Major city · Sri Lanka
Bentota
Spend 2 days in Bentota for beach, watersports and turtle hatchery; arrive by bus or train from Colombo (2‑2½ h).
Bentota is a small coastal town on the southern bank of the Bentota River. It offers a long beach, watersports, a turtle hatchery and easy day‑trip links to nearby attractions. Two days cover the main sights and a relaxed beach day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LKR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (monsoon season)
- Airport
- BTN
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bentota119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bentota, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?LKR in small notes for tuk-tuks, buses, tea and entry tickets.Sri Lanka-wide
- SIM or eSIMDialog, Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) and Hutch sell tourist SIMs at the airport; passport required.Sri Lanka-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Sri Lanka-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Nothing extra if 10% service is on the bill; otherwise 10%.Sri Lanka-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sri Lanka-wide
- SafetyBentota is generally safe for tourists; watch for strong currents during monsoon and keep valuables secured on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants, with a hose; squat toilets in bus stations.Sri Lanka-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPoya (full moon) days close bars and liquor shops and stop meat sales; many sites close on the day of a Perahera procession…Sri Lanka-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBTN Bentota River Airport (small local airstrip, limited commercial service).
- Getting aroundTake the air‑conditioned bus (bus 2) from Colombo Fort to Bentota (2‑2½ h, Rs 150).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk‑tuk (5 km (3.1 mi))Tuk‑tuk (3.1 mi (5 km))Rs 300–500
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to turtle hatcheryFree
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personLKR 2,500
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomLKR 18,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomLKR 26,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LKR 2,500 · Mid LKR 4,500 · High LKR 8,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BTN Bentota River Airport (small local airstrip, limited commercial service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bentota: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Take the air‑conditioned bus (bus 2) from Colombo Fort to Bentota (2‑2½ h, Rs 150). Trains stop at nearby Aluthgama (2 km) – catch a tuk‑tuk or taxi. Walks on the beach are short; tuk‑tuk rides are common for nearby sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Galle
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Bus from Bentota to Galle (≈1 h)
Historic fort town; easy day trip.
Brief Garden
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Taxi or tuk‑tuk 11 km (6.8 mi) inland (≈20 min)Taxi or tuk‑tuk 6.8 mi (11 km) inland (≈20 min)
Landscape garden of Bevis Bawa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Wunderbar
Boutique 14‑room hotel on the beach.
Cocoon Resort and Villas
Luxury villas and rooms with pool; price from US$260.
Temple Tree Resort & Spa
Beach‑front resort; rooms from US$135.
Dalmanuta Gardens – Ayurvedic Resort
Garden setting; price from US$150.
Cinnamon Bentota Beach
Large resort; price from US$212.
Villa 700
Boutique villa; price from US$200.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rs 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rs 4,500–7,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rs 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 2 nights × LKR 18,000 | LKR 36,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × LKR 4,500 | LKR 18,000 |
| Bus Colombo → Bentota (one way)2 × LKR 150 · check | LKR 300 |
| Tuk‑tuk ride to Aluthgama station2 × LKR 300 · check | LKR 600 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × LKR 2,500 · check | LKR 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LKR 5,990 |
| Trip total≈ LKR 16,470 per person per day, bed included | LKR 65,890 |
2026 estimate in LKR; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Colombo → Bentotacheck | Rs 150 |
| Tuk‑tuk (5 km) | Rs 300–500 |
| Meal at a beachside restaurant | Rs 500–1,200 |
| Toddy (glass) | Rs 200–400 |
| Entry to turtle hatchery | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus fare Rs 150 is approximate; check current price.
- Most trains stop at Aluthgama, not Bentota station.
- Turtle hatchery visits may be limited to certain seasons; confirm opening days.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 1990
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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BentotaBentota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
මෙම ලිපිනයට කරුණාකරTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance1990
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Colombo; other embassies in Colombo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colombo → Bentota bus: about Rs 150, 2‑2½ h (check)
- Tuk‑tuk Bentota → Aluthgama: Rs 300–500, 5 min
Say or show
- සමාවෙන්න — Excuse me / Sorry (samāvenna)
- ස්තුතියි — Thank you (sthuthiyi)
- කියන්න කොපමණද? — How much is it? (kiyanna kopamanada?)
- බීච් එක කොහෙද? — Where is the beach? (bīch eka koheda?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bentota. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Oct (monsoon season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 6 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for a surf lesson at Bentota Beach.
- Combine with a turtle‑watching night at Induruwa.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata Bentota
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bentota, revision 5242329 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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