Batticaloa Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2 - 3 Days

Best Time: April to September Read More

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Batticaloa Tourism

Batticaloa also is known as 'Batti' for short, is a small town located on the East coast of Sri Lanka which has a very mellow and calm vibe to it. The calming city is surrounded by beautiful lagoons and palm trees. This town is in the east of Sri Lanka is also easy to reach due to its connectivity to roads, railway, and the bridge connected to the causeway, which makes the city easily accessible.

The town is rich in culture and traditions and will enable you to experience the authentic Tamil culture and lifestyle. Batticaloa is a small city and the best way to explore it is on foot, which helps you soak in the culture of the place of the great churches and breathtaking forts. However, you may also explore the city on a bike or hire a private car/van, or use public transport like rickshaws or the Sri Lankan transport bus.

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Three Day Itinerary of Batticaloa

Day 1: Immerse yourself in the culture of the city by paying a visit to the famous Batticaloa fort, which is situated amidst beautiful greenery and has many stories to keep you intrigued with its mystery. After visiting this magnetos fort, head out to the Kallady Bridge which is at just a 6-minute drive from the fort. Built by the British in 1924 it is one of the longest and oldest bridges of Sri Lanka. To complete your historical journey head out to the famous Batticaloa lighthouse, although not open for a visit you can still soak in the beauty of the place, and it is beautiful spot to click some Instagram worthy snaps.

Day 2: While in Batticaloa, you can't miss out a visit to the lagoon. The lagoon is attractive for those who are willing to spend some quiet time as well as if you are seeking out some adventure. The lagoon tour takes you to see Puliayantheevu Island, Bone Island, and Buffalo Island. To make the most out of your beach experience head out to Kalkudah and Passikudah settled on either side of the palm-tipped Kalkudah cliff. The beaches are shielded out from the monsoon by a twin reef, and you can indulge in many different experiences from windsurfing, bathing, water skiing, to sailing.

Day 3: Get in touch with your inner spirituality by visiting the Hindu temple, which is rich in cultural magnificence. Some of the famous temples to visit would be the Anandi Sitivigniswara Alayar temple, which is a visual treat for any visitor. Another famous temple is Thiruchendur Murugan Alayam. Legend says that the idol opened its eyes before the painter did it. Also, don't miss out on the famous church which is popular among the Catholics in Sri Lanka, which is in the Sri Lankan style. Lastly, visit the heritage, which is three stories tall and get lost in the stories of Arab and Muslim culture.

Shopping in Batticaloa

  • Batticaloa offers many places to shop for some local items and is famous for its fresh fruit. 
  • Other popular shopping options include souvenir shops, handloom products, palmyrah, cane handicrafts, locally made clothes, and everyday food items.
  • Some famous places to shop are Cargill Food City, Batticaloa Market, Handloom and handicraft centre, and Palmyrah Development Board Sales Center.

Local Food and Restaurants in Batticaloa

Batticaloa is rich and famous for its seafood, such as fresh prawns and crab curd,  Further, it is also renowned for cashews, some authentic Indian food along with European cuisines.

  • Riviera Resort: This resort is famous for fine dining and its crab curries and seafood.
  • RN Buffet and Take Away: Small place famous for its Italian food.
  • Euro Veg Restaurant: A vegetarian's dream come true, known for excellent biryanis, noodles and kottu (roti chopped up and mixed with veggies).
  • Sunshine Cafe: Budget-friendly place serving Indian and American cuisines accompanied by a small bakery for some sweet treats.

History of Batticaloa

The eastern province of Sri Lanka was known to be captured and ruled by the various Naga kings who were called by many different Naga names. The town was later invaded by the Chola kings who took back many prisoners from the city. The city was then captured by the Dutch and Portuguese in 1622, and later by the British in the year 1796. Later this region became the centre of the separatist Tamil activity which was taking place in Sri Lanka as a dispute between the Tamils and the Sri Lankan government from the 1980s until the government troops captured the area in the year 1991.

How to Reach Batticaloa

By Flight - Batticaloa is serviced by a military airport which also hosts domestic flights. Domestic flights can be availed from major airports in the country.

By Train - The railway station in Batticaloa is the last terminus in the Batticaloa broad gauge line and hosts trains weekly to the town.

By Road - Buses are also available from other major cities and towns on a daily basis.

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FAQs on Batticaloa

What is the best time to visit Batticaloa?

When at Batticaloa, you want to experience the best of the place without having to miss out on any of the beautiful experiences. The average temperature of the area is moderate, ranging from a tropical wet to a dry climate being temperate and mild throughout the year. The best time to visit Batticaloa is from April to September, which is on either side of the monsoon.
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What are the places near Batticaloa?

The top places near to Batticaloa are Kandy which is 124 km from Batticaloa, Anuradhapura which is located 154 km from Batticaloa, Nuwara eliya which is located 130 km from Batticaloa, Sigiriya which is located 103 km from Batticaloa, Galle which is located 246 km from Batticaloa

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