Hambantota is located in the far south of Sri Lanka. The city is the second largest city in Sri Lanka right after Colombo and if you are wondering what Hambantota is famous for? Then it is especially famous for its biodiversity. Hambantota district has more than 20 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and if you are an ornithologist or simply someone who loves birds, you can spot many spectacular species of birds in this area. Apart from its national parks, Hambantota is also home to several heritage sites including Buddhist places of worship and stupas. The city also boasts a vibrant nightlife and is one of the most happening places in Sri Lanka, with plenty of nightclubs and hotel bars. The food in Hambantota is very delicious. Fresh seafood will activate your taste buds instantly.
To make your Hambantota trip convenient for you, we have come up with this Hambantota travel guide. You can know about all the places to visit in Hambantota and also get important information related to your travel here.
Best time to visit Hambantota
Being a tropical region, there is not much variation in average temperatures in Hambantota, although there is a good chance of rainfall half the year. If you want to visit this place during the hottest time then you can opt for the months of April to July. This is the time when the weather is warm and comparatively warm. The peak season for tourist visit in Hambantota is during the months of December to February. This is the peak tourist season and the place is usually crowded during these months.
Things to do in Hambantota
If you are wondering what to do in Hambantota? There are many places to visit and things to do in Hambantota. You’ll never be short of space while visiting this beautiful tropical region. However, to make it more convenient for you, we have collected a list of 10 best places in Hambantota that you can visit on your Hambantota trip. To keep an eye.
1. Yala National Park
Yala National Park is probably one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park has been serving as a wildlife sanctuary since the early 1900s. You can enjoy jeep safari to roam around this wildlife sanctuary. Although the park is divided into 5 sections, only two of these sections can be visited by tourists and the rest of the area is under natural reserves. This national park is home to 55 species of animals and over 200 species of birds and during the months of January to July, you can see leopards actively roaming around the park.
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2. Bird Watching in Tissamaharama
This delightful journey will take you to Lake Weerawila, Lake Panagamuwa, Lake Debarawewa and Lake Tissa and Yodha Wewa. Through your tour you will see many known and rare bird species. This experience is like any other experience. Enjoy jeep safari to your destination and don’t forget to carry your camera.
3. Sithulpavva Temple
This rock temple is a Buddhist monastery dedicated to worship in Sri Lanka. This temple has been in existence for a long time. To reach the temple you have to cover a distance of about 30 kilometers from Yala village. Located amidst the dense forests of Yala National Park, this temple gives a very peaceful atmosphere.
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4. Ussangoda
Ussangoda in Hambantota district is a place with important geographical features and is controlled by the Archaeological Department. The soil structure here is quite unique and it is home to a wide variety of vegetation. From here, you can follow the track that leads to the beach, which serves as a nesting place for sea turtles and if you continue further, you will reach a rocky cliff, from which You can see beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.
5. Kirinda Temple
Kirinda is a lovely small village in Hambantota district. The village is home to many revered places of Buddhism. Kirinda has a beautiful beach and the Kirinda Temple is built on a huge rock on the beach. If you are visiting Kirinda, do not miss these two major attractions.
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6. Bundala National Park
This is another widely visited place in Hambantota. The 6200-acre national park is a place of natural beauty. Surrounded by 4 lagoons, this national park is beautifully landscaped with a variety of vegetation. You can spot many bird species here including the rare Greater Flamingo.
7. Hammanaya
Hummanaya or Kudawela Blowhole is another famous tourist attraction in Hambantota district. This is a very rare geological feature, which produces a very strange ho-ho-h0 sound, which is a unique feature of this blow hole. As the waves hit the rock and pass through the hole, it produces an interesting sound that you can hear while heading towards Hummanaya.
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8. Madunagala Hot Springs
Located in the Madunagala Ashram, the Madunagala hot springs are naturally formed and provide you with a very exquisite experience. There are a total of five hot springs here and local people believe that taking a dip in these springs can cure skin and eye diseases.
9. Kumana National Park
Another popular national park in Hambantota, Kumana National Park is a large bird sanctuary. This ecotourism destination is home to various bird species, including little stint, common sandpiper, yellow-footed pigeon, gray plover, Malabar trogon and Pacific golden plover and many more.
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10. Tangalle Beach
Tangalle Beach is a tropical destination for people in and around Sri Lanka. Located near the Hambantota district, Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Tangalle Beach is a must-see place. The beach extends for about 10 kilometers and is a great place to relax and unwind on your Sri Lanka holidays.
How to reach Hambantota?
The best way to reach Hambantota is via Colombo. There are many routes by which you can reach Hambantota. To reach this place you can either catch a train or take a bus. There are many buses running from Colombo that will drop you at Hambantota. Otherwise, you can always take a taxi, which may be a bit expensive or drive your private car to Hambantota.
what to pack
Since the temperature in Hambantota district remains quite hot throughout the year, make sure you pack plenty of light clothes. There are plenty of national parks you can visit, so you’ll want to pack good hiking shoes as well as a pair of slippers for the beach. Also don’t forget to pack your swimwear and sunscreen or sunglasses.
Visa and currency
The currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee and naturally Hambantota also uses the same currency. If you are a citizen of Sri Lanka you will not need a visa to visit Hambantota. On the other hand if you are a British citizen, you will need a passport validity of 6 months as well as a visa.
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So now you have all the important information about Hambantota, don’t miss the best things to visit and be well informed before planning. Hopefully this Hambantota travel guide will help you enjoy a beautiful holiday amidst the pristine beaches and beautiful places of Sri Lanka.
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