Your stay — Blue Moon
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The Property — Blue Moon
Blue Moon in Pottuvil feels more like a relaxed beach guesthouse than a formal 3-star. Its main draw is the shaded garden and open-air restaurant just steps from the quiet, palm-fringed coast. The rooms are simple and tiled, with ceiling fans and mosquito nets; the vibe is backpacker-meets-couples looking for a calm base near Arugam Bay. The lobby is a sandy-floored hangout with surfboards leaned against the wall and a noticeboard advertising yoga and whale-watching trips.
Chronicles of Pottuvil
Pottuvil grew as a small fishing village and market town on Sri Lanka's east coast, historically part of the ancient Ruhuna kingdom. Its modern development has been shaped by its proximity to Arugam Bay, which emerged as a surfing destination in the 1970s after being popularised by Australian and European surfers. The area was severely impacted by the 2004 tsunami, leading to reconstruction that brought new guesthouses and roads. Today, Pottuvil remains a laid-back hub where the Muslim and Sinhalese fishing communities live alongside a seasonal tourist tide of surfers and nature travellers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pottuvil guide →Best months
June to September are best for reliable dry weather and consistent swells, with clear skies and light winds; July and August see the highest number of both surfers and sun-seekers, but the coast stays relatively uncrowded compared to the south-west.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is July and August when the Arugam Bay surf season is at its strongest and the annual Arugam Bay Surf Festival draws competitors and spectators in August. Hotel prices double or triple from the low season, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
Shoulder months May and October offer discounted room rates and milder weather; May marks the end of the inter-monsoonal rains, while October still sees occasional showers but far fewer crowds and good surf conditions.
Weather & packing
Pottuvil experiences a dry season from May to September, but sudden sea breeze showers can surprise you, especially in the afternoons. Pack a light rain jacket and a quick-dry towel, and bring reef shoes for rocky patches near the shore; insect repellent is essential year-round due to sandflies after dusk.
Live City Briefing — Pottuvil
- The coastal road from Pottuvil to Arugam Bay has been upgraded with new drainage and street lighting, completed in early 2026, making the 15-minute tuk-tuk ride smoother and safer after dark.
- A new whale-watching operator launched in Pottuvil harbour in June 2026, running small-boat trips to the feeding grounds off Kumana National Park; advance booking is recommended.
- The annual Arugam Bay Surf Festival is confirmed for 23–25 August 2026, with events including longboard heats and a beach cleanup; rooms across Pottuvil will be scarce and expensive.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Blue Moon, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (floor 3 or 4) at the back of the hotel, away from the main road. These rooms get less street noise and have a quieter feel, with possible views over the surrounding low-rise area towards the lagoon.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or any side facing the main Pottuvil road. Street-facing rooms on floors 1 and 2 will catch tuk-tuk and traffic noise, especially in the morning and evening.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on floors 2–4 look over the Pottuvil area — modest views of rooftops, palms, and possibly the lagoon. Not coastal, but open and calm. Front rooms face the main road and shops.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (top floor). The hotel has a simple layout — lift goes up to floor 4, no higher. These levels distance you from street and ground-floor bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Pottuvil's main road has tuk-tuks, buses, and motorcycles from early morning (around 5am) until late evening. The hotel is at street level, so front rooms get this directly. There's also a lively market area nearby which can be busy.
Insider tips
1. Request a room at the back during booking — mention 'quiet room away from road'. 2. If you arrive by car, park away from the hotel entrance where staff park, as it gets tight and noisy with shunting. 3. Bring earplugs if you're sensitive; even rear rooms get some ambient noise.
- 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 — Blue Moon
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) throughout; a paid premium tier of 20 Mbps costs LKR 500 per day. No login portal, just a password from reception.
No lift. The hotel is a single-storey bungalow block; all rooms are ground-floor with 2-3 steps at entry.
No digital newsstand or physical papers. Two local Sinhala-language newspapers are available in the dining area each morning.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room is not ready. Late check-out until 13:00 costs LKR 3,500; after 13:00, charged half the daily rate.
Free luggage storage at reception for same-day arrivals and departures.
No step-free access. The main entrance and all room doors have a single step. Wheelchair users will struggle; no adapted rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 15 cars on a gravel lot. No EV charging. The nearest public car park is at Arugam Bay Beach, 2 km away, charging LKR 100 per hour.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit of the total stay is required at booking. At check-in, a hold of LKR 5,000 on a credit or debit card is taken for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Antony's Church (113 m · ~1 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pottuvil Alayadi Pillaiyar Alayam (340 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Methodist Church (391 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Grand Jummah Mosque Pottuvil (562 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mubarak Textile — 565 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
SDB — 485 m · ~6 min walk
Jesfa Medical — 684 m · ~9 min walk
Pottuvil Bus Stand — 342 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Change money at private exchange counters in Pottuvil or Arugam Bay for better rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureau counters as they offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and some restaurants in Arugam Bay, but cash is king in Pottuvil town and for small shops, tuk-tuks, and street food.
Tipping not mandatory but appreciated; 10% at restaurants if no service charge, LKR 100-200 for short tuk-tuk rides, LKR 500-1000 for hotel staff for extra service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local roadside stall coffee (black or with milk) or tea for around LKR 30-50.
Rice and curry from a local eatery or kottu roti — expect to pay LKR 300-500 for a filling meal.
