Car rental in Mount Lavinia gives you a car in Colombo’s best known beach suburb, 12km south of Colombo Fort, home to a colonial hotel dating from 1806 and a 1.6km west facing beach where the sun sets straight into the Indian Ocean. Dehiwala Zoo is about 10 minutes away, Bellanwila temple about 15, and the E01 expressway to Galle starts east of town.
Rentrals has 44 cars here from $24.00 a day, every one of them automatic, with city delivery included and no credit card needed: 31 have free cancellation, 23 have a low deposit, 16 are SUVs, 12 carry full insurance and 5 are new.
44 cars from $24.00/day
31 free cancellation
City delivery on all 44
No credit card on all 44
What you get with Rentrals in Mount Lavinia
Why rent a car in Mount Lavinia?
Dehiwala Zoo is 3km north, and with children, a car is far easier than a bus to Dehiwala junction and a walk. Bellanwila temple is about 4km inland with no direct bus from the beach. The Attidiya wetlands are best at dawn, before any useful public transport runs.
Heading south, the E01 expressway puts Galle about 1h 30min away from your hotel. When you rent a car in Mount Lavinia, the car is delivered to your hotel, needs no credit card and starts at $24.00 a day. All cars automatic , so there’s no manual to book by mistake.
The Mount Lavinia Hotel: a governor’s house, a love legend and 2 centuries of history
Sir Thomas Maitland, the second British Governor of Ceylon, built a residence on the headland at Galkissa in 1806. The story told at the hotel is that he fell for Lovina Aponsuwa, a dancer of mixed Portuguese and Sinhalese descent, and had a tunnel dug from her house to his wine cellar so they could meet in secret. Many say “Lavinia” comes from her name. A statue of her stands in the fountain at the entrance.
Maitland was recalled in 1811 and never came back; he died unmarried in 1824 while Governor of Malta. Sir Edward Barnes enlarged the house in the 1820s. It became a hotel in 1877, after the coastal railway arrived, and has taken guests ever since.
During the Second World War, the building was a British military hospital. Hospital scenes for The Bridge on the River Kwai, released in 1957, were filmed here. Non residents can visit for a meal or a drink on the terrace above the beach. For car rental at Mount Lavinia Hotel, guests can arrange city delivery to the front entrance.
Dehiwala Zoo: Sri Lanka’s national zoo, 10 minutes north by car
The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka, usually called Dehiwala Zoo, is about 3km north of Mount Lavinia beach, roughly 10 minutes by car via Galle Road. It covers about 10 hectares and holds around 350 species, and it draws more than a million visitors a year.
Inside, there’s a butterfly garden with about 30 species, walk through aviaries, and a reptile house with a large collection of crocodiles. The zoo has bred pygmy hippos, Przewalski’s horses and Sumatran orangutans. Lyn de Alwis, a former director, later advised on the design of Singapore Zoo.
Show times change, so check the day’s programme at the gate. Go early on weekends, when local families arrive by mid morning. With car hire from Mount Lavinia to Dehiwala Zoo, you can park close to the entrance and keep snacks, water and a change of clothes in the car.
Mount Lavinia beach: sunsets over the Indian Ocean
Mount Lavinia beach runs for about 1.6km, and the coast faces west, so the sun sets directly over the sea. From November to April, skies are usually clear enough for a full sunset most evenings.
The waves are bigger than on Colombo’s city beaches. Swim only in the marked areas, and stay out when red flags are up. Seafood restaurants and hotel terraces line the sand, and vendors sell snacks and swimwear. Early morning brings walkers and fishermen, and the hotel’s Sunday brunch is popular with Colombo families.
Trains from Colombo Fort take 20 to 25 minutes and cost very little. With a car, the beach links up with the zoo, Bellanwila and Moratuwa without arranging a tuk tuk for each leg.
Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya: an ancient Bo tree, 15 minutes by car
Bellanwila temple is about 4km east of Mount Lavinia, around 10 to 15 minutes by car on Bellanwila Road, with no direct bus from the beach. Its Bo tree is believed to be one of the saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura, and temple tradition dates it to around 2,300 years ago.
