Sri Lanka's East Coast is a gem. There are endless empty beaches, estuarine lakes full of wildlife, the best snorkelling and diving in the country, and a long history of Tamil culture, centred on capital and port city Trincomalee. Just to the north, on a long sand bar between the ocean and lagoon, lies Jungle Beach, a resort which, as its name suggests, is immersed in vegetation on the shores of a long strand of golden sand.
Designed to melt into its surroundings, the hotel has an understated look. The main building housing the restaurant and bar is shrouded in a thatched roof and has a massive tree growing through its deck. There's a lovely small spa secreted in the undergrowth, a green freeform swimming pool overhung with jungle, and shady, sandy pathways winding to the sea.
We had a wonderfully relaxing stay in the well-appointed, ample cabins dotted about the grounds, each with a private balcony or deck, and most with outdoor rain showers. Feeling refreshed, we popped out to discover all that this coast has to offer, from snorkelling with sharks to exploring traditional villages, plus day trips to Trincomalee, and birdwatching on the lagoons. Then we lingered over lunch, drank cocktails overlooking the ocean, and dined on sumptuous seafood under the stars.
Highs
- Set on a long stretch of pristine golden beach, which is good for swimming 10 months of the year
- Delicious food and drink with an emphasis on seafood
- Superlative service from committed and helpful staff for whom nothing is too much trouble
- The East Coast high season usefully coincides with the European summer (which is monsoon season for the south and west coasts)
- Laudable commitment to energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable procurement, community projects, and an inclusive and diverse workforce
Lows
- The East Coast of Sri Lanka is a bit out of the way, but it's an opportunity to discover a lesser-visited part of the country, and an easy add-on to the Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya is 2h30m away; you could stay at sister hotel Uga Ulagalla)
- The seafood barbecue experience isn't included in the half-board rate
- Jungle Cabins are unavailable 1 October-end December 2024 as they are being refurbished
Best time to go
In contrast to the south and west coasts of the island, peak season here is July-August, though note that the temperatures are often in the mid-30s so you'll need to factor that into any planned activities or excursions. Low season here is mid-November to early March, with the monsoon typically arriving during December-February, when the sea can be choppy. The weather improves from March onwards, leading into high and then peak season.
Our top tips
We loved taking the cooking class where we learned how to make dhal, prawn curry and green bean curry as well as the iconic coconut sambol accompaniment: a very tasty lunch. And we've been recreating these dishes at home for friends and family ever since!
- Beach Resort
- 49 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry Service
Rooms
Accommodation consists of cabins, named for their setting: Lagoon, Jungle or Beach. Beach Cabins open onto private decks which have steps down to the sand; from ours a path led through coastal thickets to the beach – there was a useful vessel filled with water to wash our sandy feet on our return. The bathroom had twin sinks, a big walk-in shower and an outdoor shower too.
Jungle Cabins have a very similar set-up, each also with a private balcony and outdoor shower, immersed in trees one row back. Meanwhile, the two-storey Lagoon Cabins are near the entrance to the hotel and face the lily pads and water. Each has a room per floor, a private balcony and a rain shower bathroom.
Wherever you sleep you get kingsize beds, well-stocked minibars, air-con, complimentary toiletries in snazzy refillable bottles, and turn-down service.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
The airy restaurant is next to the pool and thatched bar. Here we ate extremely well from the set menu (which changes nightly). One night we had seafood cocktail and aubergine carpaccio, followed by prawn masala with homemade paratha and pork with vegetable rice. Dessert was a choice of opera cake and peanut ice cream, or blueberry curd cheesecake.
On another evening we dined under the stars at the beach bar, looking at the fishing boat lights far out on the horizon. Either go for the seafood market menu – choose your seafood, sauce, cooking style and side dish (I went for crab Thai red curry style) – or select from an extensive all-day menu of small plates (ceviche, satay, wedges), salads, sandwiches and laidback seafood dishes (think prawn and lobster mac n cheese or Sri Lankan fish and chips).
Breakfast is taken in the main restaurant. There are light options (vegan pina colada chia pudding, tropical yoghurt parfait), egg specialities (I'm still dreaming of my Jungle Beach eggs with curry leaves hollandaise sauce), sweet options (crepes, pancakes, spiced French toast), and the traditional Sri Lankan breakfast including kiri bath (rice in coconut milk), string hoppers or herbal porridge. We loved the daily changing fresh fruit juices - watermelon and pineapple featured frequently.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Swim from or stroll up and down that unspoiled golden beach; there are plenty of shaded loungers to choose from
- Snorkel around Pigeon Island, Sri Lanka's premier spot for diving, located just off the coast, with lots of marine life to see including black-tipped reef sharks
- Dolphin- and whale-watching is good in season, note this requires a longer boat trip (usually 1.5 hrs from shore)
- Take a trip into regional capital Trincomalee with its deep-water harbour and beaches, Golden Temple, and colonial-era Fort Frederick where the colourful Hindu temple Koneswaram Kovil sits beside the Lovers Leap viewpoint
- The small spa on site offers a big selection of massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, body scrubs and wraps, beauty therapies and hair treatments
- There's a large mangrove lagoon to the west of the property, which is great for birding and fishing; inhabitants of the island village here have a traditional way of life including toddy tapping and crafts
- Walk with the naturalist early morning or at dusk along the nature trails which lead through the coastal belt
- Sri Lanka's oldest temple site, Thiriyaya, is just up the road; there are great views from the top
- Cycle to a traditional coastal fishing village; you can see salt pans en route
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
- Whale watching
- Wildlife
Kids
Families are made welcome at Uga Jungle Beach and will love being by the sand and lagoon. We saw quite a few families enjoying the beach when we stayed. All kids under 5 in a baby cot or in their parents' bed stay for free. There are also extra beds available on request.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
For families of four you'll need to book two adjacent Lagoon Cabins (these come in two-storey pairs anyway), some of which can be set up with twin beds. All cabins have room for one rollaway bed or baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Children's meals:
There's a kids menu which features usual Western fare such as pasta and pizza. But many dishes on the main menus will work for kids including the seafood options at the beach restaurant.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Cookery demonstrations
Kids Activities nearby:
- Boat trips
- Snorkelling
- Whale- and dolphin-watching in season
- Cycling
Distances:
- Airport: 5hr30m
- Hospital: 45 minutes
- Shops: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Uga Jungle Beach is a stretch of unspoiled beach on the north-east coast of Sri Lanka, about 35 minutes north of regional hub Trincomalee.
By Air:
Fly in to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport; from here it's a 5-6 hour drive.
By Car:
It you want to hire a car and driver for your entire trip, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator. They can collect you at the airport when you land, drive you to the hotel, then drive you to your onward destination(s) after your stay, as well as taking you on all day trips etc.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Bandaranaike International Airport 258.0 km CMB
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 32.0 km
- Restaurant 32.0 km