Why Bentota & the Madu River will steal your heart
Bentota is where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean, creating a golden sandbar between the lagoon and the sea. It's one of Sri Lanka's classic beach resorts, with a long, wide beach, many of the island's most elegant hotels, and calm river waters that are perfect for water sports. It's also only around two hours from the airport, which makes it an ideal first or last stop.
The river is the place for jet-skiing, windsurfing, banana boats and kayaking. For something gentler, take a river safari through the mangroves, looking out for monitor lizards, crocodiles, kingfishers and herons.
Nearby, the Madu River offers an even more magical boat trip. You'll glide through tunnels of mangroves and past small islands, including one where cinnamon is still peeled by hand, filling the air with its warm scent. You can also visit a tiny island temple, and even try a fish-spa pedicure if you're brave.
Bentota is also a pilgrimage site for lovers of architecture and design. Lunuganga, the country estate and garden of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most celebrated architect, sits on a lake just inland. His brother, the landscape designer Bevis Bawa, created the enchanting Brief Garden nearby. Both are full of hidden vistas, sculptures and tropical planting, and they're a joy to explore.
Along the coast at Kosgoda, turtle conservation projects protect eggs laid on local beaches and release the hatchlings into the sea, and the town of Ambalangoda is famous for its colourful carved masks. Combine all of this with lazy beach days and elegant hotels, and Bentota is a perfect, easy beach stay.
