The back story
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The back story
Bentota and the west coast, the back story
A river, a long golden beach and the gardens of the Bawa brothers, about two hours south of Colombo.
Town guide · about 1.5 hours from Colombo
Bentota: Our Favourites
Long golden beaches, the Bentota and Madu rivers, Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga and the Brief Garden, the turtle beaches of Kosgoda and the best beach hotels of the west coast.
What's onThis week in Sri Lanka
What to see
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Geoffrey Bawa’s country estate
Lunuganga
The garden estate that Geoffrey Bawa created over half a century beside a lake near Bentota.
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Bevis Bawa’s garden
Brief Garden
The garden of Bevis Bawa, landscape designer and brother of Geoffrey, in the hills behind Bentota.
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Mangroves
Bentota river boat trips
Boat trips up the Bentota river, through mangroves and past villages, from the bridge at Bentota.
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Islands and mangroves
Madu River
A wide river and lagoon south of Bentota, dotted with islands, including one with a temple, explored by boat.
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Sea turtles
Kosgoda turtle beach
A stretch of coast where several species of sea turtle nest, with a number of hatcheries along the road.
Beaches
Where to stay
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On the rocks
Saman Villas
A boutique hotel of suites on a rocky outcrop above the Indian Ocean, south of Bentota.
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Bawa touches
The Villa Bentota
A boutique hotel in a 19th-century villa on the beach at Bentota, remodelled by Geoffrey Bawa.
138/18 Galle Road, BentotaExplore View on map
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Bawa heritage
Cinnamon Bentota Beach
A beach resort on the site of Geoffrey Bawa’s famous Bentota Beach Hotel, between the river and the sea.
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On the headland
Taj Bentota Resort & Spa
A Taj beach resort on a headland above Bentota beach, managed by the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL); formerly Vivanta by Taj Bentota.
Beach Road, BentotaExplore View on map
Getting there
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Colombo to Galle in about 1.5 hours
Expressways
Toll expressways link the airport, Colombo, Galle and the south, and part of the way towards Kandy.
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About 30–35 km north of Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Sri Lanka’s main international airport at Katunayake, about 30–35 km north of Colombo and close to Negombo.
Share your Bentota tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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