Joanna James
Ranked among Sri Lanka's most accessible beach paradises, Bentota is more than a popular day trip destination for tourists based in Colombo. Bentota is home to some of the island's finest beaches and water sports facilities, and a holiday in Bentota can encompass more than the typical pursuits associated with a tropical beach vacation. From exploring the area's cultural landmarks to venturing off-the-beaten-path, here's how to uncover all that Bentota has to offer the travelling masses.
Although Bentota is a charming travel destination for most of the year, those who wish to experience the beach town at its sunny best should time their holiday between the months of December and April. While this may be the peak tourist season for the southern coastline, it is also the time of year when conditions are ideal for a wide variety of water-bound activities and excursions.
Bentota boasts some of the best beachfront villas in Sri Lanka but that does not mean that every hospitality hub on popular hotel booking sites boasts beachside locations. Whether you choose a property such as Bentota No 1 or any other accommodation provider, it's crucial to select a base that's right by the water. As the main reason why most tourists head to this part of the island in the first place, easy access to Bentota Beach can make or break one's vacation plans in the seaside hamlet. In addition to selecting a front-row view of the calm waters and the white, powdery sands of Bentota Beach, travellers must also ensure that their hotel is within close range of the town's main attractions.
Whether one is a visitor who loves sea turtles or the conservation efforts to save Sri Lanka's endangered marine life, a tour of the Bentota Turtle Hatchery is a must for all travellers. As one of the island's leading conservation projects, the hatchery also offers tourists the chance to take part in egg harvesting and hatchling-releasing activities. In addition to volunteering at this conservation hub, visitors can also say hello to the countless baby sea turtles contained inside the hatchery awaiting their chance to be released back into the ocean. Listed among the most rewarding things to do during a holiday in Bentota, visiting and volunteering at the hatchery can be a life-changing experience for animal lovers.
While Bentota's Buddhist heritage may not be one of its most promoted attributes, paying a visit to the ancient temples occupying this historic corner of Sri Lanka is also a must for first-time visitors. The iconic Kande Viharaya is not the only cultural hotspot that devout Buddhists and intrigued tourists can explore during a getaway in Bentota as the sacred Galapata Vihara is also found here. This 12th-century temple is famous for its impressive 30-metre-tall sculpture of Lord Buddha. Although the local pilgrims may not come here for the exquisite murals and artwork, these are definitely worth a visit for people of other faiths.
Diyakawa Water Sports Centre and other water sports hubs in Bentota also offer travellers the chance to engage in an array of water-based activities. Whether it is snorkelling, scuba diving or jet skiing, there are more than a handful of local tour operators offering attractive water sports package deals.
A trip to Bentota also demands that tourists take time to visit the resplendent holiday homes of the Bawa Brothers. Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga Estate and Bevis Bawa's Brief Garden are not only horticultural highlights but architectural points of interest in their own right.
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.
