It's the new year, and to kick-start our adventures, we decided to set off on a spontaneous two-day getaway from Colombo to Pasikuda in search of the wonders of this unheard coastal village with beautiful beaches. Little did we know, we were in for some surprises!
Pasikuda or Pasikudah is a remote coastal town on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, often overshadowed by its neighbouring city Batticaloa and the famous port city Trincomalee to the north.
Things to do in Pasikuda
Pasikudah is renowned for its stunning beaches, mesmerizing coral reefs perfect for snorkelling adventures, and the iconic Elephant Rock - which is a rock shaped like an elephant resting by the beach. However, many of the activities often listed under "things to do in Pasikuda" are located in neighbouring cities such as Batticaloa and the greater Kalkudah area, rather than within Pasikuda itself.
We realized our mistake of visiting during the off-season quite quickly. While off-season often promises the freedom to explore at your own pace without the buzz of the tourists plus the lower prices, our experience in Pasikuda was somewhat different.
There were many tourists in the hotel, but the village appeared abandoned. We visited the Coconut Cultural Park which was known for its little cafe selling coconut ice cream, but the place looked deserted when we arrived. The gates were rusted and the huts looked empty. We were told that they haven't opened it in a long time, likely due to the off-season slump.
Where to eat in Pasikuda
Your best bet for dining in Pasikuda is to opt for the hotel where you're staying. Local dining options are limited in the area. Alternatively, you can hop on a tuk-tuk to Valachenai City, a nearby neighbourhood with several local shops. However, be mindful that authenticity and hygiene standards may vary.
For a wider range of dining choices, consider travelling to Batticaloa, where you'll find eateries catering to the eastern palate. On our first day, we chose to dine at our hotel.
On the second day, we decided to try lunch at Sri Balaji Pavan, a vegetarian restaurant located near the Valachenai Police Station.
It had promising reviews, but they had very limited options. Their set lunch menu was rice and curry, which was pretty average. Although we had heard positive things about their dinner and breakfast menus, we didn't want to risk it during our short visit.
For our final dinner, we opted for Eastern Taste, situated along the Trincomalee highway road just a few meters from the Valachenai Police Station.
This eatery had fried rice, noodles, shawarmas, and burgers among other options on their menu. We decided to try their mixed fried rice, and we were pleasantly surprised by the generous portion size and unique flavour, different to the fried rice we find in Colombo.
Can you surf on Pasikuda Beach?
Yes! Pasikuda has a beautiful and safe beach stretch for surfing from May to October. February and the off-season months aren't a good time to visit if you're a surfer. The sea is generally rough during this time and most water activities don't happen either.
Sri Lanka has multiple surf locations and Pasikuda is one of them. If you're planning to surf in Pasikuda, we urge you to explore Arugumbay as well. If you're bringing your own surfboard, keeping it protected during your travels is important. After all, a surfboard is not a cheap investment. So remember to bring a surfboard protector to keep your surfboard looking new.
Taxi in Pasikuda
You won't find taxi apps like Uber or Pick Me in Pasikuda like you do in Colombo. It's pretty remote out here, so getting around usually involves bicycles or tuk-tuks for short distances. But don't sweat it—locals are super friendly and happy to recommend reliable tuk-tuk drivers, especially if you're staying at a hotel. They'll sort out comfy rides for you without any hassle.
In our experience, all the tuk-tuk drivers we met were genuine. It cost us about Rs. 700 (in 2024), which is roughly 2$, to head over to Valachenai city from Pasikuda (one-way).
But remember the thumb rule of hailing a taxi in Bangkok or any other Asian country, discuss the rate before you get in. Most of the locals in Pasikuda speak Tamil as their native language due to the northern influence. They're somewhat good at communicating in basic English so you will be able to get by.
Always pronounce the names of the main cities or landmarks properly and then follow Google Maps to give them the exact directions to the place you're heading to. Throughout our trip, we had an uninterrupted signal, so this part wasn't a hassle.
Where to stay in Pasikuda
It's safer to opt for a well-known hotel, as some smaller guesthouses might not be as reliable. Along the Pasikuda stretch, you'll find several renowned hotels. Just make sure to book in advance to secure your stay.
We decided to book a small guesthouse called Nandawanam for an early morning stay before our hotel check-in at noon. However, when we arrived in town at the crack of dawn, the guesthouse was unexpectedly closed.
This was despite us calling and reserving a day earlier, with the receptionist assuring us that they'd be open.
We were stranded in the middle of nowhere, luckily we met a pleasant tuk-tuk driver who drove us to our hotel.
We stayed two nights at the Amethyst Resort, which had the most beautiful view of Pasikuda Bay, it was right by the beach and our room was located a few steps away from the golden coast.
The hotel was a 4-star hotel so the prices were on the higher side, but the staff were very pleasant and our stay was worth it.
