Unrushed in Unawatuna - A Guide to the Perfect Day for Under $100

From the Editor,

For one special day, we decided to play tourist in our own town - and it was magic. Here’s how it went.

07:30 - Explore Slowly

rs 7,500

There’s a lot to love about Sri Lanka’s tuk-tuks but one small drawback: you can’t see much. On a bike, everything changes. The enthusiastic crew at Idle Bikes had us geared up and on the road just as the sun peeked through the treetops and sleepy streets began to stir. With the wind in our faces and the sounds of village life around us, we were fully immersed. We took the paddy trail, a 90-minute loop through shimmering fields alive with kingfishers, water buffalo, and the occasional peacock.

09:00 - Breakfast & a Swim

Rs 7,500

Next stop: Why House, a colonial-style boutique hotel tucked into tropical gardens. Their continental breakfast - fresh fruit, granola, eggs, and hot toast - was pitch perfect.

Afterwards, we floated in the pool, watching monkeys leap through the canopy overhead.

12:00- De-Stress

Rs 5,000

We popped into Sanctuary Spa, a rustic retreat just off the beach road. A full-body oil massage, the lazy spin of a ceiling fan, and the distant call to prayer left us completely adrift.

13:30 -Cozy Lunch

Rs 3,050

Lunch was at Wild & The Sage, a café-bookstore hybrid with strong chai and an excellent soup of the day. I picked up “Ibn Battuta in Sri Lanka” by Ameena Hussein and curled into an armchair just as the monsoon rolled in.

17:00 - Beats and BBQ

Rs 5,700

We closed our perfect day at The Hideout - a BBQ feast, spicy margaritas, great tunes, and that familiar laid-back holiday hum.

Total Spend: Rs 28,750

The feeling that Sri Lanka is heaven on earth: Priceless.