The resorts of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are located in the south of Sri Lanka and are popular with many tourists. Each of these resorts has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, going on vacation, you need to prioritize and choose exactly the resort, the conditions of which are right for you.
Climate
It is worth noting that, based on the favorable climatic conditions of this area, you can relax in both resorts at any time of the year. However, despite this, there are also periods favorable for a significant influx of tourists and times of relative calm. In Unawatuna, relatively unfavorable climatic conditions are observed from July to November and are almost not felt by vacationers, while in Hikkaduwa, unfavorable conditions for recreation are observed from May to October. The winds constantly blowing at this time raise high waves, and during the low season at this resort, swimming can end quite badly.
Beaches
In these two resorts, the beaches are generally quite suitable for recreation, but each of them has its own characteristics. It should be noted that the coast of Unawatuna is closely built up with restaurants and hotels, so the beach has a rather short length of up to 1 km. Despite the small size, there are no problems with the availability of sun loungers on the beach. On a small area of Uwanatuna Beach, there are all kinds of water activities. The main advantage of this beach is the natural coral reef barrier, which protects the beach from high waves. Because of this, the beach is considered the safest and most suitable for swimming. In its western part there is a specially designated place for swimming for vacationers with children.
There is another beach, Jungle Beach, a 20-minute walk from Unawatuna. You can reach it on foot along a mountain path that runs through the jungle. The trail is constantly looked after and does not allow it to overgrow, and along the trail there is a wire fence so that tourists do not get lost in the forest on the way to the beach. Jungle Beach is quite small and picturesque. It is often visited by wild monkeys begging for food from tourists. However, this beach is located near the city of Galle, so the water is often contaminated with household waste.
Hikkaduwa Beach differs from Unawatuna Beach in its enormous size and stretches along the sea coast for several kilometers. The beaches of Hikkaduwa are well equipped. Here you can easily get a sun lounger and enjoy various water activities. This beach is considered to be a great place for surfing enthusiasts, as high waves almost always rise here. However, inexperienced swimmers and vacationers with children should not swim here.
Infrastructure and attractions
If we compare the level of infrastructure development of these two resorts, then in Hikkaduwa, in this regard, it is much more comfortable. Here you can easily exchange currency and buy everything you need from local supermarkets. At the same time, it cannot be argued that there is no service in Uwanatun. It's just that if you need anything, you need to spend more time searching or go shopping for food and medicine in the nearby town of Galle. In addition, Colombo International Airport is located closer to Hikkaduwa than to Unawatuna. Therefore, the road to Unawatuna will be more expensive and take longer. However, tourist accommodation in Unawatuna is cheaper than in Hikkaduwa. Therefore, tourists who are less demanding in terms of living conditions go to Unawatuna, although inexpensive accommodation can also be found in Hikkaduwa.
In addition to a beach holiday, most tourists tend to get acquainted with local attractions. It is worth noting that they are absent in Hikkaduwa, and in Unawatuna there are small places of worship, represented by Buddhist temples and pagodas. Interesting sights can be seen by going on an excursion along the coast or inland.
The local attractions of Hikkaduwa include the National Park, but at the present time it has fallen into disrepair. There are gemstone mines not far from the city. Some of them host tourists. Here you can see how precious stones are mined and processed, and in the local shop you can buy jewelry at a reasonable price if you bargain.
Not far from Hikkaduwa on the island is the Seenigama Vihara temple, which can only be reached by boat. Among the many local places of worship, this temple is interesting in that you can ask for revenge for robbers in it. Local residents, who have become victims of thieves, go to the island to read spells in the temple, calling on the gods for a just punishment of the criminal.
In Hikkaduwa, tourists are attracted by the monument to the victims of the 2004 tsunami. A huge Buddha statue is located on a small island in the middle of a small artificial pond. Around the Buddha statue there are plaques with the names of those killed in that terrible disaster.
Not far from Hikkaduwa, there is a sea turtle farm, where guests are always welcome. Therefore, here you can hear a lot of interesting things about the life of these reptiles. For a fee, tourists can release small turtles into the sea.
In the museum of masks in Ambalangoda, you can not only watch the process of making traditional wooden masks, but also buy one of them as a souvenir.
The nearest attractions of Unawatuna are located in Galle. Among them, the most interesting for tourists is the ancient fort, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Not far from Unawatuna there is a place that is little known to tourists, but no less interesting from this. If it is not possible to visit a real national park, you can visit the Kottawa forest. This forest is a real tropical paradise, where a variety of exotic plants grow. Of course, it is difficult to see large representatives of the local fauna here, but you can admire tropical butterflies and birds. In this forest, a pool was equipped for tourists, which receives cool water from a stream.
If you go for new experiences in the center of the island, you can visit the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, as well as the Sigiriya rock, on which the ancient city of the same name was built in the 5th century.
Recommended reading Sinharaja Rain Forest, Sri Lanka.
