SEPTEMBER 2026
OVERVIEW
Please read our Sri Lanka Tour post to get the overview of what we are doing, general information, tips, tricks, and traps.
We have already done:
It is time to move on to Batticaloa.
BATTICALOA
PLAN B
I originally planned to stay a few nights at Kalmunai Beach. However, there are very few accommodation options there … so, I decided to skip it and head straight for Batticaloa.
GETTING THERE
You can book a private taxi from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa for 18,000r or a shared taxi / minivan for 7,000r. I tried to book a Shared Taxi but none were available … not enough people are going in that direction.
I got onto UBER and checked their prices: the Premium Car was 17,000r, the Mini Car was 15,000r, a Tuk Tuk was 10,000r.
THE TUK TUK OPTION
I have read from other bloggers that a great way to tour Sri Lanka is to rent your own tuk tuk and drive yourself. Sri Lanka is only about 350kms north to south and 200kms wide. It is small enough to seriously consider this option. If there are 3 of you with average sized backpacks, your backpacks can easily fit on the back shelf, 2 people in the back, and 1 in the driver’s seat. Sharing the price between 3 could make this option very cost effective. I must admit that this sounds very appealing … I would love to do it this way.
I thought that the 3 hour Tuk Tuk ride to Batticaloa would be a bit of a ‘test case’. It would at least be a bit of ‘fun’ and an ‘experience’. How bad could it be? 🙂
My UBER Tuk Tuk picked me up from my Arugam Bay hotel at 10am. We loaded up and headed off. He asked if I wanted music. I said yes and that I wanted to listen to his music. We blasted out Sri Lankan all the way to Batti. I enjoyed it. Ambience. Great unobstructed views. Wind in my hair. I still felt comfortable after 3 hours but, by then, most people will want a ‘sore bum’ break.
The driver told me that it costs about 3,000r to fill his tank. He said that it was enough to get him the 100kms to Batti … I do not know if that included the 100kms return (but, since 1,000r in a scooter gets 100kms … it might).
ABOUT
WEATHER
GEOGRAPHY
Batticaloa is situated on an island on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka on a flat coastal plain.
Batticaloa district has three lagoons: Batticaloa Lagoon, Valaichchenai Lagoon, and Vakari (Panichchankerni) Lagoon.
SCOOTER RENTAL
I booked my hotel because they said that they had bicycle rental and scooter rental. They did not.
There are very few options to rent in the area … in fact, one. My hotel told me that I could rent from Sea View Resort 1.2kms away. I messaged them for a price quote. They were very slow in responding. You have to pick up your rental from the resort.
They rent a bicycle for 1,000r per day.
They rent a scooter for 3,000r per day. It is provided full of petrol. You return it full. They ask for a Sri Lanka driving license … they will accept a valid International Driving License / Permit. I had the latter. I rented for 2 days and covered over 100kms. It cost me 1,100r to fill it up with petrol for return.
SOUTHERN EASTERN BEACHES
On my rental scooter, I started at the “Point of Batticaloa’ and headed south about 15kms (as the crow flies) to Thalankudah Beach.
I didn’t see one tourist. These are ‘working’ beaches scattered with fishing boats, fishermen, and fisher huts directly selling their ‘catch of the day’. Alas, the beaches are ‘unkempt’ and littered with trash either left by visitors (e.g. beer and water bottles) or trash washed in from the sea. That said, it is easy to find a pleasant and quiet spot to laze away an afternoon and go for a swim.
SOUTHERN WESTERN LAGOON
I headed back north on the lagoon side.
The East and the West are like ‘chalk and cheese’. At the start, I followed the roads on ‘Google Maps’ … they were goat tracks 🙂 and I found myself scootering between farms on raised tracks less than 1 metre wide. I made it back to a proper road and continued north. The lagoon side is picturesque, quiet, and ‘local’.
NORTH of the BRIDGE
I next looked at the western lagoon and eastern beaches north of the bridge.
I can’t recommend the western lagoon side. The northern-most beaches on the eastern side were typical ‘eastern beaches’.
The nicest area is most definitely between Batti Lighthouse and River View Point. Batti Lighthouse was my favourite spot.
BATTI ISLAND
Lastly, I looked around Batti Island.
Batti Island was a bit of a surprise. There is a busy area around the northern bridge but, otherwise, it feels very rural … and, some lagoon view areas are very picturesque.
EAT & DRINK
We are off the ‘beaten track’. You can get a local meal for under 1,000r.
400m from my hotel was a Beer Shop selling alcohol at ‘government prices’. Not to use it would have been a sin 🙂 There is no ‘western-style social life’ here. It was ‘grab a beer’ and head back to my hotel to look out over the lagoon to Batti Island.
ACCOMMODATION
WHERE TO STAY
GRANDPAckers will find many hotels within our price range at this time of year.
For those who want to be near a beach and ‘get around’, I suggest that you look in the Green Shaded Area close to the Sea View Resort.
The Yellow Shaded Area is also worth a look … but don’t go too far north and stick close to the beach(es).
If you want to just chill out near a decent beach and you aren’t too bothered about getting around, look in the Orange Shaded Area further south.
There is a ‘sweet spot’ north of the bridge in the Purple Shaded Area between Batti Lighthouse and River View Point. It is remote (you may want your own transport) but if you can find something on the lagoon road it is idyllic.
If you stay anywhere else … there really isn’t much going on apart from your hotel.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I used Agoda to book a Deluxe Double with Sea View at the Lagoon Breeze Resort. I paid 6,850r / US$17.50 per night. Breakfast not included. I chose this hotel for its location. I wanted to rent a scooter (see, above).
My room was good. Great view of the lagoon from the shared balcony. Good wifi (but their data plan ran out early on day 3 … so, I used my own mobile data plan). Good aircon. No hot water shower (but the heat of the day means that the water is warm).
Alas, it was too isolated for anyone who wants to do more than stay in their hotel and read a book with a beautiful view.
CONCLUSION
You come to Batti to ‘chill’ somewhere near water. Tourists don’t come here … that will either suit you … or not.
Because I had a rental scooter I was happy … but, even with that freedom of movement … 3 nights was enough.
TTFN
