CityOutline guide

Kalpitiya

Town in North Western, Sri Lanka

Photo: A.Savin, FAL via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Kalpitiya is in North Western Province, in Sri Lanka.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Kitesurfing lanka
Do
Kite school with accommodation, prices from €35.
Details
Valampuri kite resort
Do
valampuri resort
Kite school accommodation, lessons, trips and rentals prices from €30.
Details
Kitekuda kite camp
Do
Kite camp, accommodation starts from €40.
Details
Wind4Love Kite center Sri Lanka
Do
Kite school with accommodation, prices from €29.
Details

Where to eat, drink and stay

Sleep5 places

Dolphin Eco View Lodge
Nice bungalow style resort on the Dutch Bay lagoon, price starts from US$35 double.
Website
facebook.com
Ruwala Nature & Aventure Park ResortUS$80 to 120
reservations@ruwalaresort.com
The resort is a fusion of a rustic eco-retreat and adventure-park on the banks of the Puttlam lagoon.
Price
US$80 to 120
Address
Kalpitiya Road, Thihaliya, Eththale
Directions
on the way from Pulatam to Kalpitiya
Phone
+94 777 345 531, +94 777 530 542
Website
ruwalaresort.com
Kalpitiya Guest HouseRs 1117
Lots of hammocks and opportunities to laze around. Dining area and cozy environment.
Price
Rs 1117
Address
Muhathuwaram Road
Phone
+94 71 836 3984
Kite Bay Resort KalpitiyaRs 3164
Kite lessons, island tours, snorkelling, dolphin watching available at this hostel-type place.
Price
Rs 3164
Address
Sethawadiya
Phone
+94 76 540 4707
Website
facebook.com
Dune TowersUS$20
behind Christopher land
Family-run boutique guesthouse opened from 2022 at the coastal sand dune in the middle of coconut estates. Offers rooms, meals, large garden, dolphin and whale watching, yoga lessons and retreats, mangrove boat trips, scuba diving, Wilpattu safari, beach volleyball, table tennis.
Price
US$20
Address
Alankuda Beach Rd
Directions
from Palavi-Kalpitiya main road turn west (towards Ocean) at Alankuda Junction
Phone
+94 767548946
Website
dunetowers.com

Getting there and around

Getting there

There is a in town. As of 2026 two bus routes terminate here: one to Colombo Fort (6 per day, 5½ hours) and one to Negombo (2 per day, 4 hours). There is no direct bus connection between Kalpitiya and Puttalam.

Read in the guide

Getting around

While you can walk around Kalpitiya itself, it is built on the lagoon side of the peninsula. To go to the beach, or anywhere out of town really, you'll need some wheels.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport

Colombo · International · CMB

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Read before you go to Kalpitiya

Articles and travel topics about Kalpitiya and Sri Lanka.

Travel tips

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandKalpitiya is a small fishing town that is developing into a tourist center. It is known as a destination for kitesurfing, dolphin and whale watching and scuba diving.

Get inThere is a in town. As of 2026 two bus routes terminate here: one to Colombo Fort (6 per day, 5½ hours) and one to Negombo (2 per day, 4 hours). There is no direct bus connection between Kalpitiya and Puttalam.

Get aroundWhile you can walk around Kalpitiya itself, it is built on the lagoon side of the peninsula. To go to the beach, or anywhere out of town really, you'll need some wheels.

See

DoThere are kitesurfing schools operating:

BuyThe best souvenir from Kalpitiya is a bottle of arrack — local liquor 33% made from coconut, tastes like something between rum and whiskey. You can buy it from wine shops, price starts from Rs 900.

DrinkThere bars only as part of the hotels, but you can buy arrack, wine or beer from wine stores (3 stores in Kalpitiya peninsula). Shops are closed by 21:00, so plan early.

EatThere are many restaurants in the Kalpitiya town area and whole peninsula as well. Some of them offer high standards and quality, while others are very simple and cheap offering the local atmosphere.

SleepCompared to the very tourist friendly Negombo and the down south, Kalpitiya is relatively under developed for tourism, but within last years it is to find comfortable accommodation in the whole Kalpitiya peninsula.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Kalpitiya" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Kalpitiya", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: A.Savin, FAL via Wikimedia Commons

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