🇱🇰 Puttalam, Sri Lanka
Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant
📍 Puttalam
Your stay — Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Puttalam.
The Property — Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant
The Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant feels like a calm basecamp at the edge of Puttalam Lagoon. The lobby is open-sided, with a steady breeze off the water and a few worn rattan chairs. It's run by kite surfers, so the vibe is salty and easygoing. This place suits solo travellers and small groups who want straightforward dorms or private rooms, a reliable kitchen, and direct access to the lagoon for wind sports.
Chronicles of Puttalam
Puttalam was a minor port under the ancient Sinhalese kingdoms, later developed by Arab traders and then Portuguese and Dutch colonisers who built salt pans and forts in the 17th century. The town grew as a market centre for coconut and salt during British rule. Today it's a quiet, predominantly Muslim town with a grid of low-rise streets, a busy fish market, and a bridge that leads to Kalpitiya peninsula. It has no major tourist infrastructure, which is exactly its appeal: it feels like a working Sri Lankan town, not a resort.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puttalam guide →Best months
December to March: dry, sunny, steady north-east monsoon winds perfect for kite surfing; moderate tourist numbers. April: hot but still dry, fewer visitors before the monsoon shifts.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak for European and Australian kite surfers escaping their winter; the south-west monsoon brings strong, consistent wind to Puttalam Lagoon. Hotel prices can double; book 3 months ahead. The Puttalam Beach Festival (3rd week) is a small local event with food stalls and live music.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are the budget shoulder months – monsoon starts but rain often falls in short bursts; rooms 30-40% cheaper, very few tourists; wind remains strong for kiteboarding.
Weather & packing
Puttalam has a microclimate: even in the dry season, a sudden afternoon shower can blow in from the sea. Pack a light waterproof jacket and reef-safe sunscreen (the lagoon's coral areas are protected).
Live City Briefing — Puttalam
- The Puttalam-Kalpitiya road widening project is nearly complete; expect intermittent delays near the bridge, but travel time has already improved by 20 minutes.
- A new night market opens every Friday from 5pm on Station Road – street food, local crafts, and kite surfing gear rentals.
- The lagoon water level is unusually low for July following a dry June; check wind forecasts at the hostel if you're kite surfing, as shallow sandbanks have shifted.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the garden or courtyard side, away from the main road, as these are quieter during restaurant hours.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms near the restaurant or street-facing side tend to catch kitchen clatter and early morning traffic on Puttalam’s main road.
Best views
From first-floor rooms on the garden side you get a view of the palm-fringed garden; the street side overlooks the dusty main road—no real attraction.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, but avoid top floor if no lift (likely here given 3-star rating), as stairs and roof access may generate footfall noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks on the A3 road through Puttalam, plus restaurant kitchen sounds until 9pm; occasional call-to-prayer from nearby mosque can be heard in street-facing rooms.
Insider tips
Park off-street in the hotel car park (watch for tight spaces). The kitchen does fresh kottu roti and seafood curries—order a ‘special’ with crab if available, but ask about chilli level. Check-in can be slow; arrive after 2pm for a smoother desk process.
- 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 — Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speeds around 10 Mbps; no login required.
No lift; property is a single-storey building with all rooms on ground floor.
Complimentary digital access to local news via PressReader; no physical newspapers.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 without charge; late check-out until 16:00 costs LKR 1,500 (subject to availability).
Free for same-day storage; longer-term storage LKR 500 per day.
Step-free access at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms available on request; no structural limitations.
On-site free parking for up to 10 vehicles; nearest public car park is 200 m away at Puttalam Market, LKR 100 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required for booking; LKR 2,000 incidental hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Sebastian Church (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR
Exchange cash at local banks or authorised money changers in Puttalam town; avoid airport counters and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit/debit cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets, but many smaller shops and eateries require cash; contactless is rare outside Colombo.
Round up taxi fares; leave 10% at fancier restaurants; small tip for hotel porters (LKR 100-200) optional but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Short black or tea from a roadside teashop (LKR 50-80).
Rice and curry from a local 'Hotel' (simple eatery, LKR 200-350).
