Blue Turtle

Top choice


Offering exceptional value, this hotel sits in a large, tranquil compound with accommodation facing a stunning 20m pool and elegant lobby-restaurant. Rooms are in attractive two-storey cottages, all with balconies or verandas, and are beautifully presented with contemporary furnishings. The restaurant offers fine Sri Lankan and Western food. There's a bar, too.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Tissa Wewa

0.7 MILES

The centrepiece of the town and its surrounds is the lovely Tissa Wewa (Tissa Tank), a huge artificial lake. In the evening, check out the flocks of…

2. Tissa Dagoba

1.04 MILES

This large much-restored dagoba looming between Tissa town centre and the wewa is believed to have been originally built around 200 BC by Kavantissa, a…

4. Yatala Wehera

1.48 MILES

Lotus ponds surround this site, which has a wealth of elephant details in the carvings (note the footpads). It was built 2300 years ago by King Mahanaga…

5. Museum

1.5 MILES

This small museum, next to Yatala Wehera, contains an extraordinary range of treasures including an ornate, ancient bidet, which – as well as an elaborate…

7. Wirawila Wewa

4.24 MILES

West of Tissa, the Hambantota–Wellawaya Rd runs over this large lake (via a causeway). It's home to resident waders and visited by migrating birds.

8. Ranminithenna Tele-Cinema Village

4.32 MILES

This studio located halfway between Tissa and Kataragama is only mentioned because some drivers and tours will suggest you visit. Structures meant to…