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Sri-LankaThe southern resorts of Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are very close, they are separated by only 25 kilometers. Both are worth a visit, and ideally worth a visit to both. But not everyone is suitable for changing resorts, especially if you are resting on a tour package. In this case, you will have to tie yourself to one of them, and it is very important not to make a mistake with the choice, otherwise the impressions of the rest may be a little spoiled. Here's our comparison of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna resorts that will hopefully help you make the right choice:
Beaches
The beaches at both resorts are not bad, but far from ideal. And although the Discovery Channel once included Unawatuna Beach in the top ten beaches of the planet, this causes us (the authors of the site) true bewilderment.
So, the beach of Unawatuna is not stretched, at most 1 kilometer. The rest of the shore in Unawatuna is not suitable for swimming and relaxing, because close to the water is built up with hotels and restaurants. There are no beautiful palm trees stretching to the water. Water activities and sun beds on the beaches abound. But the main advantage of Unawatuna Beach is its protection from waves by a coral reef, and therefore it is considered one of the most suitable beaches for swimming in the South. On the western edge of the beach there is even a "frog house", great for swimming with children. There is another beach in Unawatuna-Jungle Beach. It is a 20-minute walk from the center through the forest. This is a very tiny beach, but much more beautiful and cozy. Unfortunately, today it is so full of tourists that at times there is simply no place to sit or where to swim.
In Hikkaduwa, the beach is huge compared to Unawatuna. Its length is at least 4 kilometers, and, briefly interrupted, it then continues again in both directions from the resort for many more kilometers. Entertainment here, too, abound, there are sun beds. But the local waters are especially good for surfers, because here waves almost always roll on the shore. Only one beach in the center called Hikkaduwa Beach with a length of less than a kilometer, protected by a coral reef, is suitable for swimming throughout the year.
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Seasons
Both resorts are year-round, and as usual, the high and low season stands out. However, if the low season passes almost unnoticed in Unawatuna, then in Hikkaduwa this time creates problems for recreation. From May to October in Hikkaduwa, the constantly blowing wind creates strong waves, sometimes even storms. At this time, some hotels close for repairs or vacations.
Tourist seasons in Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna by month, when is the best time to go
| Resort/month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov. | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hikkaduwa | ||||||||||||
| Unawatuna |
* best time to visit;
acceptable time to visit;
not recommended time to visit
Infrastructure
Unawatuna is very compact, and all the infrastructure in it is concentrated along one tiny street Welle Dewalaya. Hikkaduwa stretches for several kilometers along the busy Gale Road, which is not very pleasant.
At the same time, Unawatuna does not have an alcohol store, a normal supermarket, no official currency exchange, and even an ATM. If you need to buy something serious, find a pharmacy, you will have to go to Galle, where there are plenty of shops. Hikkaduwa is much better, and there are at least a few liquor stores and a couple of large supermarkets. In general, Unawatuna in comparison with Hikkaduwa looks just a village, and at the same time a quiet tourist paradise. But if you need to find a travel agency, transfer, motorcycle rental, then all this can be found in Unawatuna, you just have to look a little longer.
How to get there
Hikkaduwa is a bit closer to Colombo International Airport, and getting there is a bit easier and cheaper than getting to Unawatuna.
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Prices
Prices in both places almost do not differ, but Unawatuna is considered a more backpacker place, that is, more focused on inexpensive independent tourists who are ready to be content with a room with amenities outside and with cold water for mere rupees. Hikkaduwa, on the contrary, is more of a place for package tourists, although here, if you wish, you can find plenty of inexpensive hostels, especially since the quantitative choice of accommodation here is much wider than in Unawatuna.
By the way, due to the fact that Hikkaduwa is a popular place for package holidays, there are many more Russian – speaking tourists from Ukraine and Russia.
Attractions and excursions
Neither there nor there are any serious places of interest, and for attractions you should go on your own or with an excursion to the center of the island, where you can see Sigiriya Rock, the ancient City of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, cultural capital Kandy, national parks, etc.
By bus from both resorts you can visit the city of Galle and its Fort, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can also visit the turtle farm in Habaraduwa by bus. From Hikkaduwa, you can take a bus along the coast to the North to Ambalangoda, and along the way visit some more interesting places.
As for the attractions that can be visited during hiking in the resorts, in Hikkaduwa there is nothing to see at all, while in Unawatuna you can at least visit a couple of temples and pagodas, take a walk through the forest jungle of Rumassala.
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