Why Is Kalutara So Famous? Know The Best Things To Do In This Historic Coastal Town 

BY  Sibashree Apr 7, 2026

If you could only cover the beaches in Sri Lanka, you would know how Sri Lanka, despite being a smaller country, carries the spirit of the subcontinent, “Unity in Diversity.”  If the beaches in Jaffna were a lesson to understand the livelihood of the local fishermen, the Hiriketiya Beach, with its unique horseshoe shape, has been a surfer’s delight.  Now, I am going to talk about Ahangama, another popular beach town in Sri Lanka, famous for its cool vibe and surfer breaks.  Earlier, it was known for its 19th-century Buddhist temple and the art of stilt fishing. However,  this beach town, in the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is now also known as a lifestyle destination.  The likes of Condé Nast Traveller are backing its charm as a cool fishing town.  Also, today, you may even ditch the best hotels in Galle, one of the major cities near the beach, thanks to the cafes such as The KIP, Marshmello Cafe or La Cafe Bistro.  Nevertheless, while surfing is Ahangama’s claim to fame and the budding food scene is the most happening thing right now, here are more things you can plan here.  What Are The Things To Do In Ahangama? Ahangama is now emerging as a really cool place, as, despite being a beach town in Sri Lanka, it has the right amenities for digital nomads.  While the surf and beaches offer the right dose of relaxation and the diverse communities offer the most eclectic experience, it also boasts many air-conditioned co-working and co-living spaces.  In fact, despite Galle getting more attention, if you are planning to try things to do in Galle, Ahangama, around 20 km away, will be a better base due to the presence of cool hotels, good food, and cafes.  Nevertheless, it is not just about breaking the waves.  Here are tons of other things to do in Ahangama. 1. Hitting The Surf The reef breaks of Ahangama are the best for intermediate and advanced surfers. The waves on the south coast are world-class.  Kabalana Beach itself is a great place to start your surfing expedition in Ahangama. Furthermore, you will easily get board rentals for around 800 LKR, and the sessions usually cost around 4000 LKR.  You can also surf near the Kabalana Rock, Sticks Surf Break, Rams Right, and Midigama.  2. Some Adventure At The Lamana Skatepark Lamana Skatepark is one of the best places if you want to experience the party scene in Ahangama.  Local skaters hit the bowl here daily. However, the live bands and the DJ music add some spunk to the air.  3. Swimming With The Turtles Dalawella Beach, a short tuk-tuk ride from Ahangama, is the place where you can swim with giant sea turtles.  Here, meeting the sea turtles was a different experience from how I saw them at the Sea Turtles Conservation Centre near Mount Lavinia Beach.  Also, some of the turtles here were around 50 years old, and they weighed around 200 kgs.  You can rent a snorkeling mask for around 300 LKR. However, stay away from feeding these turtles,  4. Safari At The Udawalawe National Park If nothing else, I will remember Sri Lanka for the endless and most delightful encounters with elephants.  I had mentioned spotting the elephants at the Udawalawe National Park as one of the best things to do in Ella.  However, as Ella is just 58 km away from Ahangama, you can also plan a safari if the latter is your base.  Along with the baby and mother elephants, you will also love spotting peacocks, monkeys, and buffalo here.  Moreover, when you are in Ella, don’t miss the iconic train ride on the Nine Arch Bridge.  