Koggala Beach is located in the south of Sri Lanka, between Unawatuna and Mirissa. There are practically no people on Kogalla beach. They are as rare as cafes along the coastline. The beach is long, like everything else. On our independent trip to Sri Lanka, we stopped for 1 day to rest in Koggala.

Northern part of Koggala beach

The central part of the Koggala district. The Habaraduwa region also belongs to this part. This is the longest and widest beach. It was even called Long Beach, as it is really long, as much as 4 km of yellow sand. The waves are big, you won’t be able to swim in the ocean normally. There are several large hotels on the first line:

• The Fortress Resort & Spa 5*
• Koggala Beach Hotel
• The Long Beach Resort
• Club Koggala Village
• KK Beach Hotel

Fishermen on sticks

In the Kogalla area you can watch “fishermen” sitting on perches in the water. For a fee they allow you to photograph them. You can even try to climb a stick yourself and take a photo with a fishing rod. This is a tourist attraction, the fishermen are not real. For a photo they ask from 100 to 500 rupees. Climbing on a stick costs 1500 rupees. A point on the map .

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.

Southern part of Koggala

We did not stop at the main Koggala beach, since all the hotels there have too low a rating, except for the 5-star Fortress for $500 per day. That's why we chose the south side. Beach at the South Lake Resort. This section of the beach can be walked in 15 minutes. It’s comfortable to walk, the beach is flatter, like , the sand is not as sinkable, although it also consists of all sorts of pebbles and fragments of shells.

The ocean on Kogalla Beach is as wild as anywhere else. The waves are present, where would you be without them in Sri Lanka. It is not safe to swim in such waves. People go to the far left side of the beach, where it is relatively calm and you can swim a little or ride the waves. This is where the South Point Villa hotel is located.

We never took a swim at Koggala beach. But we walked here for 2 hours with pleasure. It’s quiet here, there are no traders and clingy people, like on other beaches in Lanka, and this is already half the success.

There is no shadow on Kogalla. A small curtain from the sun in the form of a spreading tree is, again, in that nook on the left where it is most convenient to swim. Also in the center of the beach there are a dozen sun loungers with umbrellas belonging to the South Lake Resort and South Beach Resort hotels. There you can order something to drink or eat.

Where to eat in Koggala. Cafe on Kogalla beach south

In this part of the beach we visited the only cafe at the South Beach Resort hotel. It even looked very decent, but we were dissatisfied with it. The wait time for food for all the few visitors was (!) more than an hour. We first waited for our order on sun loungers, which reminded us of beds on the beach. We even fell asleep a little. The sunset had already begun, and we kept waiting and waiting. And finally they brought it! We waited so long and received two tasteless dishes. I was served uncooked fish (it could have been turned into coals in an hour!!). A classic restaurant in Sri Lanka - everything takes a very long time, from preparing the food to waiting for the bill, and then also the change

The small resort town has its own legend. Legend has it that not so long ago this city could not be found on the world map. The omission was corrected when the Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickramasingha praised Kogallu in one of his works.

Best beach in Sri Lanka

What is so good about this resort? It is in Kogalla that there is a beach that has the reputation of being the best in Sri Lanka. It is a strip of light soft sand bordering the azure waters of the ocean. A corner of paradise, a place where you can hide from the bustle of the metropolis.

There is a lake in Kogalla, the value of which lies in its ecological integrity, it is an island of wildlife where you can watch beautiful exotic birds and enjoy an extraordinary sunset.

Local beaches are framed by water: on one side there is ocean water, on the other there is a lake.

Holidays in Kogalla are a godsend for diving fans. The weather here is almost always suitable for swimming, and the diversity of marine life and the beauty of the coral reefs cannot be described in words. Even divers who have seen a lot will not remain indifferent.

Best hotels in Kogalla

- Dream View Villa 1*- a good and one of the most inexpensive hotels in Kogalla, suitable for avid surfers and divers whose goal is not a beach holiday with all the amenities, but the elements and the ocean. Prices for accommodation in a DBL room - from $35 (without meals).

- Dalawella Beach Resort 3*- an average-priced offer with excellent service, the hotel, as the name suggests, is located right by the beach, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, next to Unawatuna Beach. Price for a DBL room - from $90 (Breakfast).

