Jungle Beach
Kuchchaveli

Jungle Beach is another heavenly offering from UGA Resorts, the boutique collection that brought us Ulagalla Resort in Anuradhapura and Chena Huts in Yala National Park. Jungle Beach is a luxury beachfront resort nestled within a 10-acre reserve between Sri Lanka’s tropical mangroves and the up-and-coming pristine east coast. It is located in the quaint coastal village of Kuchchaveli - an area of bird-rich lagoons, long sandy beaches and tropical mangroves and jungles. The resort combines the island’s most celebrated attributes – its white sandy beaches and bountiful jungles.

Jungle Beach has 49 spacious contemporary cabins and come in four room categories based on their location; Lagoon Cabin, Jungle Cabin, Ocean Cabin, and Jungle Cluster Villas which consists of three cabins all located around one shared pool, garden and decking - perfect for families and large groups. Our favourite room category is the Ocean Cabin because it has its own direct jungle-lined walkway to the shores of the resort's private beach.

The décor and amenities is same throughout all room types, with a mix of modern and traditional features. They all have king sized beds, high-end entertainment systems, private decks and outdoor rain showers. Sri Lankan artefacts and local soft furnishings tastefully decorate the cabins, and they have high sloping ceilings, thatched roofs and wide open windows - it feels like an oasis in the wilderness when you step out of your cool modern villa in to a tropical paradise each morning.

Jungle Beach's restaurant and beach bar serves up contemporary international fare and Asian flavours, and intimate beachside picnics can be arranged on request. The resort also has a spa and gym onsite as well as lagoon style swimming pool sheltered by overhanging tress and fishing ponds lining the edge of the decking. On the resort's private beach there are also sun loungers and parasols for guests, the ideal place to watch the sunset with a cocktail.

The private beach stretches over 4km and nearby is a lagoon teeming with exotic birds and wildlife, catering to both beach-goers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. There are plenty of significant historical sites, cultural hotspots, and wildlife excursions including the hot springs of Kanniya, the Temple of a Thousand Pillars, Pigeon Marine National Park, Kokkilai Bird Sanctuary, and Trinco city for day trips, as well as cycling trails and nature walks along the picturesque shoreline. From the resort one may explore nature trails in the mangroves and lagoons and enjoy bird watching, deep sea and estuary trawling excursions, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing and parasailing. There is something for every type of traveller.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus