Yala Junction
Yala Junction is located along the Tissa–Kirinda road in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It lies between the historical town of Tissamaharama and the coastal village of Kirinda. This strategic location makes it a popular transit point for travelers heading to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve.
• From Colombo: Travel via the Southern Expressway (E01) to Matara, continue along the A2 highway to Hambantota, then take the B499 towards Tissamaharama and proceed to Kirinda. Yala Junction is located along this route.
• From Galle or Matara: Follow the A2 towards Hambantota and switch to B499 as above.
• By Public Transport: Buses and trains connect to Tissamaharama, where taxis and tuk-tuks can take you the final 15 km to Yala Junction.
Yala Junction provides convenient access to key services and attractions for travelers. Nearby facilities include:
• Restaurants:
– Aqua Hotel & Sea Food Restaurant: Lagoon-view dining with seafood specialties.
– Yala Waves Beach Restaurant (Kirinda): Chinese, Sri Lankan, and seafood dishes.
– Cozye Yala Hostel & Restaurant: Casual local meals including rotti and rice & curry.
• Shops and Grocery:
– Muthumala Stores and Yala Commercial Complex: Offer travel snacks, beverages, and fresh produce.
• Hotels:
– Aqua Hotel Yala, Haritha Resort Yala, Wildlight Yala, Elephant Reach: Each providing comfortable stays with amenities like swimming pools and free Wi-Fi.
• Tourist Attractions:
– Yala National Park entrances.
– Kirinda Beach and Buddhist Temple (Kirinda Viharaya).
– Kataragama pilgrimage site.
– Sithulpawwa ancient monastery.
For guests needing local currency, a Hatton National Bank (HNB) ATM is conveniently located at Yala Junction. The ATM accepts MasterCard, Visa, and UnionPay, making it easy for both local and international travelers to withdraw Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) securely.
Yala National Park, which is divided into several sections. From here, travelers can reach:
• Block 1 (Palatupana Entrance) – Famous for leopard sightings, approx. 10 km north.
• Block 3 (Katagamuwa Entrance) – Less crowded and rich in wildlife, around 12 km northeast.
• Block 5 (Galge Entrance) – A quieter and scenic area, located 8 km southeast.
These blocks offer varying terrain, biodiversity, and safari experiences. Booking a jeep safari in advance is recommended for the best wildlife encounters.
