Joanna James
Located in the Kalutara District, this small seaside town of Beruwala is just 1.5 hours away from Colombo. The islands first recorded Muslim settlement is packed with beautiful beaches and historically significant locations.
The tranquil waters at Beruwala, Golden Mile Beach is just beautiful! The beach boasts a long stretch of golden sands. From the beach, one will be able to spot fishing vessels dotting the blue sea from time to time.
This beach is also a well-known nesting ground for turtles - plus, it's a great area for water sports. You can test your mettle with jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. You can find plenty of beachside eateries and coffee shops to keep you energised throughout the day. This beach is also a well-known nesting ground for turtles. You can team up with a conservation project to experience this! You can also visit the main Beruwala beach as well; with swaying coconut trees and fishing boats at a distance, this one's a real beauty too!
When in Beruwala, hop on a tuk-tuk and go to the Aluthgama market, which is just a 12-minute drive away. It's just the place to encounter all kinds of things, like fresh produce to rice and curry.
It is the ideal place to visit to get an understanding of Sri Lankan day-to-day life. You get to see locals haggling and busy vendors trying to sell their goods. You can also take some time to engage with the locals, who are friendly and welcoming, while grabbing some fresh fruit to munch on and knick-knacks to take back home.
Enjoy a boat ride on the nearby Bentota Ganga to witness the natural beauty of the area along with the incredible wildlife that occupies this environment. You will get to see all kinds of rare colourful birds, raptors, baby crocs and monitor lizards. Glide beneath bridges, as you make your way upstream and start discovering mangrove forests and lily-dotted islands. Don't forgo this next time you are in the Beruwala area. While visiting Beruwala and Bentota, hotels the likes of Cinnamon Bey Beruwala are among the top accommodation options to look out for!
Just 16 minutes away from Beruwala is the Brief Garden. This beautifully sculpted garden and manor used to be the home of Bevis Brawa, the brother of Geoffery Bawa. The latter had found this location as a source of inspiration during his career as an architect. The garden has been open for travellers since the 1970s. Witness the beauty of this lush fantasy-induced landscaped architecture, which artistically blends with its natural surroundings. Exploring this exquisite sculpted garden and the impressive colonial house is the ideal way to spend a lazy afternoon in Beruwala!
As the first Muslim settlement on the island, a visit to Ketchchimalai will be a special one. According to historical sources, this site was founded when the first Muslims from Yemen landed in Sri Lanka. Two tombs of these original visitors can be spotted near the mosque, while a third is inside. Sitting close to the sea, all decked in white, the mosque is a magnificent sight. Its architecture is captivating, as it stands tall and proud as the oldest mosque on the island.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
