Bentota attractions - what to see

There are not too many attractions and entertainment in Bentota and the surrounding area. If you are used to seeing interesting places, just walking or moving around on local transport, then almost forget about it here. You can see some of it yourself, but for this you will have to go to Galle, Ambalangoda or Colombo by bus. Much more freedom and the opportunity to see something will present itself if you drive a motorcycle that can be rented. For the most part, for something interesting, you should go to the central part of Sri Lanka with an excursion or a hired guide. There you can see ancient monuments Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambullu, Sigiriya etc. Finding an inexpensive group excursion to these places is not always easy, and in Bentota it is almost impossible. In the center of Bentota on the main street Galle Road there is a travel agency that organizes tours by tuk-tuk or cars to all corners of the country, but the prices are quite high and depend on the number of people in the tourist group.

Here is a list of attractions and places to see near Bentota:

Galapatha Raka Maha Viharaya Temple, Galapota Temple

A must-visit place in Bentota. This is an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the twelfth century. In the sixteenth century, the temple was completely destroyed by the Dutch, and then rebuilt again. In front of the temple is a small artificial pond with lotuses. The temple itself is small, but it is known for the fact that the stupa here is a walled – up shrine-the tooth of the third follower of the Buddha named Arahant Maha Kashyapa.

Kande Viharaya Temple

This is a very unusual and impressive Buddhist temple located in the area of Alugama on top of a hill. Its construction was started in 1734. Despite its uniqueness, the temple is little known and little visited by tourists.

Here is one of the largest statues of the sitting Buddha (height – 48 Meters), and until 2008, according to some estimates, it was generally considered the tallest statue of the sitting Buddha in the world! The statue, by the way, was completed only in 2007. Here also grows the sacred Bodhi tree, there are several stupas and the temple itself, which has a very unusual architecture. Remarkable frescoes in the temple.

Bentota Ganga River Safari

Bentota Ganga river safari is the most popular excursion and entertainment in Bentota. This is a really worthwhile excursion, during which you will be taken by boat along the river. You will get acquainted with the wildlife of Sri Lanka in natural conditions, well, or almost in natural conditions. During the walk you will land on the shores or islands, where you will see crocodiles, monkeys, a fish farm. And of course many species of exotic birds and fish. A special attraction during the tour is mangroves. As it should be in Sri Lanka, during the tour you will be taken to all sorts of farms, where shops will offer to buy local supposedly unique products at fabulous prices. Of course, all the same you can buy in the city cheaper.

Bevis Bawa Estate and Brief Garden Park

On the banks of the Bentota River, 10 kilometers from the city, there is a very picturesque park-garden with sculptures, called Brief Garden. This place was created by the famous local architect Bevis Bawa, and he created it not only for visitors, but also for himself, and lived here in his estate. It is believed that the opening of this park to the public in 1970 gave a star to the development of the resort area in Bentota. Today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bentota.

Lunuganga Manor (Lunuganga)

Another wonderful and beautiful place is in Bentota itself - the Lunuganga estate, created by the younger brother of the architect Bives Bava – Jeffrey Bava. This garden is also very beautiful, besides there is a functioning hotel, and you can even stay in it.

Gem Museum (Gems Museum)

This is the only museum in Bentota, and quite conventional. He works at the company store of precious and semiprecious stones Aida, which has been selling jewelry for 42 years. The museum consists of only one room, in which samples of minerals and semiprecious stones are displayed on very dusty shelves behind dirty glass. There's not much to see, and you won't learn anything new, but you can drop by if you pass by.

Turtle farm (Turtle Hutchery, Turtle Farm)

There are several sea turtle nurseries or farms on the coast north and south of Bentota.

On farms in large pools contain different species of turtles, and a tour of the farm is accompanied by a detailed and interesting story, however, in English. Moreover, it does not matter whether you arrived with a group or will be completely alone on the farm, you will still be told in great detail about everything. The farms also have a clutch of sea turtle eggs, and in some places you can even release small turtles into the open sea, of course, for an additional fee. In some places you can even hold turtles in your arms.

Attractions in Galle

The city of Galle with its fortress and other attractions is quite possible to explore not only with an excursion or a hired guide with transport, but even independently. Any tourist can easily allocate one day, during which you can take a bus to Galle, take a walk there and see its sights, and return back in the evening.

🚶 How to get there: almost all buses from Bentota South go to Galle. They go often, are inexpensive. To find the bus one has to go to Galle Road and find the nearest bus stop (they are marked with signs). If you can not find a stop, you can either try to stop the bus at an arbitrary place (sometimes stop), or get to the bus station in the center of Bentota. Drive 1-2 hours. Learn more about Galle here...

Attractions in Colombo

Just like in Galle, you can go to Colombo for a day by bus. One day is enough to see the most basic things in Colombo, but it is better to leave early in the morning. It is best to go directly to the center of Colombo in the Colombo Fort area or in Pettah, where you can see a lot just by walking. Learn more about Colombo attractions here...

🚶 How to get there: all buses from Bentota North go to Colombo. Go often, cost about 75 rupees for regular, and 150 for air-conditioned. To get on the bus, you need to go to Galle Road and find the nearest bus stop (they are marked with signs). If you can not find a stop, you can either try to stop the bus at an arbitrary place (sometimes stop), or get to the bus station in the center of Bentota. Drive 1-2 hours.

Ambalangoda mask museums

10 kilometers north of Bentota on the coast is the most famous place in Sri Lanka, where traditional wooden masks are made-the town of Ambalangoda. It houses two museums of masks. In one of the museums you can see the process of their manufacture in a craft workshop, find out what types of masks are, what they are dedicated to and what they are used for. Of course, you can buy your favorite mask. Prices for them are not very low, but this is due to the fact that each mask is made by hand from Kadura Wood in compliance with all the traditions of manufacturing. Learn more about Ambalangoda and mask museums here...

🚶 How to get there: the farms can be reached by rented transport, with a tour, or by bus (Ambalangoda on the map).