2025 Matara Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

I recently had the pleasure of spending four days exploring the stunning beaches of Matara and Weligama in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. I must say, the experience was nothing short of magical. The atmosphere in this region is truly splendid. The beaches are pristine, with crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft golden sands. Whether you're looking to relax under the shade of palm trees or dive into the refreshing waves, you'll find yourself surrounded by natural beauty that takes your breath away. One of the highlights of my trip was the incredible food. The local cuisine in Matara and Weligama is simply perfect. From fresh seafood delicacies to mouthwatering curries bursting with flavors, every meal was a delightful culinary adventure. What truly sets this region apart is the people. The locals are some of the friendliest and most hospitable individuals I have ever encountered. They welcomed me with open arms, always ready to offer a warm smile and lend a helping hand. Their genuine kindness and generosity made my stay even more memorable. In addition to the stunning beaches, Matara and Weligama offer a range of activities for every type of traveler. Surfing enthusiasts can catch some of the best waves in the area, while history buffs can explore ancient temples and colonial-era architecture. The region is also known for its vibrant wildlife, with opportunities for whale watching and turtle conservation projects. Overall, my time in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka was an unforgettable experience. The combination of breathtaking beaches, delectable cuisine, and incredibly friendly people created a truly magical atmosphere. I highly recommend visiting Matara and Weligama for anyone seeking a slice of paradise in Sri Lanka. #srilanka #weligama #Matara

located a few kilometers away from Galle, this lake provides a great opportunity for travelers to relax and unwind in this beautiful lake. You can rent a motorboat that will take you through the entire lake while witnessing several species of birds and wildlife in general. The entire tour could last approximately 2-3 hours. it’s best to plan the boat ride at a time slot that coincides with the sunset. #lakes#nationalpark

The Parawi Duwa Temple is a Buddhist Temple, situated on a beautiful small island close to Matara beach. Surrounded by the Indian ocean, it is accessible by a steel bridge. It is a beautiful and calm place, which you should not miss, when you visit Matara.

Eat. Sleep. Beach 🌊

a place in Shalanka

I had a wonderful time at Eraeliya Villas and Gardens, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. 🌿🏡 The villas were luxurious and comfortable, encircled by beautiful gardens that provided a serene and peaceful atmosphere. 🌺🍃 I enjoyed the friendly service and attention to detail in comfort. 💖🌟 The resort was an ideal place to relax with various leisure activities and excursions. 🏊♂️🚴♀️ The restaurant's food was delicious and diverse, offering options to satisfy all tastes. 🍽️😊 It was an experience that was both fun and tranquil.

🏝 Mirissa is a warm, tranquil, and comfortable beautiful harbor in Sri Lanka, known as the 'teardrop of the Indian Ocean'. ☑️Recommended activities: 🔹 Mirissa Beach retains its natural charm, quiet and leisurely, very suitable for daydreaming and a relaxing vacation. 🔹 Mirissa is also a surfing hotspot in Sri Lanka, with waves that are perfect for beautiful turns, and the morning is the best time. 🔹 Sri Lanka is one of the world's great whale-watching spots, where you can see large groups of dense and elegant blue whales approaching the coast. The best time for whale watching in Mirissa is from November to April, and it usually takes 3-5 hours, with an average duration of 4 hours. 🌟Special highlights: There is a unique Sri Lankan fishing method here called 'stilt fishing'. Fishermen sit on wooden poles erected in the sea, as if they are fishing on stilts, calm and composed. 🚙Transportation: It costs about seventy bucks to take a taxi from Galle to Mirissa, and there is also a direct bus, which takes about an hour. It costs more than two hundred bucks to take a taxi from Mirissa to Yala, which takes two and a half hours. 📸Photography tips: Stilt fishermen can only be seen in the morning, and the time of sunrise is very photogenic.

