Back to destinations
Destination guide

Kitulgala

Sabaragamuwa · Kegalle

Kitulgala is a Sri Lankan travel destination known for adventure, river, rainforest, cave.

Add to My Trip
Kitulgala

adventure

Kitulgala

Quick facts

Ideal stay

1 to 3 nights

Stay length

1-4 nights (2 recommended)

Timezone

Asia/Colombo

Elevation

61 m

Tourism region

Sabaragamuwa (Adventure Country)

Budget level

Budget to midrange

Recommended pace

Relaxed

Popularity

6/10

Crowd level

Moderate

Difficulty

Easy

Coordinates

6.997872, 80.408493

Data status

Generated starter requires verification

Linked attractions

12

Connectivity

Internet quality

Average

Mobile coverage

Good

Airports

Nearest airport

Ratmalana Airport (RML)

Distance from airport

~75 km

Recommended arrival airport

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Recommended departure airport

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

History

Kitulgala, on the rainforest banks of the Kelani river, is where David Lean filmed 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' in 1957. The village of toddy-tappers later became Sri Lanka's white-water rafting capital, and the Belilena cave above the town has yielded some of the island's oldest prehistoric human remains.

Climate

wet zone

Best time to visit

Best months

JanuaryMarch

Avoid

MayOctoberNovember

Good for

Backpacker friendlyFamily friendlyCouple friendlySolo friendlySenior friendly

Interest scores

Nature

8/10

Photography

8/10

Adventure

8/10

Relaxation

6/10

Culture

5/10

Food

5/10

Hidden gem

5/10

Wildlife

3/10

Shopping

3/10

Nightlife

2/10

Beach

1/10

Known for

adventureriverrainforestcave

Nearby places

RatnapuraBelihuloyaBalangodaPinnawala and Kegalle

Map view

Kitulgala location

See Kitulgala and nearby attraction pins on the map.

Open in Google Maps
DestinationAttraction6.9979, 80.4085

Explore Kitulgala in depth

Nearby destinations

Traveler reviews

No reviews yet — been to Kitulgala? Help other travelers by sharing your experience.

Keep planning your Kitulgala trip