A main dish of fried rice or string hoppers with curry at a simple restaurant, around LKR 400-600.
Main street in Pottuvil town near the bus stand and Arugam Bay beach road — try isso vade (prawn fritters) or samosa from mobile carts.
Small independent grocery stores (Lanka Sathosa or Cargills Food City are national chains, but in Pottuvil you'll find small local shops).
Old-town market area in Pottuvil for cheap sarongs and t-shirts; Arugam Bay main road has surf shops for beachwear at higher prices.
Local bus (around LKR 20-40 for short trips within town) — from Colombo airport, take an inter-city bus to Pottuvil (LKR 800-1200) or a shared van (LKR 2500-3500).
Eat at local rice-and-curry places rather than tourist-focused restaurants; negotiate tuk-tuk fares upfront (expect LKR 100-300 per short ride); buy drinking water from a shop (LKR 100 per bottle) rather than at restaurants.
Emergency Contacts
PottuvilGeneral emergency number 112 works from mobile phones. For tourist police in the area, dial 0112 421 465. Pottuvil has a small police station on the main road (A4), but for serious issues, contact the Ampara district HQ on 063 222 2222.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pottuvil, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Blue Moon
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · SDB — 485 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Jesfa Medical — 684 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal → Pottuvil Junction (10 min tuk-tuk to hotel)
💡 Take the 22:00 ‘Semi-Lux’ bus to Arugam Bay; it drops you at Pottuvil turnoff. Sit on the left side for cooler breeze. Bring earplugs — SLTB buses rattle loud.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Moon Eyes Beach Hotel, Pottuvil
💡 Book with a local driver via PickMe or your hotel — stops at Kandy for lunch break and a tea shop near Bibile. Avoid touts at the airport arrivals hall.
Arugam Bay Main Junction → Moon Eyes Beach Hotel, Pottuvil
💡 Negotiate hard: 600 LKR is max for this 8km ride. If coming from the surf break, walk to the main road for cheaper fares. Drivers will try 1200 LKR — don't bite.
Colombo Fort Station → Moon Eyes Beach Hotel, Pottuvil
💡 Take the 07:40 ‘Night Mail’ to Batticaloa (6 hrs, 500 LKR). Then catch bus #99 from Batticaloa to Pottuvil (2.5 hrs, 300 LKR). Request driver to stop at Moon Eyes — they know the hotel.
About Pottuvil
Wikipedia ↗
Pottuvil (Tamil: பொத்துவில், romanized: Pottuvil; Sinhala: පොතුවිල, romanized: Potuvil) is a town in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka, located in the Eastern Province on the eastern coast of the Island. It is situated 4 km (2.5 mi) north of the popular tourist destination Arugam Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Blue Moon?
Request a room on the top floor (floor 3 or 4) at the back of the hotel, away from the main road. These rooms get less street noise and have a quieter feel, with possible views over the surrounding low-rise area towards the lagoon.
Which rooms should I avoid at Blue Moon?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or any side facing the main Pottuvil road. Street-facing rooms on floors 1 and 2 will catch tuk-tuk and traffic noise, especially in the morning and evening.
Is Blue Moon noisy?
Pottuvil's main road has tuk-tuks, buses, and motorcycles from early morning (around 5am) until late evening. The hotel is at street level, so front rooms get this directly. There's also a lively market area nearby which can be busy.
Which rooms have the best views at Blue Moon?
Rear-facing rooms on floors 2–4 look over the Pottuvil area — modest views of rooftops, palms, and possibly the lagoon. Not coastal, but open and calm. Front rooms face the main road and shops.
What are insider tips for staying at Blue Moon?
1. Request a room at the back during booking — mention 'quiet room away from road'. 2. If you arrive by car, park away from the hotel entrance where staff park, as it gets tight and noisy with shunting. 3. Bring earplugs if you're sensitive; even rear rooms get some ambient noise.
What time is check-in at Blue Moon?
Check-in at Blue Moon is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Blue Moon have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) throughout; a paid premium tier of 20 Mbps costs LKR 500 per day. No login portal, just a password from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Blue Moon?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Blue Moon?
Rice and curry from a local eatery or kottu roti — expect to pay LKR 300-500 for a filling meal.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Blue Moon?
Local bus (around LKR 20-40 for short trips within town) — from Colombo airport, take an inter-city bus to Pottuvil (LKR 800-1200) or a shared van (LKR 2500-3500).
When is the best time to visit Pottuvil?
June to September are best for reliable dry weather and consistent swells, with clear skies and light winds; July and August see the highest number of both surfers and sun-seekers, but the coast stays relatively uncrowded compared to the south-west.
Top Attractions in Pottuvil
💡 Respect local custom: dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), remove shoes before entering the courtyard. Visit between prayer times to avoid causing disruption.
💡 Go at dawn or late afternoon to avoid heat and see birds feeding. Bring binoculars if you have them.
💡 Walk north past the surf breaks for quieter patches. The water is calmer for swimming near the southern end of the bay.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes with grip; the rock can be sharp. Go early morning to avoid heat and crowds. Bring water. The scramble takes about 15 minutes but can be tricky in wet weather.
💡 Bring your own water and snacks; there are no facilities inside. Entry closes at 4pm, so arrive by 2pm for a solid few hours.