About Bentota

{"data":[{"city":"Bentota","coordinates":{"lat":"6.4189175","lng":"80.005979"},"localArea":[{"id":"d0","name":"Brief Garden","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Brief-Garden-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"8:00 AM","closingTime":"5:00 PM","description":"The home of artist Bevis Bawa, brother of renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, has a fascinating garden that looks like it belongs in The Jungle Book and urges you to get lost in its midst. The residence itself houses an eclectic art collection, from a Chagall-style mural of local life to intriguing sculptures.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.4570144","lng":"80.037736"}},{"id":"d1","name":"Galapatha Vihara","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Galapatha-Vihara-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"The Galapatha Vihara temple is believed to date back to the 12th century. After being destroyed by the Dutch in the 16th century, it was rebuilt in a more modern style, but you will still find elaborate decorative carvings dating back to the Kandyan period. ","coordinates":{"lat":"6.951997","lng":"79.9185706"}},{"id":"d2","name":"Kosgoda Turtle hatcheries","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1sightseeing/Kosgoda-Turtle-hatcheries-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"9:00 AM","closingTime":"5:00 PM","description":"The turtle hatcheries at Kosgoda along Galle Road are all run by locals working to save the turtles that come to these shores to nest. Your contribution could allow volunteers to buy turtle eggs from fishermen, rebury them in safe locations till they hatch, and release the baby turtles safely into the ocean.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.354126","lng":"80.0183402"}},{"id":"d3","name":"Hit the water at Bentota","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1activities/Hit-the-water-at-Bentota-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"The calm Bentota Lagoon is ideal for a variety of water sports. Go on banana-boat rides or a boat cruise, or try your hand at snorkelling. If you want to push the adrenaline levels a bit higher, there’s surfing, water-skiing, body-boarding, jet-skiing and diving available, too.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.4311789","lng":"80.0069582"}},{"id":"d4","name":"Explore Galle Fort","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1activities/Explore-Galle-Fort_1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Spend some hours at the UNESCO World Heritage-rated 17th-century Galle Fort in nearby Galle, which was one of the few structures to remain unharmed by the 2004 tsunami. Walk the sea wall, admire the pulpit and quaint mini pipe-organ in the Dutch Reformed Church or marvel at the exhibits in the Maritime Archaeology Museum.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.0297068","lng":"80.2168744"}},{"id":"d5","name":"Go whale-watching","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1activities/Go-whale-watching-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Sri Lanka offers great whale-watching and its waters are home to seven species of whale, including the blue whale. Take an early-morning whale-watching trip from Mirissa, down the coast. Along with the whales, you might also enjoy sightings of dolphins, flying fish and sea birds closer to shore.","coordinates":{"lat":"5.953277","lng":"80.454962"}},{"id":"d6","name":"Browse through Bentota Bazaar","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Browse-through-Bentota-Bazaar-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"","closingTime":"","description":"Wander through this market in the middle of Bentota town to find local souvenirs like batik textiles, wood carvings and mementos made by local artisans. Many of the shops are government-approved, which means the prices are fair, and you are sure to find something to remember Bentota by when you get back home. ","coordinates":{"lat":"6.4189175","lng":"80.005979"}},{"id":"d7","name":"Take home a decorative local mask","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Take-home-a-decorative-local-mask-1X1.jpg","openingTime":"8:30 AM","closingTime":"5:30 PM","description":"Make a half-hour drive to visit the Masks Museum at Ambalangoda, which showcases the dramatic masks used in the kolam dances of the Karava – the local fishing community, of the western and south-western parts of Sri Lanka. You can buy your own distinctive pop-eyed mask at the workshop on-site.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.2412718","lng":"80.0506997"}},{"id":"d8","name":"Explore a local shopping institution","imagePath":"/content/dam/thrp/destinations/Bentota/city-highlights/1x1shopping/Explore-a-local-shopping-institution1x1.jpg","openingTime":"10:00 AM","closingTime":"8:00 PM","description":"Find unique offerings from Sri Lanka’s iconic Odel brand at the Luv SL store in Galle, set in a beautiful building with Dutch and Portuguese architectural influences. Choose from distinctive souvenirs, clothing, resort-wear and stationery as well as exotic food items to take home.","coordinates":{"lat":"6.0262527","lng":"80.21881152"}}]}]}