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Places to visit

From mangrove river safaris to a 500-year-old temple, here's what's worth the detour around Bentota.

Boat on the Bentota River near Aluthgama
Nature

Bentota River Safari

A guided boat trip through mangrove channels and a small island bird sanctuary, with good chances of spotting monitor lizards and kingfishers.

≈2 hours · Boats depart from the river bridge
Sea turtles at a Bentota-area conservation project
Wildlife

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

A conservation project protecting sea turtle nests and releasing hatchlings; visitors can see turtles of various ages up close.

≈15 km south · Best visited early evening
Landscaped tropical garden with sculpture
Garden

Brief Garden

The former estate of landscape architect Bevis Bawa — five acres of terraced tropical gardens and sculpture near Beruwala.

≈10 km north · Guided walks available
Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's garden estate near Bentota
Heritage

Lunuganga Estate

Architect Geoffrey Bawa's country estate and garden, overlooking the Dedduwa Lake — a masterclass in tropical modernist design.

≈8 km inland · Booking recommended
Kande Vihara Buddhist temple near Aluthgama
Culture

Kande Vihara Temple

A major Buddhist temple founded in 1734, built on a hilltop near Aluthgama with a large seated Buddha statue and coastal views.

≈6 km from town centre
Traditional masks at the Ambalangoda Mask Museum
Craft

Ambalangoda Mask Museum

See traditional devil-dance and folk masks being hand-carved and painted in workshops that have run for generations.

≈20 km south

Attractions at a glance

Distance, time and approximate cost from central Bentota
AttractionTypeDistanceSuggested timeApprox. entry
Bentota River SafariWildlife / boat trip0 km (in town)2 hoursUSD 15–25 per boat
Kosgoda Turtle HatcheryConservation15 km45 minUSD 3–5
Brief GardenGarden / heritage10 km1 hourUSD 8–10
Lunuganga EstateGarden / heritage8 km1.5 hoursUSD 15–20 (guided)
Kande Vihara TempleTemple6 km30–45 minFree (donation welcome)
Ambalangoda Mask MuseumCraft / culture20 km1 hourUSD 3–5

Prices are indicative estimates and should be verified with each site before travel.

A full day, river to reef

One way to combine the highlights into a single day trip:

  1. 1
    8:00 AM — River safari

    Start early for calmer water and better bird activity on the Bentota Ganga.

  2. 2
    10:30 AM — Kande Vihara Temple

    A short stop at the hilltop temple, a short drive from the river jetty.

  3. 3
    12:00 PM — Lunch & Lunuganga Estate

    Lunch near Dedduwa Lake, followed by a guided walk of the Bawa estate.

  4. 4
    3:00 PM — Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

    See turtles of different ages before the evening hatchling release (seasonal).

  5. 5
    5:30 PM — Beach sunset

    Head back to Bentota beach for water sports or a sunset swim — see the Beaches page.