- Niyagama House 5*- is considered one of the best hotels not only in Kogalla, but throughout Sri Lanka. The hotel has only 7 rooms; the hotel itself is located at the very top of a working tea plantation. Price for a DBL room - from $200 per night (Breakfast).

You can book a hotel in Kogalle using the special form on the right.

The optimal time to travel to Kogalla is considered to be the months from November to April, since the rainy season lasts from May to October. But despite this, if you find yourself here in rainy weather, you will still find something to do and you won’t get bored here.

Kogalla Sri Lanka is the cradle of cultural monuments and attractions. It's very close ancient town of Polonnaruwa, palace ruins have been preserved here. Definitely worth a visit as well Palace with Buddha statues, Vatadage temple And museum of folk art and culture.

In Kogalle, tourists are offered numerous excursions, for example, visit to Panavella nursery, where you can see elephants at arm's length and even ride these exotic animals. Here you will see spice garden, cinnamon and tea plantations and mesmerizing with their beauty and power waterfalls. On excursions Safari you can see wild animals: crocodiles, mongooses, peacocks, monkeys, and when going to a turtle farm, hold the turtles in your hands. From November to April, whales swim off the coast, and you can admire them by choosing the appropriate tour.

What gives the Kogalla resort a special charm is abandoned hotels located along the beach. Local residents calmly and friendly welcome tourists who want to visit these places. On the islets of Lake Kogalla there are Buddhist huts, which are available for visiting after special permission.

Who is suitable for a holiday in Kogalle?

Kogalla is a corner of Sri Lanka designed for calm, quiet relaxation of body and soul, for meditation and contemplation, immersion and unity with extraordinary nature. At the same time, this resort attracts tourists involved in water sports - divers and surfers. Golf and tennis lovers will easily find something to do.

When going to Kogalla, do not forget sunscreen and repellent, as throughout Sri Lanka, the sun is scorching here and the mosquitoes are bloodthirsty, but with proper preparation this will not spoil your impression of staying in an amazing and adventurous corner of the planet.

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If you decide to go on holiday to this city in Sri Lanka in 2019, then you will not have problems with housing. There are a sufficient number of prestigious and comfortable hotels here that will offer their guests excellent service and access to excellent spas. If you prefer not to spend large sums of money for comfort and luxury, then it makes sense to pay attention to cozy boarding houses or guest houses. It is worth noting that the cost of living in the best hotels is about 10,000 rubles, but can reach 20,000 rubles. At the same time, you can find accommodation for the night much cheaper, starting from 800 rubles per night.

Holidays at the Koggala resort: attractions and entertainment

First of all, people go to Koggala for a beach holiday. The five kilometer long beach is considered one of the best in the country. Sand, gently sloping land and a fairly convenient entrance to the water distinguish Koggala beach. And the waters of the Indian Ocean here are very clean and have a pleasant blue hue. But if you have already enjoyed the stunning beauty of this place, have sunbathed and swam, and want to see something and have some fun, this is also possible in Koggala and the surrounding area.

Sights of Koggala

One of the main attractions of the resort is the Folk Art Museum, which displays an exhibition of folk art objects. In it you can look at a fairly extensive collection of rare art objects, as well as things related to the ordinary life of the population from different regions of the country. The entire exhibition is divided into 25 different parts. The objects in each part of the exhibition cover one area of ​​human life. These can be handmade items related to music, architecture, clothing, medical instruments, etc.

The natural highlight of Koggala is the lake of the same name. There you can look at a wide variety of birds. This place is not only a stunningly picturesque lake with many different species of plants and birds, but also a popular eco-tourism destination. Also on this lake you can see hermitages scattered here and there on the islands. They are considered the sanctuaries of the first Buddhists. For this reason, this place is so popular among religious pilgrims. If you decide to follow the path of the pilgrims, you can use the catamarans offered specifically for this purpose.

You can admire the lake in the video:

There are several traditional Sinhalese villages around the lake. It’s worth getting here to get acquainted with the local exotic way of life, as well as to take some very colorful pictures.

Not far from Koggala there is an ancient temple called Katalyuva Purvarama Maha Viharaya. This Buddhist sanctuary was built back in the 13th century. The temple is very picturesque due to the traditional style paintings done by ancient masters on its walls. In the drawings you can find scenes from the many lives of Buddha.

