Information
City: BentotaCountry: Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
Bentota, Sri Lanka, Asia
Overview
Bentota, a peaceful stretch on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, draws visitors with its soft golden sands, upscale resorts, and the lure of sailing or jet-skiing across calm blue waters.Tucked between the Bentota River and the roar of the Indian Ocean, this scenic getaway offers calm beaches, thrilling outings, and plenty of breathtaking views.Bentota blends centuries of culture with tangled green mangroves and warm, golden sand underfoot, making it irresistible to anyone who loves the beach or the wild.About 62 km south of Colombo, right off the Galle Road (A2), this spot basks in a tropical climate that stays warm all year-typically between 26°C and 32°C (79°F to 90°F).The best stretch to visit runs from November to April, when the sea lies calm and the skies shine clear.From May to October, the southwest monsoon sweeps in with heavy rains, drumming on the river’s surface.The Bentota River-known locally as the Bentota Ganga-and its wide, calm lagoon shape the town’s identity, drawing visitors for river safaris and water sports.The name “Bentota” comes from a legend of a demon called Bem who once ruled its riverbank, with “tota” meaning riverbank in Sinhala.Centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule left their mark here, especially in the old buildings and trading customs.By the mid-20th century, Bentota had grown into a beach resort, now buzzing with both local holidaymakers and travelers from abroad.Bentota blends golden beaches and turquoise waves with lush rivers, quiet gardens, and centuries-old temples; you can sunbathe on warm sand, drift past mangroves on a boat safari, wander through Bevis Bawa’s sculpted Brief Garden, explore Geoffrey Bawa’s serene Lunuganga Estate, release baby turtles into the sea at Kosgoda Hatchery, or marvel at intricate carvings in the 12th-century Galapata Raja Maha Viharaya, while nearby Moragalla Beach offers calm shallows for snorkeling and Kande Vihara Temple towers with a 160-foot Buddha; with its reputation as Sri Lanka’s water sports capital, scenic train rides, tuk-tuk travel, fresh seafood curries, and festivals lit by Vesak lanterns, Bentota delivers a vivid mix of relaxation, adventure, and culture.You might stretch out on its powdery white sand, drift by boat through tangled green mangroves, or wander into the rhythms of local life-Bentota leaves you with a coastal memory you won’t shake.
Landmarks in bentota
