Guide to Bentota
Bentota Virtual Tour
Bentota is among the most romantic resorts in Sri Lanka, often chosen by couples for their honeymoon. The area boasts two beautiful beaches: Cape Paradise, which separates the ocean from the lagoon, and the southern beach with well-developed tourist infrastructure.
Bentota is also home to the renowned "Kofifi Marina," a water sports center that offers activities such as banana boating, scooter rides, canoeing, catamaran sailing, surfing, and diving (with depths ranging from 4 to 35 meters). You can also try deep-sea fishing or enjoy a boat ride on the lagoon.
One of the most popular excursions offered by local travel agencies is a boat trip on the Bentota River. This tour is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, with stops at islands inhabited by monkeys and crocodiles, a visit to a fish farm, and even a unique "beauty salon" where you can experience a pedicure performed by garufa fish.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Galapatha Raka Maha Viharaya temple, which dates back to the 12th century. Despite being completely destroyed by the Dutch four centuries later, it was meticulously rebuilt. The temple is famous for housing an important relic—the tooth of Arahant Maha Kashyapa, the third follower of Buddha, which is enshrined in a stupa within the temple premises.
Photos of Bentota
Tours to Bentota
There's no better place for a romantic getaway than Bentota! This sentiment is shared not only by Sri Lankans but also by all fortunate travelers who have experienced this destination.
The cost of a vacation in this resort depends on personal preferences. Opting for a package tour may result in a higher final price, while those lucky enough to find hot deals can save around 30%.
Planning your own travel budget is often the most cost-effective option, allowing you to choose the hotel, sightseeing itinerary, and dining options that best suit your needs.
The ideal time to visit Bentota is between November and April. If you find rates during this period too expensive, you can search for special deals. Alternatively, consider visiting the Balinese resort from May to April when rates are slightly lower due to changing weather conditions.
First-time visitors to Sri Lanka should be sure to explore iconic sites like Dambulla and Sigiriya. Not far from Bentota, you can discover the beautiful temples of Galaphatha Raka Maha Viharaya and Kande Viharaya. For families with children, a visit to the turtle farm is a must.
Travelers on budget-friendly tours can leisurely explore all the resort's coastal beaches and discover new points of interest every day.
Interesting places in Bentota
There are a few attractions in the city, primarily parks and Buddhist temples. A popular excursion for tourists is a journey along the Bentota River, where you can encounter crocodiles, monkeys, and other local wildlife.
Information about hiking routes in Bentota can be easily found on travel forums. While there are many souvenir shops, for serious shopping, it's recommended to visit Colombo.
For those seeking nightlife and entertainment, nightclubs and discos are concentrated in Galle and Colombo.
Flight ticket prices
To get to Bentota, you first need to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport, located near the city of Colombo. There are not many direct flights from European cities to Colombo, and most journeys involve one or two layovers in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, or Mumbai. Airlines operating flights to Colombo include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air France.
Ticket prices vary depending on the season and departure city. In the low season, flights from Warsaw can be found for 450 EUR, from Vienna — from 470 EUR, and from Paris — from 500 EUR. During winter, when Sri Lanka is in peak tourist season, ticket prices rise: flights from Prague and Budapest start at 600 EUR, and from Berlin — at 580 EUR. Travel time, including layovers, ranges from 12 to 22 hours.
The best hotels in Bentota
Most of the resort's hotels are designed for so-called "package" tourists, who are ready to pay for a room from 50 USD per night. There are also budget hotels, where you can spend the night for 30 USD, as well as gesthouses, but there are not very many of them. When choosing accommodation, avoid hotels located near the railroad. Trains run 24 hours a day, and soundproofing of rooms often leaves much to be desired. Inexpensive accommodation is easier to find when you arrive, as not all are listed online.
Travel budget
A vacation in Bentota will depend on how much budget you have. Beach
rest is available to everyone, but the excursion program is quite expensive.
It is recommended to plan at least a few trips because visiting Bentota
and not exploring its sights would be an unfortunate omission.
To save money
on food, you should book accommodation with a kitchen and cook on your own,
as food in European restaurants tends to be expensive, and local cafes often
serve dishes that are too spicy.
| The budget for a trip to Bentota | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | 60 USD | Flight | from 1200 USD |
| Accomodation | from 30 USD per day | Average check in a restaurant | from 1400 LKR (about 10 USD) |
| Transportation fare | from 150 LKR (about 1 USD) | Excursion | from 5700 LKR (about 40 USD) |
| Total: About 1890 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day. | |||
Bentota: tips for tourists
Visa to Bentota
To enter the country, you'll need a valid passport and an entry permit. You can obtain the entry permit by filling out a form on the website www.eta.gov.lk and paying a fee of 30 USD per person.
The airport in Bentota
The city has a small airport, Bentota River Airport, which only receives domestic flights. Planes land at Bandaranaike International Airport, which is located 35 kilometers from Colombo city.
Transfer to Bentota from the airport
The easiest way to get from Colombo airport to Bentota is by cab. It takes about four hours (depending on traffic) and costs 55 USD. Alternatively, you can drive to Colombo and then take a train or bus to the resort.
Car rental
Only holders of a national driver's license are allowed to drive in Sri Lanka.
Police rarely stop tourists unless they break the rules of the road, but it's worth renting a chauffeur-driven car if you're law-abiding.
Transport
The center of Bentota is easy to get around on foot. You can get to the beach or one of the neighboring towns by renting a bike. A local driver's license is required to drive, but police rarely stop tourists.
Safety
The city is quiet, just follow simple rules: don't walk alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods (especially for girls), and don't carry large sums of money, jewelry, and documents to the beach or on excursions. This is enough to protect yourself from thieves.