Best 5 Things To Do in Pitiwella Beach and Boossa

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Natalia

The small town of Boossa, home to Pitiwella Beach, is a brilliant off the beaten path destination near Galle, Sri Lanka. It’s the perfect place to relax away from the crowds found at some of the country’s more popular tourist hotspots. There aren’t too many things to do in Boossa other than enjoy Pitiwella Beach, visit the beach bars and simply chill out, but it’s this simplicity that makes it a wonderful place to visit. As it’s a quieter destination you’ll get a slightly more authentic Sri Lankan experience, as well as the added benefit of restaurants and accommodation being cheaper than in nearby Galle. Check out our guide to the top things to do in Pitiwella Beach and Boossa below!

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Things to do in Pitiwella Beach and Boossa, Sri Lanka

Chill at the beach bars

The beach bars along Pitiwella beach in Boossa are a great place to enjoy some drinks during your stay. Even if you don’t fancy a drink, it’s well worth spending some time there as all the bars have a chilled out vibe and lovely beachfront location.

There are a few bars to choose from, with our recommendations being Reggae Bar & Cafe, Bara Beach Bar and Smile Beach Bar. All three bars have a relaxed but enjoyable atmosphere, as well as a decent drinks and cocktail selection!

Both Reggae Bar & Cafe and Bara Beach Bar have conveniently timed happy hours around sunset, so you can enjoy a cocktail or two as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Bara Beach Bar is generally the liveliest bar in the area, with music and dancing until late. If you fancy a chilled out drink then head to Reggae Bar & Cafe, which was home to some dogs and puppies during our stay!

The bars also happen to be some of the best places to eat in the area too, offering a mix of western and Sri Lankan dishes.

If you’re looking to relax or maybe even meet some like-minded people, then spending some time at the bars along Pitiwella beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Boossa!

Surf

Pitiwella Beach in Boossa is a reasonably good surfing spot for beginners and a great thing to do in the area. We saw several people surfing and bodyboarding in the area, so it’s seemingly a good spot to have a go or get some practice in!

Surfboards can be rented from some of the accommodation in the area, but you may have to ask around. If you have no experience you might want to try learning to surf elsewhere in Sri Lanka before coming here as we didn’t see any lessons advertised.

Relax

If you’re looking for a relaxing destination in Sri Lanka then Boossa is perfect for you. It’s a small, laid back town with very little to do other than spend your days at the beach or by the pool.

Despite the apparent lack of things to do in Boossa and Pitiwella Beach, the chilled out vibe makes them well worth a visit. It’s the ideal place for a break from the world and to escape Sri Lanka’s more crowded tourist destinations, such as Hikkaduwa, and to a lesser extent Mirissa where you can go whale watching and Ella.

Go to the beach

Boossa beach and Pitiwella beach are some of the quietest beaches we saw in Sri Lanka, so make the most of it during your stay. Spend a few hours soaking up the sun or even just going for a stroll along the beachfront.

Palm trees line the far-stretching beachfront, making for a picturesque setting. Whether you fancy going for a swim or just sunbathing, you can easily spend a relaxing few days enjoying the area’s quiet beaches!

Visit Galle

If you fancy something a bit more active, then a day trip to Galle is one of the best things to do in Boossa. Best known for Galle Fort, it’s a pleasant and easy day trip when you’re in the area.

You can easily spend a few hours exploring the city’s fort, which dates back to the 16th century. Entry to the fort is completely free and there’s lots of architecture to admire and quaint streets to wander along.

We personally were a bit underwhelmed with Galle, but plenty of other travellers and bloggers seem to really enjoy the city. It’s still worth a visit though if you have the time or if you’re a history lover.

Getting from Boossa to Galle is easy as buses run regularly and take just 15 minutes to get between the two. Catch any bus heading to Galle, Matara or Tangalle and it should cost just 50 rupees for a one-way trip.

If you were thinking of staying in Galle for a few days we’d recommend staying in Boossa and travelling to the city by bus as and when you want. In our opinion Boossa is a nicer place and also offers significantly better value accommodation options!

How to get to Pitiwella Beach and Boossa, Sri Lanka

There are a few different ways to get to Pitiwella Beach and Boossa, but we personally recommend getting there by bus. Most buses travelling along Sri Lanka’s south-west coast travel through the town, so it’s easy enough to get there.

A bus from Colombo to Boossa only takes around 3 hours, and can cost as little as 200 rupees per person. If you’re travelling with bags you may have to pay extra for this.

