Joanna James
A laid-back town located along the southern coastline, Bentota has captured the hearts of travellers with its beaches and great food. Here are a few things to know before travelling to Bentota.
The late Bawa brothers made a name for themselves among Sri Lankan society as talented artists, landscaped gardeners and numerous other things. They both owner private home in Bentota with spectacular landscaped gardens that are now open to the public for viewing. Geoffrey Bawa's home 'Lunuganga' is the more well-known of the two and requires an appointment to see it, but Bevis Bawa's Brief Garden truly takes your breath away. Covering over 5 acres of land, the garden features several small paths that twist and turn, leading visitors into private alcoves and little nooks that feature sculptures, stone structures, swaying tropical trees and beautiful foliage. It's a charming spot to get lost in and walking around the gardens truly ignite the imagination.
If you're on the lookout for unique antiques or cultural handicrafts, the town of Ambalangoda should be on your list of places to see. Located 20kms away from Bentota, the town is celebrated for its traditional handcrafted devil masks. There's even a mask museum where you can learn all about the craft and watch skilled craftsmen at work. The town also has several antique shops where you can pick up trinkets and jewellery at unbelievable prices.
The Madu Ganga River is home to several small islands, a mangrove forest and a plethora of reptiles and bird species, making it a great place for wildlife enthusiasts to explore. Hop on a boat and take a safari along the river. Visitors can easily find tour operators at the mouth of the Bentota Lagoon for a boat ride or check with your Bentota hotel if they can organise a trip for you.
Bentota has a great stretch of beach that offers plenty of opportunities for snorkelling. The main beach is where you find most of the big hotels like AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa for example, so there'll be plenty of tour operators trying to sell you snorkelling equipment. If you want to try your hand at diving, there are a few spots like south reef, and canoe rock that have large corals and colourful fish to view. However, it's always safer to hire a guide when diving to avoid any safety risks such as riptides and rocky outcrops.
The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is where sea turtles and tortoises are brought in after being caught and injured in fisherman's nets. The hatchery was first created to conserve and observe the turtle species that are commonly seen around the southern coast and has since become a wildly popular tourist attraction. The wild turtles are treated at the hatchery before being released into the wild. The same goes for turtle eggs found on the beach; they are brought to the hatchery for preservation until they are ready to be hatched and released.
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