Location: Kalutara
Top Things to do in Kalutara
Top Restaurants in Kalutara
What to do and see in Kalutara, Sri Lanka: The Best Places and Tips
Kalutara (Sinhalese: කළුතර, Tamil: களுத்துறை) or Kalutota is a major city in Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is also the administrative capital of Kalutara District. It is located approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of the capital Colombo. The area is well known to produce the Mangosteens, a fruit introduced from Malaysia in 19th century.
Restaurants in Kalutara
1. Kalutara Bodhiya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
The Kalutara bodiya is one of the religious place which is venerated by all buddhist in sri lanka. anybody who comes from Colombo or galle stop over at the sacred shrine to pay their respects by way of worshipping and offerings. here is a hollow dagoba with interesting paintings.
Reviewed By Udarahema - Kottawa
Buddhism is a very historical and important place for visit. Inside main temple you able to go inside and do any religious activities. If you need to get relaxed to your mind please go there and stay few hours
2. Richmond Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Max J - Colombo, Sri Lanka
The mansion had been built by a wealthy individual in the early 1900s copying an Indian palace, for him and his bride to move into after their sumptious wedding attended even by the colonial British Governor at the time. When they died childless the mansion was given over to the Public Trustee of the Government of Sri Lanka to run a home for destitute male children. As most things that are run by the Govt of Sri Lanka this too is not an exception. The place is poorly maintained and at places the ceiling was cracked and the paint on the walls peeling off. The photographs of the couple and their lavish wedding are very interesting and give us a peek into the lives of the super rich local people during the British occupation of the Island.
3. Kalutara Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 524 reviews
Reviewed By Kep70 - Brigg, United Kingdom
Stretches for miles so can walk along way, sand ok very black in places and unfortunately very untidy in places with plastic bottles and rubbish. Lots of fishing boats along the way and sometimes you can see the catch of the day been brought in. One or two beach bars dotted around in between hotels. Sea very warm and very rough waves most of the time but although red flags fly most of the time and many parts have no lifeguard on duty it doesn't stop people having fun with mother nature. Not many hawkers either but occasionally you will get a restaurant or bar owner walk miles with you to try and get you into their establishment, just a firm no thank you usually does the trick.
4. Thudugala Ella waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By GaryOmniverse - Bangkok, Thailand
We visited the waterfall last week as it was close to our hotel, about a 30 minute walk. No one at the hotel knew about the waterfall, which was surprising as it was one of a few in the area, with this being the biggest.
It is tucked away behind an old rubber tree plantation house but in the middle of a rubber tree nursery with over 40,000 trees being grown. You walk down a small track and follow the noise of the water as there are no signs posted.
As you get near the waterfall, you can hear the water running fast through the bushes and trees. Theres two parts, the lower part is pretty flat, but another 100m walk up the river reveals a secluded deeper waterfall where you can bathe in shallow water.
Recommendation
Dont go during holidays as the locals swamp the place, especially POYA day.
Take lots of water as there are no jungle shops, and sun cream.
5. West Coast Tattoo Studio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Tattoo is a form of body art that has been practiced by different cultures since ages. It is done by piercing the skin with a sharp object that has been dipped in ink to make various patterns. As we can understand that making a tattoo involves puncturing the skin and therefore there would be bleeding. So, that means there is always a chance of infection and disease transmission. This is requires some precautionary steps to be taken. To eliminate the possibility of contamination, most tattoo materials, including inks, ink cups, gloves and needles, are single use. The other materials used in repeated manner are sterilized under special conditions. The only valid way of sterilizing them is using a autoclave - heat/steam/pressure unit which is also used in hospitals. What is Autoclave? an autoclave is used in hospitals to sterilize equipment. It uses heat, steam, and pressure to kill every organism on the equipment. It usually takes about an hour for an autoclave to run a cycle from a cold start to effectively kill all organisms. You can even ask to see the autoclave and sterilization certificate. The tattoo artist should first clean the equipment and then place it in a special pouch before placing it in the autoclave. There is a strip on the outside of the pouch that indicates when the equipment is sterile. If you don't see them, ask the artist about them. If the artist tells you they are unnecessary or "overkill," leave immediately and go look for another studio.
Reviewed By Mohamed N - Kalutara, Sri Lanka
I had my first tattoo with West Coast.Very talented experience young person .very patience in his work..very neat and professional and knows his job well.I recommend anuruddha Kushal and wish him all the best for his good work.keep it up.Very Generous and reasonable price for...MoreThank you for response and see you in next time
6. Fa Hien Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Harsha P - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Fa Hien cave is nestled in a village about 1 hour from Kalutara. One passes beautiful villages, streams & rivulets & can see village kids jumping off trees in to streams. It is stated that the latest skeletal remains date back 60,000 years. This is subject to carbon dating by the professional bodies related to this subject. there is a Buddhist monastery at the base & the novice monks assist in the maintenance. With no entrance fee & a few Buddhist pilgrims visiting this site, there is barely any funds to maintain such a treasure. The 2 toilets at the base is not suitable for use. This is cobwebs & cockroaches. There are no toilets at the top of the cave.The walk up takes about 20 - 25 minutes. It is best to walk slowly & not over tire your self. A little kiosk at the base is the only form of that offers Fresh King Coconuts, Fruits, bottles of cold water ,carbonated drinks, biscuits & curios. Some of the novice monks are very helpful but lack knowledge of it's history. I recommend that one visits this place & be at the peak of the cave by 05.45 am to watch the sunrise above the misty Mountains. The pathway is not illuminated & therefore take a powerful torch. Wear shoes & long socks as there are a few leaches when it rains. After daylight seek the assistance of a novice monk or a village folk to climb to the top of the rock. There is a little Buddhist shrine at the top. It gives you the feeling of being on top of the world. Remember to eat your breakfast after you come down. If you visit the area during day time when the sun is up, dont forget to take a dip in a stream which is about 500 meters away from the base station. Ask village folk for assistance to choose a safe place to take a dip. The archaeological department have boards at this site but have taken absolutely no steps to preserve this. The Tourist board has no clue as to how they can develop this in to a Gold Mine. My advise to tourist is to take only photographs & do not destroy the environment. Avoid consuming alcohol at this site. Let us help to preserve this global treasure.
7. Holy Cross Church Kalutara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
8. Ranjiths Carving and Batik Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Pronto132 - Singapore, Singapore
I came upon this shop only because we were walking on the beach, as there are no signs anywhere! Ranjith's shop was decimated by the Tsunami, but since then he has restocked his damaged showrooms with incredible carvings he himself or his students made themselves. The shop is shockingly packed with every sort of mask, elephant, hindu god and other religious statues as well, in one showroom after another. Then you discover the batiks he makes by himself, clothes sewn by his wife Sujeeva, and paintings he does free hand. He does not advertise, nor does he allow drivers or beachboys to bring people, so he is able to sell cheaper than everywhere!! You won't be disappointed!!
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