When the river meets the Indian Ocean, it is already a miracle. And if this river is located in a resort village, then pack your bags. Incredible adventures await you. If you don't know what we mean, then be prepared for incredible beaches and wild emotions. Bentota is such a sweet and romantic name that it is hard not to believe that a truly unforgettable vacation awaits you there. Are you in Sri Lanka? So, be sure to visit Bentota.
How to get to Bentota
This place is located in the southwest of the country. If you arrive at Bandaranaike Airport, you can get to Bentota by transfer, taxi, train or bus with transfers in the Colombo area. Travel time depends on the hour of departure, traffic jams and the chosen route, so it is better not to take old articles with a fixed number of hours and a dollar amount as a promise. After an overnight flight or with a lot of luggage, confirm the transfer in advance with the hotel or a licensed operator; for an independent trip, check the current train or bus schedule on the day of departure. If you want to travel around the island, a car with a driver may be more convenient, but agree on the route, duration, final price and possible toll roads in advance. Main roads can be narrow and busy - plan for time, and do not count on the ideal speed.
Climate, weather in Bentota
The climate here is tropical: warm and humid all year round, but the weather and especially the ocean change more than the old calendar of seasons promises. For the southwest coast, Sri Lanka Tourism usually classifies the period from about November to March as sunnier and calmer for the sea. This is not a guarantee of the absence of rain and waves: monsoons, wind and currents depend on the specific week and section of the coast. May and October are often transitional months, but the exact dates of the "rainy season" are not fixed. It is better to pack clothes and plans for heat, humidity, sun and a short downpour: water, sun protection and a light raincoat are more useful than promises of an accurate temperature.
Perhaps someone will say that the "low" season is not so popular among tourists and half of the cafes and shops are generally closed, but if you look at it from the other side, it is at this time that you can forget about the crowds of intrusive tourists. Take gorgeous photos on the beach, relax without fuss and unnecessary noise. Moreover, one important plus is that it is during this period that you can save a lot of money. After all, prices are much more pleasant in contrast to the season, which starts from November and makes heads spin until April.
What to see in Bentota
Bentota is often the perfect place not only for a holiday, but also for a wedding. Yes, you heard it right. An exotic place with a golden beach, mangrove trees, unique spas, a water sports center beckon newlyweds. After all, this is how you imagined your honeymoon. Isn't it? Of course, it will not be superfluous to tell you what tourists should keep in mind, it is here that the top-class hotels are located, so you will not be able to save money.
As for entertainment, you will definitely be interested in water sports. On the river and in coastal areas, kayaks, boats, water skiing, fishing and other formats are offered; a sunset from the water can really be one of the best experiences. But you should not promise yourself "any wave" or go out to sea just for the sake of a photo. Before paying, ask who conducts the briefing, whether there is a life jacket of the right size, what is included in the price and what will happen when the weather changes. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority publishes requirements and information about water-sports centres: choose an operator who is in no hurry to get into an overloaded boat and does not offer to go without a vest.
Well, if you prefer a quiet vacation and want to see turtles, choose a place especially carefully. There are small centers and projects in the coastal area, but visiting is not automatically equal to "helping the Planet": not all of them are equally transparent, and feeding, keeping animals and releasing cubs require professional rules. Ask what the organization does, whether it has permits and why the animal is there; do not touch the turtles without the indication of specialists and do not pay for a staged release. This way strong emotions will remain, and support will not turn into a beautiful but dubious service.
And if you decide to see something amazing, then it is recommended that everyone take the opportunity and go on a river safari. It is worth the money and the feeling of euphoria. How does it all happen. You buy an excursion and go along the river by boat to see fabulous places where Sri Lanka will show you its unusual landscapes. From time to time, you will be moored near the coast or on small islands, where you can watch the measured life of animals, listen to the sweetest singing of exotic birds of paradise and even taste a fish farm. A sense of fairy tale and magic will be given to you by mangroves, which beckon with their mystery and mystery. I warn you that all guides will take you to certain farms. Of course, there the owners will offer to buy their goods, but they cost fabulous money. Therefore, I strongly recommend everyone, if you like something, you can buy it all, several times cheaper, in the city itself at the market.
