Forest Hideout, Puttalama, Sri Lanka

Tucked into 3½ acres of Sellankanda forest, just ten minutes' drive from Puttalam on the main road leading to Anuradhapura, Forest Hideout is a retreat designed for families and friends who want to step away from the ordinary and spend time close to nature. The setting is deliberately unhurried — clay walls, thatched roofs, oil lamps, and the sounds of the forest replacing the usual conveniences of modern travel.

The video offers a quiet look around the property, capturing the mood of the place as much as its physical details: the dappled light through the trees, the rustic textures of hand-built structures, and the particular stillness that comes from being surrounded by forest on all sides.

Accommodation

Within the garden setting there are two country cottages, each built from clay and entered through its own separate entrance. Both cottages feature double beds, and the cool walls — finished in clay and roofed with coconut-leaf thatch — keep the interior naturally comfortable. An open area with a clay ledge is available for those who prefer to sleep on camping bedding under the open sky, and for the more adventurous guest, a safe tree house allows the forest to be experienced from an entirely different vantage point. In total, the property can accommodate up to 40 guests. Four toilets with showers serve the site, and fresh well water is available alongside naturally cool drinking water kept in clay pots. Linen is provided on request at the time of booking.

Food and Cooking

Meals at Forest Hideout are prepared on clayware over firewood fires, staying true to traditional Sri Lankan methods. The kitchen turns out classic fare — string hoppers, hoppers, and pittu among them — alongside country meat as available, and fresh lake fish or seafood on request. A buffet arrangement on clayware can be set up for larger groups, and facilities for snacks and a barbecue are also on hand.

Facilities and Atmosphere

The property runs on solar power or oil lamps as standard, with a generator available on request. The kitchen is eco-friendly, relying on firewood rather than gas or electricity. Guests looking for a cultural layer to their stay can arrange Kaffir music and dancing, or flute music, on request — a touch that speaks to the regional traditions of the area around Puttalam. The services of a cook, a domestic helper, and a caretaker are included, ensuring that the back-to-nature experience does not require guests to fend entirely for themselves.