This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Bentota.
Bentota is a coastal city in Sri Lanka that is known mainly for the high volume of activities and sights in and around it. Tourists flock here every year and stay in the many hotels and hostels. It is undeniably a tourist town, filled with things to do. From sea turtles to kite-surfing, Bentota is a magical city in Sri Lanka that has more to do than you could accomplish in a single day.
If you want to see animals on the verge of extinction being brought back to life, try out the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation project nearby. Get directions at your hostel and go here. It is by the beach in the city of Bentota and is dedicated to the protection of this endangered species. You can visit a local sea turtle nesting site, protected by guards around the clock, and watch as the turtles hatch if you visit at the right time.
The Bentota Beach is one of the most unforgettable beaches in Sri Lanka. If you manage to get a hostel near the beach, you are in luck. Watch out, though, as these fill up fast and are typically pricier than the hostels further inland. The beach has many great activities available, including hotels and spas nearby, as well as jet skiing, windsurfing, and more. If you are not a fan of the sea, you can check out the Bentota River, which empties into the sea.
For a more in-depth look into the culture of the country, check out the nearby town of Ambalangoda, which is less than thirty kilometers from Bentota. It is famous for devil dancers, local townspeople who perform ritualistic dances wearing demonic masks in attempt to ward off evil spirits that cause diseases of the mind and body. If you buy the masks in town, you can usually get a better price than at a gift shop in the capital of the country, Colombo.
Written by local enthusiast for Bentota hostels
Jakob Lombardi
