Kataragama

Things to do in Kataragama

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Attractions
Culture & history
Food & drink
Day tours
Outdoor & sports
Water activities
City sightseeing
Nature & wildlife
Travel photography
SIM card
Wi-Fi
Group Tours
Private tours

Top 10 attractions in Kataragama

View all Attractions
Yala National Park
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park

6.5
4.7/5
247 reviews
Yala National Park is located on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, covering an area of about 979 square kilometers. It is the largest national nature reserve in Sri Lanka, second only to Villepotu National Park. The park not only has a diverse ecological environment, but is also known for its numerous wildlife. Park History Designated as a protected area in 1900, it was designated a national park in 1938 along with Verapatu National Park. Yala National Park consists of five areas, only two of which are open to the public. One area is called Ruhuna National Park (Ruhuna National Park), also known as Sierra, is the main area to see leopards and elephants, where there are many tourists; another area is called Kumana National Park (Kumana National Park) , also known as East Yarra, is a prime area for bird watching. Biological resources There are wet monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests and tropical xerophytes, in addition to grasslands, beaches, rivers, lakes, swamps and wastelands. There are a large number of native Sri Lankan animals in the park. Groups of white-headed cranes inhabit the pond in the park. Crocodiles, peacocks and monkeys are all common animals in the park. Indian sloth bears, leopards, Asian elephants, buffaloes, wild boars, sika deer, etc. are also the objects of people's pursuit. In Yala, you can see almost all the wild animals in Sri Lanka. There are more than 30 kinds of mammals and 215 kinds of birds. Among them are the herds of wild elephants and the elusive cheetah. March-April is a good time to visit Yala National Park towards the end of the dry season, when the water level in the park is low and many animals come out to drink and forage. In the rainy season, the animals will be scattered to various places. Highlights 1 Sri Lankan Leopard Sri Lankan leopard is undoubtedly the biggest attraction. Seeing the leopard is the luck of visiting Yala. The leopard in Sri Lanka is said to be slightly different from the leopard in mainland India and is a unique breed of this region. A good time to observe leopards is from January to July each year. In Sri Lanka's safari parks, a large number of leopards can be observed. Large rocks and hills in the garden are common places for leopards to perch on branches near rocks. Aspect 2 Elephant The Runugam National Park near Yala is like an elephant passage, connecting Yala and Udawalawe National Park. Elephants migrate here from May to August. Aspect 3 Birds The birds here are very rich, from the raptor eagle to the cute little waterfowl, the hoary crane, the red river, the heron, the purple heron, the night heron and so on. They can be found in ponds and bushes in the garden. Peacocks flying with open screens and black-tailed jungle fowls, the national bird of Sri Lanka, are often seen on the roadside. Aspect 4 In the reptile zoo, there are huge crocodiles basking in the sun everywhere in the swamps and reservoirs, as well as lizards, small chameleons and poisonous snakes. Scenic tours - tour time General tourists' tours can be divided into three types: one is a half-day tour, starting from Tissa Hotel at 5:30, arriving at the park after an hour's drive, starting a half-day tour, and generally returning at 11:00-11:30 ; another evening tour around 15:00-18:30; and a full day tour from 5:30 to 18:30. Scenic tours - tourist vehicles can only take jeeps when entering Yala National Park. For safety reasons, you cannot get off the bus without authorization during the visit. Nearby Tissamaharama has many local tour companies offering safari trips. Most tourists book a chartered itinerary the day before, and the driver will lead the tour after entering the park. To avoid danger, they can only get off the bus in the specified area on the way. Although the road in the park is very difficult to walk, and the path through the dense forest is very bumpy, the fresh air and the eye-catching woods make you feel relaxed and happy. Scenic tours - viewing skillsMoneragala · 16.9 km from Kataragama
Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya

3.5
Kataragama · 1.2 km from downtown
Kiri Wehera

Kiri Wehera

3.5
Kataragama · 1.7 km from downtown
Kataragama Holy Sanctuaries

Kataragama Holy Sanctuaries

3.4
Kataragama · 1.1 km from downtown
Sellakatharagama Purana Ganapati Kovil

Sellakatharagama Purana Ganapati Kovil

3
Sella Kataragama · 4.3 km from Kataragama
Tissa Lake

Tissa Lake

3.4
5.0/5
25 reviews
Tissamaharama Lake is located outside the town, 1.5 km from the town center. Although the lake is not large, the surrounding scenery is beautiful, and the trees around the lake are tall. In the evening, a large number of egrets perch on them, looking from a distance like a tree covered with white flowers. Lakeside trail A wide lakeside trail has been newly built on the road circling the south bank, where you can watch various birds and experience the good natural ecology of Sri Lanka. Taking a walk by the lake at sunset is also very pleasant. Additionally, the B464 road is to the south of the reservoir, leading to the religious holy site of Kataragama.Hambantota · 14.3 km from Kataragama
Goddess Lakshmi Shrine | ලක්ශ්මි දේවාලය

