Cloisters is situated in the Southern Province of Thalpe. From Colombo airport, it is about 2 hours by car and airport transfers can be arranged on request.
There is a huge variety of local restaurants nearby with food ranging from the day’s freshly caught fish and local Sri Lankan curries to Italian and Mediterranean. There is an even wider range of cuisines available in Galle Fort just 10mins drive away or further along the coast road in Ahangama.
Numerous water sports are on offer in Unawatuna and Mirissa including sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking, and snorkelling and boating. Surfing is also enormously popular. Koggola Lake with its many islands inhabited by several species of birds, is another wonderful experience. A little further south, near Matara, you can go whale and dolphin watching in season. There are also cycle rides through the paddy fields and visits to nearby tea plantations.
I highly recommend visiting the historic 17th Century Galle Fort – a UNESCO heritage site. This is one of the largest “living” forts in the world which in recent years has enjoyed an artistic renaissance. It is a delightful experience to stroll through the narrow streets, stop for an ice cream, wander into an iconic boutique store where you will find clothes, amazing jewellery, art and artefacts, not seen elsewhere. One of the “experience” of Galle Fort is to sit on the ramparts and watch a Galle sunset!
