Hikkaduwa (Hikkaduwa, Chicagoi, Hikkaduwa) is a small town and a popular resort on the West coast of Sri Lanka, about 100 kilometers South of Colombo (Hikkaduwa on the map of Sri Lanka). Although Hikkaduwa and relate to the West coast, is actually located almost in the very South of the island. The city's population – slightly more than 100 000 people.
Like many other popular resorts all over the world, Hikkaduwa was originally "discovered" colonies of hippies in the 70-ies. They knew a lot about good beach locations, and was chosen by the more peaceful in those days the coast of a small village. The place was so successful that after a couple of decades turned into a developed resort area and the village grew into a city.
The beach in Hikkaduwa is generally good, and very long. Almost the entire length of the resort it is quite wide, however, sometimes narrows, and in the North generally eroding due to built hotels of the dam. The whole beach is built up with hotels, and no palm shores in the style of "bounty" you will not see here: restaurants and hotels are located directly on the shore, becoming closer and closer to the water every year. Everywhere on the beach come across a school of surfing and diving (including training and Russian language), equipment hire. As for diving and snorkeling, according to some estimates, is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for scuba diving and almost dive capital of the country: there is a coral reef and several sunken ships. If you move further North, beyond Hikkaduwa, across many underdeveloped, but very pleasant beaches, some of which is rare for hotels.
In the evening tourists usually walk along the beach or along launoy street Galle Road in search of a cafe or restaurant, but there are in Hikkaduwa and a modest night life. On Fridays the hotel Vibration Hotel is very noisy night party with modern music, so a sleepless Friday night fans of discos is provided. In other days, the resort goes to sleep early, and find evening entertainment except that the bars on the beach.
Attractions in the resort area there, but the area is something to see. Popular excursions to the turtle farm, the mines producing precious stones, national Park, temples in the surrounding area.
With regard to safety, then call the Hikkaduwa absolutely peaceful place in Sri Lanka impossible. Incidents involving tourists occur here more than at other resorts. Mostly traffic accidents, robberies on the streets (ripping chains, phones, cameras), steal things on the beach, theft from rooms or shooting houses. Fortunately, basic precautions help to avoid many troubles, you just need to be more careful and more attentive.
