The Palmyrah House

Palmyrah House is dedicated to promoting and preserving the natural beauty, flora and fauna of the area. Mannar Island is especially important for Bird lovers as it is well situated on the migratory path for thousands of birds who arrive during the wet season, the island is now the only place in Sri Lanka where flamingos still drop in...! The house is a five minute bike ride from the pristine beaches, where the water just laps onto the deserted, white, shell covered sand. Palmyrah House uses eco-friendly products and all hot water is generated through solar power. Palmyrah House is contributing to the local area through the employment and training of local staff and encouraging local enterprise. Palmyrah House is perfectly placed en route to Jaffna, (2 ½ hrs) and less than an hour from Sri Lanka's largest national Park, Wilpattu. The area is flat and perfect for biking, the traffic is minimal, and the pace is slow giving you the feeling of being transported back to gentler era. Wild donkeys (originally from Somalia) and cattle relax in the middle of the road and bullock carts are still used for transport. Surrounded by water and lagoons, Mannar Island abounds with delicious prawns and the freshest of fish. The Mannar causeway across the water makes for an impressive arrival and is the longest causeway in the country. The history of Mannar is absorbing. Mannar was the centre of the Pearl Fishing industry in Ceylon from the 1st century and continued until 1906. Governor North, in 1804 built a house overlooking the Mannar Basin; although a ruin its location and remains are worth a visit. The sacred Madhu Church is just 30 minutes from Mannar, a special place that survived the ravages of the last 26 years and was an important sanctuary for so many. Talaimannar is an important ferry crossing point to India, and on a clear day the Indian coast is clearly visible across the Palk Strait. At the closest point Rameswaran in Tamil Nadu is a mere 32kms from Mannar Island. Just a few reasons to visit us, Read on for more!