Tour of South Coast of Sri Lanka
The region's varied attractions make it one of Sri Lanka's most rewarding areas to visit. Gateway to the south and one of its highlights is the atmospheric old port of Galle, Sri Lanka's best-preserved colonial town, while beyond Galle stretch a string of picture-perfect beaches including Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalla.
Nearby, the little-visited town of Matara, with its quaint Dutch fort, offers a further taste of Sri Lanka's colonial past, while ancient Tissamaharama makes a good base from which to visit two of the country's finest national parks: the placid lagoons and birdlife-rich wetlands of Bundala, and Yala, famous for its elephants and leopards. Beyond Tissamaharama lies the fascinating religious centre of Kataragama, whose various shrines are held sacred by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alike.
