Joanna James
Tipped to be Sri Lanka's most accessible beach capital, Bentota is home to its fair share of cultural and recreational attractions. Here's a rundown of the best highlights to visit during a tour of this charming seaside hamlet on the southern coast.
Regarded as one of the finest conservation projects in Sri Lanka's southern shores, a visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is a must for all first-time visitors exploring Bentota. The hatchery serves as the temporary home of countless baby sea turtles that are rescued from the shores of Bentota Beach and the predatory activities of humans and natural predators like. These endangered animals are cared for at the centre until the eggs are hatched and the hatchlings are ready to embark on their journey to the ocean. Tourists can also volunteer to take part in turtle releases as well as egg collection expeditions to help make a difference.
The brainchild of horticultural genius Bewis Bawa, the Brief Gardens are the private gardens that once surrounded his resplendent mansion that's now open to the public. Designed by Bawa himself, the various nooks and crannies of this scenic landscaped garden feature everything from outdoor showers to sculptures and poetry. Spread out across a whopping 5 acres, the venue is open to visitors from 8 am to 5 pm. Just 10km from the heart of Bentota, the charming and tranquil atmosphere of the Brief Gardens will become a welcome respite for tourists who are looking to unwind after a day of sightseeing or engaging in various water sports adventures.
As one of the few religious points of interest located in Bentota, no trip to the beach hotspot would be complete without a tour of this iconic Buddhist temple. Perhaps best known for the massive Buddha sculpture contained within the premises, this ancient place of worship remains a spiritual hub for local devotees hailing from all corners of the island. As one of the most prominent Buddhist institutions in the district, the Kande Vihare is at the centre of many festivities during Poya days and other significant events in the Buddhist calendar. Key architectural features of the Kande Viharaya which literally translates to the "Mountain Temple" include its relic building, towering Bo tree and the Sri Saranathissa Memorial Hall.
When hitting the beach is ranked among the best things to do in Bentota, there's nothing like spending the day at Moragalla Beach to capitalize on a trip to the area. Conveniently located near Saman Villas and other resorts in Bentota, this pristine beach is a Mecca for water sports activities such as snorkelling and windsurfing adventures. Private and secluded, couples and families are also known to head to this beach to catch the sunset during the afternoon hours.
Accessible via a short boat ride from Bentota Town, this idyllic island is the heart of the area's cinnamon cultivation industry. With its entire landmass devoted to growing and harvesting the precious spice, tourists can catch a glimpse of how cinnamon tree barks are peeled and processed to export this pricey commodity to the rest of the world.
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