5. Climbing Devil’s Rock With jungle walkways and eerie rock formations, the Devil’s Rock feels like a piece of Jurassic Park in Sri Lanka.  You will find this group of scary rocks as you go east from Ahangama and stop just before Midigama.  However, the only catch is that you will have to swim through the water with a medium current and during the low tide to reach Devil’s Rock.  The hike is also quite strenuous. So, it may not be the best thing to do in Ahangama if you are not a pro swimmer or fit hiker.  6. Scuba Diving In Unawatuna You have done diving in Raja Ampat, the Maldives, or Bali. However, scuba diving in Unawatuna is something different.  While you cannot expect the grandeur of these diving sites at Unawatuna, you can definitely find the Lord Nelson Shipwreck, exotic micro critters, coral reefs, and more in the water, at a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.  You can reach Unawatuna by taking a drive for just 15 minutes from Ahangama.     7. Cruising To Ying Yang Shack The term “hidden gems” has become so cliché these days! However, places like Ying Yang Shack can still keep the magic of the phrase alive.  Here, you literally take a ride in a handmade boat, and our boatman confided that he had made this boat with his brother.  I, along with the other riders to the Ying Yang Shack, had a chilled beer in my hand as our boatman cruised through the water and talked about the lush greenery.  I also spotted a monitor lizard and majestic eagles.  Then came the sunset, and our boatman started singing, and his voice echoed as the bats and birds filled the red sky.  The day ended well as his family made the most delicious and spicy BBQ meal for us. Where Is Ahangama? Ahangama is located in the Galle District of Southern Sri Lanka. It is located between Unawatuna and Midigama.  Furthermore, this surfing and swimming paradise is located at a distance of around 3 hours from Colombo.  How To Reach Ahangama? The Bandaranaike International Airport is the closest to Ahangama. The distance is around 143 km, and that can be covered by a car in around 3 hours.  Furthermore, you can take a train from the Colombo Fort Station and take a train to Ahangama via Galle.  In addition, you can take a tuk-tuk ride from Midigama or Weligama to reach Ahangama. Why Is Ahangama More Than Just A Beach Town In Sri Lanka?  The elite food scene and the amenities for digital nomads make it more than just a beach town in Sri Lanka.  With brunch spots such as Black Honey and dining spaces such as Coco Kitchen, it can now beat Galle for trying local and fusion cuisines in Sri Lanka.  Moreover, it offers a steady 30-80 Mbps internet connection, and the cafes and air-conditioned coworking spaces here have the infrastructure to support the lifestyle of digital nomads.  Ahangama: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about Ahangama Beach Town. 1. Is Ahangama Better Than Mirissa?  It is hard to pick a favorite between Ahangama and Mirissa. Ahangama is famous for its surfing breaks and a laid-back vibe. On the other hand, Mirissa has a classic beach vibe, and it is more famous for whale watching.  2. Should I Stay In Ahangama Or Weligama? Ahangama is your go-to place if you want to enjoy a boho-chic vibe during a beach holiday. On the other hand, Weligama is more of a hub for surfers who are beginning their journey.Also, despite a happening nightlife, Ahangama is a quieter retreat at night as compared to Weligama.  3. What Is The Ahangama To Mirissa Distance?  The distance between Ahangama and Mirissa is around 16 km. The travel time to cover the distance is around 32 minutes by road. However, you can also take a train from Ahangama to Mirissa and travel the distance in 19 minutes. 

