Unawatuna is the most popular beach in Sri Lanka.

 Unawatuna is the most popular beach in Sri Lanka.

Unawatuna is the most well-known beach in Sri Lanka and one of the most popular tourist sites. Golden sand and blue water line a gorgeous banana-shaped beach that is bordered by lush palm palms.

We originally went to this beach in Sri Lanka. We opted to stay at a guesthouse a few kilometers away rather than one of the opulent and pricey hotels near Unawatuna Beach. On two different day visits, we strolled to the Unawatuna Beach.

The beach is well-liked by tourists, and some of the space is taken up by sun loungers for hire.

Families from Sri Lanka visit the beach in the afternoons to enjoy some swimming in the sunshine.

A tiny hill with a pagoda and a large Buddha statue can be reached by climbing some rocks and stairs at the western end of the beach. It's a pleasant short stroll with a lovely vista of the beach.

Sadly, Unawatuna is not a perfect paradise. The area was damaged by the tsunami in 2004, and the area was quickly rebuilt, with many of the hotel and restaurant owners rebuilding on actual sand. As a result, just a small portion of the beach is actually left for children to play on. A shame, really.

Unawatuna center is located beyond the beach, between two palm trees. In essence, there is one street lined with charming little eateries and businesses offering trinkets, clothing, water, jewelry, and other things.

Although Unawatuna Beach has excellent swimming, it is not our favorite in Sri Lanka. Too congested with tourists and too active with vendors for our taste. While swimming, I also got a jellyfish sting on my leg, which stung horribly! That could be a contributing factor to why I don't really adore this beach.

Accommodations in Unawatuna

You will have many options when it comes to choosing the ideal location to stay in Unawatuna, which offers a wide range of accommodations for all price ranges. Here are some of our top picks for lodging in the Unawatuna region.

House, Sergeant

Currently, this little luxury boutique hotel is receiving excellent ratings. The hotel is housed in a colonial-style building with chic, contemporary rooms. The chef prepares a fantastic combination of Thai, Sri Lankan, and western delicacies, and the pool and garden area is lovely. It's quite quiet and remote, but Unawatuna Beach and all its restaurants are only a short stroll away. The staff is helpful and pleasant. There is a spa that offers wonderful Ayurvedic massages.

Hotel Gloria Grand Unawatuna

This brand-new hotel is a short distance from the busy main street of the town yet still near to Unawatuna beach. Thus, you may still be close to the beach while getting a decent night's sleep.

Hotel Kingfisher

This appears to be a very good value with wonderful service and position if you wish to stay in the Unawatuna Beach/center area. Although there is no pool, the sea is just outside your hotel room. Each accommodation has a balcony with a fantastic ocean view.