Overview
There is a direct bus from Matara to Kalmunai which stops in Pottuvil leaving daily at 11:50am. This should give you time to take an early bus from any south coast origin such as Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa or Weligama and arrive at Matara before it leaves. The bus travels through Tangalle so you can get on there but a seat may not be guaranteed. After arriving in Pottuvil take a tuk tuk to Arugam Bay or wait for a bus to Panama.
Duration and Cost
According to the comments below, the journey time is about seven hours from Matara to Pottuvil and it costs 350LKR.
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Other Departures
If you want to leave Matara earlier or later you can take a more regular bus to Monaragala and then change on to the Panama bus which stops in Arugam Bay. See the page Colombo to Arugam Bay by Bus for more info on arriving by bus.
Quick Links
- Bandaranaike Airport to Colombo
- Colombo to Arugam Bay by Bus
- Colombo to Arugam Bay by Train and Bus via Ella or Badulla
- Colombo to Arugam Bay by Train and Bus via Batticaloa
- Colombo to Arugam Bay by Luxury Bus via Akkaraipattu
- South Coast to Arugam Bay by Bus
- Independent Taxi Share
- Request Taxi Quote
Searching for a Hotel? Read the Ultimate Guide to Arugam Bay Accommodation 2018
How long does the bus take from Matara to pottuvil?
Hi Dave, it should take about 6 hours plus or minus 30 minutes. Let me know how it goes if you take the journey. Enjoy Abay!
Is this an a/c bus?
No, I’m afraid not.
Yesterday I made the trip from weligama to Matara. You take the bus from weligama bus station to Matara (1 hour 50LKR/person) and the bus from Matara to Kalmunai that stops in Pottuvil, so from Matara to Pottuvil it takes around 7 hours because it stops everywhere and the price is around 350lkr/person with the bagpack
Hi there travelers, does Anybody know if you can take a surfboard on the bus?
Thanks in advance! 🙂
I was in Sri Lanka last year and there was no room on buses for surfboards. Not even room for bags! The driver sometimes let you put the bag next to him at the front.
Hi, small boards will go in the luggage compartement in the back, otherwise you might have to pay for extra seats.