Puttalam

Puttalam (Sinhala: පුත්තලම, Tamil: புத்தளம்) is the capital of the Puttalam District in North Western Province. It is a coastal town on Puttalam Lagoon, known for its salt pans, shrimp farming, and fishing industry. Puttalam has a mixed population of Sinhalese, Muslims, and Tamils.

The town sits at the northern end of Puttalam Lagoon and is the gateway to the Kalpitiya Peninsula, a developing tourist destination known for dolphin and whale watching. The area has large salt pans and coconut estates. Puttalam Lagoon is rich in birdlife. Climate is hot and dry, best visited December–April.

By Plane

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB IATA) is 130 km south. Taxi takes 2.5 hours (Rs 6,000–8,000).

By Train

Puttalam Railway Station is on the Colombo–Puttalam line. Trains from Colombo Fort take 2.5–3 hours (Rs 250–600).

By Car / Road

Puttalam is 130 km from Colombo via the A3 highway. Buses from Colombo take 3 hours (Rs 300–500). Buses also connect to Kurunegala, Negombo, and Anuradhapura.

Tuk-tuks.

Puttalam Lagoon — A large lagoon used for fishing, salt production, and shrimp farming. Salt Pans — Traditional and industrial salt production. Kalpitiya Peninsula — 20 km west, a developing tourist area with dolphin watching and kite surfing. Dutch Fort of Puttalam — Remains of a colonial fort. St. Anne's Church — A historic Catholic church.

Explore the salt pans. Take a boat trip on the lagoon. Visit the Kalpitiya Peninsula for dolphin watching.

Local restaurants serve seafood, rice and curry, and Muslim cuisine.

King coconut water.

• Budget: Guesthouses from Rs 2,000–3,500/night.
• Mid-range: Limited options.
• Upscale: Kalpitiya has beach resorts from US$40–80/night.

Salt, dried fish, and coconut products.

• Kalpitiya (20 km west, 30 min) — Dolphin watching and kite surfing.
• Chilaw (35 km south, 40 min) — Coastal town.
• Anamaduwa (35 km east, 45 min) — Inland agricultural town.
• Negombo (100 km south, 2 hr) — Beach town near the airport.
• Kurunegala (70 km southeast, 1.5 hr) — Provincial capital.
• Wilpattu National Park (50 km north, 1.5 hr) — Wildlife safari.