18 Best Things to do in Bentota, Sri Lanka

You will feel the song “Aaj blue hai paani paani paani aur din bhi sunny sunny sunny” by sitting on sun-kissed beaches. Bentota is famously known for the Bentota Beach, which is loved by tourists and locals. Additionally, the name ‘Bentota’ is derived from Ben, a demon who once ruled the Tota or river bank. Today let’s explore the complete Bentota travel guide.

Suggested Read: Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka.

Best Time To Visit Bentota

Some tourists also prefer to visit this place in April. However, you can plan your visit to this beach at any time in the year, and you will get many things to do in Bentota Sri Lanka anytime. 

How to reach Bentota

Things To Do In Bentota, Sri Lanka

• Saman Villas:  You can try different therapies and love spending time
• Cycling: Just grab the cycles and explore the Town
• Brief Garden: Spend time with your friends, relatives and it is couple-friendly as well.
• Ambalangoda: Shopping place
• Trekking: Walk through the trails
• Bentota Beach: Just explore more of this beautiful beach
• Balapitiya: Hiking near Madu river
• Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery: A Visit
• Kande Vihara: Dive into the history 
• Cinnamon Island: Surfing & Diving
• Whale Watching Tour: Explore marine life
• Water Activities: You will love to explore water fun

• Kite Surfing in Bentota: Surf the kites and enjoy

• Lagoon Fishing: Explore more marine creatures

• Galle Fort: Experience the epic history

• SeaPlane Ride: Experience this seaplane

• Moragalla Beach: Just explore more of this beautiful beach
• Dedduwa Lake: Must to visit

Saman Villas

Those people who are asking for things to do in Bentota city, may proceed to Saman Villas. The place has some spectacular spas where one can rejuvenate for a fresher and lively mind and soul. 

It is set on a magnificent rocky headland dividing two beaches on the Laccadive Sea. There are beachfront balconies, their boutique villas having woodsy-chic interiors, luxurious sleeping and living areas, soaking tubs, open-air baths, and many more. 

It is fully equipped with diverse therapeutic facilities such as reflexology, aromatherapy, fish spa, and hot stone therapy. You need to book an appointment much in advance to avail the services of Saman Villas. Additionally, you are required to carry a pair of clothes. 

Cycling

This is one of the things to do in Bentota city. You will encounter various old prominent Hindu places of worship while cycling. During the course of your journey, you will experience the stunning mural painting inscribed on the walls of ‘Mullegoda temple’ and turquoise waters of ‘Dedduwa Lake’. Moreover, visitors can explore the best temples to visit in Sri Lanka.

While cycling in the city, you will visit various other local places and will meet local people.

Brief Garden

It is undoubtedly among the best things to do in Bentota city. It is an enchanting garden, which was designed by a renowned and skilled Sri Lankan artist named ‘Bevis Bawa’. 

This place has tropical trees, sculptures, art and other structures. It is a charming and lovely spot to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The Brief garden has been open to the public since 1972. You can take a walk through the garden by yourself, or you may also opt-out for a guide. The advantage of the guide is that you will understand the depth of the architectural designs and the artefacts. The garden is one of the best places to visit in Bentota.

The entry fee is 350 Sri Lankan rupees. The garden is open to the public from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

Ambalangoda

It is one of the tourists place in Bentota. It is a coastal town, which is located at a distance of about 24 km away from the city of Bentota. This place has amazing ancient devil masks and devil dancers. Known for the manufacture and production of the wooden devil masks, the magical town of Ambalangoda is one of a kind. People have faith in spiritual gods and magic.  This is one of the places to go shopping at Bentota.

It is located at an altitude of about thirteen metres above sea level. Besides other things to do in Bentota the town has a variety of antique shops who supply unique fancy jewellery items at unmatchable prices, so if you are looking for places to go shopping at Bentota, then you must visit here. The place is amongst the Bentota attractions where you will love to visit and do shopping in Sri Lanka.

Trekking

Like other things to do in Bentota Sri Lanka, take part in a trekking across the paddy fields of Bentota-Aturuwella areas. There are many residential buildings that were constructed in Dutch styles of architecture. It is also an ideal spot to enjoy the sunset. This place is a breeding ground for a vast number of migratory birds. 

You will encounter Bentota attractions while trekking and will love to explore more.

Bentota Beach

It is one of the Bentota attractions and is a tourist’s place in Bentota. It has several  stores with serene and stunning beaches like other beaches in Sri Lanka. Out of which Bentota beach is one of the best things to do in Bentota. 

