MOUNT LAVINIA
Area: Sri Lanka
Country: Sri Lanka


Location:
On W coast, 8 miles S of Colombo, 32 miles S of Bandaranaike international airport.

Telephone code from UK:
94 1

Position:
Main village is a sprawling suburb of Colombo, on main road S to Galle. Tourist area is focused on a rocky promontory between two sandy beaches at edge of smart residential area.

Description:
A small fashionable residential suburb of Colombo with many fine old colonial buildings, previously the homes of successive governors and their staff. The area hence accommodates one of the finest public schools in the country. The railway line separates the beach from some of the guesthouse-type accommodation.

Suitability:
For beach lovers and those wanting the relative sophistication and shopping of nearby Colombo.

Accommodation:
Wide range, from simple guesthouses to the converted governor's mansion.

Shopping:
Local souvenirs and gems. Colombo has a choice of unsophisticated shopping centres and more modern boutique complexes. For handicrafts such as carved masks and batik, it is better to journey S to Beruwala or Bentota.

Beach:
Pair of good sandy stretches separated by substantial rocky promontory with railway line running parallel. Currents can be quite strong.

Entertainments:
In hotels or at bars in Colombo.

Eating:
A couple of local-cuisine and Chinese restaurants in village; business-orientated establishments in Colombo.

Public-transport:
Local buses and trains to Colombo. Taxis and motorised rickshaws from major hotel.

Local-excursions:
Half day: Colombo; Kalutara temples. Full day: Kandy and elephant orphanage.