Galle, Mirissa, Unawatuna and South Coast Beaches. (Dec 2017)
This was our second time together to Sri Lanka but it as Arosh’s 5th visit after migrating to Melbourne in 1995. We wanted to a place to relax and thought we should try resort in the old Dutch port city of Galle. We just fell in love with this place!
Travel
We flew from Melbourne, Australia to Colombo with Emirates via Singapore. Its relatively a short flight with 1hr layover in Singapore to stretch your legs and arms out. There are direct flights to Colombo from all major cities in Australia with Sri Lankan Airlines. This is the shortest flight at around 10hrs from MEL. Other airlines include Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Qantas with transit in Singapore as well.
Busy season is from December till middle of February. In offseason tickets can be cheap as AUD$695 return. (May 2018). We paid around AUD$1500 per ticket and 10% for the baby, who got 10kg luggage allowance and dedicated bassinet, which was travelling in the busy christmas rush.
Stay
We saw a special on booking.com for Amari Resort, a new resort that opened in Galle in Oct 2017. It wasn’t cheap as we booked it last minute and we wanted a bigger room so the baby had enough space to play. We paid AUD$1200 for 4nights. We gave it 7 out of 10 for the hotel. It had a beautiful lobby and entrance but the rest of the resort had this finish feel to it.
There are lots of new hotels popping up along the coast near Galle, and if you book early enough you should get a good deal around USD$150 – USD$250 in the off season.The Sri Lankan service is amazing so any hotel or resort you stay at will be a great experience.
Amari Resort, Galle
Far Horizons Villa, Unawatuna
If you are travelling as a family this 5 bedroom villa on top of the Unawatuna hill is the perfect place to stay. With stunning view of the beach and 15min walk down the hill you can easily reach Sri Lanka’s best beaches. The villa is equipped with chef, a daily tuk tuk ride and 50ft infinity pool to enjoy the perfect sunset on the beach.
Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle
Jetwing Lighthouse is one of the best Galle hotels that boasts of splendid architecture and location, with 5-10min tuk tuk ride to the centre of Galle and Galle Fort.
Galle Fort – MUST SEE
Located 10mins drive from Amari Resort is the UNESCO Heritage listed old Dutch Fort. This is now one of the busiest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance.
Lighthouse, is one picturesque parts located on the tip of the Fort. You can walk along the wall around the fort on the small walking tracks. *We found it hard with pram as there was no disable access ramps. But once we got onto the path it was a lot easier.
Magnificent Galle Fort Lighthouse, Picture taken by Mavic Pro Drone
There are a lot of places to eat and drink within the fort. As with most tourist attractions the prices are expensive. If you are a vegetarian or want a cheap all you can eat meal, we found this little hut just on the main Church Street called Coconut Sambol. All you can of tradition not so spicy Sri Lankan food for Rs850 per person. (AUD $8)
Jungle Beach
Jungle Beach Unawatuna, is a small isolated beach close to Galle and Unawatuna Beach in Sri Lanka. You can get there with a tuk-tuk, on a narrow and steep path through the jungle. The start is very crowded with tourist but as you keep following the track the crowds disappear.
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna is one of the famous tourist beaches in Sri Lanka. It’s popular with locals and tourist alike. beware of the street vendors that come and sell you hand made items. You can have beautiful view from up the hilltop of the entire beach.
Be sure to visit Temple on the edge of beach, Unawatuna Devol Devalaya.
Kyrosh Travels 