A map of Unawatuna attractions comes in handy for any self-respecting tourist. If only because it makes traveling easier in many ways. Once in Unawatuna, head to the small picturesque Wella Dewalaya temple on the western cliffs of the coast, a photo of this attraction will be entertaining. Try to get a list of Unawatuna attractions in English.
Unawatuna sightseeing descriptions include the Japanese Peace Pagoda. It is one of eighty dozen pagodas around the world donated by the Japanese to different countries and cities. Sri Lanka has four of them. The pagoda is located on a mountain and can be seen from afar. It looks spectacular from the side of Unawatuna. The pagoda can be climbed up and walked around.
The view from here is good, and you can even see the fort at Galle. There is a temple next to the pagoda, which is accessible to everyone. The pagoda is close to Jungle Beach and a 15-minute walk from the center. To reach it on foot, you need to follow the signs for Jungle Beach. It can be reached by transportation via Matara Road and Rumassala Road. There is a parking lot.
The attractions in Unawatuna include many names. For example, if you walk along Unawatuna's main beach to its southern end, it ends with a small stone promontory and a hill on which is the Unawatuna Temple. It is not particularly interesting, but from here you get a wonderful view of Unawatuna and its beach. On the platform at the top is a white stupa-dagoba and a statue of a seated Buddha. You have to take off your shoes when entering the temple.
On the Unawatuna sightseeing map, the Roomassala Sri Viwekarama temple-monastery is hidden in the jungle Roomassala Sanctuary, a few hundred meters from the Japanese pagoda. Not many people here know about it. But here you can see several statues of Buddha, murals. It's quiet, and if you come here during meal times, you may be invited to eat with monks and parishioners.
From the center of Unawatuna, you can get here on foot in 25 minutes. From the Japanese pagoda, you need to walk along the paved road to the side, and after 100 meters, where you turn left, go straight ahead. There is a signpost there.
Rumassala Jungle Sanctuary is a tropical forest near the town. You don't need a guide or transportation for the walk. Just walk from the center of the resort towards Jungle Beach, and you're in Roomassala. The forest stretches further on. It's not exactly wilderness, but there is real dense tropical vegetation. There are mangroves near the water. Don't go into the fenced areas. There are houses and plots of land in this forest, so it's not worth trespassing.
Udara Antiques is located at 266 Matara Road in Unawatuna. Entry is free, so you could well consider it a museum of antiquities.
The Maha Raja Viharaya Jatagala Temple on the outskirts of Unawatuna doesn't have much architectural sophistication. But it is the most important Buddhist site in the south. It is one of the oldest temples on the island, and was built over 2300 years ago right on a cliff. The temple is best reached by rented transportation, or you can hire a tuk-tuk for the trip.
A few kilometers east on Matara Road from Unawatuna is a large turtle farm. The tour of the farm is accompanied by a detailed and interesting narration in English. Whether you come with a group or completely alone, you will still be told in detail. The farms have a clutch of sea turtle eggs, and you can release baby turtles into the open sea for an additional fee. And you can hold them in your hands for free. Entrance costs 400 LKR, and the farm is open from 8:00 to 18:30.
The Kottawa Reserve Forest is a couple of dozen kilometers from Unawatuna and Galle. You won't see any exotic animals here, but there are plenty of colorful butterflies and birds, and tropical vegetation in abundance. There's also a pool with cool water from a stream. The best way to get from Unawatuna is by rented transportation or tuk-tuk. It takes half an hour to drive, it's about 20 kilometers here.