It is an ideal place for nature lovers where they can indulge in water sports like swimming, diving and snorkelling. 

The beach is a home to some of the high-end luxury resorts that offer its visitors to stay at the mesmerising beach. Apart from that, some of the resorts also give services like ayurvedic spas and retreats. 

Balapitiya

It is considered as the best tourist place in Bentota. Another top things to do in Bentota Sri Lanka. It is based at the Madu river. It is literally termed as the ‘Madu Ganga River Safari’ which is located towards the southern part of Galle district. 

This area is a paradise for nature and bird lovers. There are approximately three hundred species which are indigenous to this region.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

One of the must include things to do in Bentota is the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. It is a haven for sea turtles and tortoises where the eggs are gathered and preserved until they are hatched. It comes among the best places to visit in Bentota.

You will love to see various turtles. A project named ‘Turtle Hatchery Project’ was introduced with the objective to save these species and enhance their survival. You can also term this as a tourist’s place in Bentota.

Kande Vihara

It is one of the things to do in Bentota, Sri Lanka. One of the monuments of the country of Sri Lanka is the Kande Vihara temple. It is one of the biggest Buddhists temples in the district of Kalutara, the name is derived from its location – the mountain crest. 

The unique characteristic of the temple is that on top of it sits a majestic cross-legged Buddha, one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues in the world. It is also considered as one of the archaeological sites of the country. The temple is an important site for followers of Buddhism, cultural lovers and even historians. This place is undoubtedly amongst the best places to visit in Bentota.

The temple was founded in 1734  by the chief of a kingdom. Later in the year of 1904, the temple was opened up to monks who built up educational institutions inside the temple, the temple has undergone various changes and development along with constructions. Devotees from all around the world come to visit the beautiful temple.

Cinnamon Island

This is an  amazing island in the town of Bentota, which is about 65 km from Columbo, is a place where you can witness the making of the favourite cinnamon spice. It is famous for its spice heritage and the amazing water sports.

Here you can relax in the sand and indulge in other activities like surfing, scuba diving and much more. If you’re an adventure seeker  looking for things to do in Bentota, you must visit the island. It is a charming and lovely small island.

You can experience the process of harvesting, peeling, oiling, and rolling of cinnamon on this island that is known to be run by a single family. The island has cinnamon trees spread over acres of land.

Whale Watching Tour

If you are an animal lover and wondering about things to do in Bentota, then you must go for a whale watching tour where you can see these huge marine creatures out of blue waters. 

You can do this activity in the club by visiting the fishing at Koggala. Go for this tour in the afternoon and have a great time witnessing new things. You never know when you might fall in love with this place and want to visit it again.

Water Activities

Another one of the top things to do in Bentota is to opt for water activities if you are an adventurous person. 

You can rent a boat and explore the waters on your own. If you are planning a vacation with your partner then you can opt for jet skiing and ride on the waters. You can do paddle boating which is a sport for the brave hearts. 

Kite Surfing in Bentota

One of the best things to do in Bentota . The summer kitesurfing seasons last from May to October, whereas the winter season is from mid December to March. You will love to fly kites in the clear sky where cold air touches your body and passes.

Lagoon Fishing

Like the name suggests, the place is a heaven for fish lovers. Spend quality time at the river and spot fish such as Snappers, Mangrove Jacks, Mullet and Cat Fish on your fishing trip. One lagoon fishing trip takes around 3 hours.

Galle Fort

The tourists place in Bentota is a well-preserved historical fortress and the main part of Galle. Visiting here comes under the top things to do in Bentota. Visitors can explore the Dutch Reformed Church, the Old Dutch Hospital and various old age houses and mansions inside the fort.

The fort has a rich history, initially built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century and later protected by the Dutch in the 17th century during their colonial rule. Galle Fort is not just a historical site but a living community where people reside, work, and continue to contribute to the fort’s cultural heritage. The fort’s unique character has made it a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

SeaPlane Ride

Sea Place Rides are an excellent way to enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic Sri Lankan and is one of the things to do in Bentota. 

The twin otter planes used as air taxis can accommodate 15 passengers. The tour usually lasts an hour where you are at a  height of 7500 ft, high in the sky. This experience will give you goosebumps and will amaze you.