🐠 February 6th Strolling around Kandy Lake + Temple of the Tooth + Royal Botanical Gardens Visited the Temple of the Tooth in the morning, where removing shoes was required. There was a shoe storage service available for a fee. In the afternoon, took a tuk-tuk to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which felt very much like being in the South China Botanical Garden. The schedule for the following days was quite tight, as each attraction was far from the next, resulting in long travel times on the road. 🐬 February 7th Took a train to the Nuwara Eliya tea plantations, visited DAMRO TEA. First-class tickets were impossible to get, even when trying to buy them a day in advance. So there were only second and third-class seats available, which, aside from the price, seemed no different. Seats were on a first-come, first-served basis, just like on a bus, very crowded. After leaving the train station, took a taxi to the hotel in the tea plantation. The scenery along the way was beautiful, with lots of greenery, and the temperature was also a few degrees cooler than in Kandy. The driver offered to take us to the tea plantation and even stopped at a post office to take pictures for us, where we also wrote postcards. After returning from the tea plantation, we walked to a nearby lake and enjoyed the beautiful scenery before sunset. By the time we returned to the hotel and came back out for a walk, it had already gotten dark. A walk around the lake and then back to the hotel. We didn't visit Horton Plains here, which was a bit of a regret; The guesthouse we stayed at had a great environment, with a suite that included 2 rooms and a kitchen for cooking. The owner mentioned that Chinese people had stayed here before and would cook their meals. The owner's family was very friendly. 🐟 February 8th Took the tea plantation train, then a taxi to Mirissa Beach We got up early in the morning to take a walk nearby because the scenery was beautiful. Then we checked out and took the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, just to experience the tea plantation train. It was indeed inconvenient to move around with 2 suitcases. At Ella train station, we discussed taxi fares to Mirissa Beach and happened to meet a driver who was returning empty to Mirissa, so he agreed to our price. The journey of over 3 hours was hot and bumpy, but we finally arrived at Mirissa. The driver stopped at a waterfall for us to take pictures. We checked into the hotel, which was a bit run-down. After dropping off our luggage, we went to the beach for a walk and climbed a small rock to watch the sunset. In the evening, we casually ate at a roadside shop because we were exhausted from the entire journey. 🐳 February 9th Galle Old Town In the morning, we strolled along Mirissa Beach and had breakfast by the sea, enjoying the leisurely view. Then we checked out of the hotel and looked up the bus route on Google Maps. After asking locals where the bus station was, we took a bus to Galle Old Town. The bus fare was very cheap, 162 rupees per person (about ¥3.8). After getting off the bus, we took a tuk-tuk to the old town, where we found that most drivers were unwilling to go inside. Those willing to go demanded 500 rupees. We arrived at the hotel early and had to wait for a room, so we went to find lunch and then explored the old town.

#thingstodo Eraeliya is fully deserving its 5* rating. The rooms, suites and villas are tastefully and uniquely decorated with much love and attention to detail. The beautiful grounds and gardens are maintained immaculately. The undisturbed oceanfront location affords stunning views over the ocean with unforgettable sunsets. Even though jungle beach is a favourite launching point for surfers, the sandy cove is also one of the few Sri Lanka beaches for safe swimming. The high level of service and quality of food are additional highlights. Breakfast is huge and stunning, and the catch of the day is the freshest and most tastefully prepared fish you will find anywhere. The owner Njuri, and the entire staff are fully dedicated to pamper their guests, and ensure their wellbeing. They provide service at its best! Our beachfront villa was simply perfect, enjoying the view from our private terrace was amazing. The style and design of the villa in beautiful. The main area with pool is the perfect spot to spend your day relaxing on the sunbeds or the hammocks. The staff is very nice and the food is delicious. The relatively small size of the estate with only 9 rooms and villas affords a much more private and intimate atmosphere. Once you arrive, you have no desire to go outside again. Truly, a small slice of paradise!

welcome to Surfing in Midigama #springholiday#travelinspiration#couplestrip#staycation

In the morning, I was woken up by the bird's alarm clock in the forest. When I was eating breakfast on the outdoor long table, I accidentally won the first prize. When I left the National Park, I saw a group of sika deer in the distance~ I left the Yala National Park. On the way to the beach, Dissa Lake, there are several trees on the lakeside. It is recommended to have time to park and take a photo. After we went to the beach and took a sorghum fisherman fishing, John told us not to tip it yourself, he would pay for it, but if we need to go to the stilts to take pictures, we must give ourselves a tip of 1000 rupees, there is a tap on the beach to wash Feet~ At the beginning of the scene, we only had one group of people. Later, the photo was taken and two people were coming. The photo effect is quite good. It is also very suitable for parents to climb up and take a few shots. It is especially special, but if you want to shoot humanities, you may be disappointed. Moreover, most tourists can only photograph the usual blue sea and blue sky. If there is a colorful cloud at dusk, there is a chance to look at luck and must have time to consume.

Merisa is not far from Galle, about half an hour's drive, but in between these two places, there is a very famous attraction, that is, the sorghum fisherman. The Sorghum fisherman has a long history and is a unique cultural landscape on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Since the cover of the 2009 Lonely Planet Tourists brochure, a photo of a seaside fisherman has been published, replacing the human identity of the Sri Lankan tamer and tea-picking woman. Sorghum fishing, a local traditional fishing method, is nicknamed "the world's most cattle fishing method" and has become a must-see for visitors to Galle. The name of the sorghum fisherman is translated from the English "Stilt Fisherman". It is said that the fishermen who had no money to buy a boat before came up with this method. The wooden piles are erected in the waves of the sea, and the fishermen waddle each day to reach the wooden piles soaked in the sea water, climb up and sit on the simple wooden frame, hold the fishing rod without the bait, sit on the wooden frame, wait for the fish to hook . Looking far away, it is like a group of anglers who stand on the stilts and stand in the sea. The skills that have been passed down from generation to generation must not only have a good balance, but also withstand the double test of sea breeze and daylight, while paying close attention to the prey in the raging sea. It is indeed not a simple job, and it is no wonder that it has become Sri Lanka now. One of the iconic images. But today, it's a bit different. The sorghum fishermen are mostly used as a show to show visitors to Galle, and the performance is subject to a fee.

