Of course when you're on vacation, firstly you will want to relax and Lion's Rest is the place to do that! But aside from the surfing and yoga here there's plenty to do around and about where we are located, making the perfect base for your holiday. Be it just hanging out in the village watching the stick fisherman catching sardines, playing beach volleyball with the locals or taking part in a soft ball cricket match out on the green, authentic Sri Lankan culture is all around you in Gurubebila.
Outside of our beachside haven there is plenty do see just a short Tuk Tuk ride or if you want hire a scooter they are also available. Midigama train station is 1km away and local bus stops just a short walk should you want to use public transport. For excursions a little further away, we can arrange a minibus for greater comfort on day trips. Below are some highlights we recommend you see....
Galle Fort
A great half-day trip is to take in the Old Colonial Dutch Fort in the city of Galle. It's a 40 minute Tuk journey from Lion's Rest or should you want to experience a train journey it's only 30 minutes by train. With its array of boutiques and restaurants and old colonial cafes it's also a great place to eat and shop.
Koggala Lake
Just 20 minutes from Lion's Rest is Koggala lake. It's alive with birdlife and dotted with islands. One island features a Buddhist temple that attracts many visitors on poya (full moon) days, another contains an interesting cinnamon plantation and another is a herb-garden island. You can take a 90-minute boat tour of the lake and islands. Feeding the monkeys from the boat when arriving at the islands is always a highlight with the kids.
Safari Parks
Both Yala and Udawalawe National Park are good to do as a day trip from Lion's Rest. Both national parks are just under a two-hour drive away. We can arrange the day trip for you. It requires an early start to get the sunrise jeep safari but it's worth the effort because it's the best time to seehe wildlife including the wild elephants and the leopards if you're lucky! Udawalawe is the favourite of ours as it gets less busy than Yala
Tea Plantation
Another half-day trip is the Handunugoda Tea Estate, just 30 minutes drive inland. It is a real treat as you're taken through the whole process: from tea cultivation and picking to watching 100-year-old machines drying and sorting the leaves. And of course you get a chance to try it before you buy. There are many types to choose from including the famous Ceylon White Tea.