Regions · Regions
Bentota and the west coast, the back story
The back story
About Bentota and the west coast, the back story
Bentota, where the Bentota river meets the sea, has some of the longest beaches on the west coast and was one of Sri Lanka’s first beach resorts.
Beach and river
Bentota’s beach runs for kilometres on a sandbar between the river and the ocean. Boat trips go up the river through mangroves.
The Bawa gardens
Inland, Geoffrey Bawa’s country estate, Lunuganga, and his brother Bevis Bawa’s Brief Garden can be visited; check visiting times before you go.
Bentota is where the Bawa brothers made their gardens.
Kosgoda
Just south, Kosgoda is known for its turtle hatcheries (see our wildlife article for the debate around them).
Our advice: visit between December and April, when the sea is calmer, and combine a beach stay with a morning at Lunuganga.
Why it's on our list
- The beach
- The river
- Lunuganga
- The Brief Garden
- Kosgoda turtles
- When to go
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Bentota and the west coast, the back story before you go.