Kalutara
©
Kalutara

Kalutara

Coastal town south of Colombo where the Kalu Ganga meets the Indian Ocean.

Kalutara is a small coastal town about 42 kilometres south of Colombo, sitting at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga river where it meets the Indian Ocean. It has a pleasant palm-fringed beach, a modest centre of markets and busy roads, and two of the more distinctive sights on the southwest coast: the Gangatilaka Vihara, a hollow stupa whose interior chamber visitors can enter, and Richmond Castle, an eccentric colonial-era mansion built with exactly 99 doors and windows.

The town is well known for its mangosteens, which Sri Lankans consider the finest in the country. The fruit ripens from May to July and is sold at roadside stalls along the main highway through town.

Kalutara makes a convenient stop between Colombo and the beach resorts further south at Beruwala, Bentota, and Hikkaduwa, or a half-day excursion from the capital.

Guide

Getting There

Kalutara is about 42 kilometres south of Colombo on the A2 coastal highway, making it an easy half-day trip from the capital or a convenient stop on the way to Bentota, Hikkaduwa, or Galle.

By train, frequent services run south from Colombo Fort station to Kalutara South and Kalutara North stations. The journey takes around an hour. The train hugs the coast for much of the route and is a pleasant way to travel.

By bus, air-conditioned express services from Colombo Central Bus Stand cover the distance in around 90 minutes, though local traffic near Colombo can extend this. Buses continue south to Beruwala and beyond, so Kalutara is a natural stop rather than a terminus.

Tuk-tuks and three-wheelers are available at both stations for getting to hotels, the beach, or the sights.

Guide

Things to Do

Kalutara's main attractions are its Buddhist monuments, its beach, and Richmond Castle — a peculiar colonial mansion outside town that is worth the detour for anyone curious about the stranger side of Sri Lankan architectural history.

Guide

When to Go

Kalutara's weather follows the pattern of Sri Lanka's southwest coast. The best time to visit is from November to April, when the northeast monsoon brings dry conditions to the west coast. This is peak beach season, and the sea is generally calm and swimmable.

The southwest monsoon runs from May to October, bringing heavy rain and rough seas to Kalutara. The beach becomes less inviting and swimming can be dangerous, but the interior of the country — and the Buddhist monuments in town — are accessible year-round regardless of the weather.

Mangosteen season (roughly May to July) is a reason for some visitors to visit during the wetter months. The fruit is considered to be at its best just after the first rains, and Kalutara's roadside stalls are among the best places in the country to buy it.