Located on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, this calm beach town has golden sand beaches, water sports centers, and the 12th-century Galapota Temple along the Bentota River.
Bentota sits 65 kilometers south of Colombo, where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean. You can windsurf and dive in the protected waters, walk through Geoffrey Bawa's modernist Lunuganga gardens, or watch baby turtles make their way to the sea at the Kosgoda hatchery. The town's beaches stretch along Sri Lanka's western shore, while inland, centuries-old Buddhist temples like Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara display medieval stone carvings and inscriptions.
Swimming and Water Sports at Bentota Beach
Palm trees shade several kilometers of soft sand along the main beach. From November to April, the calm, clear water makes swimming and snorkeling easy. Local instructors teach wakeboarding, jet skiing, and surfing, with lessons covering basic movements, balance techniques, and safety protocols for each skill level.
Exploring Bentota River and Mangroves
Mangrove forests grow where saltwater meets freshwater along the Bentota River banks. On boat trips upriver, you'll pass small islands and fishing villages. Watch for monitor lizards basking on rocks and kingfishers hunting fish. Early morning trips increase your chances of seeing wildlife, particularly birds, when the water remains still.
Sea Turtle Conservation
At the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, 11 kilometers south of town, you can learn about green, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles that nest on Sri Lankan beaches. The project's hatchery keeps eggs safe from predators. Visit between December and April to see staff release hatchlings into the ocean at sunset.
Geoffrey Bawa's Architectural Legacy
Geoffrey Bawa, who shaped tropical modernist architecture, left his mark on Bentota through multiple buildings. At Lunuganga, his former country estate, you can walk through gardens he created over four decades on an old rubber plantation. The guided tour shows how he used courtyards, verandas, and viewing platforms to connect indoor spaces with the surrounding landscape.
Buddhist Temples
Stone inscriptions and medieval carvings cover the walls of Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara. Inside the temple complex, you'll find meditation halls and a white stupa. At Kande Viharaya, built in 1734, a 48-meter tall seated Buddha statue rises above the temple grounds, making it one of the world's tallest Buddha sculptures.
Getting to Bentota
Trains run regularly from Colombo Fort station to Bentota, taking about two hours. By car, take the Southern Expressway and exit at Welipenna, then drive 10 kilometers to reach the town. From Bandaranaike International Airport, the 90-kilometer drive follows the expressway.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Plan outdoor activities between November and April when temperatures average 30°C (86°F) with little rain. May and June bring occasional showers but fewer tourists. The southwest monsoon brings afternoon rains from July to September, but hotels often reduce their rates during these months.
