Dolphin Beach in Kalpitiya, two hours from the airport, offers Sri Lanka’s first tented hotel.  Luxury A/C tents are located on a beautiful sandy strip next to the ocean.  Family tents can sleep up to six, and each tent has a wide verandah and a hammock.  Kids will love running around and exploring the large beach, where they can build sand castles to their hearts’ content.  Sunset is the perfect time to relax in the comfortable lounge area set under a thatched roof with ocean views.

A set menu or a la carte options are available and the cooks are quite flexible, though service can be slow for large groups and multiple orders.  The pizza, made in the on-site wood fire oven, comes highly recommended.  The main downside now is the lack of the pool, but there is one under construction and guests can also use the pool at sister hotel Bar Reef.

Don’t miss the sea safari! See hundreds of dolphins leaping out of the ocean just a short boat ride away.  Kite surfing is also available, and you can spot elephants and leopards on excursions to Wilpattu National Park located just one to two hours away.