Following our check-out, we spent a few hours at a nearby cottage named Inn On The Bay until our bus departure. Priced at just $10 per night, it offered bare essentials just to survive. However, if you're prone to feeling claustrophobic or have a fear of insects, you might want to pass on these traditional huts.
Which is better Pasikuda or Arugambay?
Definitely Arugumbay! Not only is it larger in size compared to Pasikudah, but it's also more tourist-friendly and boasts the best beaches on the East Coast. Pasikudah is relatively small and limited in experience, Arugumbay however lives up to its reputation as the best surfing beach in Sri Lanka.
Is Trincomalee close to Pasikuda?
Trincomalee is somewhat close to Pasikuda, resting on the northern side of the same stretch of beaches, approximately a 2-hour journey away. The Trincomalee highway connects to Pasikuda's immediate neighbouring town - Valachenai.
If you're heading to Trincomalee from Pasikuda, you can arrive in Valachenai by tuk, from here, you can take the bus to Trincomalee. Trains do pass, but we recommend the bus as it is more convenient.
Reaching Pasikuda from Colombo
The Night Bus is the best transport method. If you're currently based in the Capital city of Colombo, or you're starting your journey from Colombo, you may have to plan the transport a few days ahead as it's almost an 8-hour journey. The train ride can be tiring so we suggest the night bus which is more comfortable and convenient.
You can book your tickets from either BusSeat.lk or SuperLine. We prefer SuperLine as it is cheaper and it's the bus company itself, however, certain bus stops aren't mentioned on the website so you may have to get in touch with the bus operator to inform your joining location - don't worry they're very helpful.
Getting to Pasikuda from Batticaloa or Arugambay
If you're on a grand tour around the East Coast, you can head over to Pasikuda easily from Batticaloa by bus. It only takes about 30 minutes from Batticaloa and about a 3-hour ride from Arugumbay.
Finding transport from Arugumbay to Pasikuda can be more challenging as it is somewhat far. We recommend booking a cab in advance, you can request your hotel for this. However, if it's during the off-season, we highly recommend skipping Pasikuda as it can be a huge letdown when compared to Arugumbay.
How to travel from Ella to Pasikuda?
If you're in Ella and want to head to Pasikuda, there are a couple of ways you can travel. You can either take the bus, or a private taxi or the train (if there is no other option)
We don't recommend the train, but If you're taking the train, it would take an awfully long time - about 15 hours. You'll have to take 2 trains in total. It'll cost about LKR 350 ($1.17) per person for both the tickets.
Ella to Pasikuda Train Journey
Take the Badulla train from Ella where you get off at Polgahawela (keep in mind that there are only 2 trains per day). Next, take the Colombo train that goes to Valachenai.
After getting down from Valachenai, you have to get a taxi to reach Pasikuda.
Ella to Pasikuda Bus Journey
If you're taking the bus, which we recommend, you need to take 3 buses in total. you'll have about 7 hours of travel time if you start your journey early. You'd be spending less than LKR 1000 ($3.35) per person for the trip.
First, you need to get to the Badulla bus station from Ella. It's a 45-minute bus ride. From Badulla, you need to get the Batticaloa bus which is the longest, this would take about 6 hours so grab some snacks. From Batticaloa, take the bus to Valachenai (this is a 30-minute ride).
From Valachenai, you need to get a taxi to Pasikuda.
On the other hand, taking a taxi would cost more than LKR 23,000 ($80), but you'll reach Pasikuda within 4 hours. It's a little too expensive, but If you're travelling with family, getting a taxi is the best option.
The best time to visit Pasikuda
March to October is the ideal time to visit Pasikuda as the skies are clearer, the seas are calmer and the waves are more playful. You can witness the scenic sunrise of the East and enjoy the pleasant warmth. During this time, most shops including the neighbourhood will be more lively and welcoming.
What we love about Pasikuda
Even though we ventured out during the off-season, we were pleasantly surprised by a few things that left us in awe. The beach, for instance—so calm and deserted.
Unlike the bustling beaches of the South Coast, Pasikuda's shores are so calming. Perfect for meditation or Yoga. During our morning strolls, we had the entire beach to ourselves. Not a soul in sight, except for a couple of friendly dogs minding their own peace.
Check out this video we captured at 7 a.m.
We have to say that we had a wonderful time here in Pasikuda and urge travellers to visit this beautiful place.
Planning to travel to Pasikuda anytime soon? Ask away your doubts in the comments and we'll be glad to clear them for you!
great write up, enjoyed reading it, looking to take my family there, 2 boys ages 11 and 8, enough to keep them entertained? can you surf this side? staying for 11 nights at sun siyam
Loved reading this write-up! The last time I visited Pasikuda was probably 10-12 years back, and the words in this post immediately took me back there like as if it was yesterday! Thanks for the intricacies and the info..will need them when visiting the beautiful azure blue Pasikuda beach next time!
This article is very informative, provides detailed information, surely will go through again prior visiting these places.