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Jetwing Yala

Kirinda, Sri Lanka

Jetwing Yala is an 80-room beach hotel on 38 acres of coastal grassland near Kirinda, between the Indian Ocean and the edge of Yala National Park. Jetwing calls it the closest hotel to the park, and its grounds are open to the wildlife that wanders in, with a 75-metre pool, a spa and a long, empty beach watched over by lifeguards.

Which room should I book?

Every room is decorated in reds and greens, with air conditioning, a satellite television, a minibar, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a sitting area, a large shower enclosure and an open-air balcony or terrace; baby cots and child-minding are available on request, and ten rooms are built for wheelchair users. Jetwing Yala itself has three room types: Superior, Deluxe and a single Family Room. The names below are the ones you will see when you choose a room, and several of them describe the same rooms under different contract names.

  • Luxury Room – the contract name for Jetwing's Superior Room, the standard room: up to 56.59 square metres, with a private balcony or terrace looking out over the coastal wilderness. There are 45 of them.
  • Family Room – the hotel's one Family Room, 106.5 square metres with a furnished living area, a large bathroom and a private terrace facing the wilderness. It is the only room that takes four adults.
  • Luxury Room with Sea View – the contract name for Jetwing's Deluxe Room: 61.89 square metres, with large windows, a sitting area and a private balcony looking over the hotel's beach and the Indian Ocean. There are 34 of them, and they are the ones to choose for sunsets over the sea.
  • Jungle Dwelling – not a room in the hotel itself but one of the ten wooden dwellings of Jetwing Jungle Lodge, a smaller, separate lodge that shares the same 38 acres. Each is 79.2 square metres, raised among the coastal dunes, with a jungle view, a large wooden deck for watching wildlife, a shower, air conditioning and a personal butler. Check with us before booking so we can confirm which property you will stay in.
  • Jungle Dwelling with Pool – also a Jetwing Jungle Lodge dwelling. Jetwing does not describe a pool version on its website, so ask us what the pool is before you book this category.
  • Superior – Jetwing's own name for the standard room described above under Luxury Room, used on some of our rate cards: up to 56.59 square metres with a balcony or terrace over the wilderness.
  • Deluxe – Jetwing's own name for the sea-view room described above under Luxury Room with Sea View: 61.89 square metres with a balcony facing the ocean.

Jetwing describes the Superior, Deluxe and Jungle Dwelling rooms for two adults. Bookings with us can take up to three adults, or two adults with up to two children, in each of them, and up to four adults in the Family Room; tell us who is travelling so the hotel can prepare the right bedding.

Where can I eat and drink?

The Restaurant overlooks the beach and serves every meal from live cooking stations with seafood, tapas and Sri Lankan dishes. Thambapanni is the Asian fusion restaurant, drawing on cooking from India to Indonesia. The Bar has indoor and outdoor seating facing the ocean, the Pool Bar serves cocktails by the water, and the Beach Bar has a lounge on the sand for sunset drinks. Jetwing also offers five signature dining experiences, including dinner on the sand dunes, a wild barbecue, a meal by the pool and dining in your room.

What is there to do at the hotel?

The 75-metre swimming pool runs towards the sea, and there is a Balinese-style spa, a gym and a pool table. The beach has direct access from the grounds, and trained lifeguards patrol it and supervise beach activities and water sports. Jetwing protects the nests of the turtles that come ashore here to lay their eggs, and animals and birds from the park often wander through the grounds. Room service and a travel desk run around the clock.

Can I go on safari from Jetwing Yala?

Yes. Yala National Park, famous for its leopards, elephants and sloth bears, begins just beyond the hotel, and the main entrance at Palatupana is nearby. The resident naturalist leads half-day or full-day safaris, and birding trails in the surrounding countryside. Bundala National Park to the west and Kumana National Park to the east are also within reach.

What else is nearby?

The sacred city of Kataragama, whose temple draws pilgrims of several faiths, is within easy reach, as is the rock monastery of Sithulpawwa, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. Closer to the hotel are the fishing village of Kirinda and its hilltop temple, and the town of Tissamaharama. Out at sea, sport fishing and dives on the wrecks of the Great Basses Reef can be arranged.

How do I get from the airport to Jetwing Yala?

Jetwing puts Yala about 240 kilometres and a four-hour drive from Colombo on the Southern Expressway. From Bandaranaike International Airport, north of the city, allow longer. The simplest way to arrive is a private transfer from Colombo airport to Jetwing Yala, which takes you all the way to the door.

Who is Jetwing Yala best suited to?

It suits safari-goers and families who want a large, comfortable beach hotel right next to Yala, with a big pool and plenty of space between game drives. For more choice in the area see our places to stay around Kirinda, or the other Jetwing hotels around the island.

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Planning a stay at Jetwing Yala as part of a bigger trip? Reach Malsiri directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

What guests say

4.6 of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor
4.6 / 5 · 3360 traveller reviews on TripAdvisor
Read all reviews on TripAdvisor ›
Jetwing Yala exterior Hotel exterior Room interior Room view
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An unforgettable stay at Jetwing Yala

Jetwing Yala is truly one of the best hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying at. From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional. The service was outstanding, and the staff were incredibly friendly, warm, and welcom…

290gimhanis · Sep 2026 · via TripAdvisor
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Amazing Experience 👏 🤩

Wonderful Experience...Amazing Staffs ...

anushyar2026 · Sep 2026 · via TripAdvisor
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Wonderful sorry we are on a tour and only here for 1 night

Friendly and wonderful service. Ayon and Ahashan were curtious and helpful.

240corinnaw · Sep 2026 · via TripAdvisor

Ratings and reviews provided by TripAdvisor for Jetwing Yala.

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