A little further, about 20 kilometers from the resort, there is a nature reserve - the Hiyare Rain Forest. This is a perfectly preserved corner of tropical vegetation, a reservoir, and also a good place for lovers of exotic representatives of the animal world. There is also a hospital for wild animals, whose staff treats wildlife with love.

Most often, tourists from Koggala go on excursions to the ancient city of Galle. The trip takes no more than twenty minutes. Here, pay attention to the ancient Galle Fort. It is one of the best preserved from colonial times in all of Asia. Ancient walls, an old lighthouse and the remains of other buildings, as well as a beautiful panorama of the city await tourists here. The 18th century colonial temple building, St. Mary's Cathedral, is also interesting. There are also several museums in the city with very fascinating exhibitions, for example, the Dutch Museum or the Maritime Museum. Nearby you can visit the Buddhist island of Ratgama Lake, which is particularly beautiful and can give a feeling of harmony and tranquility.

Excursions to the Habaraduwe turtle farms, visits to the Kalutara temple, spice garden, cinnamon plantations are also popular from Koggala, and you can also go to Weligama, where you can take windsurfing lessons. In Colombo, if you decide to go that far, there are also many attractions: a fort, temples of different faiths, the best of which are the Buddhist sanctuary Gangaramaya, St. Anthony's Church and the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, as well as many museums.

Entertainment Koggala

For lovers of active recreation, Koggala has the opportunity to go diving (in the appropriate season), surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, and fishing. Speaking of fishing, near the town you can see local residents fishing on poles, which is a very colorful sight. You can ride on a yacht or boat.

For lovers of nightlife, Koggala is not the best place, since the resort is, rather, intended for those who want tranquility and unity with nature, so you will not see a vibrant nightlife here. But there are cafes and restaurants here, because tourists, despite the fact that the resort is still developing, are already actively visiting this place - which means we need to feed them. Sri Lankan cuisine is distinguished by the presence of a large number of spicy dishes. Due to its location near the ocean, you should definitely try seafood and fish; rice and vegetable dishes are also popular in the country. And, of course, wonderful coconut, which is added to dishes, and delicious juice is also prepared from it.

There won't be much shopping in the city, since Koggala is not the largest city in Sri Lanka. But you are always welcome to buy a few traditional souvenirs: the resort has many shops with typical souvenirs. What should you bring with you from Koggala? This, for example, could be:

• handmade wooden mask;
• other products made of valuable wood;
• Ayurvedic remedies;
• elephant figurine.

Koggala will definitely appeal to those who appreciate picturesque nature, clean beaches and waters. If you wish, you can limit yourself to the surrounding attractions, but if you want something more, you can take an excursion or go on your own to other cities. The main thing is that your holiday in Koggala will definitely not disappoint you, and the memories from the exotic nature, temples and the holiday itself will last for a long time.

We are focused on providing sightseeing tours to a wide range of individual customers and private and public organizations. We offer a full spectrum of booking hotels, transfer from Colombo airport , tours vehicles with a guide-chauffeur including car, van, coach and limo. Geographically, we operate throughout the Sri Lanka and in particular in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, Bentota, Beruwella, Induruwa, Aluthgama, Kalutara, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle, Yala, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and a number of other areas. We also serve our clients in other Area.

To ensure a wide coverage, availability of hotels in Sri Lanka, vehicles, best price and service conditions for our customers we partner with a number of carriers. We take a particular pride that the efficiency of our operations and the quality of our customer service and passenger transport sector. That is why most customers who tried us for the first time become our repeat customers and the rate of our customer satisfaction is at the industry top of 98%

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka the country is truly unique! This should go for the exotic and adventurous, with great beaches, a warm sun and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean! Sri Lanka - is a wonderful place to relax. During the holidays you can and should manage everything - perfect to relax on the beach, as well as get acquainted with the rich history, traditions, unique monuments of ancient architecture of the island. Sri Lanka - is an ancient country with rich history and ancient traditions - on the island there are 8 of architectural and natural sites included in UNESCO's World Heritage Fund.

