These are 5 places to visit in Bentota, Sri Lanka that offer a great experience.
Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka this holiday season? This beautiful coastal country has a lot for its visitors. Whether you are on a religious trip or want some adventure, Sri Lanka is a great place. Bentota lies on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, with its clean beaches, greenery, and heritage.
Along with some historical charm, this coastal town is blessed with natural beauty. It has sun-soaked beaches and serene temples. Visiting Bentota will offer you unexpected experiences. Through this article, we will try to help you explore the most exciting places in Bentota.
Bentota Beach
When in Sri Lanka, a beach is a must. Bentota beach is like the crown jewel of this town. The palm-fringed beaches with soft sand and clear water are heaven for visitors. For sun seekers, this is a great place to witness the beauty of the magical, sunny sky.
If you enjoy or want to try water sports, there you go. Bentota beach has a lot of water adventures like parasailing, speed boating, jet skiing, snorkeling, etc. Even if you just want to sit and relax peacefully, Bentota Beach can prove to be so good.
There are so many cafés, resorts, and restaurants on the beach that add more to the experience. You can book a resort with a beach view or have a beautiful dinner on the beach. As Bentota beach is very clean, it is a good spot to relax, read, and spend some quality time with yourself or loved ones.
Brief Garden
Let us now go to the Brief Garden. The Brief Garden was earlier the residence of the famous Sri Lankan architect, Geoggrey or Bevis Bawa. This garden is his own creation and mesmerises the visitors. The exotic flora, ponds, and sculptures bring this garden to life.
The Brief Garden is open every day from 9 am to 4 pm. The Garden allows its visitors to immerse themselves in nature’s beauty. There are various things to do at the Brief Garden. If you want to visit and simply roam and explore the garden, it will cost $10 per person for foreign nationals.
For Sri Lankans, the ticket price is LKR 2000 with a half ticket for 6-12 years old. The garden provides a high tea option in the morning and afternoon. For the same, the tickets cost LKR 3000. This includes visiting charges, a guided tour of the bungalow, and tea served with some snacks on the terrace.
Lunch at the Brief Garden- LKR 4,500 per person, includes welcome drink, tour of the entire property, and typical Sri Lankan lunch.
Dinner option- LKR 6,500 per person, included with a guided tour and two different menus. You can get more details on the official website of the Brief Garden.
Bentota Turtle Hatchery
You get to explore the wonders of marine conservation at the Bentota Turtle Hatchery. This hatchery looks forward to protecting endangered sea turtle species. It educates, researches, and takes on rehabilitation efforts.
As a visitor, you can witness firsthand journey of sea turtles from hatchlings to adulthood. You get to learn about the conservation challenges that these wonderful creatures face. You will also learn how organizations like Bentota Turtle Hatchery play a pivotal role in safeguarding the future of these creatures. This hatchery is on Bentota Beach, and they have nearly 500 endangered species of turtles. The visiting hours are from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm.
There is no entry fee but if you want to release the turtles in the sea, you need to pay LKR 2000. Similarly, to take part in various activities, you will have to pay some charges. Overall, this is going to be a great experience for you and especially your children.
Cinnamon Island
The next stop is Cinnamon Island. To reach this location, you will have to embark on a scenic boat ride along the waters of the Bentota River. Cinnamon Island is a hidden gem known for spice cultivation, as the name suggests. While traveling through the mangrove-lined waterways, you can soak in the breathtaking scenery.
You will also get to see glimpses of local life along the riverbanks. Once you reach the cinnamon island, you will start smelling the aroma of fresh spices, mostly cinnamon. You will get to witness the traditional methods of harvesting, drying, and processing cinnamon.
You will also gain insights into the cultural heritage of this island. Cinnamon Island is a great place to try out authentic Ceylon cinnamon tea. It is strong and opens all the senses. Yet, it has a lot of flavor, and visitors enjoy this beverage a lot.
Galapata Vihara Temple
Lastly, let us also visit a religious place in Bentota. The Galapata Vihara Temple. This one is an ancient Buddhist temple with ornate architecture and intricate carvings. It is believed to have been built somewhere around the 12th century. The legend has it that it was destroyed by the Portuguese but then rebuilt.
The temple allows visitors from 5 am to 9 pm and there is no entry fee. The temple, as per its name, “galapata,” is built in stone. The walls of the temple depict Jataka stories popular in Buddhism. There are various beliefs among people related to this temple.
But if you are in Bentota, make sure to visit this beautiful Buddhist vihara, or temple. The silence here allows you to sit peacefully and meditate.
Conclusion
These are the 5 places to visit in Bentota. Such places allow you to explore every aspect of a nation. From beaches to spiritual sites, Bentota has it all for visitors. From Bentota, you can visit Galle or Columbo.
Connectivity is not an issue in Sri Lanka and hence, buses, trains, and taxis are easily available. You only need to pre-plan your journey, so there are no last-minute hassles. Make the most of your trip to Bentota by visiting the sea turtle hatchery, the beach, a Buddhist temple, and Cinnamon Island.