Kottu roti or fried rice at a budget restaurant (LKR 400-600).
Evening stalls in Puttalam town centre sell samosas, vade, and spicy chickpeas (LKR 10-30 per piece).
Cargills Food City or Keells Super in Puttalam town.
Main street market stalls or small boutiques for affordable casual wear and fabrics.
Local bus (LKR 30-60 per short ride) or tuk-tuk (negotiate, LKR 150-300 for town trips). From Colombo airport, take bus 48 to Kurunegala then change to Puttalam bus (total LKR 700-900).
Always negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; eat at busy local 'Hotels' rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; avoid bottled water by carrying a refillable bottle.
Emergency Contacts
PuttalamFor police, dial 119 from any phone. Ambulance services are reached on 1990 (national) or 112 (SUWA SERU service in Puttalam). Fire: 110. For a full list, ask at the Puttalam Divisional Secretariat office on Colombo Road.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Puttalam, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Colombo Fort Railway Station → Puttalam Railway Station
💡 Take the early morning train for a scenic ride through coconut plantations. From Puttalam station, a tuk-tuk to Valampuri costs LKR 500. Book 1st class on the express train (LKR 300) for reserved seating.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) → Valampuri Kite Resort, Puttalam
💡 Use PickMe or Uber for a fixed price. Avoid touts at arrivals; negotiate beforehand if booking a local driver. The drive goes through Negombo and along the coastal road—ask to stop for fresh king coconut at a stall near Chilaw.
Puttalam Town Centre → Valampuri Kite Resort
💡 Shared tuk-tuks pick up multiple passengers along Kalpitiya Road. Flag one down near the clock tower. For a private ride, negotiate to LKR 400—insist on going directly rather than stopping at shops.
Colombo Central Bus Stand (Pettah) → Puttalam Bus Station
💡 Take an air-conditioned bus from Pettah for LKR 350. To reach Valampuri, take a tuk-tuk from Puttalam bus stand (about 10 mins, LKR 400). Avoid peak hours (07:00–09:00) as buses get packed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Request a room on the first floor overlooking the garden or courtyard side, away from the main road, as these are quieter during restaurant hours.
Which rooms should I avoid at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Ground-floor rooms near the restaurant or street-facing side tend to catch kitchen clatter and early morning traffic on Puttalam’s main road.
Is Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks on the A3 road through Puttalam, plus restaurant kitchen sounds until 9pm; occasional call-to-prayer from nearby mosque can be heard in street-facing rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
From first-floor rooms on the garden side you get a view of the palm-fringed garden; the street side overlooks the dusty main road—no real attraction.
What are insider tips for staying at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Park off-street in the hotel car park (watch for tight spaces). The kitchen does fresh kottu roti and seafood curries—order a ‘special’ with crab if available, but ask about chilli level. Check-in can be slow; arrive after 2pm for a smoother desk process.
What time is check-in at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Check-in at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speeds around 10 Mbps; no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Rice and curry from a local 'Hotel' (simple eatery, LKR 200-350).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Greenbury Kite Hostel & Restaurant?
Local bus (LKR 30-60 per short ride) or tuk-tuk (negotiate, LKR 150-300 for town trips). From Colombo airport, take bus 48 to Kurunegala then change to Puttalam bus (total LKR 700-900).
When is the best time to visit Puttalam?
December to March: dry, sunny, steady north-east monsoon winds perfect for kite surfing; moderate tourist numbers. April: hot but still dry, fewer visitors before the monsoon shifts.
Top Attractions in Puttalam
💡 Come at 6pm when the clock chimes and the bats from the nearby temple trees start circling overhead.
💡 Buy a bag of karawila (bitter gourd) or dried chillies—prices drop sharply after 11am. Carry small notes.
💡 Head to the bridge on Colombo Road just after dawn; the light on the water and the bustle of boats start before 7am.
💡 Visit on a full-moon night for the puja (prayer ceremony) with oil lamps and drumming. Dress covering shoulders and knees.
💡 Bring binoculars and avoid midday heat. Best bird activity is 6:30–8:30am. Check with the local wildlife office (free permit) before entering.