Tangalle is a major city in the southern part of Sri Lanka. It is famous for its beautiful hotel complexes, tropical nature and mild climate. Tangalle in Sri Lanka is a place that is not fully explored by tourists, although there is something to see there. Many travelers instead prefer visit Mirissa or Galle.
We’ve tried to create detailed guide highlighting the most popular sights in Tangalle city in Sri Lanka, you’ll get an idea about must visit places, things to do and tourist attractions close to the city that can be visited as a day trip.
Tangalle City General Info
- Location: 145 km from Colombo, 35 km from Galle .
- Average t of the sea: in winter – +26.5; in summer – +27.
- Average air t: in winter: during the day – +30 degrees, at night – 25; in summer: during the day – +29, at night – +27.
- Best season to visit: January to April.
- Rainy season: The most rainfall is from September to November and in May.
- You can join safari tour to the national park Udawalawe here
- Stay connected in Sri Lanka with eSIM from Airalo.
Things to Do in Tangalle
There are almost no iconic sights and landmarks in Tangalle city itself, but some of great tourist attractions are located 2-8 kilometers away from the city.
Visit to Udawalawe National Park
Safari park Udawalawe is located just one hour drive inland from Tangalle. Compared to more famous Yala national park, there are not so many visitors in Udawalawe. This park is famous for its large population of Sri Lankan elephants and to see them in their natural habitat is one of the main attractions of the park.
Apart from elephants, Udawalawe is home to a variety of other animals, including water buffalo, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
- Address: link on the map.
- Opening hours: daily, 6 am – 6 pm.
- Udawalawe National Park entry ticket and Half-Day Safari Tour
Ridiyagama Safari Park
One of the things to do in Tangalle should be visit to Ridiyagama Safari Park, which is the 1st of its kind zoo in Sri Lanka with many animal species living there, including lions, elephants, leopards, monkeys, deer, buffalo, crocodiles and others. It is located near Hambantota, not far from Udawalawe National Park. You can explore the park in a safari jeep or bus accompanied by experienced guides who will help you spot wildlife and provide insights into the park’s ecosystems.
- Address: 6XWJ+PXP, Ridiyagama, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Dry Zone Botanic Gardens
A beautiful botanical garden, also known as the Mirijjawila Botanical Garden in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka with patterned lawns and hundreds of species of flowers is a must-visit place near Tangalle. The garden showcases a diverse range of plant species, particularly those native to Sri Lanka’s dry zone.
You’ll encounter a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other flora, many of which are unique to the region. These may include medicinal plants, palms, orchids, cacti, succulents, and more. It provides visitors with an educational experience about the country’s botanical heritage. You can explore the garden on foot, be ready to spend at least several hours, for additional fee you can also explore it by car.
- Address: Garden lane, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
- Opening hours: 7.30 am – 6.00 pm
- Official website: https://www.botanicgardens.gov.lk/
Tangalle Lagoon
A shady lagoon is a picturesque body of water located near Tangalle town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It offers stunning views of calm waters surrounded by lush greenery. Lagoon is home to a variety of bird species, including waterfowl, waders, and migratory birds.
You can also see lizards and other animals hiding in the jungles. You can explore this place on kayaks or by joining boat tours organized by local fishermen.
- Location: on the map.
Birds Park & Research Center
Bird park where you will meet giant parrots, peacocks and 180 species of other birds is one of the popular sights located not far from Tangalle. In total, more than 3,200 different birds live in the park. Actually, there are two bird parks located pretty close to Tangalle. One of them is Kalametiya, which was declared a sanctuary and became a protected area in 1983.
- Address: 1/81, Hungama 82120, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6.00 am – 6.00 pm
Another one is Bird Park and Research Center in Hambantota. Lagoons, mangroves, meadows and swamps provide ideal conditions for marine life, as well as many representatives of flora and fauna. You can book a tour to visit this place and walk through the jungle. You can find there 4 bird species that are endangered, entrance fee to this park is 4500 LKR per person.
- Address: Nagarawewa, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6.00 am – 6.00 pm
Hummanaya Blow Hole
It is one of the natural tourist attractions in Tangalle. Natural fountain with a powerful water jet, which can reach a height of 25-30 meters, are definitely worth seeing. There is an entrance fee to the observation deck. No one can say how long it will take to wait, so be patient.
Wewurukannala Vihara (Dikwella)
Another tourist attraction near Tangalle is Wewurukannala Vihara – a Buddhist temple located in the town of Dikwella. One of the most striking features of Wewurukannala Vihara is its towering Buddha statue, which stands at a height of approximately 160 feet (50 meters).
This statue is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. To see it, you will need to go through a hall with terrifying statues of demons and sinners. It is also a place of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists, who come to pay their respects, make offerings, and engage in devotional practices.
Surfing in Tangalle
If you are looking for one of the best places to surf in Sri Lanka then Tangalle is the perfect spot. Nearly every hotel has its own surf school, where you can rent suits, boards and take private or group lessons. Tangalle offers several surf breaks suitable for surfers of different skill levels. Some of the popular surf spots in Tangalle include Medaketiya, Goyambokka, and Hiriketiya Beaches.
Watch Turtles at Rekawa Beach
This beach is located 10 km east of Tangalle city. Rekawa Beach is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles in Sri Lanka. The high nestling season is from April to July (during this time is becomes most popular visiting place in Tangalle), while the low season is from October- January. You can see different types of sea turtles: loggerheads, green sea turtles, hawksbill, olive turtle and leatherback turtle.
Rekawa Beach is part of a protected area where conservation efforts are in place to safeguard the nesting sites of sea turtles, with the goal to protect nests that allows offspring to hatch safely. You can watch turtles lay their eggs or crawl towards the ocean. Sometimes you will have to wait about 2 hours, so please be patient.
Explore Tangalle Beaches
The beach line in Tangalle stretches for 6 kilometers, due to this it looks like there are almost no tourists. Finding a free spot is easy, the sand is yellow and clean. But Tangalle beaches are mostly not suitable for swimming – even during high season there are big waves. There are also dangerous undercurrents.
You can get more details about potential risks at your hotel before entering the water. Swimming conditions can be completely different every 100-200 meters.
The most developed part of the coast stretches eastward from Tangalle, along Medaketiya, which is located closer to the central part of the city. There you can find the most luxurious hotels and guest houses, bars and restaurants. Medilla beach is located in the northeastern part of the city. Almost wild beach with tropical thickets and palm trees around.
Goyambokka beach offers more picturesque views. It is located west of Pallikaduwa beach. A rocky cape divides the beach into two parts. One of them Godellawela beach or “Quiet Beach”, as it is often called, offers visitors fascinating views.
