Quick answer
Bentota is about an hour and a quarter from Colombo by the Southern Expressway and about an hour from Galle, making it an easy stop between Colombo and a Galle Test or a beach base at the end of a series. Take a river safari on the Bentota River, try water sports on the lagoon, visit Bevis Bawa's Brief Garden and Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga, and see the turtle hatcheries at Kosgoda. The sea is calmest roughly November to April.
Key takeaways
- Bentota is about an hour and a quarter from Colombo and an hour from Galle.
- The Bentota River offers river safaris and water sports.
- Brief Garden and Lunuganga are celebrated gardens nearby.
- Kosgoda's turtle hatcheries are a short drive south.
- The sea is calmest roughly November to April.
Where Bentota fits
Bentota sits on the southwest coast, about an hour and a quarter from Colombo by the Southern Expressway, and about an hour from Galle. That makes it a natural stopover between a Colombo leg and a Galle Test, or a beach base for a few days at the end of a series.
It is also within reach of the airport, about two hours, so it suits a last few nights before flying home.
Lankan Stays & Trails often uses Bentota as a resting point on cricket trips, breaking the journey between Colombo and Galle.
Some fans also use Bentota as a base for a Galle Test, driving about an hour each way to the ground. It suits those who prefer a resort with a pool and quiet evenings, though staying in Galle saves the daily drive.
- →An hour and a quarter from Colombo.
- →An hour from Galle.
- →About two hours from the airport.
The river and water sports
The Bentota River winds through mangroves and villages before meeting the sea. River safaris by boat pass monitor lizards, water birds, kingfishers and, sometimes, crocodiles, along with cinnamon gardens and small island temples.
The calm lagoon at the river mouth is the base for water sports: jet skis, banana boats, windsurfing and kayaking. On the sea side, the beach is long and wide.
In a mid-year tour, the river and lagoon stay calmer than the sea.
Sunset boat trips on the river are especially peaceful, with birds settling in the mangroves and fishermen heading home, a calm end to a day after the noise of the cricket.
- →River safaris through mangroves.
- →Water sports on the lagoon.
- →Long, wide beach.
The Bawa gardens
Brief Garden, created by Bevis Bawa, is a lush, quirky garden with sculptures and views, a short drive inland. Lunuganga, the country estate of his brother Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most famous architect, is a landscaped garden on a lake, open for tours and, in part, as a hotel.
Both suit a slow morning between matches and appeal to fans travelling with partners or family who want something other than cricket.
Book tours of Lunuganga ahead, as numbers can be limited.
- →Brief Garden by Bevis Bawa.
- →Lunuganga by Geoffrey Bawa.
- →Book Lunuganga tours ahead.
Turtles and the coast
Kosgoda, a short drive south, has turtle hatcheries that collect eggs from the beach, incubate them and release hatchlings. Choose one that focuses on conservation rather than handling and keeping turtles.
Further south, Ambalangoda's mask workshops and Hikkaduwa's reef are on the way to Galle.
Inland from Bentota, cinnamon plantations show how the bark is peeled and rolled into quills, and small temples and villages along the river make a peaceful morning by tuk-tuk or bicycle.
- →Kosgoda turtle hatcheries.
- →Ambalangoda masks.
- →Hikkaduwa on the way to Galle.
When to go
The sea at Bentota is calmest roughly November to April, suiting early-year cricket tours, with sunny days and good swimming. In a mid-year tour, the southwest monsoon brings rough seas and showers, so swim only at safe spots and use the hotel pool.
Hotels range from large resorts to boutique villas on the river.
Bentota is also one of Sri Lanka's main centres for Ayurveda, with many resorts and retreats offering treatments. A few days of massages after a series, or a full programme, is easy to add here.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bentota from Colombo?
Bentota is about an hour and a quarter from Colombo by the Southern Expressway, and about two hours from the airport. That makes it an easy stop between a Colombo leg and a Galle Test, or a base for a few days at the end of a series.
How far is Bentota from Galle?
Bentota is about an hour from Galle by road. Some fans stay in Bentota during a Galle Test for a quieter, resort-style base, though staying in or near Galle Fort is easier for walking to the ground.
What is there to do in Bentota?
Take a river safari on the Bentota River, try water sports on the lagoon, relax on the beach, visit Brief Garden and Lunuganga, and see the turtle hatcheries at Kosgoda. Ambalangoda's mask workshops are on the way to Galle.
When is the best time to visit Bentota?
The sea is calmest roughly November to April, suiting early-year cricket tours. In a mid-year tour, the southwest monsoon brings rough seas and showers, so swim only at safe spots, but the river and gardens are still worth visiting.
What is Lunuganga?
Lunuganga is the country estate of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most famous architect, near Bentota. It is a landscaped garden on a lake, open for tours and, in part, as a hotel. Book tours ahead, as numbers can be limited.
Are the Kosgoda turtle hatcheries ethical?
Standards vary. Choose a hatchery that focuses on conservation, collecting eggs and releasing hatchlings, rather than keeping turtles in tanks or encouraging handling. Ask your driver or hotel for a recommended one.
Is Bentota good after a cricket series?
Yes, Bentota makes a relaxing end to a series, with beaches, river trips, gardens and Ayurveda retreats nearby, and the airport about two hours away. It suits fans who want a few easy days before flying home.
Can you stay in Bentota for a Galle Test?
Yes, some fans stay in Bentota and drive about an hour each way to Galle, preferring a resort with a pool and quiet evenings. It works, but the daily drive adds up over a five-day Test. Staying in or near Galle Fort is easier for most.