Sri Lanka is a South Asian country lying in the Indian Ocean. Coastal towns in Sri Lanka are worth visiting for beach lovers. Bentota is one such coastal town on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka.
Out of many, we will tell you about 7 things to do in Bentota. From adventure to relaxation, Bentota has it all. If you are wondering how to reach Bentota, let us help you.
If you are a foreign national, you need to take a flight. Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka, is where you will land. You can then go to Bentota by road. To wander in and around Bentota, auto-rickshaw rides are available.
1. Visit Bentota Beach
Who does not love some golden sand and beach air? The main highlight in this coastal town is Bentota Beach. You can sit here with a book and relax.For adventure lovers- you can try out jet-skiing, wind surfing, and even parasailing.
You cannot miss the sunset at Bentota Beach. Palm trees, ocean water, and the setting sun are a vibe.What’s fun without food?You will have a variety of options to eat at Bentota Beach. If you love sea food, Bentota Beach restaurants will make you happy.
You should not miss crabs spiced with cinnamon and black pepper. Sri Lankan food is spicy because of its richness in spices. You can also enjoy Ceylon tea while chilling at Bentota Beach.
You can soak in the sun without any disturbance. Beach lovers are going to have a memorable time here. This is the best place in Sri Lanka to shoot pre-wedding pictures.
To reach Bentota Beach, you can take a bus or rickshaw ride.
2. Go on a Bentota River Safari
Bentota has mangrove forests. What makes these forests beautiful are Bentota’s rivers and lagoons. We want you to admire every bit of nature here. Sri Lanka is not picturesque without its traditional wooden boats, right?
Bentota River Safari with traditional wooden boats is no less than a dream. What makes this safari more interesting is its native flora and fauna. You will spot various birds, like herons. Crocodiles and monitor lizards are easy to spot in the Bentota River.
You can choose a modern speedboat as an alternative to a wooden boat.If you are with your friends or family and want to spend quality time, here you go.
If you are a fan of calm and peaceful times, the Bentota River Safari is for you. Safari starts at 7 a.m. The last ride is at 4 p.m. You can choose a suitable time between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The 2-hour duration allows you to experience the real beauty of this coastal town.
3. Visit the Galle Fort
Sri Lanka traces its roots back to historical times. Sri Lanka was a part of the Portuguese and Dutch colonies back then. It was in 1588 that the Portuguese built Galle Fort. It was fortified by the Dutch later on. You will come across a multi-ethnic population, some of whom are of Dutch origin.
It is a combination of South Asian and European styles of architecture. You will get to see a church and a mosque in the fort.
If you are a history enthusiast, you will be amazed by the historical timeline. This fort has seen war and victory over the years. Galle Fort, known as Dutch Fort in Bentota, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1988. 439 years of this fort make it a memorable lifetime visit.
You will see local shops in the Galle Fort and enjoy the sunset here, too.To visit Galle Fort, you can take a 2-hour train ride from Colombo. Your stop will be “Galle Fort Railway Station”.
4. Visit the Madu Ganga River
Rivers have always found a holy place since ancient times. In today’s modern world, rivers hold importance in most South Asian countries. Sri Lanka is one of them. Maduganga is the second largest wetland in the country.
It has a varied biodiversity heritage. You can take a boat ride here as well. This river is in the vicinity of the Balapitiyatown. Thus, locals call it the Balapitiya River Safari.
You get to witness nature’s beauty along the mangroves. The ride takes you to Cinnamon Island, amidst cinnamon trees.If you enjoy massages, you should try out fish therapy here. Fish-spa is trending these days. You should enjoy the fish-spa at Bentota.
Visiting hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The safari will take around 2 hours. This safari will introduce you to the rural life of the locals. Want to know what’s included more in the safari package?
They take you to a 200-years old Kothduwa temple. It is a Buddhist temple. After visiting Galle Fort, you should enjoy the Maduganga River Safari. Here’s about your next destination.
5. Visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project
After enjoying a rich river safari, you can visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. Countries with coastal and marine life offer unique experiences. If your interest is in marine life and conservation, you will have fun here.
Sri Lanka is popular for sea turtles. Like many other species, sea turtles are also endangered. This project aims at conserving sea turtles. You will learn about various types of sea turtles living in Sri Lanka. You will learn about the lifecycle of these marine reptiles.
The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project shows the challenges. They inform you how difficult the life of a sea turtle is. Learning what problems these reptiles face helps us understand how we can save them.
We are here because of nature and its species. Having fun while taking care of the flora and fauna is necessary. Isn’t this a unique opportunity to experience marine wildlife?
6. Get an Ayurvedic Massage
You are on a holiday to calm your mind, right? Why don’t you calm your body, too? The beauty of Sri Lanka is in its nature. To know this country in its truest form is to encounter its richness. Apart from spices, the nation is popular for its herbs and ayurvedic plants.
You can enjoy a relaxing day with a good ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda is an ancient technique for healing the mind and body. It is free from chemicals and involves only natural items.
Rejuvenation is all that ayurvedic massages offer. The essential oils extracted from plants are used in the massages. You can select between various types of massages. It helps you relieve stress and feel energetic. They also offer steam baths. There are many massage centers all around Bentota.
You can book your massage session online. You need to select the time and pickup point. A vehicle will be ready to pick you up. The massage centers provide herbal tea and coffee. Make sure not to overeat before the massage.
Is it even a trip to Bentota without an ayurvedic massage? For us, definitely not.
7. Go shopping for souvenirs
There have to be a few items that make you remember this trip. Local items are always the best option to shop for. The Sri Lankan clothing items and artwork are unmissable.
The traditional jewelry of this country is beautiful. You can style it in so many ways. One thing you must buy from the local markets is spices. Trust us when we say this. The aroma of these spices is enough to make you feel hungry. You will never find such authentic spices anywhere else. The spices do not expire soon, so you can carry them without any worry.
You can invest in wooden items and tableware. These add a reflective touch to your home and kitchen.
Here’s a tip: You can bargain a little with shop vendors. They are happy to offer you some discounts. Traditional handicrafts might be too expensive, but that’s okay. Hand-made products, anyway, add value. These are great gift options for your loved ones.
Bentota is a place for all sorts of tourists. You will find various seafood delicacies at restaurants here. This is a paradise for food lovers.
If you are visiting Bentota for your historical research, there are a lot of stories awaiting you. Want to shoot a cultural documentary? Galla Fort is, so far, the best way to do it. Adventure, rejuvenation, and experience—these words sum up your entire trip to Bentota.
We hope you have a great time in Bentota, Sri Lanka. Make sure you travel responsibly and take care of the environment. We must ensure that we keep the beauty of this wonderful nation alive.
Sri Lanka, even Bentota, is a safe place for travelers of all genders. The people are always ready to help. They are kind and always smiling.These are the 7 best places to visit in Bentota, Sri Lanka. Experience the catchy history, culture, food, and life of Bentota. The serene beauty will be in your hearts forever.
Anyone you know is planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Share this blog with them and help them have the best time of their lives.
Wishing you a safe and happy journey to Bentota!
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.