Location: Hambantota
Top Things to do in Hambantota
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Hambantota, Southern Province
Hambantota (Sinhalese: හම්බන්තොට, Tamil: அம்பாந்தோட்டை) is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This underdeveloped area was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and is undergoing a number of major development projects including the construction of a new sea port and international airport finished in 2013. These projects and others such as Hambantota Cricket Stadium are said to form part of the government's plan to transform Hambantota into the second major urban hub of Sri Lanka, away from Colombo.
Restaurants in Hambantota
1. Kumana National Park
2. Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
3. Walawe River Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
The Walawa River Boat Rides popular among locals and tourists will take you through a rich biodiversity area complete with six varieties of mangroves, 52 fish species, 72 bird species, 38 plant varieties and 28 animal species. There are trees that line the river that bats and cranes take shifts in inhabiting! Bats dangle from edges of branches like huge black buckets and cranes move in when the
Reviewed By GHILDAC - Amman, Jordan
We went at 4pm for the sunset boat ride. The trip takes about 1.5 hours and the diversity of species inhabiting the mangroves is stunning. Especially for bird watchers you can certainly spend a much longer time observing them. We saw monkeys, fruit bats and water buffaloes as well. The highlight was the river end where it meets the ocean. Magical! The guide/boat driver is kind and really helpful with the kids as well. Thé coconut drink on the return trip is a nice gesture. Would highly recommend.
4. Magampura Ruhunu Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
A visit to the southern province of Sri Lanka may not be complete without a glimpse to its archaeology, heritage, tradition and history. Magampura Ruhunu Heritage museum gives a condensed dose of information to appreciate the ancient kingdom of Ruhuna. Museum is setup in the old Kachcheri premises (governing centre) operated by the British during their rule of Sri Lanka. The old building has been beautifully renovated and conserved and fits very well for such a museum. Even though the place is not filled with ancient artefacts; the replicas, drawings, digital presentations takes the visitor through a journey that is well worth. Ruhuna has so much of lesser known archaeological sites such as Ramba Vihara, Godawaya, Kasagala, Naigala etc. which are fascinating.
5. Mirijjawila Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By nir0sh - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mirijjawila Botanical Garden is the second largest botanical garden of Sri Lanka and the one established after the freedom. It is a good collection of endemic and exotic flora and flowers. They have done a hard work to make such a beautiful landscapes in dry zone. Few points I would like to note by my experience: Better go after monsoon rain, otherwise the surrounding might be dry. Start the journey early morning or evening. We have walked all over the garden with capturing. It spent only 3 hours and I would like to recommend walking rather than hire an electrical vehicle to watch the garden. There is no cafeteria in side the garden except the one at entrance. But they have placed few drinking water spots at the garden.
6. Mahapelessa Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By 171dilipv - Colombo, Sri Lanka
We visited the hot wells on our way to the hotel and it was hotter than the wells in Kinna trinco . It is worth visiting to have a natural hot water bath
7. Dry Zone Botanic Gardens - Hambantota
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By SampathL10 - Panadura, Sri Lanka
It runs close to 300 acre of land, place is very well maintained and the guides are very knowledgeable, they will be able answer any question or clarification, presently there developing cactus garden with very rare plants. If your intrested in knowing the wonders of dry zone & its plants, you must not miss out this places. Staff also very cooperative
8. Birds Research Center & Resort
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By nir0sh - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Birds park and research center is a new addition to tourist attraction list. It is a good collection of exotic and endemic birds. This is a good opportunity to watch colorful birds from other countries. It took about 2 hours to walk around the park and most enjoyable part was feeding birds. This park is well organized park and there are display boards at each cage. Really enjoyed the hours with birds.
9. Ridiyagama Safari Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 98 reviews
No more flight bookings need to reserve for safari in Africa. Whole animal kingdom is roaming in Ridiyagama. The Department of National Zoological Gardens is eager to unveil it’s another flagship project for the nature lovers and pleasure hunters browsing the down south of Sri Lanka. A 500 acre drive through Safari Park, the first ever Safari Park in Sri Lanka is being culminated in Ridiyagama, Ha
Reviewed By keashawep
Ridiyagama safari park visit was new experience for us.one of the best open zoo in sri lanka with lot of animals.
10. Agro Technology Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By adminmonkey - Brighton, United Kingdom
We visited the agro park as a day trip from Tangalle (about 20 minutes in a tuk tuk) and had an excellent time. There’s an open air canteen to the left of the main entrance which serves a range of tasty snacks and curries for under 100 rupees, and give you a boost before a wander around (bring water with you as there aren’t any shop facilities inside). There are however several toilets. The gardens were a fascinating guide to the crops grown in the area; most had signage in English as well describing the plant (Latin name and local), uses, crop per hectare etc. It was nice to see the spices and herbs we’d eaten so frequently being grown. Some giant termite hills are also dotted around the site. Don’t miss the free “fish therapy” on the way in: step onto the floating platform and lower your feet (if you dare) into the water and a swarm of fish will gather around you and start nibbling. We couldn’t hold our feet in for longer than a few seconds...too tickly!
