Why Honeymoon in Bentota
The main appeal is convenience without compromise. Within two hours of landing you can be by the pool with a view of the sea. That matters after a journey of more than twenty hours from the US.
The setting is varied for a beach town. On one side is the ocean. On the other, the river and lagoon offer calm water for boat trips, paddleboarding and water sports. Inland, villages, rubber plantations and cinnamon gardens make for pleasant bike rides and tuk-tuk outings.
Bentota is also a center for Ayurveda, Sri Lanka's traditional system of medicine. Several resorts offer treatment programs, from a single massage to a full week of therapies. Add the Bawa gardens and easy day trips to Galle. That is enough to fill four or five unhurried days.
When to Go
December to April is the best time for Bentota and the whole west and southwest coast. Expect sunny days in the high 80s Fahrenheit, calm seas and little rain. January to March is the peak season, so book well ahead.
From May to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas. Swimming is often dangerous, red flags fly on the beaches and some smaller places close. Hotels stay open and prices fall. The river and gardens remain lovely, but this is not beach weather.
October and November are transitional, with some rain and improving seas. If your honeymoon falls between May and September, consider the east coast around Trincomalee, which is in season then. Treat Bentota as a short stop before your flight home.
Where to Stay
Couples have a good choice of romantic hotels. Cinnamon Bentota Beach, on the sandbar between the river and the sea, was originally designed by Geoffrey Bawa and later rebuilt with modern rooms and pools. Paradise Road The Villa Bentota is a smaller, elegant property in a house Bawa reworked, with gardens and a colonial feel.
Saman Villas, on a rocky headland at Aturuwella just south of Bentota, has suites with ocean views and a dramatic infinity pool. Taj Bentota Resort & Spa sits on the beach with extensive gardens.
For something unusual, Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's former country home, operates as a small country house hotel with only a handful of rooms. It is a memorable night or two for design lovers. Ayurveda resorts nearby offer packages that include treatments and meals.
Romantic Things to Do
Take a boat trip up the Bentota River through mangrove channels where monitor lizards bask, kingfishers dart and the occasional crocodile glides past. Early morning or late afternoon trips are quietest. The Madu River near Balapitiya, a short drive south, offers a similar trip with small islands and a cinnamon farm.
Visit Lunuganga for a guided tour of Bawa's garden, a series of terraces, lawns and views over Dedduwa Lake. Then see the Brief Garden, a more whimsical estate full of sculpture and tropical plants.
Book an Ayurvedic massage or herbal steam for two. Walk the beach at sunset to the point where the river meets the sea.
Spend a day in Galle, about an hour south, for the ramparts of the old Dutch fort, boutiques and cafes.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Sri Lanka. Most couples connect through Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or Singapore. From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), a car to Bentota takes about one and a half to two hours via the expressway, depending on traffic.
The coastal railway also runs through the area. Most trains stop at Aluthgama, about a mile from Bentota, with services north to Colombo and south to Galle. The coastal ride is scenic, though trains can be crowded.
Around Bentota, tuk-tuks are the easiest option for short trips. Agree on a fare first or use the PickMe app where it works. Many couples hire a car and driver for their whole trip, which makes day trips to Galle or the Bawa gardens easy.
Food and Drink
Seafood is the star. Beach restaurants serve grilled prawns, crab, lobster and the catch of the day, often with garlic butter or a spicy devilled sauce. Agree on the price by weight before ordering.
Try a Sri Lankan crab curry, rich with coconut milk, curry leaves and chili. Then order fish ambul thiyal, a sour fish curry from the southern coast cooked with goraka fruit. Breakfast often means hoppers and string hoppers with dhal and coconut sambol.
The region grows cinnamon, so look for cinnamon tea and desserts made with kithul treacle. Fresh king coconut water is sold everywhere and is the best cure for heat. Resorts offer cocktails, but note that alcohol is not sold on Poya full moon days at many local outlets.
Honeymoon Tips
Respect the sea. Even in season, currents can be strong in some spots. Swim near lifeguards or in hotel areas and follow the flags. In the monsoon, stay out of the ocean.
If you want to see turtles, choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings quickly. Some keep turtles in small tanks for display, which conservationists discourage.
Both partners should cover shoulders and knees at temples. Swimwear belongs on the beach and at the pool.
The US State Department rates Sri Lanka Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution. Bentota is a relaxed resort area, but keep valuables in your room safe.
Mosquitoes are active at dusk near the river. Dengue occurs in Sri Lanka, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