BY  Sibashree Mar 25, 2026

“Love Sri Lanka, Always.” This has been the new campaign of Sri Lanka. Also, this campaign, coming at the time of the ongoing Gulf War, looks quite bold.  It projects the island country as a place that needs constant discovery.  And Sri Lanka has reaped the benefits of launching a bold campaign. It has crossed the mark of 100,000 tourists within the “first 18 days of the March in 2026.” Furthermore, while the marketing campaign has brought Sri Lankan tourism global visibility, the diversity of attractions makes it a powerhouse.  For example, I have been so much in love with Sri Lanka that I have made multiple visits and sometimes to the same place, years apart.  With the changes and developments, the country has still maintained its warmth, lush greenery, and human resilience. The sheer grit of the country has helped it win over the natural disasters such as the Tsunami, Cyclone Ditwah, and endless civil wars.  However, with diverse offerings, it may be difficult to choose the things to do in Sri Lanka. So, here are the places I loved the most.  What Are The Things To Do In Sri Lanka?  Keeping the spirit of the Indian Subcontinent alive, Sri Lanka beautifully portrays an inclusive picture.  For example, its southern and northern zones show a difference in language and culture. However, both are connected through the way of life, sunshine, and more.  Also, Sri Lanka has places such as the Ambuluwawa Tower, which is within a multireligious complex, showing how respectful the country is toward every religion.  1. Exploring The Tamil Culture And Temples In Jaffna Jaffna was the first place I visited in Sri Lanka as a backpacker. It is a hub of strong Tamil culture in Sri Lanka.  Furthermore, Jaffna has beautiful Hindu temples such as the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, the Naguleswaram Temple, the Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple, etc.  Also, the beaches in Jaffna showcase the beauty of Northern Sri Lanka.  Moreover, the food in Jaffna is spicier than in any other part of Sri Lanka.  Overall, Jaffna is a world in itself where slow living and staying true to the roots are the best ways.  2. Hiking The Ritigala Forest Monastery Out of all my experiences in Sri Lanka, hiking the Ritigala Forest Monastery has been my silent favorite.  The history of the Ritigala Forest Monastery takes us to the 1st century BC. It has more than 70 caves and was once the abode of the monks of the “Pansukulika” sect.  Furthermore, located inside the Ritigala Forest Reserve, the remains of the ancient monastery are now surrounded by around 96 species of medicinal plants.  The presence of the medicinal plants further makes its association with the Ramayana stronger. 3. Visiting Uppuveli Beach, And Other Attractions In Trincomalee Trincomalee has the famous Uppuveli Beach. However, it would be wrong to assume that the things to do in Trincomalee are limited to beach activities.   You can visit the Thirukoneswaram Kovil Temple, Fort Frederick, Trincomalee Maritime and Naval History Museum, and the Trincomalee Market. 4. Visiting Mount Lavinia Beach The Mount Lavinia Beach is very close to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. This beach has a leisurely vibe with the local folks playing cricket and people taking a sun bath.  However, the main attraction here was the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre. It is located by the beach, and it buys eggs from the locals to hatch them.  5. Climbing Up The Ambuluwawa Tower At the top of the Ambuluwawa Mountain, the Ambuluwawa Tower is an important cultural landmark in Sri Lanka.  Its location is in the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, in Gampola. Also, it is just 20 km away from Kandy.  You can climb up its spiral stairs to reach the top of the tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the surroundings.  6. Exploring The Cultural Capital, Kandy Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, has the beautiful Kandy Lake at the epicenter.  Furthermore, it is fighting with the aftermath of the Cyclone and Ditwah and remains crucial in the political and economic landscape of the country.  The most fascinating things to do in Kandy are visiting the Udawattakele Forest Reserve, bowing before the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, and visiting the Temple Of The Tooth.  7. Climbing Up The Sigiriya Rock The Sigiriya Rock is famous for its mythological significance and history, and its association with Buddhism.  King Kashyapa made the Sigiriya Rock his seat of power in 477-499 AD.  