Major city · Sri Lanka
Chilaw
Visit Chilaw as a day trip from Colombo; no overnight needed, 1–2 h travel each way, explore beach and Munneswaram temple.
Chilaw is a small coastal town 80 km north of Colombo. Its main attractions – a sandy beach, bird‑watching sandpits and the historic Munneswaram Hindu temple – are reachable in a half‑day. Trains and buses take 2–3 h, a private car about 1 h 20 min, so a single day is enough unless you plan extended beach time.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, calmer seas)
- avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon, rough seas)
- Airport
- CMB
- Nights
- 0
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chilaw119 ▾
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 Chilaw, 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
- SafetyChilaw is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables concealed, avoid isolated beaches after dark, and follow local advice on sea conditions.
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 (≈80 km (50 mi) south, 1 h 20 min by car).CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (≈50 mi (80 km) south, 1 h 20 min by car).
- Getting aroundTuk‑tuk or hired car for longer trips; walk or rent a bike for beach and town centre (all sites within 3 km (1.9 mi)).Tuk‑tuk or hired car for longer trips; walk or rent a bike for beach and town centre (all sites within 1.9 mi (3 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomLKR 3,500
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomLKR 5,000
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per roomLKR 8,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 2,500 · Mid LKR 4,500 · High LKR 6,500
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 (≈80 km (50 mi) south, 1 h 20 min by car)CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (≈50 mi (80 km) south, 1 h 20 min by car)
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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chilaw: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 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
Tuk‑tuk or hired car for longer trips; walk or rent a bike for beach and town centre (all sites within 3 km).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sri Munneswaram Devasthanam
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Local bus or tuk‑tuk, ~20 min from town centre
Historic Hindu temple, open daily; modest entry fee.
Kalpitiya
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Hire a car or take a bus north 30 km (19 mi)Hire a car or take a bus north 19 mi (30 km)
Coastal resort area, good for dolphin watching (seasonal).
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.
Chilaw Far Inn Hotel
Budget rooms, Rs 7,070 for 2 guests
Hotel Pearl Gate
Very low‑budget, Rs 3,500 per night
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
- Rs 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 4,000–6,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × LKR 3,500 | LKR 3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LKR 2,500 | LKR 2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 600 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 6,600 per person per day, bed included | LKR 6,600 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Local bus fare Colombo → Chilaw | Rs 250 |
| Train 2nd class Colombo → Chilaw | Rs 400 |
| Meal at a roadside eatery | Rs 300–600 |
| Bottle of king coconut (kurumba) | Rs 30–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train schedules vary; check the latest timetable before travel (check).
- Beach has no lifeguard service; swim at your own risk.
- Mosquitoes are common near the sandpits in evenings; use repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChilawChilaw
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙම 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 → Chilaw, bus: about Rs 250, 1 h (check)
- Colombo → Chilaw, train 2nd class: about Rs 400, 2–3 h (check)
Say or show
- සමාවෙන්න — Excuse me / Sorry (samāvenna)
- බොහොම ස්තුතියි — Thank you (bohoma sthuthi)
- එය කොපමණද? — How much is it? (eya 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 Chilaw. 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: Nov–Apr (dry season, calmer seas) · avoid May–Oct (south‑west monsoon, rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a private‑car day‑ticket for flexible travel to Kalpitiya.
- Include a guided bird‑watching walk at the sandpits (check local operators).
Sources
Ask about Chilaw
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