Bentota

Bentota beach is a Sri Lanka coastal city and a famous beach resort located at a distance of 62 km to the south of Colombo. This is a strategic location for the city at the junction of Bentota River with the sea providing with ample opportunities of water sport such as windsurfing, water-skiing and catamaran rides. The beach resort made famous by its golden beaches has become a popular tourist attraction, especially among the foreign tourists. Bentota beach city during the 19th century achieved a reputation of a hot place among honeymoon couples and also became known for oysters.

Though, earlier accommodation was limited to the British rest house situated at the mouth of the river, the Bentara Ganga. But, today Bentota beach city now has quite a few world famous hotels. The spacious and beautiful 100-acre National Holiday Tourist Resort complex is housed in this city, which consists of several major tourist hotels, a shopping centre, and exhibition centre. The wide and inviting Bentota beach provides with ideal opportunities for swimming and all types of beach sport.  The beach city's population is projected at around between 25,000-50,000.

 The River Bentara Ganga located in the Bentota beach city is just ideal for outdoor activities such as sailing, windsurfing, and water-skiing. With the river cruises organized here it provides with an opportunity to observe a variety of fauna associated with such an environment. A cultural attraction of the 12th century Galapat Vihara situated five kilometres upriver is visitor’s worth . The city has a tropical climate year round and the best time to visit Bentota is between October and April, when even the sea is safest for swimming.

Sri Lanka is known for the excellent cuisine and so are the Bentota restaurants in the city which are a delight for the visitor’s. Bentota restaurants serve the guests with a mix of International, seafood and Sri Lankan cuisine. Visitors during their stay should definitely try mild coconut fish curry followed by some boiled, sweet rice for some local taste. And when one feels like having a drink, a cup of famous Sri Lankan tea is a must. The Sri Lankan tea is grown at a high altitude which produces a unique flavor and teas from different regions all have unique tastes.