Tangalle, Sri Lanka: Attractions

The resort village of Tangalle is just beginning to declare itself as one of the tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Infrastructure is actively developing here, hotels are being built, restaurants and shops are opening. In 2004, the area suffered from a tsunami, then it took a long time to recover. Today, the resort offers vacationers spacious beaches with tropical vegetation, beautiful landscapes, a variety of excursions to local attractions.

Mulkirigala Cave Temple (Raja Maha Viharaya)

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To visit the royal cave temple of Mulkirigala (Raja Maha Viharaya) considers it his duty every traveler who came here. The shrine is located 20 km north of Tangalle, so it is worth hiring a tuk-tuk or renting a scooter. The temple was founded at the end of the 3rd century BC. The initiator of the construction was King Kavanthissa. With him, a golden statue of Buddha was installed in the cave, and the entire temple ensemble was erected under his son – King Saddatiss.

The complex consists of 7 caves and 5 terraces. The highest point of the temple is at an altitude of 270 meters, 533 stone steps lead to it. In addition to religious functions, the place is the main attraction of the district. Here you can see the frescoes of the Kandyan period, restored in the 18th century, the sacred Bodhi tree, the royal secret passage (they will not be allowed inside, since the cobra family lives there), several stupas. From the upper platform offers an amazing panoramic view. The temple is open to the public during the daytime. Entrance fee is Rs 200.

Rekawa Lagoon

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3 km from Tangalle is the Rekawa Lagoon. The coastal pond is a popular holiday destination for tourists. On the banks covered with mangroves, several populations of birds live. Local fishermen are engaged here in the fishing of shrimp, crustaceans and fishing. Excursions around the lagoon are often organized by hotels where travelers live. There is only one 5-star complex – “Buckingham Place”. In their reviews, vacationers do not advise to expect more from guest houses than they can give. But those who are tired of the city noise and want to wake up surrounded by herons, ibises, parrots and other ornithological animals need to spend their holidays here.

The most popular hotels are: “AMOUR AT TURTLE BEACH”, “Hideaway Lodge”, bungalow “Peacock Family Stay”. Breakfast is served everywhere, everyone is built in the jungle, the distance to the nearest deserted beach is about 500 m. In the 80s, a dam was built that regulates the water level in the reservoir. The shrimp fishing season runs from October to April. You can take part in this exciting safari, and then bake the catch on the coals in your hotel. On the shores of the lagoon there are rental points for boats, catamarans and canoes.

Turtle Beach

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If you go from Tangalle to the east, you can visit turtle beach. It is 10 km from the resort. Representatives of 5 species of sea turtles swim here to lay eggs in hot sand. In the early 80s, Sri Lanka adopted a program aimed at saving these reptiles. Hunting them and collecting eggs for human consumption were prohibited. Now fishermen can collect clutches only in order to transfer them to specialized farms. They have all the conditions for the birth and short adaptation of turtles.

A tour of the beach will take about an hour and will cost Rs 1,000. Another thousand will have to be spent on tuk-tuk to get from Tangalle to the place. The uniqueness of this beach lies in the fact that turtles come ashore throughout the year. In the high season, 10-15 individuals are laid here per night, from April to October their number decreases to 1-2.

Wewurukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya

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You can go inland to visit the unique Buddhist temple of Wewurukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya. It is 15 km from Tangalle. This is an active religious site, so it is always crowded. Locals come here in whole buses to take part in the ritual, conduct a general meditation or participate in holidays. The construction of the temple began during the reign of King Rajaradha (18th century). The oldest building has stood here since 1870. Until the 70s of the twentieth century, walls were painted here, sculptures were installed, stupas were built.

On the territory of the complex there are: three houses of the Buddha image, a huge Buddha statue 50 meters high (installed in 1970), a museum with an old tower clock, which, thanks to the special protection of mechanisms, still work, a staircase leading to the head of the largest sitting Buddha on the island. The road from Tangalle usually takes about half an hour if you use a bus or tuk-tuk. Entrance fee is Rs 100. Near the entrance, you need to take off your shoes, cover your shoulders and knees.

Hummanaya’s Howling Hole

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The natural attraction is located 11 km from Tangalle near the village of Kudavella. Not far from the beach among the coastal rocks there is a fault in the rock with a height of 13 meters. With a frequency of 15-20 minutes, a wave hits the shore and splash streams rush upwards with a 30-meter fountain, making howling sounds. This place is nicknamed the “breath of the ocean/whale”, and in tourist brochures it is indicated as a “howling hole”.

For foreign tourists, the entrance fee to the territory is 250 rupees. The locals can be understood. Their village of Kudavella was badly damaged during the last tsunami. The village community thus earns money on the restoration of infrastructure. The road to the sights in any case passes through this settlement, where you can buy delicious fried fish, homemade souvenirs-trinkets, soft drinks. Near the ticket office, enthusiasts built an improvised museum. On the lawn there is a rib and vertebra of a whale. Locals do everything to ensure that travelers get as much information as possible about their small homeland.

