Tissamaharama (Yala) to Mirissa taxi: private transfer at a fixed price

From Tissa the road runs to Hambantota, and from there the driver has a choice. The A2 coastal road continues through Ambalantota, Tangalle, Dikwella and Matara, through busy towns but with the sea in sight on several stretches. The faster option takes the Southern Expressway, the E01, from near Hambantota to the Matara end, then drops to the coast and runs a few kilometres west to Mirissa. Toll fees are already in the fixed price, so the choice is just about speed and scenery. About 100 km and about two hours without stops. If you want Tangalle beach, the Hummanaya blowhole near Dikwella or the giant seated Buddha at Wewurukannala, the coast road is the one, and the trip takes three hours or more.

The first stretch from Tissa to Hambantota is straight and quiet, past paddy fields and lagoons, and passes close to Bundala National Park, a wetland known for flamingos and waders in the northern winter. Hambantota is spread out, with wide new roads around the port and the convention centre. On the coast road, the towns of Ambalantota, Tangalle and Dikwella are slow, with buses stopping anywhere and markets spilling onto the tarmac. Matara is the busiest point of the day, especially around the bridge over the Nilwala river at school times. The last few kilometres to Mirissa are on the A2 coast road, with beachside traffic and tuk-tuks turning off without warning. Many Mirissa hotels sit on narrow lanes off the main road; the driver will get as close as he can.

For two hours on mostly flat road, the economy sedan is comfortable enough for up to three people with three bags. Choose the comfort sedan for four passengers or larger cases. After a safari, the car is often full of dusty bags and camera equipment, and families of four to six will prefer the 6-seat van, which gives the luggage its own space. Groups of seven or eight need the 8-seat van. Child seats are free on request. Air conditioning is welcome on this leg: the dry zone around Tissa and Hambantota is one of the hottest parts of the island.

There is no train from Tissa; the coastal railway stops at Beliatta, so you would need a bus or tuk-tuk to reach it, then a train to Matara and another vehicle on to Mirissa. Buses run along the A2 from Tissa towards Matara, usually with a change at Hambantota or Tangalle; they are cheap but crowded, slow through every town and awkward with big bags. App taxis are scarce in Tissa. A tuk-tuk for 100 km is possible but hot and slow, and it cannot use the expressway. If you want to visit Mulkirigala rock temple or spend a night in Tangalle, ask about car hire with driver by the day.

After a dawn safari, a pickup at your Tissa hotel around 11:00 gets you to Mirissa in the early afternoon, in time to check in and catch the sunset. Leaving in the afternoon is fine too, but traffic through Matara builds after 16:00. The south coast is at its best from December to April, when the sea at Mirissa is calm and the whale-watching boats go out; from May to September, the south-west monsoon makes the sea rough and brings heavy showers to the Matara side. A 10% high-season rate applies from 15 December to 15 January, and pickups or arrivals between 22:00 and 05:00 carry a 15% night surcharge.