Boossa does have its own train station, which means it’s also possible to get to the town by train. Unfortunately only a few trains actually stop in the town, so it’s not the easiest way to get there!

If you’re looking for an easy way to get to Boossa then opt for a taxi. This is a particularly good option if you have a lot of luggage or if you’re travelling in a group and can split the cost. Check out the times and prices here on 12goAsia!

Taxi fares will vary depending on where you’re coming from, but if you’re heading straight to Boossa from Colombo airport expect to pay around 12,000 rupees for the journey.

If you do decide to use the bus or train then check out our guide to public transport in Sri Lanka!

Best time to visit Pitiwella Beach and Boossa

The best time to visit Pitiwella Beach and Boossa is between December and March as this is the driest time of year in Sri Lanka’s southern province. It’s best to visit during the dryer months so that you can make the most of both Boossa Beach and Pitiwella Beach during your stay!

Monsoon season in the South West of Sri Lanka runs from May to September, so avoid visiting during these months if you can.

As Boossa is one of the more off the beaten track destinations in Sri Lanka you shouldn’t need to worry about it getting overcrowded. During our stay there were only a handful of other tourists about, which makes it a lovely place to stay.

Where to stay in Pitiwella Beach and Boossa

Budget

Brother’s Beach Home

Brother’s Beach Home is perfect if you want to visit Boossa on a budget. Located on the beachfront of Pitiwella beach, the sound of the waves is the last thing you hear when falling asleep and the first thing you hear when waking up!

Rooms at the property are very basic, so don’t expect a fan, air-conditioning or a private bathroom. The price more than makes up for that though if you’re on a budget, with stays starting from as little as 1,020 rupees per night.

Click here to take a look at Brother’s Beach Home on Booking.com!

Mid-Range

Villa 234

Villa 234 is an amazing value mid-range option in Boossa. The highlight of the property is the decent size swimming pool, which is perfect for relaxing by and cooling off in.

Staff at the property are very friendly, and will let you use the washing machine for a few hundred rupees – which can save a small fortune if you’ve been travelling for a while! The only downside of the property is that it’s near the train tracks, so you may be briefly woken up by a train during the night if you’re a light sleeper.

Rooms at the property are spacious and have air-conditioning, with prices starting at 3,600 rupees per night, with breakfast included in the price.

Click here to arrange a stay at the lovely Villa 234 on Booking.com!

Treat yourself!

Arabella on Boossa

Arabella on Boossa is a lovely modern property located directly next to Pitiwella Beach. This wonderful boutique hotel offers a swimming pool and restaurant, both with garden and beach views.

All rooms and suites at the property feature air-conditioning, and you’re only ever a few steps away from the beachfront. It’s got everything you need for an enjoyable and relaxing stay!

Prices at the property start from 25,280 rupees per night, with breakfast included.

Click here to book a stay at the amazing Arabella on Boossa through Booking.com!

Wirdana Resort & Spa

The Wirdana Resort & Spa is one of the most luxurious accommodation options near Pitiwella Beach in Boossa. Situated in a tranquil location away from the beach, the hotel is perfect for a peaceful and relaxing getaway.

One of the highlights of staying at the resort is the huge swimming pool, which is in a beautiful location surrounded by palm trees and greenery. There’s also an amazing spa on site if you fancy treating yourself to a massage during your stay!

Staff at the property are extremely friendly and helpful, doing all they can to ensure you have the perfect stay. To top it off, there’s a brilliant restaurant on-site if you don’t fancy venturing out for meals!

Prices at the resort start from 24,980 rupees per night, with breakfast included.

Click here to book an unforgettable stay at the fantastic Wirdana Resort & Spa on Booking.com!

Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! C lick here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!

Where to eat in Pitiwella Beach and Boossa

Magic Food – Magic Food is the best spot for authentic Sri Lankan food in the Boossa and Pitiwella Beach area. Run by a friendly local man and his family, this small restaurant offers a range of rice, noodle and devilled dishes.

For us though, the kotthu and roti are the highlights of the menu. They were so good we couldn’t resist coming back at least once a day to enjoy more and more during our stay!

Prices start from as low as 50 rupees per Roti and 150 rupees for a Kotthu, so it’s delicious and great value too!

Beach Bars – We’ve already mentioned our favourite beach bars/restaurants in Boossa – Reggae Bar & Cafe, Bara Beach Bar and Smile Beach Bar. It’s worth mentioning again though that all three serve up a range of local and western dishes at reasonable prices – although they can’t match the incredible value of Magic Food!

To see more of South Sri Lanka check out our 2 week itinerary!

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