TheBentotaNational Holiday Resort Complex, constructed according to a design by architectGeoffrey Bawain the 1970s, occupies the strip of land between the Galle Road and the Colombo-Galle-Matara railway track and is home to a range of luxury hotels, shopping arcades Railway station, Post office, Banks, a Tourist Information Centre and other stalls providing services to holiday makers. Since the establishment of the complex, it has been expanded to cater to the growing demands of the increased tourist traffic toBentota. The shopping arcade houses a chain of shops selling drums, masks, handmade lace and many more. The open air theatre regularly stage shows of folk and mask dancing.
Bentota River, Bentota Lagoon and River Bentara
River Bentara, the legendary river atBentota, flows into the Indian Ocean forming a lagoon at the last section of the river. The River Bentara and the lagoon set up the widest array of water sports among all the beach resorts ofSri Lanka. Jet-skiing, windsurfing, parasailing or enjoying a romantic river safari along the clam waters are some of the activities that are well known in the area.
Bentota Estuary
On the northern end of the Resort is theBentotaestuary formed by the broad Bentara River that flows into the Indian Ocean.
Bentota Bay Beach
BentotaBay Beach resort that lies sandwiched between the turquoise waters of the sea and the lagoon is endowed with a stunning landscape of greenery and exceptional recreational facilities.Bentotais the most popular location for romantic weddings; it witnesses hundreds of weddings of locals as well as the foreigners’ year in and year out.Bentotais also a well known honeymoon destination, once again toSri Lankans as well as foreign nationals. At the northern end of the beach, is the long and narrow estuary called “Paradise Island”. At the southern end is the pristine palm fringed broad beach.
Renowned as one ofSri Lanka’s most popular beaches,Bentotaaffords a myriad of opportunities to water sport enthusiasts to enjoy with swimming, body-surfing, diving and a range of water sports at the river and lagoon as well as along theBentotaBeach.