Joanna James
Nestled along the south coast of Sri Lanka, the town of Kalutara has much to offer intrepid travellers. Here are the top 5 things you can look forward to doing here while on holiday.
The town's iconic attraction, the Kalutara Chaitya is a large Buddhist dagoba that one comes across when entering Kalutara. Located near the river, it is considered the world's sole hollow Buddhist shrine and is an important sacred site for devotees. Within this huge white dagoba, one will find a fascinating range of murals, depicting scenes from Lord Buddha's life taken from what is referred to as the Jataka Katha (tales). Nearby is the sacred Bo tree known as the Kalutara Bodhiya; this is also of great significance since according to local belief this tree originated from one of the saplings taken from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (another sacred tree) in Anuradhapura.
Those in search of more thrilling activities can always look to try some water sports in Kalutara. Adrenaline junkie can take part in water skiing, windsurfing, jet skiing and body boarding while depending on the season surfing can also be enjoyed. Kids will love the banana boat and tube rides on offer and it is also possible to organise kayaking and speedboat rides.
No trip to the south coast of Sri Lanka is complete without spending time at the shore and one of the foremost things to do in Kalutara is to head to the beach. Relatively less crowded than some of the other beaches along the coast, the Kalutara shoreline has everything you need for a holiday by the sea; palm fringed golden sand, soft breezes, inviting ocean waters and plenty of tropical sunshine to help get that perfect tan. Staying at one of the properties right by the beach such as AVANI Kalutara Resort is a great option if you are looking to spend your days lazing on the sand. Come evening, the beaches tend to get a bit more crowded as locals also head to the shore to enjoy fun and frolic in the surf and take in magnificent sunsets.
The Kalu Ganga (river) which flows through the town and into the sea adds to the charm of this coastal getaway. To get a whole different perspective of Kalutara look to take a boat cruise along the river, with the evening being the best time to embark on such an excursion so as to take in the sunset as well. Originating from the Adam's Peak Mountain, the river offers a captivating view of life on its banks and those on a boat cruise can take in everything from local settlements to idyllic forests.
After all one's adventures in Kalutara, there is nothing like getting pampered with some holistic spa treatments. Most resorts and hotels have their own in-house spas, some of which feature Ayurveda therapies utilising traditional healing rituals and natural herbs and oils. Be it massages, body wraps or facials, these spa treatments in Sri Lanka will help you feel revived and refreshed.
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