How to Plan a Trip to Kalutara

Kalutara, which was once known as Kalutota is one of the main districts in the Western Province in Sri Lanka. Particularly due to its location within easy access from Colombo, Kalutara has also become one of the main tourist destinations in the country. If you are someone planning to visit this amazing city, here are some important tips that would be useful for you.

Deciding on the best time to visit

Kalutara is one of the very few cities that have pleasant weather almost throughout the year. However, if you are allowed to decide your dates of visiting this city, avoid the months from May to July. This is because the monsoon period generally prevails during these months, and that can mean the existence of sudden downpours out of nowhere. In the monsoon season, the beach is also pretty rough and this will make it hard for you to get close to the shore.

Traveling to Kalutara

If you think of reaching the destination of Kalutara from Colombo, you can opt for many transportation options. You may try out a train ride if you wish to enjoy great scenery along the coast. Or else, another public transportation mode is available for- the busses! There are luxury and semi-luxury buses that you can take to reach Kalutara from the Colombo central bus stand. But, if you wish, you may also hire a car to go to Kalutara and this can be a little more expensive than using public transportation.

Staying in Kalutara

If your idea is to spend a day or two in this eventful area, you need to choose a good hotel in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Even if you don't plan to stay overnight in this city, you will still have to opt for a great hotel the likes of Mermaid Hotel & Club for dining, and also to have some rest. All these hotels are sure to provide you with world-class hospitality services, and that's a guaranteed fact.

Exploring the attractions

The main and the most significant attraction in Kalutara is the Kalutara Chaithya (stupa). Right on the opposite side of the entrance to the temple, there is the Kalutara Bodhiya (the Bo Tree) and it's also equally important. The tree is believed to be one of the 32 saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bo Tree in Anuradhapura, and this fact makes it one of the oldest trees in Sri Lanka as well. The stupa is also very different from other stupas that you see in the country because it follows a hollow structure. After visiting this religious attraction, you can then head to the Richmond Castle which is a mansion with an untold story. This mansion has been built in 1910 and you can admire the architectural style of it while also exploring its carvings and the sculptures.

Things to do in Kalutara

In addition to exploring the beauty and the charm of all its attractions, you can also try out some impressive activities when you are in Kalutara. One such interesting experience will be to relax on Calido Beach. This beach is popular among tourists for its natural beauty and scenic views. Another great experience will be to shop in Kalutara, particularly in Beruwala which is a coastal city very close to Kalutara. Beruwala has many things to impress you, and they include leather goods, doormats and even some unique arts. Buying something from these small scale vendors will surely help them support their families, and you'll also be happy because you contributed to such a worthy cause.