Honest review
The beach decides everything: Sayura Beach stands on sandy Dalawella, sheltered by a natural coral reef — there are no big waves, and even children can swim here in peace.
Dalawella itself is a place with character. Fishermen gather here, and they are interesting to watch: some use their own methods of catching fish, and you can buy the fresh catch right on the shore. This is also the spot we advise for meeting the sunrises and seeing off the sunsets — the views are fantastic.
The rooms are spacious, minimalist in style, in natural materials, but the main thing is the direct exit onto the beach. From your own balcony you can watch turtles and surfers.
A kilometre and a half away is Unawatuna beach with a well-preserved coral reef, a base for snorkelling and diving; the centre of Unawatuna is two kilometres away, and the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya temple a couple of minutes by car.
The one serious minus is the road: 155 km from Colombo airport, a transfer of about 2.5 hours.
Come here as a family with children, or if you want a quiet beach holiday in southern Sri Lanka with real local life around.
