). The nightlife scene is also concentrated in Colombo and Galle.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

To travel to Unawatuna, you need to fly to Colombo, as the nearest international airport is located there. You can reach Sri Lanka from Europe with one or two layovers, with popular routes passing through Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and Mumbai. Flights are operated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad, Air France, and other airlines.

The price of airline tickets depends on the season and departure city. In the low season, tickets from Vienna can be found from 450 EUR, from Berlin — from 480 EUR, and from Paris — from 510 EUR. During the winter, when Sri Lanka’s resorts experience peak season, prices rise: flights from Prague or Budapest start at 600 EUR, while flights from Warsaw cost from 580 EUR. Travel time ranges from 12 to 20 hours.

The best hotels in Unawatuna

The most expensive hotels in the resort are on the first line, a day's stay here will cost you from 150 to 500 USD. A little farther from the beach you can rent a room with air conditioning for 40 USD per day. When booking accommodation, check whether the price includes taxes - if not, the total amount will increase by 10% compared to the previously announced. Another important point - in Unawatuna regularly cut off electricity in the evenings, so you can overpay for air conditioning in the room, but never use it.

Find out more about Unawatuna accommodation costs

The cost of vacation

The main challenge for owners of a modest budgets is to try to save money on a flight. This can be done by buying tickets in advance, as many airlines increase prices as the departure date approaches. Accommodation and meals in Unawatuna are inexpensive, but you'll have to splurge on entertainment. for entertainment.

There are few attractions in the city, but travel agencies offer a lot of day trips. Fans of nightclubs and discos will also have to leave the resort and go to Colombo or Galle by cab or tuk-tuk.

The budget for a trip to Unawatuna
Visa 60 USD Flight from 1300 USD
Accomodation from 40 USD per day Average check in a restaurant from 1400 LKR (about 10 USD)
Transportation fare from 20 LKR (about 0.15 USD) Excursion from 14500 LKR (about 100 USD)
Total: About 2480 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day.

Unawatuna: tips for tourists

The key to a carefree vacation is thorough preparation! We have collected for you all the useful information about Unawatuna resort that a traveler should know.

Visa to Unawatuna

All you need to cross the border is a passport and an entry permit, which you can obtain by filling out a form at www.eta.gov.lk and paying a $30 USD fee.

The airport in Unawatuna

Regular flights arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, located 35 kilometers from the city of Colombo. It was built in 1944 by the British military and is named after former Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike.

Transfer to Unawatuna from the airport

A cab from the airport will cost up to 7000 LKR and take about 5 hours (depending on traffic in Colombo).To save money, you can arrive in Colombo, take a bus from there to Galle for 500 LKR and then take a bus to Unawatuna (20 LKR).

Car rental in Unawatuna

Foreign licenses are not valid in Sri Lanka, so tourists need a driver in addition to a car. International and local car rental companies have offices at Colombo Airport and Galle, near the resort.

Transportation in Unawatuna

The most popular form of transportation among tourists is tuk-tuks (sometimes also called motorcycle rickshaws). These are converted scooters with a cabin for passengers. They're about a third cheaper than cabs, but they're slower and not air-conditioned.

Security in Unawatuna

Like any other resort, Unawatuna is prone to street theft. When going to the beach or sightseeing, it's best to leave jewelry, documents and large sums of money at your hotel. Do not venture into unfamiliar areas after dark.

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