Things to do in Kalutara – Planning your memorable holiday

When in Sri Lanka, you're gifted with stunningly pristine beaches. As an island nation, it is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and different parts of Sri Lanka have their own beautiful beaches. It's the same case in the town of Kalutara, where the beach is stunning in its own ways. When you stay at Mermaid Hotel & Club or any other hotel in Kalutara, Sri Lanka make sure you spend some time at the Kalutara Beach and dip in the ocean when you get the chance to!

To go back in time, you ought to visit Richmond Castle in Kalutara. This is a castle that has stood against the test of time and holds a lot of historic prominences. Considered one of the most outstanding architectural works of the 1900s, this castle was owned by an individual by the name of Mudiyalar Don Arthur De Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardhane, who was an officer in charge of Kalutara Disaawa during that time. It was told that owning a mansion as such came to him during one of his trips to a Maharaja's house in India, and he also wanted to impress the family of the girl he was engaged to. Nevertheless, the story behind the castle is a rather solemn one, because the Mudiyalar and his wife were childless and could not cope with that loneliness. It's rumoured that his wife later started an affair with one of her servants, ending her marriage once and for all.

This is a beautiful monastery hidden within the dense Dombagaskanda forest reserve, The best and easiest way to get here is through the Panadura – Rathnapura main road. This reserve is rather well known, revered to be one of the richest spots in Sri Lanka for bird watching. You will be able to spot several endemic birdlife such as green billed coucal, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Layard's Parakeet, and many more rare species of birds. The monastery covers almost 50 acres of land, providing a peaceful environment for the meditating monks.

The moment you enter the town of Kalutara, you're likely to spot this temple. The bodhi tree that sits here is believed to have one of the 32 saplings sprouted from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, so holds a lot of importance. Previously, this spot was known as Gangathilaka Viharaya and possesses a history of over 2320 years. This place was used as a fort during the colonial periods and served as an administrative and military location because it is strategically placed.

Lying in Yatagampitiya, Fa Hien Caves is one of the oldest pieces of evidence showing the Mesolithic habitation in Sri Lanka. It is known as the largest natural rock in Asia and has a natural tunnel running inside, and can accommodate around 3000 people.