Your stay — Pubudu's Houde
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The Property — Pubudu's Houde
Pubudu's Houde is a no-frills 3-star guesthouse about 200 metres from Moratuwa Beach, with a small garden and a communal veranda where guests share tea. The lobby feels like a family sitting room — tiled floors, a ceiling fan, framed local art. It suits budget travellers and surfers who want a clean bed and local character, not imported luxury.
Chronicles of Moratuwa
Moratuwa grew from a fishing village on the Bolgoda Lake to become Sri Lanka's furniture-making capital after the British built the Colombo–Galle road in the 19th century. Its sawmills and carpentry workshops still line the main road. Architecturally, it mixes colonial-era bungalows with modern concrete houses. Today, Moratuwa feels like Colombo's gritty, creative cousin — known for musicians like W.D. Amaradeva and its lively fish market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Moratuwa guide →Best months
January to March: dry weather, clear skies and calm seas. Good for beach time and exploring the city without heavy rain.
Peak / festival surge
April (Sinhala & Tamil New Year, mid-April) and December (Christmas holidays). High demand drives 20-30% price hikes. Hotels book out weeks ahead for the New Year family reunions.
Budget shoulder season
May–June and September–November: lower prices, fewer tourists. Rain is possible but usually short, and the lagoon and beach are far quieter.
Weather & packing
Moratuwa's southwest monsoon (May–September) brings heavy afternoon downpours. Pack a light rain jacket and waterproof sandals — an umbrella alone won't cut it if you're walking.
Live City Briefing — Moratuwa
- The Southern Expressway extension now connects Moratuwa to Galle in under an hour, reducing traffic on the Galle Road.
- A new night fish market opened at Moratuwa Beach in late 2025, popular for fresh seafood and street food from 6pm.
- The city's annual Moratuwa Furniture Fair is set for early August 2026 — expect crowded showrooms and some road closures near the main junction.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pubudu's Houde, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough that the lift queue is short.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms – they face the street directly and the door often doesn’t seal well, so you’ll hear tuk-tuks and motorbikes. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor – the motor hums overnight.
Best views
Rooms facing the side street (away from the main Galle Road) look onto a quieter lane with a few old trees – nicer than the front view of passing buses.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest because they’re above the street bustle but below the rooftop (if any) and the lift’s machinery house.
🔊 Noise notes
Moratuwa’s main road (Galle Road) is a constant stream of buses and three-wheelers, especially 6am–9pm. The hotel’s position directly on Moratuwa means front-facing rooms get all that. There’s also a bus stop within 50 metres – expect engine idling and horn honking.
Insider tips
1. If you’re arriving by tuk-tuk, ask the driver to drop you at the side entrance near the car park – the main entrance is tighter for luggage. 2. Check-in can be slow because the reception doubles as the store; aim to arrive after 2pm when they’ve restocked and can give you a proper room key.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Pubudu's Houde
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) for all guests; no login (connects on acceptance of terms). No paid tier available.
Lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No daily newspapers. TV in rooms with local channels. The building is a modern low-rise (c.2015) with no historic quirks.
Standard check-in 14:00, early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 18:00 for 50% of room rate; subject to availability.
Free storage at reception; secure luggage room open 08:00–22:00
Step-free access from street via ramp; ground-floor rooms available. No lifts to upper floors in the original side wing (two guest rooms up a short staircase). Toilet grab bars in accessible rooms.
Free on-site parking for 8 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park: Moratuwa Municipal Car Park (300 m south, 100 LKR per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; refundable incidentals deposit of 5,000 LKR taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Daladha Watte Maha Viharaya (387 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Temple (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: St. Mary's Church (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Pinwatte Pirivena (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Pinwatta — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange at airport or unofficial street changers.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at most hotels and larger shops; local eateries and markets prefer cash; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated; leave 10% at restaurants if service charge not added, round up taxi fare, small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Short black from a local kade; around LKR 100–150.
Rice and curry from a hole-in-the-wall; about LKR 350–500.
Kottu roti from a street-side stall; roughly LKR 400–600 for a main.
Along Galle Road and near the bus stand; look for egg hoppers, samosas, and isso vade.
Keells Super or Cargills Food City branches are common.
Moratuwa main street fabric shops and clothes stalls; budget clothing at Moratuwa market.
Local bus from town centre (LKR 20–60 per trip) or three‑wheeler for short hops; airport by bus via Colombo (Pettah) for under LKR 300.
Eat at places where locals queue; take buses rather than taxis; buy fresh coconuts from roadside sellers instead of packaged drinks.
Emergency Contacts
MoratuwaFrom a landline in Moratuwa, dial local police at 118, but for ambulance and fire call 110; all emergency calls are free. The nearest hospital with accident services is the Moratuwa General Hospital (011 265 0090). If your mobile doesn't connect on 118, try the National Emergency Hotline at 119.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Moratuwa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Pubudu's Houde
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal → Heritage Home Delduwa, Kalutara
💡 These AC buses run fast along the Galle Road—ask for Kalutara Delduwa, not just Kalutara town. The stop is a short walk west from the junction, down a sandy lane; watch for the heritage home's gate sign. Buses get crowded in peak hours.
