Sri Lanka · City Guide
Kalutara
Kalutara is a beautiful coastal town on Sri Lanka's southwestern coast, famous for the magnificent Kalutara Bodhiya stupa with its unique hollow interior, the wide sandy beach at the mouth of the Kalu River, excellent mangrove boat safaris and a relaxed atmosphere that provides a gentler introduction to Sri Lanka's south coast than the busier resorts further south. Approximately one hour from Colombo, Kalutara provides an excellent first stop on a south coast itinerary.
Elect's take
"Kalutara has a quieter character that I find appealing as a transition point between Colombo and the busier south coast resorts. The Bodhiya stupa is genuinely unusual — you can walk inside it — and the river mouth setting is beautiful."
The Kalutara Bodhiya is one of Sri Lanka's most unusual Buddhist monuments, a large white dagoba with a hollow interior that visitors can enter, its walls lined with paintings depicting the life of the Buddha and the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The beach at Kalutara, where the Kalu River meets the Indian Ocean, provides a wide stretch of sand with a more relaxed atmosphere than the busier resort towns further south. Mangrove boat safaris on the Kalu River and nearby lagoons provide excellent birdwatching and the chance to see monitor lizards and other wildlife. The town's position approximately one hour south of Colombo makes it convenient for those beginning a south coast journey.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Kalutara Bodhiya
A unique hollow stupa that visitors can enter, with paintings depicting Buddhist history.
Kalutara Beach
A wide beach at the mouth of the Kalu River with a relaxed atmosphere.
Mangrove Safaris
Excellent river and lagoon boat safaris with outstanding birdwatching.
Kalu River
A beautiful river mouth setting providing the town's distinctive character.
Buddhist Heritage
An important site in Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition and pilgrimage.
Colombo Proximity
Approximately one hour from Colombo, an excellent first stop on the south coast.
