Travel to Puttalam

a really lovely section of coast

Puttalam is located on the relatively remote northwest coast of Sri Lanka.

Extending over around 500 sq km (200 sq miles), this very large lagoon is protected from the ocean by a sandy spit of land, which runs from the south to reach a sandy tip at the far north.

This area is a real backwater and a great pleasure to explore.

Much of this peninsula is covered by a pretty patchwork of small scale farming and palm tree plantations, leading to the settlement of Kalpitiya.

Despite being a substantial town, Kalpitiya is pleasantly laid-back and is considered to be a major centre for kite-surfing, with the protected waters of the lagoon providing a perfect playground.

On the western ocean side of the peninsula there are some particularly attractive beach properties, suitable for people who really enjoy getting away from it all and enjoying the pure relaxation that comes from being in such a naturally beautiful place.

In recent years the government has installed an extensive network of enormous wind turbines in this area, which may be environmentally positive, but does definitely detract from the sense of pure rural escapism in some areas.

The best time of year to visit the Puttalam area is generally considered to be during the Jun-Sep northeast dry season and, to a lesser extent, the Jan-Mar southwest dry season.

Temperatures are more or less constant year round, with daytime temperatures around 30C/86F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures up at a potentially uncomfortable 20C/68F.

The main issue is rainfall, which is highest Oct-Dec and has another smaller peak Apr-May. These periods are therefore usually best avoided, although lower visitor numbers provide some compensation.

Another major factor is the wind seasonality for kite-surfing, which tends to be most reliable May-Sep, typically around 37-55 kph (20-30 knots), whilst the Dec-Mar season usually reaches 28-37 kph (15-20 knots) in the afternoons.

Getting there

The Puttalam area is usually reached by road. For our guests, this means combining it with various other locations on the island in a private guided overland safari, travelling in the company of an expert driver-guide. Popular connections include …

Anuradhapura : 2-3 hours
Colombo : 3-4 hours
Kandy : 3-4 hours
Sigiriya : 3-4 hours
Wilpattu : 1-2 hours

The Puttalam area area can also be reached by train, but this is rarely done since the station is on the mainland side of the lagoon, whilst all the best lodges are on the ocean peninsula.

Where to stay

Puttalam Lagoon attracts a young kite-surfing crowd, so there is a large cluster of backpacker lodges in and around the town of Kalpitiya.

We prefer to head to more remote parts of the peninsular. The southern part contains a string of small mid-range beach lodges, some of which are really rather attractive.

But if you are looking for an even more remote escape, then look out for options on the far northwest of the peninsula

the further north, the more remote