However, before that, it was a Buddhist monastery which later shifted to the Pidurangala Rock.  Also, it has a long history of archaeological discovery, and in 1982, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  8. Climbing Up The Pidurangala Rock The Pidurangala Rock has a history that goes back two millennia. After King King Kashyapa made the Sigiriya Rock his seat of power, the Pidurangala Rock became their refuge on the king’s order.  Furthermore, it has a 1500-year-old Buddha Statue, and it is a protected ancient cave.  Moreover, from the Pidurangala Rock, you will get the best views of the Sigiriya Rock.  9. A Train Ride On The Nine Arch Bridge A train ride on the Nine Arch Bridge is the most iconic experience you can have in Sri Lanka. Also known as the Ella Odyssey, it has been praised by the BBC and Lonely Planet.  Built in 1921, this bridge is a prominent example of the Colonia-era architecture, and it does not have any metal in its construction.  10. Hiking To The Diyaluma Waterfall Hiking to the Diyaluma Waterfall from Poongala is one of the most popular hiking expeditions in Sri Lanka.  Once you reach the Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, you can relax and enjoy a swim in the infinity pools.  From the upper fall, you have to take a further trek of 30 minutes down to reach the Lower Diyaluma Waterfall.  Furthermore, the Diyaluma Waterfall is associated with the tragic love story of a King who fell in love with a lady from a lower caste.  Knowing about their love, the villagers chased them, and the lady fell into the waterfall and died.  11. Visiting The Dehiwala Zoo Since 1936, the Dehiwala Zoo in Sri Lanka has been a favorite spot for a thrilling wildlife experience.  Along with housing monkeys, elephants, fish, and birds, the zoo also has a dedicated section for reptiles.  Moreover, it has always been famous for the animal shows, and it has a Leopard Trail for guided night safari.  12. Spending A Day In Hurulu Eco Park The Hurulu Eco Park near Habarana is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to learn the art of slow traveling.  In the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, it is a great place for spotting elephants.  This dry evergreen is ideal for seeing elephants because it is the corridor between the Kaudulla National Park and the Minneriya National Park.  Take an afternoon safari to enjoy wildlife spotting and your time in nature.  13. Visiting Nuwara Eliya, The Coldest Place In Sri Lanka  Nuwara Eliya, the coldest place in Sri Lanka, is located at an altitude of 1,889 meters. Furthermore, it carries a nickname, “New England,” from the British Era.  Nuwara Eliya is a place of juxtapositions. There are Tudor-style homes, Victorian-style post offices, waterfalls, and jungles, showing the contrast in the landscape and cityscape.  Furthermore, it has natural attractions such as Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, and the Lovers Leap Waterfall.  Also, don’t forget to spend a day in Horton Plains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  14. Experiencing A Scenic Train Ride And More In Ella Though Ella has changed in the last 10 years due to rapid development, it has maintained the serene charm with its mountains, rail line, and lush greenery.  Furthermore, it is the place to share a seat with Sir Thomas Lipton and understand how tea runs as the lifeline of the nation.  Also, the Ravana Falls is the place where Ravana hid Sita after abducting her.  Other iconic things to do in Ella are visiting the Nine-Arch Bridge, enjoying a Kandy to Ella train ride, climbing the Ella Rock, watching sunset from the top of the Little Adam’s Peak, etc.  15. Exploring The Galle Fort  Galle is dreamy, and it looks like a movie frame in sepia tone.  However, the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at the epicenter of this once impenetrable trading post.  Walk to the Galle Fort and explore this living museum of art, architecture, and history.  Also, watching the sunset from the Galle Fort is a magical experience.  More things to do in Galle include exploring the beaches beyond the fortress wall.  Also, don’t forget to enjoy a drink in a bar in the cobblestone streets of Galle.  Overall, Galle is a place that unfolds with time. The fortress, the streets, and the colonial buildings make history palpable in every nook of Galle.  In a way, it summarizes the true spirit of Sri Lanka. Visiting the country is not about ticking the bucket-list destinations.  It’s about understanding the culture and soaking in the local vibe.  16. Visiting The Hiriketiya Beach  Hiriketiya Beach is the latest addition to the tourism attractions in Sri Lanka. It is a favorite destination for backpackers and digital nomads.  