Major city · Sri Lanka
Beruwela
Half a day or a single night: walk the China Fort gem market, then the beach. Not a base for the south coast — Bentota and Kalutara have more to do.
Beruwela is a compact beach town on Sri Lanka's west coast, 55 km south of Colombo. Its main draw is the centuries-old China Fort gem market and a string of resort hotels along Moragalla beach. Most travellers pass through on the coastal train or bus; the town itself offers little beyond the market and the sand. A half-day stop works if you are heading south; a full day is too long unless you are on a resort package.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (southwest monsoon, rough seas)
- 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 Beruwela119 ▾
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 Beruwela, 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
- SafetyBeruwela is safe for tourists.
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.
- AirportcheckCMB Bandaranaike International Airport (About 1.5 h by taxi; check the fare before you ride.).
- Getting aroundWalk the town centre and the beach strip.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealKing coconut (from a roadside stall)Rs 80–150
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk ride (2 km (1.2 mi))Tuk-tuk ride (1.2 mi (2 km))Rs 200–400
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personLKR 2,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLKR 8,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLKR 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 4,000 · Mid LKR 10,000 · High LKR 20,000
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 1.5 h by taxi; check the fare before you ride.)
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
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–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beruwela: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 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
Walk the town centre and the beach strip. Tuk-tuks cover the 2 km between the market and the resorts for Rs 200–400. The coastal train and bus stop at Beruwela station and the bus stand on Galle Road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
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.
Moragalla beach strip
Most resorts and hotels are here, 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) south of the town centre.Most resorts and hotels are here, 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) south of the town centre.
Beruwela town centre
Budget guesthouses near the bus stand and the gem market.
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 4,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 8,000–15,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 15,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × LKR 8,000 | LKR 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LKR 10,000 | LKR 20,000 |
| Tuk-tuk from Beruwela to Moragalla (one way)1 × LKR 400 · check | LKR 400 |
| Train from Colombo to Beruwela (second class, one way)2 × LKR 200 · check | LKR 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 2,880 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 15,840 per person per day, bed included | LKR 31,680 |
2026 estimate in Sri Lankan rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Rice and curry (local restaurant) | Rs 400–800 |
| King coconut (from a roadside stall) | Rs 80–150 |
| Tuk-tuk ride (2 km) | Rs 200–400 |
| Train from Colombo (second class, one way)check | Rs 200–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Gem prices are negotiable; check the stone with a loupe and ask for a certificate.
- The southwest monsoon (May–Oct) brings strong currents and rain; swimming is not advised.
- Tuk-tuk drivers may quote inflated fares for short rides: agree the price before you get in.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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BeruwelaBeruwela
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
මෙම ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
The US embassy is in Colombo; most other countries have embassies there too.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tuk-tuk from Beruwela to Moragalla: Rs 200–400
- Train from Colombo to Beruwela (second class): about Rs 200–300 (check)
Say or show
- ඉස්තුති — Thank you (istuti)
- කීයද? — How much? (kīyada)
- ගොඩක් වැඩියි — Too expensive (goḍak væḍiyi)
- වැසිකිළිය කොහෙද? — Where is the toilet? (væsikiḷiya 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 Beruwela. 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–Apr · avoid May–Oct (southwest 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Beruwela
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