What is the cost of travelling in Hambantota?

Item Cape Town Johannesburg Hambantota Meal, inexpensive restaurant R 90 R 100 R 22 Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) R 22 R 25 R 26 Cappuccino (regular) R 19 R 20 R 26 Taxi 1km (normal tariff) R 10 R 12 R 4 Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) R 38 R 38 R 60

Cheap Flights To Hambantota: The Best Tickets

Last minute Hambantota flight offers

Prices observed in the past 7 days start from N/A one-way and N/A round trip. Fares and availability may change at any time, and additional terms may apply.

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Popular airlines to Hambantota

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Flydubai

SriLankan Airlines

Why visit Hambantota

Temples

A visit in Hambantota will lead to breath-taking temples. Visit the isolated Sithulpawwa rock temple and experience the tranquil atmosphere which surrounds this ancient Buddhist sight.

Nature

Nature penetrates this landscape and it is, undeniably, one of its draw cards. Tourists can embark on a variety of nature-filled tours, including a safari tour, sea turtle encounters and thrilling hikes.

Cuisine

Enjoy a mouthful of delightful spices and tasty dishes which can be explored throughout your stay in this Sri Lankan port destination. Quick deep-fried snacks and flavourful curries can be purchased at the train stations!

About Hambantota

Hambantota is a beautiful port town in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. It is a humble main town boasting incredible natural attractions, with a population of more than 11,000 people. Hambantota is rich with the inspiring natural, historical and cultural sights of Sri Lanka. Touristic attractions include Bundula National Park, Dry Zone Botanical Garden and the Jungle River Safari.

Cheap flights to Hambantota are now available for a limited period of time, so prepare to be amazed by this beautiful port destination. Hambantota is the home of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), which is a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport serves a multitude of airlines, including flydubai and SriLankan Airlines. Popular international flights depart from Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport. The flight duration is approximately 18 hours and 35 minutes.

General Information

Essential details you need to know before your trip

Country

Currency

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Rupee

LANGUAGE

Exchange Rate

English / Sinhala / Tamil

1 ZAR = 20.233 LKR

AIRLINE

TIME ZONE

SriLankan Airlines

GMT +5.5

HUB AIRPORT

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI)

Destination Review

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Weather In Hambantota

Low

High °C

Rain-mm

Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month

Frequently asked questions

Overview

Hambantota is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It is home to breath-taking landscapes and beautiful attractions waiting to be explored. Hambantota was sadly struck by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but this has not deterred the resilience of the locals as you see their sheer bravado in their everyday life.

The provincial capital of Hambantota serves as an alternative base to Tissamaharama, from which tourists can visit Bundala and Yula national parks. There are sensational natural attractions to cast your eye upon. It is also the salt capital of Sri Lanka; the glittering white saltpans are a wonderful sight to see. Do not miss out on the chance to interact with the Sri Lankan island’s intrinsic and aesthetic beauty.

Compare several airlines and book your cheap flights to Hambantota online at Travelstart!

Best time to visit Hambantota

Hambantota has a tropical wet and dry climate. It is subject to the southwest and northwest monsoons. Hambantota experiences the most rainfall during the months of October and November. The dry season (December to March) experiences significantly less rainfall and is also the peak season. For cheap flights to Hambantota and discounted room rates, visit during the month of November.

Visa & Customs

South Africans require a passport which must be valid for at least six months on arrival in Hambantota. Visas can be purchased on arrival for a stay of 30 days; extensions are possible.

For more information, contact the Embassy of Sri Lanka:

410 Alexander Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria.

Tel: 012 460 7679

See our comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Sri Lankan visa.

Health & Safety

Hambantota is a safe city to tour, with little to no crime towards tourists. You are still advised to remain cautious throughout your tour of Hambantota. Keep your valuables close when in public spaces, as the threat of pickpocketing is present. It is best to store your valuables in the hotel or guesthouse’s safe rather than leaving it in your room. Do not walk around the city at night. Always carry a copy of your ID or passport with you.

Travellers are advised to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations before travelling to Hambantota. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio and influenza. You should also obtain vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, malaria and yellow fever as the risk of contracting these diseases is possible.