The place that you should definitely visit when traveling around the circles of Bentota is located near the city by Lake Dedduwa. Just imagine a dreaming architect who wanted to drink coffee on the terrace and at the same time enjoy how the day is born in the rays of the sun that comes down from behind the lake. Once in the Lununganga estate, which means "salt river", you will plunge into the bizarre world of gardens and marvelous architecture. The copulation of different styles, nature not typical for Sri Lanka will seem to take you to a completely different country. And don't be surprised if you see the outline of Italy. Jeffrey Bava (architect and owner of the estate) did everything possible to make this place his home. And he succeeded. You should visit Lungang. After all, a dream lives there.
And if this is not enough for you, then 6 kilometers from Bentota you can find another paradise in paradise. Only in Sri Lanka does this happen. This paradise is called the Bevis Bawa Garden. The famous Sri Lankan (with British roots) architect and artist put not so much a robot into this place, but the soul itself. The concept of the Japanese Garden will haunt you during a tour in this place. Wonderful lawns, wonderful trees, exotic birds, incredible sculptures will turn you into small children who got into the house of a fairy-tale hero.
Oh, and you can also visit the Kandy Vihara Temple near Beruvella: its large seated Buddha statue is visible from afar. Don't repeat the old statement about "the tallest seated Buddha in the world" without reliable confirmation. As with any functioning temple, cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where required, and check the photography rules first.
Budget Bentota
Often, speaking of Bentota, they also mean the nearest cities of Aluthgama and Beruwella, which is only 5 km from Bentota. Many people believe that these are the suburbs of Bentota, but this is not true. Beruvella and Aluthgama are even larger cities than Bentota, but less known as resorts. And these are completely independent resorts that will delight tourists with their sandy beaches, beautiful palm trees and a wide variety of hotels. And if in Bentota you will find mainly large expensive hotels, then in Alutham and Beruwell you can easily find more affordable accommodation - rooms in guesthouses, detached houses or apartments. There is even more entertainment here, and there is even a cemetery of sunken ships, which everyone must see at least once in their life.
Aluthgama and Moragalla Beach
Between Beruvella and Bentota, between the Indian Ocean and the lagoon, lies the small town of Aluthgama. This is a good option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of Bentota and Beruvella without the obligatory price of a large resort hotel. Nearby is the wide beach of Moragalla, where sunsets are especially good. But don't think of a shore, reef or sandbar as a guarantee of calm water: even a sheltered area changes with waves and currents. Before swimming, look for warnings, ask local lifeguards or hotel staff, and don't go too far into the water alone.
If you want to relax in Bentota and your budget is limited, pay attention not only to large hotels, but also to guesthouses — guest houses where the owners live in the house or nearby, and rent out rooms to travelers. Such options are found in Aluthgam, Moragalla, and Beruwell. Compare not only the cost of a night, but also the distance to the desired beach, road noise, air conditioning, breakfast, reviews of recent months, and cancellation policies. Do not rely on old advertising links and promises of the included service: the specific object, price, and conditions change.
Bentota Beach
Bentota will show you a deserted, wide and long, beautiful beach. Beach hotels are hidden behind tropical vegetation and it seems that you are on a completely wild beach. It is difficult to see a tourist here even during the season - most people spend time in the pools at hotels. But still, you will not have a difficult choice among which part of the beach to spend time in. One and most of it is a quiet, cozy place where you can read a book or just relax in tranquility, sunbathe on an empty beach and swim in the ocean. This is the central and northern part of the beach. Here you will definitely forget about the city and merge with nature and its charms. Well, if you are a wild extreme and want to have a blast, then you are on the road to the southern beach. It is here that popular water sports and water entertainment are located. It is definitely not boring there. Whichever of the beaches you choose, you will definitely have fun. And nature in both places will simply bewitch you.
Go to Bentota and see for yourself that there are paradises on our planet.
What to check before going to the beach
- The state of the sea and warnings are on your section of the coast.
- Water activity conditions: vest, instruction, final price and cancellation in weather.
- The opening hours of the Lunuganga Garden and the rules for visiting are changing.
- The route back after sunset and the time reserve for traffic.
Sources: Sri Lanka Tourism – Beruwala & Bentota; Official Beach Season Review; SLTDA – Water Activities; Geoffrey Bawa Trust – Lunuganga.
