Sri Lanka city has so much to offer.
Beauty: Both Wild and Tame

Cruise to Hambantota, Sri Lanka

If your mental image of Sri Lanka is countless perfect palm trees swaying over miles of virgin sand, arriving in Hambantota will be like walking into a postcard. Many of the best things to do in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, embody its natural beauty. A safari through Yala National Park, for example, gets you up close and personal with some of Sri Lanka's wildest inhabitants, including elephants. The ocean itself is a far fiercer companion than beach scenes might suggest, with waves that attract some of the world's top surfers. Follow up a swim or safari with an irresistible seafood dinner served beachside, or shop for anything from Sri Lankan tea to elephant paraphernalia at markets geared toward both locals and tourists.
National Language Sinhala
Currency Accepted Sri Lankan rupee

Things To Do in Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Tangalle Beach is worth the trek to get there from Hambantota.

Pick a Palm, Any Palm

Tangalle Beach is worth the trek to get there from Hambantota.

Tangalle Beach is worth the trek to get there from Hambantota.

Pick a Palm, Any Palm

Head on down to Hambantota Beach and, once you're done being mesmerized by all the palm trees rising above it, choose your favorite one and sit down beneath it. Feel free to dip your toes in the water or even wade a bit, but be mindful of the rough surf.

Take a safari in Yala National Park for a chance to see an elephant.

Go on Safari

Take a safari in Yala National Park for a chance to see an elephant.

Take a safari in Yala National Park for a chance to see an elephant.

Go on Safari

Suspend your disbelief — Sri Lanka might be thousands of miles from Africa, but it's possible to go on safari here! Take a day tour to Yala National Park, where you have a chance for some face time with one of Sri Lanka's native elephants. Or, choose to boat or trek through Bundala National Park, where hundreds of migratory bird species can be found year-round.

Hambantota Beach is the picture of relaxation.
Hambantota Beach is the picture of relaxation.

Take a Mini Road Trip

Hire a taxi to take you on a short road trip westward and then back eastward along the southern Sri Lankan coast. Head all the way to Galle and Mirissa or simply over to Tangalle, which is less than an hour away by car — all three are among Sri Lanka's most gorgeous beaches. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and sink your toes into the sand, grab a surfboard and hit the legendary waves, or simply sit back and watch the entire scene play out.

Crab curry is only the beginning of culinary discoveries that await in Hambantota.
Crab curry is only the beginning of culinary discoveries that await in Hambantota.

LOCAL CUISINE

Take advantage of Hambantota's location on the coast and enjoy traditional Sri Lankan curries made with seafood — creamy, spicy crab curry is especially famous, but curries made with shrimp and fish are also popular. Visit restaurants along the beach or inside any of the city's fine hotels, or grab a fresh bite at the Hambantota Fish Market.

Not surprisingly, many souvenirs along Sri Lanka's southern coast are made in the image of local elephants.
Not surprisingly, many souvenirs along Sri Lanka's southern coast are made in the image of local elephants.

SHOPPING

Stop at Hambantota Fish Market for souvenir shopping (or just people-watching), even if you don't eat there. Shop for elephant trinkets carved out of shells from local coconuts, and pick up a few boxes of Sri Lanka-grown Ceylon tea to bring home and enjoy on a cozy night in. Then, head into the tourist shops inside hotels or at the visitor center in Yala National Park for postcards, magnets and other keepsakes to help you remember your trip.

Insider's Tips
Insider's Tips
1 While higher-end restaurants and shops will take credit cards, it's a good idea to have some Sri Lankan rupee cash on hand for markets and smaller shops.
2 If you need a taxi and don't feel confident about where to go or how to get there, ask the staff at a restaurant or hotel to help you get on your way.

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