The water in Mirissa is very blue. I must choose a sea view room. I have a house facing the sea and spring blossoms. I believe this poem must affect many people invisibly, because Haizi has said many peoples desires. . Undoubtedly, I am one of them. The hotel I stayed at in Mirissa is the sea. This feeling is really wonderful. If you are lucky in the morning, you can see the sorghum fisherman fishing. It is said that this is a show scene that only pays to see. In the early morning, the sorghum fisherman is independent. He is still sticking to the fishing methods passed down from generation to generation. The ability to balance, to withstand the sea breeze, daylight, while paying close attention to the prey in the turbulent sea water is indeed not a simple job, and it is no wonder that it has become one of the iconic images of Sri Lanka today. [Tips] Traffic

Such a fascinating coastline is hard to imagine. The seaside town of Matara was the hardest hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Today we came to Matara, the blue sky and white clouds, the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, the civic life in the city is orderly, and it is impossible to imagine the horror when the waves more than 30 meters high meet the face of Matara. It disappeared... LP's evaluation of this seaside town is that the very quiet seaside town, with few tourists patronizing, rushes to these two points, all kinds of big love. Walking against the sun on the beach, I feel that today's sunset will be awesome. The waves flocked to the beach. On the pure sand, the white waves formed a silver curve, and seemed to want to leave their footprints on the beach, but as the tide receded, the sea slowly receded. There is no trace on the clean beach, as if it had passed from the future. Enjoy the trip and enjoy the sea in the Indian Ocean. Sunset glows the western horizon into a red, like a beautiful oil painting, the most beautiful Ceylon painted. Matara colonial architectural relics, there are many colonial buildings in the place near Matara Station, and interested friends can visit.

Sri Lanka has more than 1,000 kilometers of stretch of coastline, away from the beaches of Mirissa in Colombo, one of the most beautiful secrets of the country. Clear blue waters, coral reefs and mossy boulders dotted with sandy beaches. What is even more rare is that she has not been known by the public, and still retains the original natural ecology. In addition to Mirissa Beach, there is a hidden and just-known Secret beach nearby. There is a beautiful lagoon surrounded by coral reefs near the beach, a paradise for snorkelers.

The beautiful Mirissa Beach is a bright pearl in the southern part of Sri Lanka. The jasper waters, the long sandy beaches and the elegant coastline make it a fascinating picture. Into this fascinating beach, enjoying the most beautiful and beautiful beauty of nature, you can't help but fall in love with this slow and beautiful life.

Speaking of southern Sri Lanka, the most famous is the ancient fishing method of the sorghum fishermen, who let people see the great wisdom of the ancient working people and the continuous learning of nature. Into the sorghum fisherman, walked into a magical historical fishing style, they are on the isolated stilts, fighting against the raging sea, it is a tribute.

Before I came to Sri Lanka, I was impressed by the pictures of the sorghum fishermen I saw in the magazine. On the blue sea, a few dark fishermen sat on simple wooden stakes and became a special scenery. The appearance of the sorghum fisherman is mainly on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, mainly in the shallow waters. This unique fishing method can be seen in the area from Merisa to Galle. The sorghum fishing is a traditional fishing method in the country. The card's unique cultural landscape is known as "the world's most cattle fishing method."

The sorghum fisherman was once the most representative picture of Sri Lanka. They are mainly concentrated in the shallow waters of the southwestern coast, from Galle to the shores of Mirissa. Since the cover of the 2009 Lonely Planet Tourists brochure, a photo of a seaside fisherman has been published, replacing the human identity of previous Sri Lankan elephants and tea-picking women. The traditional fishing method of sorghum fishing is nicknamed the world's most cattle fishing method and has become a must-see for visitors to Galle.

This is an accidental and wonderful experience. In fact, in addition to the beach, Mirissa has nothing to play with. At this time, it was at noon on the hot sun, very exposed. If you go to the beach at this time, it is estimated that only the self-torture of the Europeans and Americans will go to the sun, we still have to stay in the town to escape the heat. And I was bored. I found out that a kindergarten next to it was doing an activity and went in and looked at it. In addition, I didn't just break into it, but after I stood at the door for a long time, the teacher inside waved me in! Because it is near noon, the children are playing on the playground~

There are still quite a lot of expectations for Mirissa before coming. Whether it is a friend's mouth, or heard online. But coming here, to be honest, it is still as high as expected. Mirissa was originally an ordinary town, but it became a pure tourist destination because of the vast beaches. I believe that the number of foreign tourists in the town is far greater than the locals. . And mainly European and American tourists, who makes them particularly fond of Sunshine Beach. However, the beaches here are far from the rest of Southeast Asia such as Phuket and Bali, and the beaches of foreign tourists make it less local. Before watching other travel notes, if you like to be busy, go to Mirissa, but it is more recommended to be Tanjal. It is quiet and beautiful. Indeed, if you choose to choose again, you may choose to go to Tangal. I believe that there will be more "Lanka" over there.