Furthermore, it is a popular surfing beach with zones dedicated to surfers of different expertise levels.  Here, you can walk to the Blue Island, enjoy great food and beer at Smoke and Bitters, and learn how to cook with Rosie.   How To Group These Attractions By Region For An Easier Trip  With 16 different experiences spread across the island, plotting an actual route through Sri Lanka can be more overwhelming than picking which attractions to visit.   Here is how I would group them if I were sequencing a first-time trip.  Northern And Eastern Sri Lanka: Jaffna And Trincomalee  Jaffna and Trincomalee sit on opposite coasts of the north.  Pairing them makes sense only if you have at least five or six days set aside, since the drive between them runs several hours along the A9 and A6.   If your trip is shorter, pick one.  Jaffna is for the Tamil temples, beaches, and spicier food, or Trincomalee for Uppuveli Beach and the naval history sites.   Both are a considerable detour from the rest of this list. So, I would treat this leg as a separate mini-trip rather than trying to loop it into a Kandy-to-Ella itinerary in the same week.  The Cultural Triangle And Central Highlands  This is where most of the list actually clusters.  Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock, and the Ambuluwawa Tower sit within a couple of hours of each other, and Kandy makes a natural hub between them and Nuwara Eliya.   From Kandy, the train to Nuwara Eliya (getting off at Nanu Oya) or onward to Ella is one of the most scenic rides in the country.  It conveniently strings together the Ambuluwawa Tower, Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, Nuwara Eliya's tea country, and the Nine Arch Bridge and Diyaluma Waterfall near Ella into a single, mostly rail-connected week.   The Ritigala Forest Monastery and Hurulu Eco Park sit slightly further north, closer to Habarana and Anuradhapura.  So, they fit best as a stop on the way into or out of this loop rather than a separate detour.  The South Coast: Galle And Hiriketiya  Galle Fort, Hiriketiya Beach, Mount Lavinia, and the Dehiwala Zoo all sit along or near the southwestern coastal belt.  The coastal belt is a couple of hours from Colombo by car or the coastal train line.   This makes the south coast the easiest leg to slot in at either end of a Sri Lanka trip.  Mount Lavinia and the zoo as a half-day near the airport, then Galle and Hiriketiya as a longer coastal finish before flying out.   Because this stretch runs along a single road and rail line, it's also the most forgiving section to travel without a fixed itinerary, since onward transport is frequent and buses and trains run late into the evening.  Falling In Love With Sri Lanka, One Region At A Time  Visiting Sri Lanka is not about ticking bucket-list destinations.  It is about understanding the culture and soaking in the local vibe, whether that's the Tamil hospitality of Jaffna, the misty highlands of Nuwara Eliya, or the sepia-toned streets of Galle Fort.

BY  Sibashree May 4, 2026

The southern shores of Sri Lanka have many amazing beaches stretching from Tangalle to Dondra Head, or the southernmost tip of the country.  Talalla Beach is one of them, and it has sea vines, golden sands, and sleepy hotels lining the coast.  Furthermore, if you are a fan of the TheLowDownUnder Travel philosophy, Talalla is the perfect pick.  Again, if you are visiting the Hiriketiya Beach or the Kudawella Beach, the Talalla Beach is just a short tuk-tuk ride away.  Moreover, it is a peaceful place to see the turtles hatching and surf.  Here is more about the things to do in Talalla Beach, the nearby attractions, and other details. Where Is Talalla Beach?  Talalla Beach is just 6.5 km away from the Dondra Head, the southernmost part of Sri Lanka.  Also, it is between Dickwella and Matara towns.  You can, of course, take a taxi from Colombo to reach Talalla Beach after a journey of 3.5 hours.  However, if you are also traveling on a budget like me, you can take a train from Colombo to Matara, and then you can take a tuk-tuk ride from there. It costs around LKR 1500.  Also, from Matara, you will get a local bus to Talalla Beach, and the ticket price will be LKR 50.  Nevertheless, I was already at the Kudawella Beach, which is around 7 km away. So, I boarded a tuk-tuk, and it charged me 500 LKR. Surfing And More: What Are The Things To Do At Talalla Beach?  Now, many travel guides claim that surfing is one of the best things to do in Talalla Beach. However, the reality is that Talalla Beach is not a surfing spot.  