The island of Sri Lanka is an excellent tropical country worth exploring for anyone in the vicinity. Among its many cities, Bentota is a great place to visit and is known for its sandy shores. While the beaches are the main place to explore, there is plenty more to enjoy once you move away from the coast. Rivers, gardens, temples and village life show off a new side to the area. These five experiences should be tried by everyone venturing into Bentota.
1. Cruising The Bentota River Through Mangroves
A river safari along the Bentota River is one of the calmest ways to explore the area. If you are staying at a place like The Villa Bentota by KK Collection, this experience is easy to arrange and provides a peaceful break from beach time. Boats move slowly through mangrove-grown tunnels, where branches stretch over the water and create cool shade. Mangroves protect marine life and provide shelter for birds and fish. During the ride, you may see kingfishers, monitor lizards as well as a number of water birds resting on branches. The slow pace lets you take everything in without feeling rushed. The oarsman guiding your boat may even provide interesting stories about the river and its wildlife. Some tours stop at small villages, where you can see how people live by the water.
2. Kande Viharaya Temple
Among the religious sites in all of Bentota, none is more well-known than the Kande Viharaya. The temple is known for its large seated Buddha statue, which stands tall above the surrounding region. Visitors looking for meaningful things to do in Bentota will enjoy the calm atmosphere in and around the temple. As you walk around the temple grounds, you might notice locals lighting oil lamps, placing fresh flowers at shrines or sitting quietly in prayer. The old wall paintings share stories from Buddhist history, and moving through the courtyard feels peaceful, giving you time to really take in the fine details of the artwork and carvings around you.
3. Visiting the Brief Garden and Lunuganga Estate
Bentota is in close proximity to two beautiful garden estates created by the Bawa family. Brief Garden, designed by Bevis Bawa, feels like an open-air art gallery. Each turn has something new to be shown, from stone figures to quiet seating spots. Nearby Lunuganga Estate was the home of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Guided tours take you through lawns, lakeside views and garden spaces that blend with nature. These two gardens are great for an impromptu photoshoot or a picnic.
4. Enjoying River Activities and Water Sports
While the river is the perfect place for relaxing boat rides, it is also a place to try out a number of fun activities. Kayaking and canoeing let you glide along the narrow channels at your own pace. For more excitement, jet skiing and waterskiing are available as well. Calm waters make these activities safe for beginners and experienced riders alike. Tubing and banana boat rides are also quite popular with families and larger groups. These rides bring laughter and shared fun as you glide across the water.
5. Spice Gardens in the Area
There are quite a few regions in and around Bentota that grow spices like cinnamon, pepper and cardamom. Visiting a spice garden gives you an idea about things like plant growth and extraction, as well as purification and distribution. Some guides even teach visitors about each plant and allow you to smell fresh leaves and roots.