The temple appears in writing from the Kotte period, under King Parakramabahu VI. It fell out of use during Portuguese rule of the coast and was found again in the mid 1800s. The shrine room has murals of the Buddha’s life by the artist Somabandu Vidyapathy.
The temple’s Esala Perahera, held each August or September, fills several nights with decorated elephants, drummers and dancers from both up country and low country traditions. Roads around Bellanwila close or slow during the processions, so park early. For car rental to Bellanwila temple, cover your shoulders and knees and carry socks for the hot stone.
Mount Lavinia to Galle via the E01 expressway
Mount Lavinia is 12km south of central Colombo, and hotels here are often cheaper than in the city centre. The nearest E01 interchanges are about 15km east, around 30 minutes by car through Moratuwa or Piliyandala.
From the interchange, the Galle exit is about 50 minutes. Door to door, car hire from Mount Lavinia to Galle takes around 1h 30min. On the A2 coast road, the same trip can take 3 hours or more.
Ratmalana Airport, which handles mainly domestic flights, is about 4km south. Moratuwa and its furniture workshops are 6km south, and Panadura is 14km.
Choosing the right car in Mount Lavinia
Suzuki Wagon R
The cheapest car in the fleet. Easy to park at the beach, the zoo and in Colombo.
Honda Fit
A small hatchback with free cancellation. Good if your dates might change.
Toyota Aqua
A hybrid with low fuel use. The best pick for regular trips into Colombo or down to Galle.
Honda Shuttle
An estate with space for 4 adults and airport luggage.
Honda Vezel
An SUV from 16 in the fleet. More room for families on south coast trips.
Toyota Premio
A comfortable saloon for business trips and longer expressway drives.
Car rental prices in Mount Lavinia: 44 automatic cars from $24.00
Every car in the Mount Lavinia fleet has an automatic gearbox, so there’s no risk of booking a manual by mistake. 31 of the 44 cars have free cancellation, 23 have a low deposit, 12 have full insurance, 5 are new and 16 are SUVs. These are the main models.
| Car | Transmission | Key detail | Price/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | Cheapest, no credit card, city delivery | $24.00 |
| Suzuki Alto | Automatic | Low deposit, no credit card | $25.43 |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | Low deposit, no credit card | $26.00 |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Automatic | City delivery, no credit card | $27.00 |
| Suzuki Spacia | Automatic | Taller body, no credit card | $28.00 |
| Nissan March | Automatic | Small hatchback, no credit card | $31.50 |
| Honda Fit Shuttle | Automatic | Estate body, low deposit | $31.58 |
| Honda Fit | Automatic | Free cancellation, no credit card | $32.50 |
| Toyota Aqua (hybrid) | Automatic | Low fuel use, no credit card | $33.58 |
| Toyota Axio | Automatic | Saloon, low deposit | $34.43 |
| Honda Shuttle | Automatic | Estate, city delivery | $34.43 |
| Honda Vezel (SUV) | Automatic | SUV | $40.43 |
| Toyota Yaris | Automatic | Saloon, city delivery | $40.43 |
| Toyota Premio | Automatic | Larger saloon | $42.43 |
| Toyota CHR (SUV) | Automatic | Highest spec SUV | $45.43 |
| All cars automatic | |||
Cheap car rental in Mount Lavinia starts at $24.00 for the Suzuki Wagon R. Prices change with the season and update daily, so check the booking widget for your dates.
