Bentota
Bentota began life as a settlement built around a small Portuguese fort on the estuary of the Bentota River. In the 19th century, the British converted the fort into a rest house, where civil servants would come to relax in the grounds under the shade of the tamarind trees. Still welcoming those who crave a break, it’s now one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resorts.
Bentota is spread along Sri Lanka’s west coast, with a cluster of hotels to the north that gradually thin out as you travel south. The lengthy stretches of golden sand are shaded by corkscrew palms, the occasional granite outcrop, and little else.
While this is a popular beach resort, there are no beach bars or restaurants lining the sand, just hotels, villas and luxury resorts tucked behind the palms at discrete distances from each other.
Sports and Adventure
Sri Lanka is a fantastic holiday destination for those who like to stay active, whether you want to indulge in some exhilarating water-sports or climb a mountain. The island’s diverse landscape means that there is a wide range of adventure options available: trek through Sinharaja Rainforest; go white water rafting down the rapids at Kitulgala; explore Sri Lanka’s ancient ruins by bike or on foot; climb Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka’s sacred mountain, or take the train into the island’s stunning hill country.
There are also many different sports on offer in Sri Lanka, most popular being the thrilling water-sports available around the country’s coastline: go surfing in Arugam Bay, one of the top ten surf spots in the world; try kite-surfing and windsurfing on Kalpitiya Lagoon; go scuba diving in the south coast, or snorkel at Pigeon Island near Trincomalee. There are also opportunities for walking – mostly in the cool climate of Sri Lanka’s spectacular hills – and cycling, such as exploring the beautiful inland areas around Galle by bike
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