Top Things to do in Matara
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7 Things to Do in Matara That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Matara, Sri Lanka including Nandana Tea Factory, Snake Farm, Weherahena Buddhist Temple, Polhena Beach, Matara Beach, Visit Weligama, Matara Paravi Duwa Temple.
Restaurants in Matara
1. Nandana Tea Factory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By family_fareX3
A little under 20 km from Matara (and a bit over half an hour by tuktuk) is the Nandana Tea Factory run by the Wanigasekara family.
Its a great visit with a leisurely and informative walk thru the Gardens with Gunasome, the third generation owner. You won't experience a more informative or entertaining botany lesson than this with many herbs and other medicinal plants explained (and occasionally tasted)
This is also a really interesting contrast to the big tea factories as Nandana is a small producer that services around 900 small local farmers.
There is then a tour of the tea factory followed by tastings.
You can choose to buy tea at the end (and we did) but there was no pressure to do so. There is also a small but nice selection of cakes and nibbles to purchase.
2. Snake Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By Becca G
Very interesting and educational. We saw numerous snakes including 3 types of Cobras and we got to hold a few none venomous snakes.
The guy was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I'm glad that the snakes are released back into the wild at Yala national park after 2 week's as I feel that the snake farm is now more a tourist attraction then a place for research.
The only complaint I have is it was a quite distressing seeing the guy antagonize the poor cobras. He was clearly doing it for us so we could see the snake with its hood up and I felt it was a little unnecessary. I also thought that we were allowed to give a donation at the end but apparently it's a set price of 1000 rp..
3. Weherahena Buddhist Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Aadhes - Colombo, Sri Lanka
We went to this place after a long time, it looks much cleaner than earlier days.
This is a Buddist temple where you find lots of local pilgrims visit in groups.
If you are a tourist please be properly dressed and have a camera with lots of storage capacity.
This temple has a tunnel down the main statue with thousands of artwork (not very ancient but fairly old) Once you finished the walk you will come to the elevated surface where you have steps to climb by the side of the huge Buddha statue, it's really amazing. you really feel the vibration of the temple. Once you reach the top you get an aerial view of the surroundings. It's GEEN GREEN and GREEN. you will appreciate the unspoilt greenery.
Please be advised no hats permitted and you can walk to the top it's not difficult.All are permitted to visit if you have some time. visit the museum (collection of gifts came to the temple) on the ground level of the temple.
This is very close to Matara town and there are enough public transport including the bus.
4. Polhena Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 219 reviews
Reviewed By Balaji J - Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Polhena Beach is one of the safest beach to swim because the waves do not come in as it is sheltered by a reef ofshore. it will be like swimming in a swimming pool.
it is located about 5 kms from Matara town. Matara is connected to Colombo via a Southern expressway so your travel time is just 2 hours. You do not have to enter Matara town. You will exit the southern expressway and head towards Matara town. In the second signal (T-junction) turn right into the Galle road and you will have to drive for about 3 kms. it is also connected by train. Train journey will take about 3 1/2 hours. Most part of train journey is close to the sea coast and there are many a time during the journey you can see Beaches from the train. From Matara town or train station you can take a tuk tuk for less than 500 LKR. You can also take a local bus that goes to Weligama or Galle and take a tuk tuk from the main road.
To reach the beach you will have to drive less than a km from the main road ( Matara - Galle road). the road close to the beach will be narrow so you will have to give way for the on coming traffic by pulling aside. Parking should not be a problem.
You also have a bathing place where you can shower and change after you swim in the beach. There are hotels available if you want to stay overnight or spend a couple of days there. For us it was a day trip so we did not explore this. Neither did we explore the restaurants since we packed our lunch and snakcs.
There are also shops selling you beach wears so you do not have to worry if you are not carrying one.
The water will be only about waist high till the reef formation. You can swim safely . Even a person who did not know swimming was able to enjoy myself in the water for more than 2 hours with no fear of drowning. if you are looking for Surfing this may not be the place for you. There are also no shades where you can camp on the shore. So you need to carry a beach umbrella to set up camp.
5. Matara Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By priteshkulkarni - Pune
Matara Beach is clean and less crowded beach as compare to famous South Beaches of Sri Lanka. Beach is white sand but not safe for deep sea swimming.
No Water Sports available like Marisa and fewer beach hotels available for stay or food. Overall I like the beach
6. Visit Weligama
Overall Ratings
4 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By Craig T - San Rafael, California
It doesn't seem that there are any stilt fishermen anymore, at least ones who fish. Yes, there are some men out there on their stilts with a fishing pole, but they are only there for the tourists, mostly big Chinese groups that come by. If you try to take a picture, they run up to you and demand money. Too bad, as this is the iconic thing in Sri Lanka. But it's obviously a thing of the past.
7. Matara Paravi Duwa Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By WoodheadManchester - Manchester
A must if you are in Matara.. a small island with lush vegetation, pineapple trees and fantastic views of the ocean.
The temple is small with a path around it... lots of locals visit to pray and see the monks.
A small fee to enter and take off your shoes.
