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Puttalam
ℹ️Practical info — Puttalam
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The climate is extremely hot and dry; always carry plenty of water when exploring.
- Visit the vast salt pans early in the morning or late afternoon for the most dramatic lighting and cooler temperatures.
- Avoid swimming in the lagoon as the water quality varies and there are strong currents.
- Hire a local boat to explore the small islands in the lagoon and spot diverse birdlife.
🍽 Food
Look for small, family-run eateries near the lagoon for the freshest, heavily spiced crab curries.
Due to the strong Muslim heritage, local bakeries in the town center offer excellent, unique traditional sweets.
The ultimate hydration in this heat; easily bought from small roadside vendors everywhere.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
A staple of the local economy; visit the central market to see (and smell) the massive variety available.
You can often buy small bags of locally harvested salt from vendors directly near the salterns.
Find a quiet spot along the water's edge just outside town for a spectacular, undisturbed sunset.
Walking along the elevated paths between the shallow salt pools gives a surreal, mirror-like landscape.
Water temperature…
Puttalam is the administrative capital of the Puttalam District in Sri Lanka's North Western Province, situated along one of the largest lagoons in the country. The city has long historical ties to Arab traders, which is reflected in its significant Muslim population today. Geographically, the region is characterized by an arid climate, making it good for large-scale sea salt production in the surrounding salterns. Puttalam also hosts the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, which provides a major portion of the nation's electricity supply. Agriculture is dominated by coconut plantations and lagoon fishing, while the area is also known for tobacco cultivation. The city acts as a gateway to the Wilpattu National Park, the largest protected wildlife area in Sri Lanka, and is increasingly becoming a hub for renewable energy, particularly wind power.
- Location: Sri Lanka
- Top sights: mariyamman kovil · St. Clement's Church · Mohideen Jumma Masjid
- Nearby: Chilaw (10 km)
- Population: ~45.661 (2018)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Jul.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 56 | 47 | 76 | 145 | 110 | 44 | 34 | 51 | 87 | 227 | 247 | 171 |
Geography
Facts
- Puttalam is located on the shores of the Puttalam Lagoon, covering about 327 sq km.
- The region is one of the largest producers of sea salt in Sri Lanka.
- The Norochcholai Power Station is the only coal-fired power plant in the country.
- The city is historically significant for its links to medieval Arab maritime trade.
- Puttalam houses one of the largest cement manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka.
- The wind farms along the Puttalam coast were the first major installations of their kind in the nation.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town Puttalam (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is Puttalam economically known for?
What is the Puttalam Lagoon?
Are there national parks nearby?
When should you visit Puttalam?
How do you reach it from Colombo?
Puttalam: where is it located?
Puttalam: what is there to see?
Puttalam: when is the best time to visit?
Puttalam: why is it worth visiting?
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