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Updated by Joanna James on Mar 16, 2024
Headline for Top 5 things to do in Bentota - Sri Lanka's tranquil coastal paradise
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Joanna James Joanna James
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Top 5 things to do in Bentota - Sri Lanka's tranquil coastal paradise

Located approximately 65 km south of Sri Lanka's main city of Colombo, Bentota is a well- known tourist attraction known for its pristine beaches, world-class hotels, and varied outdoor activities. Here are top 5 things that you might not want to miss, as you plan to experience the true essence of island living.

1

Head to the beach

Bentota boasts of having one of the most pristine beaches in the country with exotic views and a tranquil atmosphere. The vast beach stretch along with the tropical warmth of the sun is shaded by the palm trees allowing you to relax at your heart's content. Take a plunge into the deep blue waters or just stride along the beach and feel the soft sands under your feet. Swimming gear and a sunscreen are all you need to pack up and you're ready to soak up in the ocean.

2

Awaken the 'Sporty' side of you

For those with a tendency for adventure and sport, Bentota is ideally placed on an estuary, where the river meets the sea paving way to enjoy a wide variety of water sports. Whether you're an amateur or an expert, activities are tailor-made for every enthusiast and skilled instructors are at bay to lend a helping hand. Here are a few activities to try out;
 Snorkelling & Diving - dive deep and catch a glimpse of the coral reefs and tropical fish that accommodate the Indian Ocean.
 Banana boat rides & Tubing – this is a simple and fun activity to do. The boats and the tubes are tied to a ski boat. Watch out for the lashing waves while being driven around.
 Jet skiing and Water skiing – for those adventurous thrill seekers, skiing is both fun to do and great to watch.
 Windsurfing – with surf-friendly winds and tides, surfing is possible all year through for those who love to take the ocean with confidence.

3

Experience the art of luxury living

The coastal town is home to a number of luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, offering exquisite comforts and blissful living. The hotels offer luxury accommodation facilities to best suit your requirements. Most hotels in area provide; the best view of the sea, delicious local and international cuisines, and spas equipped to provide inner and outer relaxation through ancient healing techniques of 'Ayurveda'. The hotels are conveniently located to access a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities around the area. Surrounded by the golden sandy beaches and a canopy of giant oaks and fruit trees, the Saman Villas is one such hotel known for its breathtaking views and provisioned with an atmosphere that harmonizes nature and luxury in perfection.

4

Ride a boat

The 'Madu Ganga' river safari is just a half hour drive away from Bentota and will no doubt be a boat ride to remember. The river encompasses one of the most complex ecosystems enriched with varieties of wildlife and plants that thrive amongst the shady mangroves. Apart from its biodiversity, it inhibits around 15 islands within its estuary, where you will be able to catch in a few interesting activities and site seeing to do.

 Visit the 'Kothduwa' Buddhist temple which is of historic significance.
 Experience how cinnamon is peeled and made into cinnamon oil.
 Learn how Kraal fishing is done.
 Make a stopover at the fish spa for a treat for your feet.
 As dusk sets in you might be able to witness fishermen preparing to catch prawns and shellfish.

5

Go site-seeing

A few significant sites to visit in and around the area would be;
 The 'Kande Viharaya' (the temple on the mountain) with its old sculptures, Kandyan era frescos and statues is an ancient archaeological site and dates back as far as the 17th century.
 The 'Brief Garden' and 'Lunuganga' are beautifully landscaped estates which were homes of renowned architects, the Bawa brothers. The properties are rich with rare kinds of plants, flora and local wildlife with gripping architecture and personal collectables. A perfect retreat for your holiday.
 The turtle conservation project allows you to watch them in different stages of their life cycle and hold them. You might even get to witness the hatching of eggs and release little turtles into the ocean.