Joanna James
Beruwala is a coastal town located in the Kalutara District, and only 1.5 hours away from Colombo. The town happens to be the island's first recorded Muslim settlement and has some eye-catching beaches and historically important locations.
The tranquil waters at Beruwala Golden Mile Beach are beautiful! The long stretch of golden beach with a few solitary fishing vessels on its waters is a pleasing sight to behold. This beach is a well-known nesting site for turtles, as well as a hub for water sports. To witness turtles, you can team up with a conservation project for a first-hand experience.
When it comes to water sports, activities like jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing are popular. You can find a ton of beachside eateries and coffee shops to keep you satiated and hydrated throughout the day.
While in Beruwala, you can visit the neighbouring Aluthgama market, which is just 12 minutes away. It's just the spot to discover all kinds of things like fresh produce and tropical fruit to rice and curry. The Aluthgama market is also known for its selection of local handicrafts, such as handmade lace and wood carvings. Visitors can explore the stalls and find unique souvenirs to take back home. The bustling market is a hub of activity, and the vibrant colours, sounds, and aromas make it a sensory experience. The market is open daily and attracts both locals and tourists, creating a vibrant atmosphere. A visit to the Aluthgama market is an excellent way to immerse oneself in the local culture and experience the authentic flavours of Sri Lanka.
Bentota Ganga is an environment of incredible beauty and occupies plenty of wildlife and mangrove swamps. You will see rare and colourful birds, raptors, baby crocodiles, monitor lizards and more. Sail beneath bridges, upstream, to discover mangrove forests and lily-dotted islands. It will be an amazing experience for sure.
The hotels in Beruwala, Sri Lanka, are some of the best in the coastal region; the likes of Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara are among the top choices to look out for!
Only 16 minutes from Beruwala is the Brief Garden. This tastefully sculpted garden and estate was once the home of Bevis Bawa. His brother, Geoffery Bawa, became one of the island's most prominent architects. The latter had found this location a source of inspiration during his career as an architect. The garden is open for visitors since the 1970s. Witness the beauty of this lush, fantasy-induced garden, which artistically integrates with its wild surroundings. Scouring this enchanting garden and the colonial house is an awesome way to spend a lazy afternoon in Beruwala.
Beruwala is the first Muslim settlement in Sri Lanka, thus a stop at Kechimalai Mosque will be a memorable one. According to historical sources, the first Muslims from Yemen landed in this particular spot in Sri Lanka. You can find several tombs of these initial visitors near the mosque, with another inside. Located close to the blue sea, and resplendent in white, this mosque stands tall and proud as one of the oldest mosques on the island.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
