Hambantota

Heading eastward from Tangalle, the scenery changes from the lush green of the southwest to more open landscapes as you enter the dry zone of southeastern Sri Lanka.

Hambantota, 240km (150 miles) from Colombo, is an independent travelers' haven that is showing some of the signs of escalating into a fully fledged holiday resort.

With sweeping sandy beaches on either side, it is also a convenient base for exploring the nearby Bundala National Park and, somewhat further away, the Ruhuna National Park and the temples at Kataragama.