Taxis are available for hire in Bentota and can be found outside the major tourist attractions, hailed on the street, or called and ordered over the phone. You can also hire a vehicle with a driver for longer journeys, like the one to the Colombo airport. There are ride-sharing services available in Bentota, including Uber and PickMe. 

Exploring Bentota on foot is a good way to get around the city and enjoy the sights, sounds, and beachside atmosphere. The town is a nice place to have a relaxing stroll and check out the cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars. Walking the beaches is a popular pastime along the soft white sand, soaking up the sea breeze and sunshine.

Riding a bicycle around Bentota is a great way to explore the beachside town. It is possible to rent a bicycle in town, and some accommodations also have bicycles on site to use or rent. Riding around town is a good way to get around at your own pace and soak up the scenery, and discover hidden gems along the way. 

Bentota is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years, crimes against tourists are becoming more common, with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets and tourist attractions. At night, stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night, and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

There are some good shopping opportunities to choose from in Bentota, with a mixture of traditional markets, modern-day boutiques, shopping centers, and malls. Shoppers can enjoy a unique experience when shopping in the coastal city and look for things like local handicrafts, traditional clothing, jewelry, masks, unique souvenirs, and other fascinating trinkets. Bentota’s bustling street markets and local bazaars are amongst the most popular and fun ways to shop. These vibrant street stalls sell everything from spices to artwork and provide a glimpse into the rich culture of the city and the country. Visitors to the markets can sample local delicacies, pick up fresh produce, and find some of the best knick-knacks to take home. The Monday market in Aluthgama is a highlight of the week among the locals and tourists alike, with a variety of busy stalls and roadside shops. The Bentota Bazaar is in the heart of the city, boasting a plethora of shops and local outlets selling a variety of handmade articles. Shoppers can purchase Batik textiles, Sri Lankan mementos, and unique local gift items handmade using decorated and carved wood and brassware by local artisans. There is a quaint local post office in the area where you can pick up local stamps and postcards to give as souvenirs or take home as memorabilia. Meetiyagoda is a unique market area that is popular throughout the country for its large moonstone supply. Moonstones are among the most famous jewelry and astrological stones found in Sri Lanka, known for their soothing powers. Meetiyagoda is one of the only places in the country where visitors can shop for the famous moonstone jewelry and astrological ornaments. 

The official language spoken in Bentota is Sinhala, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend you get a good English-Nepal guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me, and numbers 1-10. 

The coastal city of Bentota features a fairly tropical climate with pretty constant average temperatures between 80°F – 86°F. There are two monsoon seasons prominent in Sri Lanka that bring copious amounts of rain to different parts of the country throughout the year. The dry season is from November to April, which is a very popular time for tourists to visit the island with pleasant weather. May and June are also a good time to visit and are a lot quieter, with better value. There may be a few showers, but nothing too bad. July is when the east-coast monsoon season begins with heavy rains that hit the coast and start to tail off in September. The period from September to November is the inter-monsoon season with higher chances of rain. This is still a good time to visit with discounted prices for travel and accommodation, and fewer crowds, if you don’t mind the occasional shower, it’s not going to be raining the entire time. 

The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Nepalese rupees upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

In Bentota, there are many restaurants located inside hotels, resorts, and villas, so many guests will enjoy dining on site with world-class buffets and other delicious menu items. However, if you want to get out and experience the famous food found around Bentota, you’re in luck as there is a great variety of traditional Sri Lankan restaurants and plenty of International cuisine to choose from. Bentota’s culinary scene is a delightful mixture of traditional flavors influenced by various neighboring countries and their cultures. The island of Sri Lanka might be small, but the food scene in Sri Lanka is anything but; there are beautiful cafes, authentic restaurants, and casual beachside eateries found all over that are well worth visiting. Food lovers can sample delicious, freshly caught fish and seafood due to Bentota’s coastal location; the menus here are filled with daily catch options like ambul thiyal or jumbo prawns. Regional food and tasty Sri Lankan cuisine are found throughout the city in local, authentic eateries. Enjoying a flavorful traditional Sri Lankan curry is easy to do as it is a staple on many menus, either vegetable or meat curry, spicy or not, served up with steamed rice and papadums. There are also plenty of places, especially in the hotels, where visitors can enjoy traditional Western fare, including burgers, fries, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Bentota is known for its street food, with various food trucks and stalls scattered throughout the city. Popular snacks include Pol Sambol, Pol Roti, Kottu Roti, and shredded Roti. Hoppers and String Hoppers are a type of pancake served with sweet or savory fillings. 

Bentota beach offers visitors a very vibrant nightlife. After witnessing a spectacular sunset on the beautiful beach, there are beachside eateries and bars where visitors can get a bite to eat and enjoy some drinks. Bentota’s nightlife is made up of some of the most vibrant discos with bustling dance floors, lively bars, and great pubs with food, drinks, and a great atmosphere. The picturesque resort town also has options for romantic evenings out with upscale lounges for cocktails and appetizers, accompanied by sensational views. There are opportunities for fine dining and wine with romantic dinners on the beaches or set up at upscale onsite restaurants at many resorts and hotels. Going out at night and having a good time is easy to do with numerous places to grab a tropical drink and enjoy the beach and laid-back surroundings. There are some great sunset lounges to choose from, where you can simply sit back with a drink and watch the sunset, then relax for the evening, enjoying the balmy weather. There are plenty of restaurants and other establishments overlooking the sea, which is aesthetically pleasing, listening to the sound of the ocean, and some live music at night. There is even a floating disco on the Bentota River at the Centara Ceysands Resort, which offers an incredible view of the river and the Indian Ocean as well as a unique night out. 

In the event of an emergency dial 118, 119, or 110

Hospital:

Divisional Hospital Bentota tel. 94-342-275-260