SRI LANKA- Bentota or Hikkaduwa

budgetflyer

Thinking of this for next year (Feb)

Which is best, Bentota or Hikkaduwa or any other beach town u recommend?

Incapuppy

Have you been to Sri Lanka before?

budgetflyer

No I've not. looking for a beach town with enough restaurants / shacks to try maybe a different one over 9 days.

Incapuppy

If it's purely a relaxing beach holiday that you are after then I should imagine that there are places with far better beaches than Sri Lanka and also it would seem such a shame to go there purely for the beach when the beautiful interior is steeped with culture and wildlife. Having said that I do understand the desire to just go somewhere and chillout and not do much as that is exactly what we chose to do this year.

A fellow MSE'er and good friend of mine visited SL this year upon my recommendation. He declared it paradise on earth and he is extremely well travelled although he did remark that he found it quite expensive compared to other places in Asia.

I have stayed in Bentota and although at that time we had chosen to go AI there are a few restaurants in the town of Aluthgama. I have also stayed in Negombo where there are plenty of bars/restaurants but I would not call that typically Sri Lankan as it's quite commercialised (in comparison to other areas) My friend swore by Unawatuna which I understand is a much more laid back resort; I will PM you with a link to his blog.

Another thing to bear in mind is the travelling time from CMB, although a new coastal highway is nearing completion you are still looking at a journey of several hours down towards the SW beaches.

The destination experts on TA are really helpful, they will be able to suggest something perfect for your requirements, I'm sure!:)

Bob_the_Saver

Look at new visa regs coming in £32 for 30days I think.

delwynshd

Sri Lanka is amazing I was there in June with work, we did a tour around the beach, I visited many hotels so could give you a bit heads up on some

I would defo not visit Sri Lanka just to sit on the beach you have to get out and see the country and its beauty, we did Safari, Elephant Orphanage, Tea trails, Kandy, and lots lots more

Del

budgetflyer

Thanks. Jungles a no go. Although Id love it, the wife has a phobia re wildlife. She can't even watch anything on the telly. When we were in the Maldives, once she saw the fish in the sea that was it- wouldn't even go for a paddle. Lucky there was a pool :-)

mystic_trev

Budgetflyer, I'd give Bentota a miss. It's got a few glitzy hotels and nice beaches, but I found it souless and boring unless you like vegging out on a sunbed all day. I'd head for Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa.

One thing I really must mention is that Visa's on arrival are being stopped at the end of this year, you'll have to apply electronically (ETA)


http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/front-page-news/56636.html


The best place I've ever stayed in Sri Lanka is here. http://hunasfalls.com/ It's in the middle of a Tea Plantation, half way up a Mountain!

budgetflyer

Having read Mr Wangs blog, Im steering towards Unawatuna.

Incapuppy

You may wish to have a plan ready should Mrs budgetflyer come face to face with a water monitor:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_monitor

We saw many of these on the beach and in the hotel grounds at Bentota, most were around 18 - 24 inches but I swear (and on the one day I didn't have my camera with me) the pool attendants had to remove one that was at least 5 foot long! I was fascinated but I can well imagine your good lady having a fit of the heebie-jeebies!

Mr_Wang

Sorry for coming in on this late.

When I was in Sri Lanka in Ella I decided it was time to head for the beach. I asked many peoples opinions and you would be amazed at the amount of different beaches I got suggested.
People think that Sri Lanka is the best place on earth for beaches but it's not. Of all the coastline there are relatively few 'picturesque' beaches.
In fact pretty much Sri Lanka is a surfers paradise, for all those who cant be arsed with Bali they head to Sri Lanka, the surf is amongst some of the best in the world and so for the average person like you that just want to relax it is insufficient.
Then there is Unawatuna - Look, without going on about it I have travelled to many many places and seen some of the best beaches in the world - Unawatuna is right up there with the best of them.
As much for the whole vibe of the place as the beauty. And it is beautiful, in fact if the Oxford Dictionary ever had pictures, beside the word 'picturesque' would be Unawatuna, it would also get mentions in the words 'perfect' 'breathtaking'... You get the point.

It truly is a memorable and special place. Go before it's too late

I mean, just look at the picture - Paradise on earth.