Still, if you are visiting Talalla Beach, you will find many surfing breaks or spots on the southern coast of Sri Lanka nearby.  1. Surfing Near Talalla Beach  Starting from the west to the east, these are some places to surf near the Talalla Beach.  Madiha  The left and right reefs at Madiha are one of the most challenging breaks in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Early morning is the best time for surfing here. SK Town  SK Town is around 20 minutes away from Talalla Beach.  However, SK Town is still an emerging place for beginners and intermediate surfers.  The A-frame peaks here are powerful, and you will find a sandy bottom.  Dawn and late evening sessions are the best times for surfing in SK Town. Hiriketiya Hiriketiya is the most prominent place for surfing near Talalla Beach. You can do a surf camp here and explore the semi-hollow and fast left-hand break.  However, Hiriketiya is touristy, and that can be a problem for surfers.  Kudawella  If you have never tried surfing before, you must visit the Kudawella Beach.  The beach has its own break, and it is even more protected than Hiriketiya.  2. Watching Turtle Hatching From Mount Lavinia to Uppuveli Beach in Trincomalee, the beaches in Sri Lanka are famous for turtles.  However, at Talalla Beach, I had the unique experience of seeing turtles hatching from their eggs.  The small turtles break the egg shells and come out. Then, they immediately crawl toward the sea.  Furthermore, if you visit the beach at night, you can see turtles laying eggs.  3. Visiting The Lace Factory Now, the lace factory is not a tourist attraction in Talalla Beach. I luckily came to know about it from a local.  It was just a walk of 5 minutes from the beach, and the artwork I saw inside the factory was fascinating.  It was a great cultural experience seeing the locals preserving the traditional art form of the country.  4. Yoga Sessions The Talalla Beach Resort has a Yoga Shala.  If you are an early morning person, you can attend a Yoga session here and rejuvenate your mind and body.  5. Getting An Ayurvedic Massage  Like Southern India, Sri Lanka also has a tradition of Ayurvedic treatments.  You can avail yourself of some relaxing ayurvedic therapies and massages at the Taltalla beach houses. What Are The Places To Visit Near Talalla Beach?  You can combine your time at Talalla Beach with a fascinating wildlife experience, enjoying town life at Matara, and a delightful swimming experience at the Seethagalla natural seawater pool.  1. Udawalawe National Park Spotting elephants in the Udawalawe National Park is one of the best things to do in Ella.  Despite a distance of 161 km, a trip to Udawalawe National Park from Talalla Beach is worth it.  You just cannot miss the early morning safari here and spot the baby elephants and their mothers.  2. Matara  I loved Galle Fort. However, to me, Matara, at a distance of around 44 km, felt more intimate.  I enjoyed the cheerful voices and the sound of the balls getting struck when the youngsters were playing cricket inside the old fort.  Furthemore, I visited the Mid Mountain Tea & Spices here and collected some local brews as souvenirs.  3. Seethagalla Natural Seawater Pool The Seethagalla Beach is to the east of the Talalla Beach. It has sand with black patches and coconut trees.  Furthermore, this rugged cove has a tidal pool. It was a lovely swimming experience.  Where Is The Best Time To Visit The Talalla Beach?  The dry season, from November to March, is an ideal time to plan a trip to Talalla Beach.  These months offer the best wave conditions for swimming and surfing. Especially November to early January is the best window for surfing.  However, the temperature in these months ranges between 32 and 37 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the high humidity in the air makes it stuffy sometimes.  In addition, there can be sudden downpours.  Also, in a day, early mornings and late evenings are the best times for surfing as the winds are the weakest.  Moreover, if you are in Sri Lanka in April onward, you must look further east. Arugam Bay, especially, is a delightful location for surfing on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka in the wet season.   Where To Stay Near The Talalla Beach? Talalla Beach has limited accommodation options. However, the Talalla Sunshine Beach is a delightful option with 10 beautiful rooms and an uninterrupted view of the sea.  Also, it is just a few steps away from the beach. So, you can even walk to the beach at night for a serene experience.  Another popular option here is the Talalla Resort, which also functions as a retreat center and has spa and yoga facilities.