Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya
Weherahena 2 hrs
Visit the massive Buddha statue and intricate cave temple.
Where to stay
Hotels in Matara
Book direct on our own Matara hotel pages — no booking fee and instant confirmation.
Swipe for more Matara hotels
At a glance
Climate
Tropical
Languages
Sinhala and Tamil and English
Local currency
LKR
(LKR)
Local time
(GMT+5)
Ideal trip length
2–4 days
Cost level
2 of 5 · our research
Suggested area to stay
Polhena Beach
Tap water
Bottled water recommended
Tipping
Not strictly required, but appreciated (5-10%).
What this place is for
History
95 · Outstanding
Culture
90 · Outstanding
Food
90 · Outstanding
Family
70 · Good
Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.
Food to try
Kottu Roti
Hoppers
Fish Ambul Thiyal
Pol Sambol
When to visit Matara
How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.
Best months: January, February
Busiest: Dec-Mar
-
Jan90
Dry, sunny
-
Feb90
Dry, sunny
-
Mar85
Hot, sunny
-
Apr70
Humid, some rain
-
May50
Monsoon begins, wet
-
Jun40
Heavy monsoon rain
-
Jul45
Monsoon, rainy
-
Aug50
Monsoon easing
-
Sept60
Inter-monsoon, rain
-
Oct65
Inter-monsoon, rain
-
Nov70
Inter-monsoon, rain
-
Dec80
Dry season starts
Things to do in Matara
8 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.
Showing 8 of 8 places ·
Best in the morning
6 places
Polhena Beach
Polhena 3 hrs
Relax on the calm, reef-protected beach, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Star Fort
Matara Town 1 hr
Discover the unique star-shaped Dutch fort, a military architectural marvel.
Gatabaruwa Temple
Gatabaruwa 1.5 hrs
Experience a serene hilltop temple with stunning views and local charm.
Surf at Weligama Beach
Weligama 3 hrs
Learn to surf at the beginner-friendly waves of nearby Weligama.
Whale Watching (Mirissa)
Mirissa 4 hrs
Embark on a thrilling boat trip from nearby Mirissa to spot blue whales and dolphins.
Best in the afternoon
1 place
Dondra Head Lighthouse
Dondra 1.5 hrs
Climb Sri Lanka's tallest lighthouse for panoramic coastal vistas.
Any time of day
1 place
Matara Fort
Matara Town 1.5 hrs
Explore the historic Dutch fort walls and enjoy ocean views.
Practical ratings
Our own ratings and key insights for this destination.
Near Matara
Straight-line distance from the centre of Matara.
Swipe for more places near Matara