Driving distances from Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia sits on the A2 Galle Road, between Colombo to the north and Moratuwa to the south. Times below are typical outside rush hour.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehiwala Zoo | about 3km | 10 min | Sri Lanka’s national zoo |
| Bellanwila temple | about 4km | 10 to 15 min | Ancient Bo tree, August Perahera |
| Attidiya wetlands | about 4km | 10 to 15 min | Urban bird sanctuary |
| Ratmalana Airport | about 4km | 10 min | Mainly domestic flights |
| Moratuwa | about 6km | 12 min | Furniture district, Bolgoda Lake |
| Colombo Fort | 12km | 20 to 30 min | City centre; the train is quicker at peak |
| Panadura | about 14km | 20 min | Where Bolgoda Lake meets the sea |
| E01 expressway interchange | about 15km | 30 min | Fastest route south |
| Kalutara | about 35km | 40 min | Riverside temple and bodhi tree |
| Colombo Airport (BIA) | about 45km | 1h to 1h 30min | Through Colombo, then the airport expressway |
| Galle | about 115km | 1h 30min | UNESCO Dutch fort via the E01 |
Further down the coast are Wadduwa, Beruwala and Bentota. North of Colombo, the A3 continues to Wattala and Negombo.
Driving in Mount Lavinia: what to know
- Sri Lanka drives on the left. All 44 Rentrals cars in Mount Lavinia are automatic .
- Galle Road is busy all day, with buses stopping often. Traffic is slowest from about 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.
- Side roads down to the beach are narrow, and parking near the sand fills up on weekend evenings. Use your hotel’s parking where you can.
- The E01 is a toll road. Carry rupees for the exit booths.
- Speed limits for cars are generally 50km/h in towns, 70km/h on open roads and 100km/h on the expressway.
- During the Bellanwila Perahera in August or September, roads around the temple close in the evening.
- Fuel is easy to find along Galle Road.
- The blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, and the minimum driving age is 18.
What you need to rent a car in Mount Lavinia
Documents
Passport, your home driving licence and an International Driving Permit. Sri Lanka asks foreign drivers to have the IDP endorsed by the Automobile Association of Ceylon, or to hold a temporary local permit from the Department of Motor Traffic.
Age
Drivers must be 18 or older. Some suppliers set their own minimum age, which shows on the car listing.
Payment
Mount Lavinia car rental with no credit card on all 44 cars. Pay 15 to 20% at booking and the balance at pickup, plus the supplier’s security deposit.
Cover and cancellation
12 cars have full insurance, with tiers shown at booking. 31 cars have free cancellation.
How booking works
Compare
Pick your dates and compare the 44 cars by price, deposit and cancellation terms.
Reserve
Pay 15 to 20% online. Booking is instant, with no credit card required.
Delivery
The car comes to your hotel or apartment in Mount Lavinia.
Handover
Check the car face to face with the supplier, pay the balance and drive away. No hidden fees.
A family day around Mount Lavinia by car
A day that keeps driving short and ends on the beach for sunset.
Attidiya wetlands for early birders
The Bellanwila Attidiya wetlands are one of the largest marsh areas in greater Colombo, about 4km from the beach. Arrive soon after sunrise, when herons, Asian openbills, pheasant tailed jacanas and several kinds of bittern are most active. With a car, you can move around the edge of the marsh to different viewing spots. Bring binoculars, water and insect repellent.
Best time to visit Mount Lavinia
November to April
West coast dry season. Calmer sea and clear sunsets most evenings.
May to September
Southwest monsoon. Rough sea and more rain, though zoo and temple visits still work.
August or September
The Bellanwila Esala Perahera. Expect evening road closures around the temple.
Weekends
Busier beach, zoo and restaurants. Arrive early for parking.
What to keep in the car
- Towels and a bag for wet swimwear after the beach
- Sun cream, hats and plenty of water for the zoo
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Bellanwila
- Socks for walking on hot temple stone
- Binoculars and insect repellent for Attidiya
- Small rupee notes for parking, tolls and entry tickets
Suggestions from Rentrals
Book a free cancellation car
31 of the 44 cars have free cancellation, so you can lock in a price and still change your plans.
Take the Wagon R for local trips
For the zoo, the temple and Colombo, the $24.00 Suzuki Wagon R is all you need.
Use the train for Colombo at peak
The train to Colombo Fort takes 20 to 25 minutes. Leave the car at the hotel on weekday mornings.
Reach the zoo at opening time
Weekend crowds build by mid morning. Arrive early for cooler weather and easier parking.
