Honest review
An hour and a half from the airport and you are already by the ocean: on Sri Lanka's south-west coast, where many beaches sit three to five hours away, that is close to teleportation.
Jie Jie Beach by Jetwing calls itself the biggest in Panadura, but let's be honest: the grounds are modest, if well kept. Square metres are the last reason to come here.
The reason is position. The railway runs close by: a train to Colombo, Kandy or Galle brings local colour and — unexpectedly — beats the car or the bus for speed. Bentota and Hikkaduwa are easy to reach as well.
Within walking distance: stalls with fresh juice and crisp pastries, supermarkets, the market, cafés. The real, unpolished Sri Lanka starts right outside the gate.
Take this resort if you want to see the country rather than just lie by the water: a honeymoon couple or a family with children gets a short transfer and the most impressions per kilometre.
