Bentota, Sri Lanka

Discover Bentota Sri Lanka

One of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resorts, Bentota is nestled on the Bentota River estuary. Bentota was formerly a settlement built around a small Portuguese fort, which the British converted into a rest house in the 19th century, where civil servants relaxed under the shade of the tamarind trees.

Spread along Sri Lanka’s west coast, palm trees line the lengthy stretches of golden sand on the doorstep of hotels, villas and luxury resorts. Bentota is all about rest and relaxation, but you can also kayak on the river, or visit a regional mask-making workshop. Visit between October to April when it’s warm and mainly dry.