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka- an island in the Indian Ocean (up to 1972 - Ceylon), located south of the Indian subcontinent. It stretches from north to south and 445 km from west to east 225 km. Most of the island is occupied by plains, whose height rarely exceeds 100 m above sea level. In the center of the island is the Central mountain range. The average height of the mountains - 1000-2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise above. The highest point of the island - the mountain has a height Pidurutalagala 2524 m, however, is best known for the magnificent Adam's Peak (2243 m). Official capital: Sri Jayavardanapura-Kotte (the seat of parliament and the Supreme Court) . Actual Capital: Colombo (seat of government, the residence of the President), the country is divided into nine provinces, major cities: Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Anuradhapura, Ratnapura, Jaffna.
Sinhalese make up about 75%, Tamils ​​- about 18% of the population, mainly in northern and eastern regions. Is also home to Sri Lankan Muslims - about 7%, Burghers (descendants of interarriage with Europeans) - about 0.3%, Vedda (descendants of the ancient population of the island) - about a thousand people. About 70% of the population (mostly Sinhalese) practice Buddhism, 15% - Hindu (Tamils), 8% - Christianity, 7% - Islam (Sri Lankan Moors).

Climate in Sri Lanka

The climate in Sri Lanka, warm and humid. The temperature is very smooth, without sharp fluctuations during the year. The difference between the warmest and the coldest month of 2-3 degrees Celsius. The average temperature is typically less than 30 degrees. Most rain falls in summer. To stay most comfortable coastal areas of Sri Lanka. In large cities inside the country, the weather is hot and humid. Average water temperature in the Indian Ocean near the country of 27 ° C. For tourists it will be useful and pleasant to know that the rains in Sri Lanka are usually held at night. Therefore rest in the resort should not be overshadowed by precipitation. Enjoy the beaches of Sri Lanka can be all year round - you only need to properly define the place of rest. From November to March - a western and southern coast of the island, and from April to October - the east and north-east coast.

Currency

The official currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee state. 1 Rupee (1 LKR) is equal to 100 cents. The December 2017 Lankan Currency against the dollar and the Rupee was: 1$ = 150 LKR.
Large hotels and shops accept payment by international credit cards. It is recommended to exchange money at the airport in Colombo. Check received at the official exchange rates should be maintained until the end of the trip. In this case, the departure from Colombo you have the option to exchange the remaining money in the bank at the rate of purchase of the airport. You can also exchange money at any hotel and bank.

Visa

Citizens of the countries to visit Sri Lanka need a visa, which is necessary to issue any advance on-line at ETA , or draw directly upon arrival in Colombo airport.
The cost of entry visas is valid for one month. if you pay through the Internet - $30.The cost of entry visas valid for one month. if you pay at the airport - $40.
In the case of a transit trip, when the length of stay in Sri Lanka does not exceed 48 hours, the fee for a visa will be charged. Officer of the migration service will need to submit tickets, further confirming the flight. When making a tourist visa must also have a return ticket or a hotel booking confirmation, as the guards conducted random checks of the documents from foreigners entering the country.

Shopping and shop

Traditionally, Sri Lankan tourists bring spices, tea, jewelry, gemstones, high quality knits and gorgeous china. Around the island a large number of small shops and stalls where you can buy only what you need. In the cities are beginning to open large stores, but all the same - to European variety of products - Sri Lanka is far away. The main location of shopping, of course, is Colombo. Here you can buy very good quality jerseys at low prices, because Many well-known European brands have production was in Sri Lanka. Partial products of these companies are sold at much lower prices than in Europe. We recommend to visit the following stores:

ODEL. Address: No. 5, Alexandra Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka; http://www.odel.lk/

TFO The factory OUTLET. Address: Sri Sambuddhathya Jayanthi Mawatha, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka; http://www.tfostore.com/

Cotton Collection. Address: No. 40, Flower Road, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka; http://www.cottoncollection.lk/

Beverly Street; http://www.beverlystreet.lk/

House of Fashion. Address: No. 101, D. S. Senanayaka Mawatha, Colombo 8; http://www.houseoffashions.lk/

Chain stores Majestic City;

Liberty Plaza. Address: R.A. de Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, with its fantastic tropical nature can actually be proud of any of its unique landscapes - from the golden sandy beaches, caressed by the Indian Ocean, to the numerous ridges and slopes, forming terraces, tea plantations, rice fields and dense forests. Locals cherish and appreciate the nature of the island. The first nature reserve was established here in the III century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The purpose of the reserve has been striving to implement one of the precepts of Buddhism, "Do not kill." Now, despite the high population density in Sri Lanka, there are 12 national parks and 52 reserves, which occupy 14% of the island. Among them, miner, Sinharaja, Bundala, Vilpatu, Vasgamuva, Udavalave and Yala.
Go everywhere in Sri Lanka and talk about everything - it is impossible. The beaches of the island beckon vacationers, Ayurveda centers and gardens of spices - wanting healthier, mountains - people willing to climb, the ocean - to dive deep into his strange, UNESCO sites are waiting for history buffs, Buddhist shrines - the faithful, national parks and reserves - naturalists and contemplators of nature ... The island of Sri Lanka is ready to meet you. Time to relax! Prior to the meeting in Sri Lanka!