Sri Lanka's Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to watch blue whales. From December to April, it is the best time to watch whales in Sri Lanka. There are many shipping companies selling tickets in Mirissa. The fares are different. Of course, the performance of the ships is different. The price of the big ships is cheaper. Generally, the price is only one hundred to two hundred yuan. Better, because they will be oversold, for many passengers, they can only sit on the second floor deck without seats. Smaller yachts will cost more, generally more than three hundred yuan, the first and second floors have good views, there will be no oversold conditions, to ensure that every visitor can have a seat, breakfast and small dessert.

The most distinctive cultural landscape in southern Sri Lanka. The fisherman inserted a wooden stick into the sea and sat on a single tree for fishing. It is a unique culture in the area. Since the cover of the 2009 Lonely Planet Tourists brochure, a photo of a seaside fisherman has been published, replacing the human identity of the Sri Lankan tamer and tea-picking woman. The traditional fishing method of sorghum fishing is nicknamed the most cattle fishing method in the world and has become a must-see for visitors to Galle. They have a long history and are unique cultural landscapes on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. So even the latest 09 edition LP (Lonely Planet Traveler's Handbook) Sri Lanka cover is a photo of a seaside fisherman Sri Lankan sorghum fishermen are mainly concentrated in the shallow waters of the southwest coast, from Galle to the coast of Mirissa . The fishermen basically waded into the wooden piles soaked in the sea water, climbed up, sat on the simple wooden frame, opened the fishing rods, and then the fishing moment, their goal is to swim a lot of sardines in the shallow sea area. Sometimes luck is good, there are fish hooks every minute, you have to be amazed to know that their fishing rods have no bait.

Mirissa Town is one of the few sacred sites in Sri Lanka, and is very popular among European and American tourists. The beaches of Mirissa are only about 1 km away. Local children will play volleyball here. There are surfers playing in the sea all the time until the sun goes down, night beaches It's a bar and a BBQ, just feeling that mosquitoes will be more than that. Every evening, there are a lot of surfers coming to the beach , often envious of foreigners' attitude towards travel! When we were young, we were always protected so well that we have a skeptical attitude towards many outdoor sports. When we watched the Chinese people holding umbrellas under the sun, we wrapped ourselves tightly. Really envious of the free and easy of foreigners! In addition to Mirissa, you can also take a boat trip to the sea to watch whales and dolphins, just a boat that is close to 5 hours, all the girls in our team are drunk and dreamy, seeing things are not as imaginative wonderful.

Almost every book about Lanka is covered with a picture of a sorghum fisherman. Some people say that now the Lankans have no need to fish in this way, and all the fishermen are posing. It is also said that at 4 or 5 in the morning, you can still see the real fishing fisherman. Today, the fisherman climbs the pole and is still the way to make a living. Just climbing the pole is probably not for fishing, but for performance. Why should we go to the truth, are they performing or really fishing? Tradition can be preserved.

In Weligama, the most primitive stilt fishermen were seen. The fishermen waded into the wooden piles soaked in the sea, climbed up, sat on the wooden frame and sarded the sardines, and hooked the fish almost every minute, focusing on their fish. There is no bait.

Sri Lanka's half-month tour has also gone to many beaches, but the most favorite is Talalla Beach. There are few tourists here. There is a resort hotel on the beach. It feels like sitting on the sea and it feels great. Originally, I only wanted to stay for a day. Later, I didnt know how to live. I stayed for two or three days. Every day, I will wear different skirts to go to the beach, and I can do whatever I want. Anyway, no one can shoot the waves when the tide is high. The rocks on the beach are also excellent for taking photos. There is no such name as Mirissa, but it is definitely a small secret with a good scenery and few people. It will definitely not regret it.

Matara is a small town on the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka. Originally there was no Matara on our itinerary, and the destination for that day was Mirissa. As we sailed along the seaside road, a distant building, or a building suddenly appeared in the sea, forming a wonderful silhouette in the afternoon light. The silhouette was wrapped in the shackles of the sea, and the flying birds were not hovering around it, as if they were dreaming, they fell at a glance. Later, we know that this is called Matler, and the building we saw was a temple on the sea. On the same day, we changed our itinerary and stayed here for one night.