Unawatuna is one of the most popular areas of Sri Lanka. Tourists on vacation often choose to spend their time in this southern gem, primarily because it boasts the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. Roughly an hour’s ride from the capital city of Colombo, it’s the perfect place to stay for a few days. Although the town itself is small, it has excellent shopping, guesthouses, trendy restaurants, and great activities and sightseeing nearby. Discover all our favorite things to do in Unawatuna.
Best Things to do in Unawatuna
1. Unawatuna Beach
Popular with both the tourists and the locals, the main beach in Unawatuna is a must-see. This vast stretch of soft sand is dotted with sunbeds to rent and aligns with stunning water perfect for swimming.
The beach lies directly alongside the center of town, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars, like our favorite Lemongrass Cafe. There’s such an incredible beach vibe in Unawatuna, even after sunset!
Also read: best beaches in Sri Lanka
2. Wijaya Beach (Beach Swing)
The most Instagrammed place in Sri Lanka is, without a doubt, the beach swing at Wijaya Beach. Although it’s not really on Wijaya Beach (it lies just around the corner), it’s an iconic spot in the area. Search for Dream Cabana on Google Maps in Unawatuna, and you’ll find it in this exact spot. Oh, and if you do happen to go, say hi from us to the guys over there!
3. Jungle Beach Unawatuna
On the opposite side of Unawatuna’s main beach lies Jungle Beach, a stunning golden beach lined with palm trees. Surrounded by lush green hills, the turquoise water is one of the best places to cool off in the south of Sri Lanka. It’s a bit hidden, meaning it’s also a lot quieter than the beach right alongside town—I loved relaxing here!
It is not as easy to visit as Unawatuna Beach, as it’s about a 10-15 minute drive from the center of Unawatuna town. However, it’s worth the journey if you have the time.
Also read our: Sri Lanka itinerary (3 weeks)
4. Visit Galle Fort
Galle Fort is something totally different in Sri Lanka. This grand old fort is not characterized by typical Sri Lankan architecture, but rather has a rich blend of influences from the Dutch, Portuguese, and British.
Galle Fort is where I found all my souvenirs to take home; it has lots of cute shops and truly remarkable architecture. We always enjoy wandering around here for an entire afternoon and end the day watching the sunset on top of the fort wall.
Some of our favorite shops in Galle Fort are:
- Barefoot – on the corner of Church and Pedlar Street. This shop is the southern outpost of the stylish Colombo homeware shop.
- Orchid House -near the Dutch Hospital. This lovely shop sells beautiful handicrafts, sarongs, and gemstones.
- Stick No Bills – A fantastic design shop selling fun and colorful graphics printed on postcards and wallpaper.
Tip: Make sure to also visit the local markets in Galle Fort. Here you’ll find tropical fruits, local veggies, and Asian spices to try or take back in your suitcase as a reminder of Sri Lanka. I really enjoyed watching the locals going about their day-to-day here in Galle.
Continue reading: a day trip to Galle Fort
5. Surfing or SUPping
Ready to get in the water? Between Unawatuna and Galle, you’ll find the perfect beach to learn how to surf. The best season to come for surfing is between November and May. We rented boards and had lessons at Ahikava Surf School. Nothing tops learning how to ride the (small) waves, cooling off in the water, and rewarding yourself with a cold drink afterwards—bliss!
Tip: Prefer a slightly slower speed on the water? Grab a paddleboard during sunset instead, relax, and enjoy the moment.
6. Fitness in Unawatuna
The active lifestyle doesn’t end on the beach. In Unawatuna, you’ll find an incredible gym to get your workout in after relaxing on the soft shores for a few days. The place we went to a couple of times is Unawatuna Fitness Center, which has all the equipment (and AC!) you could need.
You can get a day pass for as little as 2 USD, and a week’s entrance is about 10 USD—there’s simply no better deal! We also found it to be a great way to connect with locals who come here to train and aren’t shy about starting a conversation. They’ll give you the best tips about everything in the area.
