Kalutara travel guide: Best time to visit & Activities to do

The ideal location for an entertaining family vacation is the beach town of Kalutara, also known as Kalutota. The place has some nice beaches in the town where you may go to relax and take in the scenery. There are several historical sites in Kalutara, which speak to the city's rich ethnic background. Starting with "Kalutara Chaitya," the sole hollow stupa in the entire world and an amazing place to visit in Kalutara. Other sights are the Asokaramaya Temple and Richmond Castle. When visiting this delightful location for vacation, make sure to check out Calido Beach. While visiting Kalutara, stay in one of the numerous stunning beach resorts. A tranquil coastal retreat and extremely popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka tours is Kalutara. This town is rich in fascinating history and has many seaside settings. Kalutara has it all, whether it's great food, cultural hotspots, or beach activities.

In addition, Kalutara has some of the tastiest and freshest fish. starting with lobster, cuttlefish, and a variety of other delectable fish. This region is home to the luscious mangosteen fruit, which has a fleshy white interior and a purple outside. Kalutara is the main production center for mangosteen. To learn more about this beautiful, unique location, read this Kalutara travel guide.

Read Also: Child-Friendly Holiday Destinations in India 

Optimal Season to Visit Kalutara

The best time to visit Kalutara is year-round. Although you could experience the monsoon season in the summer and the winter months are quite dry, the weather in Kalutara is rather stable throughout the entire year. As a result, you can travel to Kalutara practically any time of year because the climate is generally consistent. 

Activities in Kalutara:

There are many seaside and tourist-friendly areas in Kalutara that are worth visiting. The top ten things to do in Kalutara are listed below.

Richmond Castle

In Kalutara, there is a stunning two-story mansion called Richmond Castle. Don Arthur de Silva, a wealthy philanthropist, constructed this palace between 1900 and 1910. With Burmese teakwood construction, tinted glasses from Scotland, and lovely Italian tiles, this gorgeous structure boasts stunning architecture. This building reflects the opulent style of the era making it a worthy place to visit in Sri Lanka. The magnificent pillars and frames contribute to the setting's appeal. The castle is open to all tourists and is currently maintained by a public trustee.

Asokaramaya Temple

In Kalutara, there is a stunning two-story mansion called Richmond Castle. Don Arthur de Silva, a wealthy philanthropist, constructed this palace between 1900 and 1910. With Burmese teakwood construction, tinted glasses from Scotland, and lovely Italian tiles, this gorgeous structure boasts stunning architecture. This building reflects the opulent style of the era. The magnificent pillars and frames contribute to the setting's appeal. The castle is open to all tourists and is currently maintained by a public trustee.

Kalutara Chaitya

While visiting Kalutara, you must explore Kalutara Chaitya, which is located south of the Kalutara Bridge. The temple has historical significance and is located directly on the edge of the city's northern opening. The first temple to contain a hollow stupa is Kalutara Chaitya. The so-called Gangatilake Stupa is the only hollow stupa in the entire globe.

Kalutara Bridge

Numerous historic sites have grown in Sri Lanka as a result of British, Dutch, and Portuguese influence. One such important relic that dates back to Sri Lanka's colonial era is the Kalutara Bridge. It is an important site to visit because it connects the western and southern boundaries.

Kalu Ganga River Boat ride

You can take a boat ride on the Kalu Ganga River if you'd want to relax in some peace and quiet. You can have a closer look at the ocean as the trip passes through fishing communities on Sri Lanka's west coast.

Sea Turtle Conservation, Koggala

If you enjoy turtle watching, you can take tours to Kalutara & Koggala. You may learn more about these critters through the Koggala Sea Turtle Conservation Project, and you'll enjoy spending time with these gorgeous aquatic animals.

Traveling to Kalutara: 

There are multiple ways to reach Kalutara, which is one of the stunning beach towns, and traveling there is pretty straightforward. The train is one of the most practical ways to get to Kalutara, and it can take you there. You go by train down the Southern Coastal line, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. It has two stations in Kalutara. If you decide to take a bus, there are numerous public and private buses that travel along Galle Road. Either the main bus station in Fort or Galle Road are good places to catch a bus.

Currency and Visa: 

The currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee. Make sure you convert your currency into SL Rupees if you are visiting from other countries. The currency can be exchanged with multiple international travel agencies, banks, or during immigration in the airport itself. Additionally, if you are a United Kingdom citizen then you must travel with your current passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.