Goddess Lakshmi Shrine | ලක්ශ්මි දේවාලය

2.7
Moneragala · 4.9 km from Kataragama
Situlpauwa Royal Temple

Situlpauwa Royal Temple

3.1
Situlpawwa · 13.6 km from Kataragama
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara

Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara

3.2
Tissamaharama · 15 km from Kataragama
Yala Safari Camping

Yala Safari Camping

2.5
5.0/5
1 reviews
Hambantota · 6.7 km from Kataragama

Traveler favorites curated for you

Sigiriya Lion Rock
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Lion Rock

6.5
4.6/5
530 reviews
Sri Lanka · Sigiriya
View all Attractions
Sri Lanka Luxury Cruise Shore Excursion Day Tour: Yala Park

Sri Lanka Luxury Cruise Shore Excursion Day Tour: Yala Park

Departs from Kataragama
Free cancellationBook now for todayDuration: 10 hrsLimited-time sale
5% off
From$209.11$220.12
View all Culture & history
7D6N • Ramayana Epic Tour (Ramayana Tour Sri lanka 07 Days 06 Nights)

7D6N • Ramayana Epic Tour (Ramayana Tour Sri lanka 07 Days 06 Nights)

4.5/5
4 reviews
EnglishPrivate Tours
From USD 1,300
View More Private Tours in Kataragama
2D1N • Sri Lanka Luxury Cruise Shore Excursion 2 Days : Ella & Yala

2D1N • Sri Lanka Luxury Cruise Shore Excursion 2 Days : Ella & Yala

Discover the scenic beauty of Ella, a charming hill-country town | Enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park, home to leopards and elephants | Experience the refreshing hill-country climate with an overnight stay in Ella
Max. 20 peopleEnglishNo mandatory shoppingGroup Tours
From USD 381
View More Group Tours in Kataragama

Experiences you can't miss in Kataragama

Featured Culture & history in Kataragama

View all Culture & history
From Colombo, Sri Lanka: Yala National Park + old town of Galle and its fortifications (admission ticket/leopard watching not included)
󱌍

From Colombo, Sri Lanka: Yala National Park + old town of Galle and its fortifications (admission ticket/leopard watching not included)

Duration: 11.5 hrs
English
From$139.16
Nuwara Eliya Tea factory and waterfall tour
󱌍

Nuwara Eliya Tea factory and waterfall tour

4.9/5
· 30 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
30 consecutive positive reviews
From$50.00
Ella Wonders: Zipline, Falls, Spice, Nine Arches & More
󱌍

Ella Wonders: Zipline, Falls, Spice, Nine Arches & More

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$14.87$15.66
Sky Walk in Ella
󱌍

Sky Walk in Ella

Duration: 45 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$11.12
Galle/Hikkaduwa/Mirissa: Ella Hidden Gems Private Tour
󱌍

Galle/Hikkaduwa/Mirissa: Ella Hidden Gems Private Tour

Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$66.53$70.04
Nuwara Eliya Tea Tour - Plucking, Tasting & Waterfall Hike
󱌍

Nuwara Eliya Tea Tour - Plucking, Tasting & Waterfall Hike

5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 4.5–5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$14.25$15.01
From Galle: Yala Safari Wadiya Lunch & Nine Arch Bridge Tour
󱌍

From Galle: Yala Safari Wadiya Lunch & Nine Arch Bridge Tour

Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$160.63$169.09

Featured Food & drink in Kataragama

View all Food & drink
Ella Sri Lanka: Mom's Kitchen Cooking Class
󱌍

Ella Sri Lanka: Mom's Kitchen Cooking Class

4.9/5
· 109 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
47 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$28.58$30.09
Ella: Tea-Making Experience Tour with Tasting and Snacks
󱌍

Ella: Tea-Making Experience Tour with Tasting and Snacks

4.9/5
· 70 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
48 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$10.41$10.96
Ella: Hands-On Tea Making Experience with Tasting
󱌍

Ella: Hands-On Tea Making Experience with Tasting

5.0/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$12.79$13.47
Highlights Tour with Tasting & Green Environment in Ella
󱌍

Highlights Tour with Tasting & Green Environment in Ella

Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$71.28$75.04
Golden Hour to Dinner: Udawalawe Cooking Experience
󱌍

Golden Hour to Dinner: Udawalawe Cooking Experience

Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$27.63$29.09
Deniyaya: Organic Agro Village Tour & Local Lunch
󱌍