Leave for Galle before 7am
You’ll reach the expressway before the morning traffic and be in Galle by about 8:30am.
Plan around the Perahera
In August or September, avoid driving near Bellanwila in the evening unless you’re going to watch.
Carry toll money
Keep rupee notes ready for the E01 exit booths.
Photograph the car at handover
The inspection is face to face. Take photos of each side, the wheels and the fuel gauge before you set off.
Car rental in Mount Lavinia: frequently asked questions
How much does car rental in Mount Lavinia cost?
Car rental in Mount Lavinia starts at $24.00 a day for the Suzuki Wagon R. Prices run up to $45.43 for the Toyota CHR SUV. All 44 cars are automatic, and 31 have free cancellation. None need a credit card. Prices change with the season and update daily.
Are all the cars in Mount Lavinia automatic?
Yes. All 44 cars in the Mount Lavinia fleet are automatic, with no manual cars to choose by mistake. That helps on busy Galle Road junctions and in Colombo traffic. Every car also includes city delivery and needs no credit card.
Can I drive from Mount Lavinia to Galle?
Yes. The nearest E01 interchanges are about 30 minutes east, and the Galle exit is about 50 minutes further. Door to door, it takes around 1h 30min. On the A2 coast road, the same trip can take 3 hours or more with traffic.
How close is Dehiwala Zoo to Mount Lavinia?
About 3km north, around 10 minutes by car via Galle Road. The zoo covers about 10 hectares and holds around 350 species, with a butterfly garden, aviaries and a reptile house. There’s no direct bus from the beach to the gate, so a car is the easiest option for families.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Mount Lavinia?
No. All 44 cars can be booked without a credit card. You pay 15 to 20% at booking and the rest at pickup. 23 cars have a security deposit under $300, 12 have full insurance and 31 have free cancellation.
Can I visit Bellanwila temple from Mount Lavinia?
Yes. It’s about 4km east, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car on Bellanwila Road. The temple’s Bo tree is believed to be a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura. The Esala Perahera runs for several nights each August or September.
Is Mount Lavinia a good base for a south coast road trip?
Yes. It’s south of central Colombo, so you avoid city traffic when you leave. The E01 interchanges are about 30 minutes away, putting Galle around 1h 30min and Matara around 2 hours from your hotel. All 44 cars include city delivery.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Mount Lavinia?
Yes, plan on it. Sri Lanka asks foreign drivers to carry an International Driving Permit endorsed by the Automobile Association of Ceylon, or a temporary local permit from the Department of Motor Traffic. Bring your home licence and passport too. The minimum driving age is 18.
How far is Mount Lavinia from Ratmalana Airport?
About 4km, around 10 minutes on Galle Road. Ratmalana handles mainly domestic flights. With city delivery, your car can meet you at your hotel so you don’t need to go into Colombo.
How far is Mount Lavinia from Colombo Airport (BIA)?
About 45km, usually 1 hour to 1h 30min, through Colombo and then the airport expressway. Allow extra time at rush hour. You can also compare cars listed at Katunayake if you want to drive from the airport.
Is city delivery available for car hire in Mount Lavinia?
Yes, all 44 cars include city delivery. The car can be brought to your hotel or apartment in Mount Lavinia. Add the address and time when you book. The damage inspection takes place face to face at handover.
Can I book a car with a driver in Mount Lavinia?
Yes. Rentrals lists self drive and with driver options. A driver suits airport runs at rush hour or anyone who’d prefer not to drive in Colombo. Availability and price depend on the car and your dates.
Rent a car in other Sri Lanka destinations
Planning a longer route? Rentrals has cars in 64 more towns across Sri Lanka. Choose a region to see them.
Colombo and west
South coast
Cultural triangle
North and northwest
Book your car in Mount Lavinia
44 automatic cars from $24.00 a day, with no credit card, city delivery on every car and free cancellation on 31. Compare the fleet above, or read the full Sri Lanka guide before you plan your route.
Sri Lanka car rental guide