Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A pedestrian bridge near the bus station leads to a small island, Parey Dewa (Rock in
Water), which is home to a tiny Buddhist temple with a very fancy modern bridge leading
out to it. The beach on which it sits is a great place to go for an evening walk and enjoy an
ice cream with many of the town folk.
Polhena Beach
BEACH
The best beach in the area is hugely popular with locals at weekends who rent goofy inflat-
able toys and frolic in the surf. It's just west of town.
Weherahena Temple
BUDDHIST
(Weherahena Rd;admission by donation; dawn-dusk)
On the east side of Matara, turn inland 1km off the main road for this gaudy temple that
features an artificial cave decorated with about 200 cartoon-like scenes from the Buddha's
life. There's also a huge Buddha statue.
During the late-November or early December
poya,
a
perahera
(procession) of dancers
and elephants is held at the temple to celebrate the anniversary of its founding.
Sleeping
Southwest of the centre, beachy Polhena has a number of budget guesthouses scattered
amidst the warren of small tracks; you may need to ask for directions. A three-wheeler
from central Matara costs Rs 350. Otherwise, Mirissa is just 9km west.
Sunil Rest Guest House & Restaurant
GUESTHOUSE
2500; )
About 150m from the beach, the plain rooms in the main building at cheery Sunil's are a
bit run down, but the owners operate a couple of other establishments with plusher rooms
(up to Rs 7000) nearby. Note that they don't pay commission, so many three-wheeler
drivers will tell you it's closed - it's not.