Deniyaya: Organic Agro Village Tour & Local Lunch

Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$42.77$45.03
Deniyaya: Private Village Tour, Patna Sliding Rock & Lunch
󱌍

Deniyaya: Private Village Tour, Patna Sliding Rock & Lunch

Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$137.81$145.07

Featured Day tours in Kataragama

View all Day tours
Weheragala/ Lunugamwehera Wild Safari tour: Yala Block 5 & 6
󱌍

Weheragala/ Lunugamwehera Wild Safari tour: Yala Block 5 & 6

Duration: 5–12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$19.01$20.02
Yala National Park Safari Half-Day & Full-Day Tours
󱌍

Yala National Park Safari Half-Day & Full-Day Tours

Duration: 6–12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$33.27$35.03
Bundala: Private UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Wildlife Safari
󱌍

Bundala: Private UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Wildlife Safari

Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$116.91$123.07
Yala Safari Tour from Hambantota Port area (Shore Excursion)
󱌍

Yala Safari Tour from Hambantota Port area (Shore Excursion)

Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$65.58$69.04
Yala Safari Tour by Katagamuwa Entrance: 7 Hours/ 12 Hours
󱌍

Yala Safari Tour by Katagamuwa Entrance: 7 Hours/ 12 Hours

Duration: 5–12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$14.25$15.01
Sri Lanka Yala National Park | Safari jeep tour to spot Ceylon leopard* Admission ticket can be booked for you&
󱌍

Sri Lanka Yala National Park | Safari jeep tour to spot Ceylon leopard* Admission ticket can be booked for you&

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 4 hrs
English
From$63.48
Sri Lanka Sinharaja Rain Forest Tour with Transport
󱌍

Sri Lanka Sinharaja Rain Forest Tour with Transport

4.4/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 6–8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$98.00

Featured Outdoor & sports in Kataragama

View all Outdoor & sports
Sri Lanka - Udawalawe National Park 1-Day Tour Private VIP Charter (SUV)
󱌍

Sri Lanka - Udawalawe National Park 1-Day Tour Private VIP Charter (SUV)

5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 6.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From$111.26
Ella: Private Sunrise Hike, Tea Estate, and Waterfall Tour
󱌍

Ella: Private Sunrise Hike, Tea Estate, and Waterfall Tour

Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$57.02$60.03
Horton Plains National Park Entry e-Ticket
󱌍

Horton Plains National Park Entry e-Ticket

Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$71.28$75.04
Ella to Baker’s Bend Adventure Day Tour
󱌍

Ella to Baker’s Bend Adventure Day Tour

Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$76.23$80.25
Ella to Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)
󱌍

Ella to Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) Train Tickets (Reserved Seats)

Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$22.71$23.91
From the Coast: Private Ella Highlights Day Trip
󱌍

From the Coast: Private Ella Highlights Day Trip

Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From$251.88$265.14
Kataragama Today's weatherCloudy 22-32℃
Kataragama weather for the next 2 days11/4: 23-34℃, 11/5: 24-34℃

Free things to do in Kataragama

Tissa Lake

Tissa Lake

3.4
5.0/5
25 reviews
Hambantota · 14.3 km from Kataragama

What travelers say about Kataragama

user-avatar
蓝星旅行者August 12, 2026
5.0
Scenery: Don't have too high expectations; the infrastructure isn't great, as shown in the pictures. Fun: Quite fun. Value for money: Very good; the price is reasonable, a must-do for tour groups. Suitable for group tours.

Yala National Park

user-avatar
meihaorensheng88868May 30, 2016
5.0
The surface of the lake is very large. Walking slowly around the lake, few people can be seen. The water of the lake is very clear. What a quiet place!

Tissa Lake

user-avatar
_TI***nsSeptember 25, 2024
5.0
I chose this hotel because I wanted to go on a safari tour and see the wildlife, and it was a truly moving experience! The food was also wonderful and went well with the views.

Yala Safari Camping

Popular cities near Kataragama

Nuwara Eliya District

Nuwara Eliya District

Colombo

Colombo

Galle

Galle

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Kataragama?

Don't miss these attractions in Kataragama: Yala National Park, Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, and Kiri Wehera. If you like Culture & history, try From Colombo, Sri Lanka: Yala National Park + old town of Galle and its fortifications (admission ticket/leopard watching not included). If you enjoy Food & drink, try Ella Sri Lanka: Mom's Kitchen Cooking Class.

You can give Ella Sri Lanka: Mom's Kitchen Cooking Class and Ella: Tea-Making Experience Tour with Tasting and Snacks a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Weheragala/ Lunugamwehera Wild Safari tour: Yala Block 5 & 6, Yala National Park Safari Half-Day & Full-Day Tours, and Bundala: Private UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Wildlife Safari. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 3, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Kataragama is around USD 14.25 – USD 116.91. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.