A Local Guide to Exploring from Hanuman Hill House

Everything within reach of the villa — beaches, culture, whale watching, and the best rice and curry on the coast.

Hanuman Hill House sits on Rumassala Hill above Unawatuna Bay. From the villa, the south coast unfolds in every direction. Here is what to do with your days.

MORNING

Start early on Unawatuna Beach before the sun reaches full strength. The bay faces east, which means morning light hits it perfectly and the water is at its calmest. Green sea turtles come close to shore at this hour — snorkelling is free, uncrowded, and extraordinary.

After swimming, take the forest trail from the beach up to the Japanese Peace Pagoda on Rumassala. The walk takes around 30 minutes through dense jungle. The pagoda, built by Japanese monks in 2005, offers sweeping views of the bay, Galle Fort in the distance, and the Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon. Come back down the other side to Jungle Beach — a secluded cove that most day visitors never find.

AFTERNOON

Galle Fort is a 15-minute tuk-tuk from the villa. Spend two hours inside the walls — Dutch colonial architecture, boutique shopping, the old lighthouse, and strong espresso at one of the fort's growing number of independent cafés. The ramparts at 4pm, with the light going golden, are not to be rushed.

For something slower, hire a boat on Koggala Lake. The lake is 20 minutes east along the coast road. You'll pass cinnamon plantations on small islands, a Buddhist temple accessible only by water, and more bird species than most guests expect. Stilt fishermen still work the coast nearby — one of Sri Lanka's most iconic sights.

EVENING

Unawatuna has a handful of genuinely good restaurants. Seafood dominates — order whatever came in that morning. Rice and curry sets at local spots away from the beachfront deliver the most authentic meals at a fraction of beach bar prices. Kothu roti from a roadside stall at 9pm is as good as it gets.

DAY TRIPS

Mirissa is 40 minutes east along the coast. From November to April, whale watching tours depart at dawn — blue whales and sperm whales are regularly sighted in open ocean. Book ahead in peak season.

Inland, the Handunugoda Tea Estate produces white tea — one of the rarest varieties in the world. Tours run most mornings and include tastings.

For a longer day, the train from Galle north towards Colombo passes through coastal scenery that is genuinely one of the great rail journeys in Asia. Take it for an hour and come back.

The villa team can arrange tuk-tuks, drivers, and local recommendations for anything not on this list.