Bentota

Perfectly designed landscape is what Brief Garden is said to be. It is spread over a few acres of land and is just outside Bentota. This place has Japanese style gardens and lawns which is truly mesmerising. They are inspired by the colonial days. Artworks of the famous architects of Sri Lanka and others have also been showcased here.

Just outside Bentota, in Kaluwamodara, is this temple which is renowned for its ancient marble statue of Lord Buddha. This statue is over a 100 years old and is as tall as 6 feet. It is said to have come from Burma.

This was the residence of Geoffrey Bawa, one of the most respect architects of Sri Lanka. It is a beautifully landscaped country home which has a variety of rare flora and is a real treat to watch.

It is an old fashioned eatery which is located amidst the lush greenery at The Villa Bentota. This café serves multi-cuisine dishes which range from pizza’s to pasta’s to Indian curries and tandoori delicacies. Also famous for its deserts, tourists are given and option to dig into a variety of sinful sweets. The recommended dishes include tandoori chicken and the passion fruit margarita.

This is a posh Chinese speciality restaurant located at the Vivanta by Taj, near the coastline of Bentota. Serving authentic Chinese food in Bentota, its specialisation is in the Sichuan cuisine dishes. Recommended dish is Peking duck.

For those who love the nightlife, Ceysands is an important attraction. It’s a floating disco which floats on the waters of the Bentota River. You need a ferry boat in order to access the disco. This is by far the most happening place in the city for the people who are interested in clubbing.

Again, located in the premises of the Vivanta by Taj, this is a premium nightclub which provides a very spacious dance floor and some very groovy and trendy music. It also serves a few exotic and creative cocktails and delicious snacks.

Located in the centre of the Bentota, this bazaar has a limited number of shops where tourists can buy various articles like textile, mementos, decorative gift items and carved wood and brassware. Most shops are government approved so the prices are nominal and genuine. There is also a post office nearby where you can by postcards and stamps.

This area is important in Southern Sri Lanka as it is very famous for the moonstones. Moonstones are semi-precious gems, popular for its soothing powers, and are widely used in jewellery making. Meetiyagoda is the best place for moonstone jewellery shopping.

Touring the scenic paddy fields, a 125 year old Katukoliha temple and its Dagaba is the cycle tour which the tourist can enjoy. The tour will take you around to see the Dutch architecture of the houses, the mullegoda temple with its beautiful wall painting and the Dedduwa Lake. This trip shows the beauty of the village life and is ideal for the nature lovers.

For all the adrenaline soaked tourists, this is the place to be. Bentota has to offer some of the best water sports to keep you coming back for more. The sporting activities are scuba diving, snorkelling, jet-ski, banana boat, speed boat etc. There is also a boat ride up the river where you are taken into a dark mangroves where you can click photographs with baby crocodiles.

Housing Sri Lanka’s tallest statue of Gautama Buddha is one of the most popular Buddhist temples - KandeVihare. Along with that it also has the Bo tree, the 4 sacred MahaDevalas and other ancient relics.

One of the most luxurious hotels in Sri Lanka, Saman Villas is perched on its own private cape between 2 beaches. It has some of the best suites, villas and dining area, a lavish garden and an infinity edge pool giving it he oomph factor and maximising the beauty of the location with the perfect sunsets. Facilities like Sahana Spa, aromatherapy treatments and candle light dinners are also provided. The speciality of this hotel is the tailor-made wedding packages. The staff organises everything from the food to the dresses to the dancers and even the music and ceremonial elephants.

A little outside Bentota but a must go place. The temple is on a hill which appears to be domed with large spice plantations and lakes being a view. The temple is famous for its 35 metre long sleeping Buddha statue. Pilgrims, in order to worship any Hindu or local deity, have to approach the dagobas and devale (a building for worshipping) by climbing 208 steps or take the road to the top.

Choosing the best water side location, Sri Lankan fashion designer Taru has made a spectacular resort. Made on the banks of Madhu Ganga River, this stylish hotel lays amidst 7 acres of tropical gardens. Colourful birds and chattering monkeys are to be seen everywhere. This place with its slate plunge pools, domed ceilings, huge bathrooms and polished floors with king-size beds is more of the luxurious villa than a hotel.

Bentota beach also offers the turtle hatchery project where the turtles are allowed to hatch and thrive in a protected area and then set free. Almost 500 endangered species of turtles have been living on the stretch of the beach now. This is surely an attraction for the nature and wildlife lovers.

A meet between pristine gold sand and the mighty Indian Ocean, this beach is not some regular holiday destination. Water sports is also an option available to the adrenaline soaked tourist. Tall palm trees and high-end resorts offer the perfect beach holiday experience everyone wishes to have.

Perfectly designed landscape is what Brief Garden is said to be. It is spread over a few acres of land and is just outside Bentota. This place has Japanese style gardens and lawns which is truly mesmerising. They are inspired by the colonial days. Artworks of the famous architects of Sri Lanka and others have also been showcased here.