Kalutara Beach
Kalutara Beach is a rather underrated beach on the West Coast. This beach is very close to Colombo, about a 90 minute drive from the city, and also easily accessible via train and bus. The long sandy beach is known for its beautiful deserted walks, especially in the early morning. It is a clean stretch of sand however, the sea can be bit rough and currents can be dangerous, so beware of the red flags that mark which spots aren’t safe for swimming.
Kalutara is the main city in the Kalutara District. The area is known to produce tasty mangoostein fruit, the best place to get them fresh from the market in Sri Lanka. The city also has other attractions such as Richmond Castle, which is a Edwardian mansion located near Kalutara. The ‘castle’ was built between 1900 and 1910 and was once the country seat of Mudaliyar Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena. The building is currently owned by the Public Trustee and open to the public for visits.
The Kalutara temple is one of the most famous in Sri Lanka. Its huge white dome is unmistakable as you approach from the road. Pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka come to this temple to gain blessings from it. The Kalutara temple is a great place to find some tranquility and peace, and also to mingle with local visitors. The big pagoda is centered around a bodhi tree believed to have sprouted from a sacred sapling, giving rise to the fame of the temple.
Whilst not the most exciting beach Sri Lanka has to offer, Kalutara can be a tranquil stop on your way towards exploring more of the South coast. The area also boats some of the top resorts in Sri Lanka such as Anantara Kalutara with great beach access, pool suites and villas. Jie Jie beach by Jetwing is located in Panadura, a city right before Kalutara as you approach from Colombo.
Panadura beach is also a great place for spending time with family and finding some peace and quiet away from the hectic tourist routes.
Other fantastic resorts close to the area include Hertance Ahungalla, in the small adjoining coastal town of Ahungalla. Jetwing’s Calamansi Cove is tucked away in the sunny Balapitiya beach, and gets is name from the Calamansi fruit. Turyaa Kalutara and Avani Kalutara are other properties which will enable you to spend your holiday in Kalutara in luxurious comfort,