Major city · Sri Lanka
Kalutara
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Kalutara: see the stupa, river bridge and beach; stay overnight if you want a relaxed seaside night.
Kalutara is a coastal town 43 km south of Colombo, known for the hollow Kalutara Vihara stupa, the Kalu River mouth, and a quiet beach. It is easy to reach by bus or train from Colombo and makes a good short stop on a western‑coast itinerary.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kalutara119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kalutara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?LKR in small notes for tuk-tuks, buses, tea and entry tickets.Sri Lanka-wide
- SIM or eSIMDialog, Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) and Hutch sell tourist SIMs at the airport; passport required.Sri Lanka-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Sri Lanka-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Nothing extra if 10% service is on the bill; otherwise 10%.Sri Lanka-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sri Lanka-wide
- SafetyKalutara is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on belongings on the beach and use registered transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants, with a hose; squat toilets in bus stations.Sri Lanka-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPoya (full moon) days close bars and liquor shops and stop meat sales; many sites close on the day of a Perahera procession…Sri Lanka-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 45 km (28 mi) north, 1 h by car or bus).CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 28 mi (45 km) north, 1 h by car or bus).
- Getting aroundTake the Colombo‑Kalutara bus (route 400) – about 2 h; or the coastal train, alighting at Kalutara South station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealCoconut water (street stall)LKR 150–250
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk‑tuk ride (short trip)LKR 200–400
- Budget bedBudget hotel/guesthouse, a night, per personLKR 8,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range resort, a night, per personLKR 20,000
- High-end bedMid‑range resort, a night, per personLKR 26,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 3,500 · Mid LKR 6,500 · High LKR 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 45 km (28 mi) north, 1 h by car or bus)CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (about 28 mi (45 km) north, 1 h by car or bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kalutara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Take the Colombo‑Kalutara bus (route 400) – about 2 h; or the coastal train, alighting at Kalutara South station. Tuk‑tuks are common for short trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Colombo
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus 400 or train north; about 1 h
Capital city for shopping or airport connection.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mermaid Hotel & Club
Three‑star, beachfront, rooms from US$92
Anantara Kalutara Resort
Luxury resort, rooms from US$205
Avani Kalutara Resort
Mid‑range, rooms US$104.50
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- LKR 3,500–5,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- LKR 6,500–9,500 excl. bed
- High
- LKR 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel/guesthouse1 × 1 night × LKR 12,000 | LKR 12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LKR 6,500 | LKR 6,500 |
| Bus 400 Colombo‑Kalutara, one way1 × LKR 250 · check | LKR 250 |
| Train ticket (express, Colombo‑Kalutara South)1 × LKR 350 · check | LKR 350 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × LKR 1,200 · check | LKR 1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 2,030 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 22,330 per person per day, bed included | LKR 22,330 |
Mermaid Hotel & Club rates approx.
2026 estimate in LKR; flights and long‑distance train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coconut water (street stall) | LKR 150–250 |
| Fish fry plate | LKR 300–600 |
| Tuk‑tuk ride (short trip) | LKR 200–400 |
| Beach chair rental | LKR 100–200 per hour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus 400 runs less frequently in the late afternoon; check the schedule.
- Train tickets for express services need pre‑booking on Rajadhani Express.
- Beach currents can be strong; swim near lifeguard‑patrolled sections.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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KalutaraKalutara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙහි ලිපිනයට, කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Colombo; other embassies in Colombo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colombo → Kalutara bus 400: about LKR 250, 2 h (check schedule)
- Kalutara South train (express): about LKR 350, 1 h (check seat availability)
Say or show
- සමාවන්න — Excuse me / Sorry (samāvanna)
- ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthūyi)
- කියන්න කොපමණද? — How much is it? (kiyanna kopamanada?)
- බීච් එක කොහෙද? — Where is the beach? (bīch eka koheda?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kalutara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar · avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a bus or train ticket to the itinerary.
- Consider a beachfront hotel for a night to enjoy sunset.
Sources
Ask about Kalutara
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