where to stay

We are flying into colombo on 28th Jan, after having 2 weeks in India, we will have been around the ';golden triangle, then travelled by train to Chennai, and will be in need of 6 days in the sun. we are looking for beach huts, backpacker types, any ideas????, and how would we get the destinations?????

Thanks in advance....

where to stay

Hi,

I%26#39;d suggest either Unawatuna if you want quite a few other people around. Just walk along the beach and you%26#39;ll find plenty of accomodation.

Or,

Mirissa, a little further along the coast. A good guest house there is,

go-lanka.com/Mirissa/鈥cean_moon_mirissa.html

Or, if you want really quiet, further still along the south coast to the Dikwella / Tangalle area. Nilwella is my favorite spot. The Kadolana Guest house.

To get to thse places, from the airport, get the free shuttle bus into Katunayake. From there, a bus into Colombo. and from Colombo a train .

Unawatuna has a station, All included, about 5 or 6 hours

For Mirissa, get off at Matara or Welligama, then a tuk tuk or bus.All included about 6 1/2 hours

For Nilwella, train to Matara then a tuk tuk or bus.All included about 7 to 7 1/2 hours.

A car and driver is quicker if you%26#39;re flush.

Rod

where to stay

Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are fine but Mirissa is far more beautiful and totally laid back. I go by myself and always manage to meet a few other travellers to spend time with if I feel like it. It is quieter than the other two but you do get real travellers there and can get to know local people as well. Doesn%26#39;t have beach huts as such but the guest houses are fine, try Sunset at the eastern end of the beach with solar heated water, good sized rooms with balconies overlooking the beach and cheaper prices than most.

Can get there easily by train, Welligama is closest station 15 mins by tuk tuk. Buses are not so keen to stop for people with backpacks but do run straight through Mirissa on the way to Matara which is a bonus.