Moragalla Beach

Situated between Bentota beach and Beruwala beach, Moragalla Beach has a unique and peaceful shore unlike other things to do in Bentota. It has clear blue waters and golden white sand. This is one of the reasons that the beach is a retreat for beach lovers.

Moragalla Beach is also visited by many water-sports lovers as the beach has shallow waters. It also has a mystical island known as the moragalla dharmadhveepa which is located at a distance from the shore. 

The southern part of the beach, connected to the Bentota River, which is also a blissful and a serene site. If nothing, the visitors can just peacefully sit on the warm sand or swim in the cool.

Dedduwa Lake

Dedduwa Lake is one of the best things to do in Bentota which is located to the east of Bentota and is widely known for its beautiful water bodies, muddy lands and the Deduwa Lake.

The place is surrounded by beautiful gardens that are well maintained by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust and is also known as Lunuganga. Guests can enjoy the beauty of these gardens, take long walks or even go about a guided tour across the area that explains the rich history of the place. The water bodies also offer exciting water activities to travellers like swimming and boating.

Where to Stay in Bentota ? 

• Grand Lotus Bentota

Address: 30 River Avenue, Aluthgama 80550

Rating: 4.8

• Sea Lions Resort

Address: 151 Galle Rd, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 4.7

• Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka

Address: National Holiday Resort, Galle, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka 

Rating: 4.5

• Palm Beach Inn & Sea Shells Cabanas

Address: No 200 Galle Rd, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Rating: 3.6

• Thara Cabana

Address: No:136/A Sri Saranankara Road,Piataramba, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 5.0

• Shan Villa

Address: within 600 metres of Bentota Beach and 2.9 km of Moragalla Beach in Bentota

Rating: 4.7

• Grace Villa Bentota

Address: No 572, Sinharoopagama, Obadawatta,Bentota, Bentota, Sri Lanka, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 4.1

• New Jaya Villa

Address: Sooriyagoda, Bosamidu mawatha, Bentota 12500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 4.5

• Prince Villa

Address: Robolgoda, 186/1 Galle Rd, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 3.9

• Manel Villa 

Address: Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Rating: 4.8

Where to Eat in Bentota ?

The Villa Cafe

The Villa Cafe is an excellent dining experience. The staff is attentive and a diversity of scrumptious dishes with beautiful presentations. The prices are relatively high, but worth paying for an enjoyable experience.

Location: Mohotti Walauwa 138/18-22 Galle Road, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka

Best For: Asian food

Ratings: 4.5

Bentota Lake Restaurant 

Visitors may opt to dine at this captivating and picturesque garden, or in the middle of a calm and serene lake. Guests can select from a wide range of items, such as salads, sandwiches, main courses, grilled items, Indian food and Sri Lankan cuisine.

Location: National Holiday Resort, Bentota 80500, Sri Lanka

Best For: Vegan option

Ratings: 4.6

Malli’s Seafood Restaurant

This Seafood Restaurant proves to be a quirky find, and provides diners with a view of the scenic surroundings. The restaurant is situated on the platform of Bentota railway station. Well-decorated dishes offer an array of tasty seafood to guests.

Location: Beach Road, 80500, Bentota

Best For: Gotu Kola, Sri Lankan fish curry

Ratings: 4.5/5

Randholee

Randholee offers prompt services, lovely sitting, scrumptious dishes, and fair prices. The menu has a wide diversity of dishes from seafood items and local Sri Lankan fare, to Western mains and Asian fusion dishes.

Location: Galle Road, Bentota

Best For: Curry and Rice

Ratings: 4.0

Diya Sisila Restaurant 

Diya Sisila restaurant is an attractive dining option; friendly staff at the restaurant makes dining an enjoyable experience. Items on the menu are rather limited, the dishes are scrumptious. Expect a waiting time ranging between forty-five minutes to an hour for meals to be ready and mainly seafood items are available. So, vegetarian diners can opt to miss.

Location: Elpitiya Road, Bentota – Adaganthota, Bentota 50800, Sri Lanka

Best For: Diya Sisila Special with Garlic and onion mix

Ratings: 4.5

Bollywood Masala

For vegetarian diners, your searches will end at Bollywood Masala. It serves authentic Indian food and is considered as one of the best Indian restaurants in Bentota. 

Location: Galle road, BentotaBest For: Butter Chicken, Dal TadkaRatings: 4.5

Conclusion

Are you still waiting? Hurry up! Pack your bags today and plan your trip with our Bentota travel guide to explore more of this beautiful town.