Koggala is a strip of abandoned resorts, 5-star hotels and small beach cafes in the south of Sri Lanka. The beaches around Koggala are not crowded like the beaches around Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Unawatuna. Many tourists are attracted by the Koggala River and Lake Koggala.
First and foremost, Koggala is a wide and sprawling village on the south coast of Sri Lanka with beautiful beaches and some of the best surfing spots. This resort area is home to small shops that mainly sell food, souvenirs and everyday items. You must love the beach cafes in Koggala, which offer the opportunity to enjoy delicious, fresh seafood dishes right on the ocean or lagoon.
Some of the most interesting places to visit in Koggala are the Buddhist temples that are located on several islets in Lake Koggala. Tourists can visit these temples only with prior permission. Also in Koggala, it is recommended to visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum. Alternatively, you can take a catamaran ride around the lagoon, go fishing with local fishermen, or cycle along the paths around the lake. During this bike ride you can discover beautiful vegetation and various animals, including snakes, lizards and birds.

Koggala on the map of Sri Lanka

The village of Koggala is located almost in the very south of the island of Sri Lanka. The major city of Galle is 23 km away, while Koggala is 32 km from Matara, another major city in southern Sri Lanka. As for the distance from Koggala to Colombo Airport, it is 164 km.
Near the village of Koggala you can find resorts such as Weligama and Mirissa (a little to the east) and Unawatuna (a little to the west).

How to get to Koggala from Colombo Airport

Of course, almost all tourists would like to get from Colombo airport to Koggala by taxi, as this is the fastest and most comfortable way. However, the cost of a taxi in this case will be quite high (around $100), so travelers often look for alternative options. These options include traveling by train and bus. In any case, in order to get to Koggala from Colombo airport, you first need to take a bus or taxi from the airport to the Colombo bus station or railway station (they are nearby) and then change to a train or bus going to Matara. These trains and buses pass through Koggala. You can also drive from Colombo to Galle, and from there take a taxi or other transport to Koggala.

Weather in Koggala by months

Although you can relax in Koggala all year round, not every month is perfect for a beach holiday in this resort area. The fact is that, despite the constantly high air temperature (on average around 29-32 degrees during the day), the difference in precipitation between different months of the year can be quite large.
Since Koggala is located in the south of Sri Lanka, the southwest monsoon dominates here from May to November. What does it mean? This means that during this period of the year the weather in Koggala is quite rainy and windy. Of course, even at this time of year there are often sunny days suitable for a beach holiday, but the likelihood of good weather and calm oceans in the period from May to November is noticeably lower than in the period from December to April. Therefore, it is not surprising that experts advise traveling to Koggala between December and April, when the weather here is relatively dry and sunny.

Koggala Beach

Koggala Beach is a beautiful stretch of clear water and soft golden sand, ideal for long walks. You can also quickly travel from here to nearby Ahangama and Midigama bays.
Koggala is a relatively unknown beach paradise in the deep south of Sri Lanka. This beach is devoid of crowds of tourists. The stunningly beautiful long stretch of beach at Koggala makes visitors leave their worries behind and enjoy the atmosphere of a true paradise. However, it's not all about sun, ocean and sand. Koggala has many interesting places and things to do, such as museums, a historical fort, temples, a lighthouse and even a small rainforest reserve.

Lake Koggala

Koggala Lake is essentially a lagoon as it is connected to the Indian Ocean. This large lake is dotted with islands, one of which has a Buddhist temple that attracts many visitors on full moon days. Another island on this lake is interesting because of its cinnamon plantation.
You can take a 90-minute boat tour of the lake and islands for around 4,000 rupees on a four-seater motorboat. In addition to the main attractions that we mentioned just above, you can also visit a small island village and see many birds (hawks, herons, etc.).