Palmstone Resort is situated in Kitulgala, a small town in the south western zone of Sri Lanka, which is approximately 95 km (2 hour drive) from Colombo. Situated halfway on the scenic main road between Colombo and the Central Highlands/Nuwara Eliya, Kitulgala is ideal for travellers looking for adventure and relaxation amidst nature.
Situated in the wetland zone of the country, Kitulgala experiences a mild climate. The area has beautiful settings, with breath-taking scenery of hills that are covered with thick rainforest, which plunge down to the gushing majestic waters of the Kelani River – one of the longest rivers in Sri Lanka.
The quaint town of Kitulgala derived its name from the Kithul palm trees, which are found in abundance here. These trees yield a unique type of honey called Kithul palm honey, which is used in a variety of traditional Sri Lankan sweets and desserts. The beautiful settings in Kitulgala were used as a backdrop for the filming of the Oscar-winning 1957 classic ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, which was shot on the Kelani River. Although the concrete foundations of the famous bridge are the only remains left today, the legacy of this movie lives on in the town folk of Kitulgala.
Kitulgala is famous for adventure activities and offers thrilling opportunities for white water rafting in Sri Lanka with several rapids down the majestic Kelani River. It is also one of the best places for canyoning, jungle treks and bird watching in Sri Lanka. Amidst forest-clad hills and low-country tea and rubber estates, Kithulgala is also ideally positioned for travellers to enjoy excursions to Adam’s Peak, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.
Palmstone Retreat is set in the midst of a rainforest. From Kitulgala town, you must traverse 6kms on a country road to reach the property. Some vehicles may find this road challenging. If you are concerned about your vehicle’s ability to navigate this road, please call the hotel on +94 36 4932111. We provide a free shuttle service from Kitulgala town and parking in Kitulgala.
