Joanna James
Out of the many coastal towns Sri Lanka offers, Bentota is one of the best in terms of scenery and places to visit. Here are five of her absolute must-visits.
The hallmark of Bentota is most definitely her beach. Out of the many beaches that are present throughout Sri Lanka, Bentota's stretch is by far one of the most unspoilt and lively. There is many a Bentota hotel, located along Bentota's sandy stretches, such as Shinagawa Beach. In addition to the pristine sands and unspoilt waters, there are many aquatic activities that take place on Bentota's stretches of beach. Anyone in search of beach-bound bliss will find what they are looking and much more at the beach of Bentota.
One of the most unique places to visit in all of Sri Lanka, the Brief Garden was a project of the renowned architect Bevis Bawa until his death in 1992. The garden was a landscape project with elaborate plant-work laden over walls and walk-ways in the style of Japanese gardens. At the heart of Brief Gardens is the house of the late architect, containing a range of stunning pieces of artwork, sculptures and a stunning mural of Sri Lankan life. Truly a place worth checking out.
If you're a nature-lover, this is truly the place for you. Sri Lanka plays refuge to five of the seven species of turtle in the world, and all five of these species are critically endangered. A visit to this sanctuary for shelled-reptiles will allow you to participate in the release of turtles back into the sea, or even glimpse a hatching of a baby turtle. The entire project is run by the manager Dudley, and a collective of international and local volunteers.
The island of Sri Lanka has no shortage when it comes to ancient Buddhist temples, and one particularly renowned one is located a very short distance from Bentota. The temple contains an ancient marble effigy of Lord Buddha, bearing an age well over a hundred years old. The statue measures over six feet in length and is said to originate from Burma. So if you're a spiritual traveller or simply curious about Sri Lanka's heritage, this temple should probably be on your itinerary.
As you may have guessed, Cinnamon Island is an island just off of Bentota that serves as an age-old cinnamon plantation. The island and the subsequent plantation has been owned by a single family for as long as people can remember. Upon a visit to the island, visitors can educate themselves in regards to the nature of cinnamon in addition to the processes involved in its cultivation. A visit to Cinnamon Island is crucial if one is travelling to Bentota.
These are but five of the many wonders that await you at the coastal town of Bentota, so be sure to include them on your itinerary should you find yourself heading towards Sri Lanka.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
