Sri Lanka’s Southern Province offers a variety of reasons to travel: UNESCO cultural heritage in Galle, religious and archaeological sites, protected landscapes and activities by the sea. Galle Fort, a wetland such as Bundala and water sports in Hikkaduwa appeal to different interests.
Cultural Heritage and History
Galle Fort is a historic, archaeological and architectural heritage monument; as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is inscribed under criterion IV. These three attributes show that the site can be explored equally through its history, archaeological heritage and architecture. The lighthouse at Dondra Point in Matara District was built in 1887. Matara Bodhiya is a sacred fig tree in Matara City. Ussangoda is a designated archaeological site near the Ambalantota–Nonagama Junction in Hambantota District of the Southern Province. Tissamaharama served as the capital of the Kingdom of Ruhuna for centuries. The cultural points of interest thus range from a religious site and archaeological site to a structure with a specific construction date and a long-standing political role.
Forests, Wetlands and Wildlife
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve spans the Southern Province and Sabaragamuwa and includes Sri Lanka’s last extensive tract of primary lowland rainforest. In Hambantota District, Bundala National Park is home to 197 bird species. In 1991, it became Sri Lanka’s first wetland to be designated a Ramsar site; its ecological profile includes seven terrestrial habitat types and six wetland types. Yala National Park lies in both the Southern Province and Uva Province. Its ecosystems range from wet monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is also home to 215 bird species, including six species endemic to Sri Lanka. Bundala can thus be viewed in terms of its wetlands and birdlife, and Yala in terms of the range of its ecosystems and species. Doovili Ella in Galle District is a waterfall about 40 metres high. Mirijjawila Dry Zone Botanical Garden is one of five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka.
Coast and Sea
Hikkaduwa offers opportunities for surfing and snorkelling. Its coral sanctuary is a shallow reef area with colourful fish and large turtles. There are also more than four shipwrecks off Hikkaduwa that divers can explore. Hummanaya Blowhole is the only known blowhole in Sri Lanka. Blue whales, Bryde’s whales, sperm whales, fin whales and several dolphin species can be spotted eight to ten nautical miles off the coast, near Mirissa Harbour. Whale and dolphin sightings are seasonal and variable; take these fluctuations into account when planning your trip around them. Hikkaduwa and Mirissa thus represent different marine themes: water sports, reefs and wrecks on the one hand, and seasonal wildlife sightings on the other.
If several themes appeal to you, rank them according to your personal priorities and use the relevant place names as your first search terms for hotels in the Southern Province.
Explore more destinations: Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kirinda, Matara, Ussangoda, Wirawila, Hattaka, Debarawewa, Baddegama, Telikada, Talpe, Habaraduwa, Neluwa, Elpitiya, Walasmulla, Koralegama, Kamburugamuwa, Ethkandura, Beliatta, Heenatigala, Mattala, Weligatta, Narawala, Ihala Keembiya, Kudawella, Gandara, Hungama.
For the broader travel overview: Sri Lanka.