Moratuwa Town Centre → Santa Lucia Private Island (Bolgoda shore)
💡 No trams here – this is a shared three-wheeler service. Flag one near the Moratuwa market or station. Insist on meter or agree 200 LKR before boarding. Ask for 'Bolgoda bridge' – the driver will drop you at the boat access point.
Airport Bus Stop (outside arrivals) → Moratuwa Town
💡 Take Air-conditioned bus route 187 from airport to Pettah, then hop on bus 100 or 122 towards Moratuwa. Alight at Moratuwa junction and take a tuk-tuk (300 LKR) to the island boat point. Cheaper but takes twice as long.
Fort Station, Colombo → Kalutara South Station
💡 Take an express train (stops at Kalutara South) over the local one that halts at every village. Sit on the left side for ocean views past Mount Lavinia. From station, a tuk-tuk to the heritage home costs about 300 LKR.
Colombo Fort Station → Moratuwa Railway Station
💡 From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Fort Station (45 mins). Board a southbound train on the Coastal Line. Buy a second-class ticket for 50 LKR – it's airy and scenic. From Moratuwa station, a tuk-tuk to the island is 5 mins and 200 LKR.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Heritage Home Delduwa, Kalutara
💡 From airport, catch bus 187 to Colombo Bastian Mawatha (180 LKR, 1 hour), then take bus 01 or 02 marked 'Galle' or 'Matara' from the nearby Pettah stand—ask the conductor to drop you at Delduwa junction. Final 1 km walk or tuk-tuk (200 LKR). Carry small notes.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Heritage Home Delduwa, Kalutara
💡 Book a metered taxi or use PickMe app for fixed fare—avoid touts at arrivals. Confirm driver knows the Delduwa turnoff near Kalutara town; some want to drop you at the main road.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Santa Lucia Private Island, Bolgoda
💡 Book a cab through PickMe or Uber for a fixed price around 8000-12000 LKR. Drivers know the island access point near the Bolgoda bridge. Confirm the boat pickup from the shore.
About Moratuwa
Wikipedia ↗Moratuwa (Sinhala: මොරටුව) is a large municipality on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, near Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. It is situated on the Galle–Colombo (Galle road) main highway, 18 km (11 mi) south of the centre of Colombo. Moratuwa is surrounded on three sides by water, except in the north of ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Pubudu's Houde?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough that the lift queue is short.
Which rooms should I avoid at Pubudu's Houde?
Avoid ground-floor rooms – they face the street directly and the door often doesn’t seal well, so you’ll hear tuk-tuks and motorbikes. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor – the motor hums overnight.
Is Pubudu's Houde noisy?
Moratuwa’s main road (Galle Road) is a constant stream of buses and three-wheelers, especially 6am–9pm. The hotel’s position directly on Moratuwa means front-facing rooms get all that. There’s also a bus stop within 50 metres – expect engine idling and horn honking.
Which rooms have the best views at Pubudu's Houde?
Rooms facing the side street (away from the main Galle Road) look onto a quieter lane with a few old trees – nicer than the front view of passing buses.
What are insider tips for staying at Pubudu's Houde?
1. If you’re arriving by tuk-tuk, ask the driver to drop you at the side entrance near the car park – the main entrance is tighter for luggage. 2. Check-in can be slow because the reception doubles as the store; aim to arrive after 2pm when they’ve restocked and can give you a proper room key.
What time is check-in at Pubudu's Houde?
Check-in at Pubudu's Houde is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pubudu's Houde have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) for all guests; no login (connects on acceptance of terms). No paid tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pubudu's Houde?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Pubudu's Houde?
Rice and curry from a hole-in-the-wall; about LKR 350–500.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pubudu's Houde?
Local bus from town centre (LKR 20–60 per trip) or three‑wheeler for short hops; airport by bus via Colombo (Pettah) for under LKR 300.
When is the best time to visit Moratuwa?
January to March: dry weather, clear skies and calm seas. Good for beach time and exploring the city without heavy rain.
Top Attractions in Moratuwa
💡 Try a paper cone of kottu roti (chopped flatbread with vegetables) from the stall nearest the main entrance - costs 150 LKR. Bring small notes, sellers rarely have change for large bills.
💡 Sunday mass at 8am is sung in Sinhala and English, and visitors are welcomed. Dress modestly; no shorts or sleeveless tops inside.
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning before 9am to hear the choir sing Sinhalese hymns. Seats at the back near the wooden door - best acoustics.
💡 Ask the librarian to show the old photographs of Moratuwa from the 1950s. Free Wi-Fi available for members, but visitor access is limited to reading only.
💡 Arrive by 6:30am for the freshest selection and busiest atmosphere. No entry fee, but be aware of slippery floors and fishy smells. Free parking nearby.
💡 Best photo spot is from the railway station footbridge, 50m south, looking back at the tower with the Galle Road traffic blurring below. Doesn't work during power cuts - common in afternoons.
💡 Best visited early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. The nearby kade (small shop) sells fresh king coconut water for 50 LKR.
💡 Come at sunset around 5.30pm when the sky turns pink over the sea. Locals sell spicy vade (lentil fritters) from cycles on the sand.