Matara (Sinhala: මාතර, romanized: Māthara) is a major city in Sri Lanka, on the southern coast of Southern Province. It is the second largest city in Southern Province. It is 160 km (99 mi) from Colombo. It is a major commercial hub, and it is the administrative capital and largest city of Matara District.
No information available
Cheap, safe tourist hotels abound.
Matara is a coastal town on a lovely beach, its main attraction. The city has a population of about 76,493 and the mean annual temperature is 30°C.
The River Nilwala runs through the town and into the sea. The river has fertilized the whole area as evidenced by the paddy fields, tea estates, and spice plantations.
Just west of Matara is the popular seaside town of Polhena, famous for turtle spotting just off Polhena Beach and other nearby spots such as opposite The Doctors House restaurant.
