One of the popular attractions near Galle and Unawatuna is Jungle Beach. Since we had a rented scooter we decided to head out to it and check it out after we visited the Japanese Peace Pagoda which is nearby.
As a traveler I am more comfortable in cargo pants or shorts. Every now and then I pack a dress but never use it. Visiting the Jungle beach was one of those times when I decided to ditch my comfort zone and wear a nice floral dress.
I was just going to the beach and I had my swimwear on so why not. That was how my rather hilarious adventure began.
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Getting To Jungle Beach In Unawatuna
You can get to Jungle beach by taking the diversion off the main road but since we were staying in Hansa Hotel which is very close to the Unawatuna beach, we decided to take the inner roads which was a rather bad idea.
The roads make for a nice long walk but they get narrower and steeper as the path goes on. Being surrounded by the Rumassala Sancutuary doesn’t help much either since the cell network becomes rather unreliable. That means that we eventually got lost!
We stopped at a point that said parking and decided to trek the rest of the way. Now this would have been a mighty good idea despite the fact that the trail started becoming smaller and mosquitoes started becoming more numerous (the dress and the ridiculous strappy sandals did not help!).
Unfortunately, midway we realized that with dusk looming overhead, we would have to trek all the way back just to get our scooter and go home so we turned back and headed to the Jungle beach by road.
Parking Charges
One thing that we noticed is that you get charged for parking no matter where you park. It isn’t a government-imposed parking fee as far as we could tell. It was more like a fee that the locals have started imposing. We decided not to argue since the fee was relatively negligible to us.
The parking fee next to the Jungle beach was not more than 100 LKR. In one way it was nice because at least you knew that your vehicle was safe. We also noticed that the locals also paid the parking fee, so it wasn’t just something that was levied on the tourists.
Heading To Jungle Beach
Trekking through to jungle to reach Jungle beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka.
We quickly learnt that Jungle beach got its name for reason. Any guesses how? Well no matter which way you head, you have to trek through the Jungle to reach it.
By now I was feeling a little bit ridiculous in my dress, but it made us laugh so we clicked a number of goofy photographs. I guess that proves that I can’t be a gorgeous instagrammer now doesn’t it? Luckily the trek down is easy and it is well paved. It took a while to reach down but when we did, we couldn’t help but believe that the trek was worth it.
There isn’t much on Jungle beach. A sprinkling of tourists and a small stretch of gorgeous white sand. There is a small restaurant in one corner where you can get yourself something to eat or drink. A couple of sun beds and a tyre swing.
I distinctly remember the tyre swing because I loved them as a kid and couldn’t help hopping on this one too! Yes! Even with my dress! Once a tomboy always a tomboy I guess.
We spent a while walking on the beach and listening to the waves that lapped at the shore. A part of us wished we could stay longer but we really wanted to visit the Pagoda which was next on our list. With it almost time for the sun to set on the horizon, we left the peaceful Jungle beach behind and started our trek back to the road.
Where To Stay In Unawatuna
If you are looking for a great place to just chill and enjoy the beaches in Unawatuna, I would recommend staying at Hansa Villa. This accommodation was not epically luxurious but it had everything we could need and it came at a budget price which really worked well with our wallet.
It is also walking distance away from the beach so you don’t need any mode of transportation. We did rent a motorbike so that we could explore Galle and other areas close by but if you just want to chill by the beach, you won’t need it.
Don’t forget to book your room in advance because the rooms get booked out quickly!
Have you been to Jungle Beach in Unawatuna? It is a nice quiet beach that will give you a chance to escape the crazy crowds and I highly recommend that you visit. If you’ve already been here, let us know about it. We would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
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