Sri Lanka's west coast haven
Discover the sun-covered coastline of Bentota, home to luxury resorts and smaller boutique hotels. Just a couple of hours south of Colombo and an hour and a half north of Galle, Bentota is the perfect place to recoup after your flight before you set out on your adventure, or to rejuvenate at on the end of your tour.
The ribbon of golden sand lapped by azure waters of the Indian Ocean are a slice of paradise. Equipment for windsurfing and sailing can be hired locally and there are a range of water sport activities, including water skiing and wakeboarding, which will fuel your adrenaline.
Perched on the south bank of the Bentota Ganga and three kilometres inland of Bentota is the 12th century Galapatha Raja Temple. Head inside the grounds and uncover beautiful murals, brightly coloured statues, and the 25-foot sleeping Buddha.
Ten kilometres inland and you will discover a scene straight out of The Jungle Book at the Brief Gardens. Previously home to Bevis Bawa (older brother of architect Geoffrey Bawa), the house inside holds green rooms perfumed by frangipani and cannonball trees, merging inside and outside spaces that inspired Bawa in his work.
Visit the Sea Turtle Protection Association for a once in a lifetime experience and learn about the conservation of turtles, with the chance to release three-day old hatchlings into the ocean. Or, browse the wood carvings, batik textiles, and brass artefacts at Bentota Bazaar.
There’s an amazing display of delicious food in Bentota too. Bentota Beach hosts an array of restaurants, ranging from top of the range seafood to traditional Sri Lankan eateries.
Essential Information
- Time Zone GMT +5:30 hours
- Currency LKR - Sri Lankan Rupee
- Visa Information Irish citizens don’t need to obtain a visa prior to travel.
- Language Tamil, Sinhalese and English
- Flight Time Indirect flights are available from Ireland.
- Health Information No special vaccinations are required for travel to Sri Lanka.
Top Tips from our Experts

Sheryl
Destination Manager
Bentota is close to Galle and Colombo airport which makes it a great beach stay after a Sri Lankan tour.
Our favourite hotels
Our favourite places to stay are below. We know everyone is different, so if you can’t see something you like, we'd be more than happy to help.