In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Mount Lavinia Beach, a lovely Colombo Beach.
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A common question for first-time visitors of Colombo, Sri Lanka is: “Does Colombo have good beaches?“
The answer is “Yes, Sir!“, and among the beaches near Colombo, we find 👇
Mount Lavinia Beach 🏖
Mount Lavinia Beach is just out of Colombo City, and you can get there by car (or taxi), tuk-tuk, train and local buses.
Distance from Colombo City
– It’s about 10Km from Colombo
How long does it take from Colombo City to Mount Lavinia Beach?
–by car 30-40 minutes (it depends on the traffic as well)
–by tuk-tuk pretty much the same as by car
–by bus about 60 minutes (it depends on the traffic as well, this is the slowest but cheapest option if you’re on a budget)
This scenic Sri Lankan beach, a 1.6 km long stretch of golden sand, waves, lifeguards, hotels, bars and restaurants is the perfect spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the chaotic Colombo.
Mount Lavinia Beach has enough (a lot) to make everyone happy, both locals and tourists visiting Colombo.
We believe Mount Lavinia Beach is a must-see, especially if you’re visiting Colombo for the first time.
What is the best time to visit Mount Lavinia Beach?
The best time to visit this beach is during weekdays because during the weekends it can get pretty crowded with locals.
If you are looking to have a truly peaceful time, then you better come during the week.
Is it safe to swim in the sea in Sri Lanka?
It’s overall safe to swim in Sri Lanka, however, there are a few things you must be careful with.
Let’s take as an example Mount Lavinia Beach: it’s safe to swim here, but it depends on the season.
October to April is usually the best time to enjoy a pleasant safe swim.
If you’re coming from May to September it’s probably not going to be safe, the water and waves can be tough and you don’t want to get in trouble and ruin your holidays (SAFETY FIRST, always!)
No matter what time of the year you visit, it is recommended to take precautions, always. Swimming injuries, drownings and deaths are preventable if you follow simple safety rules!
A good thing here is that there are lifeguards and (technically) you can’t swim past a certain time (around 18:00). Make sure to follow red flags displayed when sea conditions worsen, and possibly stay close to the lifeguard’s sight.
Overall if you follow these simple but vital rules and precautions, you will have a safe, great time!
Another important thing is to be mindful when you cross the rail tracks to access the beach as trains pass by very often.
What else to say about Mount Lavinia Beach? You can bring your pets 🐩 with you and enjoy your time with them as well.
You can take awesome sunset shots 📸(good company helps haha!)
It’s a good place for families with kids 👨👩👦👦, with plenty of room to play and have a good time.
So, is everything just perfect at Mount Lavinia Beach?
Well, almost, but not all!
It can happen to find some garbage here and there, and it’s a shame! It likely comes from the Ocean, so if you have a spare bag while there, it doesn’t hurt to pick some of it as the locals do: a good thing for the planet! Make sure not to leave any rubbish either and clean up after yourself!
Where can I grab a bite or drink in the area?
There are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from all around (some better than others, Google Maps is your best friend in this case as you can check reviews of each surrounding place).
What if I want to sleep near Mount Lavinia Beach?
One of the best options here is Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Rated 8.4 – Very Good on Expedia, with 590+ reviews, we believe this is the best (or one of the best) places to spend a night (or a couple of nights) in the area, if you’re not already staying in Colombo City or if you simply just want to change a bit!
This hotel is only a few minutes walk from Mount Lavinia Beach, a 5-minute drive from Dehiwala Zoological Garden, an 8-minute drive from the Air Force Museum, and 1.15 hours from Bandaranaike International Airport. Not bad after all?!🤭
But wait 🖐, did we just mention Dehiwala Zoological Garden & Air Force Museum? Yes!
If Mount Lavinia Beach is not enough, you can add these two to your local excursion. More information here below:
Dehiwala Zoological Gardens 🌴🦁🐅🐘
Dehiwala Zoological Gardens | Google Maps
Dehiwala Zoological Gardens | TripAdvisor
Gov | Department of National Zoological Gardens 👈 website is a bit slow to load but it should work, it’s an official LK Gov source.
Air Force Museum ✈️
Air Force Museum | Google Maps
Air Force Museum | TripAdvisor
Air Force Museum | Official website
Conclusions
Mount Lavinia Beach is a place you shouldn’t skip if you’re visiting Colombo. There’s plenty to see and keep you busy for a day or a few, and you won’t regret it!
We hope this blog post was or will be helpful to you, and don’t forget to check out our other blog posts below if you’re in or will be soon in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Best Things To Do in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2024
Ultimate Review of Granbell Hotel Colombo Marine Drive Colombo 2024
See you in the next post! 🤓🙌