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Katunayaka

town · Sri Lanka

Overview

Katunayaka is a town in Sri Lanka.

About 85,000 people live here.

On the map it sits in Asia, in the northern hemisphere.

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) is the closest airport, roughly 1 km away.

Key facts

CountrySri Lanka
Population84,643
TimezoneAsia/Colombo
Nearest airportBandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), 1 km
CurrencyLKR

Where Katunayaka is

Katunayaka sits in Sri Lanka, in the northern part of Asia.

Kandy lies about 83 km to the east, Negombo lies about 7 km to the north-west and Hendala lies about 20 km to the south.

Getting there

The usual way in is to fly. Your nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), roughly 1 km away.

Alternative gateways include Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML, 39 km).

Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.

Find flights to Katunayaka →arrives CMB (1.3 km away)

Book an airport transfer in Katunayaka via Kiwitaxi

Getting around

The town is easy to cover on foot, with taxis handy for longer hops or reaching nearby spots. If you drive, remember traffic here keeps to the left.

Best time to visit

The climate here is broadly equatorial (northern hemisphere): warm and humid all year, with wetter and drier spells rather than true seasons; the drier months are easiest for sightseeing.

Reasons to visit

A few reasons Katunayaka is worth your time: a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through CMB.

Day trips & nearby

For day trips, several places sit within easy reach: Kandy (83 km to the east); Negombo (7 km to the north-west); Hendala (20 km to the south); Ja Ela (11 km to the south); Kandana (14 km to the south).

Good to know

The currency is the LKR (Rupee).

The main language spoken is Sinhala.

Clocks run on Asia/Colombo time.

Traffic drives on the left.

How long to stay

For a first visit, allow 3–5 days to see the main sights at a comfortable pace.

Journeys through here

Where to stay in Katunayaka

Search hotels in Katunayaka on Booking.com ↗

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Getting around Katunayaka

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Common questions

What is the nearest airport to Katunayaka?
Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) is the closest airport, about 1 km away.
When is the best time to visit Katunayaka?
There is no single best season; pick the drier months for easier sightseeing.
What is near Katunayaka?
Kandy is one of the closest places, about 83 km away, with others within day-trip range.
Which country is Katunayaka in?
Katunayaka is in Sri Lanka.

On the map

Keep exploring

Nearby places

More places in Sri Lanka

Similar destinations

Plan the wider trip

Sources & method

Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.