Bentota is a beach destination in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, known for its coast and water-based activities. Bentota Beach offers soft sand, gentle waves, swimming, shoreline walks and places to relax under palm trees. River safari experiences and water sports centres add boating, kayaking and other recreational options for travellers who want an active outing. The area also has Buddhist places of worship, including Kande Vihara Temple, a hilltop temple with a stupa, Bodhi tree, image house and large Buddha statue. Bentota suits beach breaks, water activities, river outings and visits to Buddhist temples. It works well for travellers who want to combine time by the sea with cultural stops.
Known for: Beaches, River safaris, Water sports, Buddhist temples
Top things to do in Bentota
Bentota Beach: Enjoy soft sand, gentle waves, swimming, walks along the shore, and relaxation under palm trees.
Kande Vihara Temple - Aluthgama: This Buddhist temple on a hill has a stupa, Bodhi tree, image house and large Buddha statue.
Diyakawa Water Sports Centre: The centre offers boating, kayaking and other recreational activities in a relaxed setting for active time on the water.
Madu River Safari by Buddhi: Sight
Kalutara Fort: This fort was built by the Portuguese in 1622 in Kalutara.
When is the best time to visit Bentota?
Best months: January to March
January to March is the usual time to visit, the driest months on this coast. May and October to November bring heavy rain, and June to August is the south-west monsoon.
January: 124 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
February: 115 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
March: 150 mm of rain, some rain (good time to go)
April: 249 mm of rain, rainy
May: 334 mm of rain, heavy rain
June: 149 mm of rain, some rain
July: 116 mm of rain, some rain
August: 151 mm of rain, rainy
September: 222 mm of rain, rainy
October: 349 mm of rain, heavy rain
November: 411 mm of rain, heavy rain
December: 227 mm of rain, rainy
How to reach Bentota
By air: Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), about 85 km from Bentota in a straight line
By train: Aluthgama railway station, about 1 km from Bentota in a straight line