Shopping and Dining in Bentota

Bentota is a great place to pick up some of the fabulous Sri Lankan handicrafts that this island country is famous for.  The markets of Bentota are colourful and interesting and you could walk the streets going through the offerings and pick a great bargain for yourself.

The high street shops and kiosks stock a whole variety of Sri Lankan handicrafts  ranging from Bamboo hats to intricate masks. However keep in mind that you need to really bargain to get the right price. Prices are quoted over 3 times the actual selling price - so put your best foot forward on negotiations. Do remember to pick up a mask. These are  exquisite.

You can pick beautifully crafted  masks like this one from Sri Lankan Handicrafts - one of the best stocked outlets on the outskirts of Bentota. These are made of balsa wood and painted with organic paints. Cost varies from US$ 50 to US$ 200 ( The mask shown above cost me $50).  The ones available in the kiosks on the high streets are for as low as $5 - certainly very much inferior in craftsmanship .

A visit to this outlet in Bentota is a must even if you dont buy anything. Ask any cab or auto driver and he will take you there. The prices are much higher here and there is no bargaining . The quality and craftmanship is the best.

Evening's in Bentota are very pleasant with cool sea breezes blowing inland. There are numerous bars and eating joints all along the beach serving Sri Lankan food as well as cuisines from around the world. Sea food is a speciality and fresh catch of the day is served . One popular place which I highly recommend is the WUNDERBAR. The food is excellent though expensive. Be sure to try thier fish baked in bamboo leaves. You could also try the local beer - Lion.

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Exploring Bentota - Buddhist Temple of 'Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara

A 15 minute drive from our hotel, The Tax Exotica saw us at another 'must visit' place  in Bentota  Buddhist Temples - also known as the 'Benthara Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara'. This ancient Budhist temple is famous for the tooth relic of the 3rd desciple of Buddha that lies buries in the Stupa. This temple is believed to have been made in the 12th century, it however was destroyed by the Dutch in the 16th century and was subsequently rebuilt giving it a newer look.

 A Long path leads upto the main building

 This is the main entrance to the temple complex. At this point you will be required to remove your shoes. ( When it is hot , your feet can really burn). The arched doorway is made of 2 upright monolith carved pillars with another 2 pillars on the top and bottom of the doorway. Dating back to the 'Kandyan Period' (1590 to 1830), these pillars are elaborately carved with the 'Nari Latha' motifs. The Nari Latha is a mythical creeper orignating in the Himalayas that when it blossoms , the flowers take the shape of dancing girls.   

The main temple building houses a mumber of brightly coloured statues and images. The sleeping Buddha is a long over 25 ft statue that is placed on the floor in sleep posture.

One of the statues in the temple. There is a visible connection to Hinduism.

Statue of the Budha where offerrings are made

You cannot miss this large bell with inscriptions near the entrance, It is supported on two ancient rock pillars.

At the end of the tour, remember to make an entry in the guest book that is maintained and make a donation to the monastry.

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Exploring Bentota - Turtle Breeding Farm

On the second day of our vacation we decided to explore Bentota and see what else there was to do besides lazing on the beach, swimming in the ocean and sunbathing. Cab drivers in Bentota double up as guides and tour operators. The cabs are fairly decent and air conditioned. We arranged for one of these to take us on a guided tour for $ 20 ( Sri Lankan Rs 2000).  We were promised a tour of the region - about 4 hours. If you are a good negotiator, you could pay as low as $10. Our first stop was the Turtle Breeding farm on the outskirts of Bentota.

Young Hatched Turtles

The work being done at this breeding farm on conservation of these endangered animals is commendable. Turtles come onto the beaches to lay their eggs in the sand. The greatest danger to the young turtles is when the eggs hatch and the young ones move towards the ocean. Very few survive as most are picked up by hawks and crows and the ones that do make it to the ocean get eaten up the big fish. As part of the conservation efforts, the hatchery picks up the eggs and releases the young turtles into the sea only after the turtles are at least 2 years old and can look after themselves.Loggerhead Turtle

There is a small payment of $2  to be made as entry fee to visit the Turtle Farm. The hatchery has different species of turtles - these include the Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle and the rare Albino Turtle.

Hawksbill Turtle

Albino Turtle

The hatchery has turtles of various ages. There are some which are over 20 years old- these are those turtles that have lost a limb or have some other disability which would make it impossible for them to survive outside. Turtles can live upto over 100 years of age.
At the end of the tour, you could buy some handicrafts that the centre sells which go towards funding of this effort.