Joanna James
A charming little coastal village, Beruwala is yet another treasure of Southern Sri Lanka. Offering so many interesting things to see and do, you will be surprised at how small this town really is.
The beaches of Beruwala are as pristine as the rest of southern Sri Lanka. Ideal for swimming and picnics, this coastline is often visited by locals and foreigners alike. For this reason, public beaches in Beruwala can tend to get really crowded, especially around the holidays. If you are looking for a purely undisturbed stretch of beach you could consider staying at hotels like Cinnamon Bey Beruwala. Whether you are at such Beruwala or Bentota hotels, a relatively quiet beach area can go a long way to make a holiday truly memorable.
The city of Beruwala in Southern Sri Lanka has a majority Muslim population. In fact, this city marks the first Muslim settlement in the country since the Beruwala port was set up by Arab traders in the 8th century. Since then, several mosques have been erected around the area; however, the most significant mosque in the city is the Masjid ul Akbar also known among the locals as the "Kachimalani Palli". The significance of this mosque is based on the fact that a pious man was buried within the premises. A shrine has been set up on his grave and some Muslims visit this grave during important occasions.
The Kande Viharaya near Beruwala is an appealing attraction since it houses an impressive sitting Buddha statue that towers to a height of 160 feet. The Sri Pushparama Temple in Balapitiya is also similarly an interesting place to visit and one of its key features is its fascinating design; from outside one will find architecture that resembles that of a colonial style church.
The Beruwala Harbour is yet another popular attraction in the city which displays to visitors a very down to earth, authentic version of a harbour. It is a great place to shop for fresh seafood; the market by the harbour has for sale a rich variety of sea creatures that have been freshly caught. If you want a shot at the best catch rise early and claim your share of fresh seafood. Going early also means you will have some great light for your shots of the harbour and all the activities that take place there.
Snorkelling is a very popular activity in southern Sri Lanka. Like most other towns in the region, Beruwala is an ideal place from which to set off on snorkelling excursions which give you the chance to see pristine corals underneath the surface of the ocean. Indulge in such an expedition and explore the underwater treasures that Beruwala has in store and prepare to be blown away. If you are keen on underwater photography there is much to look forward to as well.
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