Leisure
Library
• Stocked with a variety of reference books on Sri Lanka, along with novels, magazines, newspapers, CDs and games
Boutique
• Offers a rich selection of traditional handicrafts, from jewellery to textiles and antiques
Beaches
• Amanwella’s 800-metre beach is ideal for snorkelling in winter, when the waters are calm; balmy onshore breezes cool sunbathers and walkers in summer
• Nearby beaches offer exceptional surfing conditions in summer; Amanwella can arrange one-to-one lessons with experienced local surfers
Village nature walks
• Take an early-morning or evening stroll through nearby Wella Wathuara village, and gain an insight into daily life in the region
• Paths wind through the jungle, revealing a variety of local wildlife including monkeys, birds, deer, monitor lizards, hares and mongooses
Tangalle
• The fishing town’s bustling market is ideal for photography excursions
Whales, dolphins and turtles
• An hour’s drive west, Mirissa Bay is renowned for its whale and dolphin sightings, and boat trips can be arranged through Amanwella
• Turtles nest at a number of protected beaches close to Amanwella; when hatching takes place, guests can witness baby turtles heading towards the sea by moonlight
Mulgirigala rock temple
• 25 minutes north of Tangalle, this monastic site perches on a rock at the top of a flight of 500-odd steps
• It is the site where the Tika ola leaf scripts were discovered in the 19th century, offering a key to the translation of the Mahavamsa, Sri Lanka’s ancient text
National parks
• Around 1.5 hours northeast of Tangalle, coastal Bundala national park attracts huge numbers of migratory birds in winter, along with elephants and crocodiles
• Two hours northeast of Tangalle, the vast Udawalawe national park is famed for its birdlife and elephants – often seen in herds of 100 or more
• Yala national park lies 2.5 hours northeast of Amanwella and boasts one of the highest populations of leopard in the world