How to Plan Your Family Trip to Kalutara

Although the west coast of Sri Lanka is not as popular among travellers, it doesn't mean that there's nothing worth seeing here. The beaches, parks, and hotels you find here are just perfect and they provide great scenic views. Kalutara is one such coastal city that belongs to the west coast of the country and on your upcoming vacation to the west, you may head to this beautiful destination. If you are not yet sure of what to do during your holiday, check this article out!

Travel Kalutara, KalutaraCityViewFromTheBridge, CC BY-SA 4.0

Best time to travel to Kalutara

The best thing about Kalutara as a tourist destination is that it maintains pretty consistent weather throughout the year. If you are heading here during your summer vacation, expect to experience some monsoonal rains and if you are here during your winter season, the temperature will be dry and that will provide the perfect weather condition to engage in all the activities without any hiccups.

Staying in Kalutara during your holiday

Kalutara is increasing fame as a great tourist destination in Sri Lanka. Because of the same reason, many world-renowned hospitality chains are focusing on establishing their Kalutara hotels now. Hotels such as Mermaid Hotel & Club are here to offer you accommodation and dining options during your stay, and they are all ideal for your solo or family tours.

Reaching Kalutara

Kalutara is not so far away from the Bandaranaike International Airport. So, reaching this destination is quite simple and there are many methods that you can try out to come here. One of the most interesting ways is to come by train, enjoying the great coastal vistas and you may get down from one of the two stations located in Kalutara. You can also come to Kalutara by bus, and if you opt for a more comfortable journey, you may also use a taxi.

Do not forget to visit the Kalutara Chaitya

This is the huge, white-coloured temple you see as you enter the city. The temple (Viharaya) is on one side of the main road, and on the other side, it's the Kalutara Bodhiya (the Bo Tree). The Kalutara Chaitya holds immense historical and religious values, and you should definitely visit this main attraction during your vacation.

Visit the Richmond Castle

This old mansion has been built by a local philanthropist in the early 1900s. Although this building was constructed in the good old days, it comprises of many western influences in its architecture and tiling. Travellers love to visit this attraction mainly due to the architectural aspect, but what delights them after is the stories in line with this mansion.

Head to the Brief Garden

If you have ever heard of the famous architect Bewis Bawa, then head to this picturesque garden in Kalutara to see some of his amazing work. The garden spans across a land area of 5 acres and you may see many old trees and bushes here. The park has different sections in it and they are all ideal backgrounds if you are someone into photography.