Address: Kudavella Village, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Bundala National Park

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Bundala National Park is an hour’s drive from Tangalle. Since 1990, it has been recognized as an object of international importance, although it has been considered a protected area since 1969. Today it is one of the four biosphere reserves of Sri Lanka. You can get around it in 3 hours, at the same time get acquainted with the unique ecosystem and observe the life of several hundred species of birds. Some of the populations live here year-round, others come here for the winter. They settle on the shores of water bodies, and also share the jungle with representatives of mammals. The territory is rich in fish, reptiles, several species of amphibians. Here you can see over 50 species of butterflies, dragonflies and other insects.

The most visited lakes are those where pink flamingos live. There are also ibises, marabou, pelicans, herons and other representatives of the bird kingdom. Of the mammals, there are Sri Lankan subspecies of Indian elephants and zambara, families of wild boars, buffaloes, jackals, as well as leopards, sponge bears and porcupines. The multifaceted nature of the jungle is represented here in all its splendor. Entrance ticket for adults costs $ 10, for children – $ 5. Payment is made in local currency at the exchange rate.

Address: Weligatta, Sri Lanka

Kalamethia Bird Sanctuary

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Acquaintance with the local nature should continue in the bird sanctuary of Kalamethia. It is a 30-minute drive from Tangalle. The status of a special zone was assigned to it in 1938. Nature itself has created unique conditions for living and wintering hundreds of species of birds. On the territory there are reservoirs with banks covered with mangroves. Tourists are offered water excursions around the lagoon. One walk takes 2 hours. Experienced travelers advise to go to Kalamethia early in the morning or evening. In the daytime, birds usually hide from the sun in dense thickets.

The reserve is home to 150 species of birds. Another 54 species come here for the winter. After walking along the lagoon, it is worth going ashore at the mouth. There is a sandstone reef, as well as a wide beach, where 5 species of sea turtles come to lay eggs. These are green, leathery, loggerhead turtles, Loot and Loggerhead. If you are lucky, you can personally see the process of masonry, although mostly it occurs at night. Entrance to the beach is free. You will have to pay only for a tour of the lagoon. There is no fixed price, who agrees.

Address: Ambalantota, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Ridiyagama Safari Park

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This is the first safari park in the history of Sri Lanka. The Department of National Zoological Gardens has launched a flagship project for hunters traveling in the south of the island. If in the early 20s of the last century the organization trained animals for sending to zoos in Europe and America, today the type of their activity has expanded significantly. One of the directions was the organization of hunting for wild animals in the jungle. This attracted the attention of safari lovers, who had previously traveled only to Africa. The tourist department of the country supported the idea, so hotels have been built in the area of Ridiyagama Park, providing guests with fashionable conditions and service of the highest class.

The area of the park is 500 acres. It is divided into 6 zones, 4 of which are inhabited by predators, and 2 territories are intended for herbivores. The first in 2016 were discovered areas of residence of African lions, Indian elephants and the World Zone with a set of animals living in different parts of the world. A little later, the African, Asian and Australian zones were opened. The cost of the safari depends on the choice of the object of hunting. The reservations department is open from 08:30 to 16:30. When ordering, you need to specify the date and time of arrival, the number of adult and children’s tickets. There is a zoo in the park, which will be interesting to visit with your child.

Address: Safari Park-Ridiyagama 82106 Ridiyagama, Sri Lanka

Official website: http://nationalzoo.gov.lk/zoo/safari-park/

Yala National Park

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Sri Lanka’s other national park, Yala, is almost a 2-hour drive away. In 1900, a reserve was created here, and in 1938 it was given the status of a National Park. It is home to 44 species of mammals. Among them is the Sri Lankan subspecies of Indian elephants, the largest population of leopards, herds of buffaloes and mustangs roam the territory, an angler cat lives near water bodies, and flocks of Ceylon macaques jump through the trees. All this splendor of life in the wild can be seen during the “Jeep Safari” tour.

Hunting in the reserve is prohibited, so the safari is of an introductory nature and includes a photo shoot. Participation can be bought as part of an excursion group or hire a local guide as a driver and accompanying person. You can plan a half-day trip or stay here for a few nights to feel the power and beauty of the local nature. For a stop in the park there are campsites and authentic hotels. The latter are interesting because they are made with absolute compliance with ECO standards.

Address: 811A, Jayanthipura,Battaramulla, Sri Lanka (head office)

Official website: https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/

 

 

Ботанический сад Dry Zone Botanic Gardens – Hambantota

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An hour’s drive from Tangalle is the unique Botanical Gardens. It is located in the Hambantota area. The area was badly damaged after the 2004 tsunami and is now in the recovery phase. One of the first objects of tourist infrastructure was reconstructed precisely the Botanical Garden. Tourists come here from all over the world to get acquainted with its unique ecosystem. It unites 4 major lagoons – Bundala, Embilicalala, Malala, Koholankala. Their shores are inhabited by different species of birds. For recreation there are landscaped beaches with cafes and restaurants. You can come here alone, but the territory will be allowed only as part of an excursion. Tours are held on jeeps because of the huge areas that the garden occupies.

Address: Hambantota, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

A trip around Tangalle will bring pleasure to nature lovers. After all, even unique Buddhist temples here are not built on ordinary sites. Despite the fact that the entrance to the facilities is paid, in fact, for tourists, excursions cost mere pennies. The resorts of the Southern Province are gradually becoming a popular holiday destination for travelers.

Attractions Tangalle on map