We first visited Kalpitiya in March hoping to catch the last of the winter kitesurfing season. Little did I realize the season ends in February. No wind for us, except a few days of minimal breeze not worth getting the kite ready. During that time, we had the opportunity to stay at the Valampuri Resort in Kalpitiya, where we chilled for the next 15 days.

Sunset from the lagoon pergola

Valampuri Resort: The Complex

The resort is located 10 minutes away from downtown Kalpitiya and sits right by the lagoon, close to the power lines and small fishing huts. The location is quiet, with no traffic or significant disturbance. You might hear the bread trucks coming by a couple of times during the day, but that’s it.

Tropical Resort

Coconut trees for the perfect tropical feel

The property is not large but well shaded by several tall palm and coconut trees, the ground mostly sand and grass patches. The main restaurant area is very breezy, and you can chill there or by the new pool. A covered pergola by the lagoon is perfect for sunset-watching, or for checking the wind conditions.

Pool by night

Relax Ambiance

Valampuri Resort: The Cabanas

The resort features about four individual coconut cabanas made of coconut leaves and natural raw materials, whitewashed walls and an outside bathroom. The resort is using recycled or natural materials whenever possible, and it does pay off as it is a very local feel to the architecture.

Note that there is no hot water, but you don’t need it given the outside temperatures. Cool water is refreshing!

Traditional Coconut Cabana

Another one of the coconut Cabanas

Outside Shower

Though if you like warmer degrees like me, wait for the evening as the water is heated by the afternoon sun! Each room comes with a double bed, a mosquito net, table and chair, and an electrical fan. The rooms are spacious enough for two people to move around easily. A front patio also with tables and chairs or with hammocks allows you to relax outside. Do mind for the mosquitoes though – an issue more felt on non-windy days. For families or groups of friends, a two-room chalet is also available.

For families or groups of friends, a two-room chalet is also available.

The 2-room chalet

Valampuri Resort: Sri Lankan Cuisine

Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine is made from scratch and using only fresh ingredients, and the restaurant at Valampuri Resort follows these traditions. Fish is an important staple for Sri Lankan and is bought the afternoon right for dinner time.

Restaurant

BBQ Night

A few BBQ nights are organized, and dinner is served on a few tables outside in the garden. During our stay, we tasted different fishes, seafood, including a Singapore-style chili crab Sri Lankan-styled pumpkin curry with coconut, Pol Sambola, Sri Lankan Dhal Curry (Parippu), Fried Salted Fish, Salt and sour tuna, known as Ambul Thiyal…

Chili crab!

Gourmet Dinner

Valampuri Resort: Activities around Kalpitiya

Free activities:

The resort provides free bikes and kayaks to its guests. The bikes were handy to get into town as well as to check the different kite spots around the lagoon. The kayaks were perfect to explore the various mangroves around the lagoon.

Kayaking through the Kalpitiya Lagoon mangroves

You can depart right from the resort and spend your morning or afternoon at your leisure. We recommend kayaking at sunrise or sunset to avoid the heat of the day and to enjoy the best and amazing colors. Kayaking is a good way for local bird watching as you can approach the birds relatively close. Watch the Brahminy kite!

Brahmini Kite

Excursions and Day Trips:

The resort can organize trips to Wilpattu National Park – which we recommend – for a chance to see one of the famous Sri Lankan leopards the park is known for. Other tours include dolphin and whale-watching during the winter season. We got lucky to see large pods of Spinner dolphins in March – an impressive sight! Snorkeling and diving are an option during the winter when the waters are calmer.

Valampuri Resort: Kitesurfing

When we first stayed in March, the resort did not have its own kitesurf school and was partnering with the nearby Ruuk Village for kitesurf lessons and gear rental. Since this summer, guests can now benefit from the resort’s kite school, staff, and equipment. This allows Valampuri to provide direct services to its customers looking for enjoying the wind conditions Kalpitiya has become known for. While the location was initially disappointed, as there is no direct launch from the resort, this is a fate shared by all kite resorts. A boat is required to take you across the lagoon where you can launch. A small fishing hut is available over the dunes to rest and get protection from the sun during the day.

Kitesurfing and fishermen in Kalpitiya Lagoon

Review Summary:

We liked:

• The closeness to town, so we could quickly go and shop
• The small numbers of individual cabanas: this felt very private and intimate, quite different from some of the bigger kite resorts that have hotel-like settings
• The roomy and breezy traditional rooms, fitting with the tropical Sri Lankan environment
• The pool!
• The free kayaks
• The outside bathroom

We would have liked

• More hooks and shelves in the room to keep the room organized
• A water dispenser to limit plastic bottles usage
• A finished pool – which has now been done in a lovely setting
• A kite school and gear rental – this has also now been added to the resort’s offer
• A bar by the lagoon to enjoy a cold drink while watching the sunset

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Our stay was in partnership with Valampuri Resort. Thank you for the terrific opportunity! Our opinion is our own and is not impacted by this partnership.