Bentota

A Sri Lankan coastal city famous for golden beaches, Bentota, is situated on the southern coastal tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province. Just 60 kms from Colombo and 90 kms from Sri Lanka’s International Airport. Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river Bentota offers water sports possibilities nowhere else to be found.




Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure. The Resort Complex in Bentota is a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeteria and an open air theatre showing fold and mask dancing with clusters of palms overlooking everything. Especially for families Bentota is a well sought after destination. Its safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions provide for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka.



The name ‘Bentota’ comes from a mythical story which dates back to the kings time saying a demon called Bem ruled this river (tota = river bank). It incidentally is the hosting land for the famous Sri Lankan Jeweller ‘Aida’. Bentota delives an ancient art of healing called ‘Ayurveda’ and is also famous for its production of ‘Toddy’ – an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar. The city’s population is estimated to be between 25,000 – 50,000.