Also read: Dikwella, the surf & beach gem of Sri Lanka
7. Unawatuna’s Best Infinity Pool
We found the perfect little escape between Unawatuna and Galle Fort: Luna Terrace (at the Closenberg Hotel). Perched above the coastline, this dreamy spot has an infinity pool and a bar with some of the best ocean views we’ve seen in Sri Lanka. Grab a cold drink, take a dip, and just soak in the 180-degree views—it’s the ideal break from exploring nearby sites.
8. Stay at Tri Lanka
Hotel Tri is one of those special hideaways tucked near Unawatuna, right on the edge of peaceful Koggala Lake. Here, time really seems to slow down. And the sunrises and sunsets? Unreal. Watching the light shift over the lake and cinnamon plantations is a sight I’ll never forget. We stayed here for a couple of days, waking up with the mist rising off the water and ending the day wrapped in golden light.
9. Rent a Motorbike in Unawatuna
The best way to see all the beautiful sites in and around Unawatuna is by renting a motorbike. From Koggala Beach and Galle Fort to Wijaya Beach or Koggala Lake, there’s a lot to explore. For roughly 6 USD a day, you get a brand new motorbike to zoom across the region with.
We rented our motorbike from Kumari Tours, allowing us to wake up early and hop on the bike to ride past palm trees and tuk-tuks with the breeze in our hair. This is such a fun way to explore, giving you the freedom to stop for roadside coconuts and check out quieter corners of the coast.
Don’t Visit: Turtle Hatcheries
There are several small turtle hatcheries scattered throughout this region, where they care for injured turtles. These turtles are saved from being stuck in fishing nets or plastic garbage. It’s a good cause, but unfortunately, it has become a market to collect and sell the eggs to these hatcheries, and let tourists pay extra to hold the baby turtles, which we don’t support. Therefore, please skip this thing to do in Unawatuna.
Read more about wildlife tourism + the better alternatives.
How to Get to Unawatuna
Unawatuna is a laid-back beach town on the country’s southern coast and is a must-see on your Sri Lanka itinerary. It’s very well-connected to other places like Galle Fort (10-15 minutes) and even Colombo (2-3 hours).
By Car or Motorbike
Depending on your location, you can easily reach Unawatuna by motorbike or car. Explore the scenic coast and its hidden corners; you’ll have all the flexibility to do so.
We recommend to rent a car in Sri Lanka through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Rather not drive yourself? Arrange a private car, taxi, or tuk-tuk to take you to Unawatuna instead. A private transfer/taxi from Colombo costs about 35-50 USD, and a tuk-tuk from Galle is no more than 2.50 USD.
By Bus or Train
If you’re traveling on a budget, the bus or train is another great option to get to Unawatuna, Sri Lanka. From Galle Fort, buses to Matara or Tangalle stop in Unawatuna—you just have to ask the bus driver where you get off. These buses leave frequently from Galle’s main bus station.
If you’re traveling from further away, like Colombo, you can also visit by train. Look for trains from Colombo Fort to Galle (or Matara) and hop off at Unawatuna station (note that not all trains stop here) or Galle station. Then, take a tuk-tuk to Unawatuna.
Where to Stay
Although hotels and guesthouses in Unawatuna are more expensive than the average price in Sri Lanka, they’re incredibly popular and make for a great stay. From incredible beach resorts with ocean views to cozy guesthouses with private balconies, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
Best Restaurants in Unawatuna
Unawatuna is full of great little restaurants. There are plenty of options; we had something new to try for lunch and/or dinner almost every single day. Our favorite places to eat in Unawatuna are:
- Lemongrass Cafe (cafe + dinner)
- Happy Spice (cheap + local)
- SkinnyTom’s Deli (best breakfast)
- The Social Unawatuna (burgers and seafood)
Best Time to Visit Unawatuna
The best time to visit the southwest of Sri Lanka is from December until April and from July until the end of September. If you plan to go surfing, visit between November and May for the perfect conditions.
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can’t find Luna Terrace anywhere
Hi Leo, it seemed to have closed doors! We will update our guide.
Looks like it’s at the Closenberg hotel