If you come to visit the South Coast of Sri Lanka you’ll be in tropical beach heaven. Surrounded by famous beaches, you’ll be in paradise whether you are simply a sun-lover or a keen surfer, there will be plenty for you to do. Local buses race up and down the coast, making it super easy for you to get to dozens of amazing beaches. The list is endless! You can hire a scooter and make the journey an adventure of your own
At The Rockstel, regardless if you stay in Unawatuna or in Weligama, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of must-see locations, both in the local area and further afield. This makes our hostels your perfect headquarters where you should put your backpack before going out to explore
Locally, there are a large range of sights for you to check out and a whole load of activities for you to enjoy.
kilometres from The Rockstel Unawatuna just next to the beach, you’ll find the popular Hikkaduwa, a mash up of beautiful beaches, landscapes and culture.
Get ready for a quick, cheap – yet crowded – lift from the local buses and remember to rest properly before starting your journey because Hikkaduwa has a lot to offer!
The tsunami which devastated some of the coastal areas in Sri Lanka has a very relevant role in Hikkaduwa´s recent history and that’s why you can visit attractions related to this dreadful natural disaster for example: The Tsunami Memorial, The Tsunami Education Centre and Museum, The Tsunami Photo Museum. But also, as we said, you’ll find amazing natural areas!
Get lost in Hikkaduwa National Park and have a bath in Hikkaduwa Lake. Also the temples like usual in Sri Lanka have lots of relevance, and in Hikkaduwa it´s not different! Visits to Gangarama Maha Vihara, Honganji Vihara and Seenigama Temple are the top cultural experiences you can have in Hikkaduwa.
Swimming with turtles, snorkelling and of course surfing are the water activities you just can´t miss here!
Ahangama is the perfect spot for the beach lovers, for those who fancy a great local food experience and of course waves.
The busy Ahangama town is surrounded by stunning beaches which won’t disappoint you at all!
Kabalana is the most popular beach in Ahangama where you can enjoy a day trip from The Rockstel or shred it in its famous surf spot.
Koggala is between Weligama and Unawatuna, where you’ll find our hostels, a 15-20 minutes away from any of them.
Here you must definitely visit the lake and if possible take a boat tour and learn about the cinnamon production and the Sri Lankan wildlife. If you’re lucky you may find a crocodile.
Koggala combines two kind of landscapes, from the beaches where you can see the famous stilt fishermen, to the mangroves to just disconnect from the outside world and be immersed in nature.