Southern Province Travelers Recommend

Sri Lanka’s southwestern resort of Bentota beckons travelers with more than sandy beaches. There’s easily enough to keep you busy for three days, from boat rides on jungle rivers to game safaris, whale-spotting cruises, and tours to historical and scenic gems such as Kandy and Galle. Here’s a 3-day itinerary that lets you pack everything in.

Day 1: Get to Know Bentota

Bentota borders lush countryside and wildlife-abundant rivers, so start by communing with nature at the magical time of sunrise. Board a kayak and glide along the mangrove-flanked River Madu to see birds, monkeys, and other creatures as a guide offers insight and pointers. Alternatively, discover the art of Sri Lankan food on a morning cooking course. Visit an alfresco kitchen and learn to drum up local curries and other dishes to savor for lunch. 

Sightseeing tours are also popular. Choices include village tours by tuk-tuk, car, and open-top VW Beetle—or rural bike rides—to see temples, rubber plantations, and a sea turtle conservation project on the beach. Otherwise, dive into Bentota Lagoon’s water sports. Sample four activities with equipment and instruction provided—taking off on a Jet Ski, tube, banana boat, and mangrove cruise. If you’re interested in angling, instead sign up for a lagoon fishing trip to catch species such as mangrove jack and snapper.

Day 2: Cities and Cultural Gems

Devote your second day to Sri Lanka’s colonial-era and cultural hot spots. Venture south to Galle to admire Portuguese- and Dutch-built Galle Fort—a walled enclave offering cobbled lanes, museums, mansions, and a lighthouse. Or head for Nuwara Eliya, a 19th-century hill town founded as a British summer retreat. Tours typically showcase its colonial-era bungalows, tea plantations, and the nearby Ramboda waterfalls. Another option is Kandy, a former royal capital in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Explore the Temple of the Tooth UNESCO World Heritage Site and other sights such as Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and tea plantations. Whichever you choose, going with a guide gives you the advantage of historical commentary, hassle-free sightseeing, and door-to-door transport from your hotel.

Day 3: Wildlife Watching

Earmark today to experience as much of Sri Lanka’s wildlife as possible. Tour Udawalawe National Park, known for its elephants, by 4WD, or take a safari in Yala National Park in search of leopards, elephants, birds, and monkeys. Alternatively, if you’re here between November and April, consider a whale-watching expedition. Cruises leave early morning from the south coast town of Mirissa to view blue and other species of whales in their natural habitat. Day trips from Bentota include dawn transportation to Mirissa and a boat ticket, so you can skip transport hassles or the need to overnight in the town.

Set on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast between Colombo and Galle, the beach resort of Bentota offers palm-fringed sands, a lagoon, lush countryside, and mangrove-framed waters rich in wildlife. Here’s how to sample its highlights in one day.

Morning: Discover the Sights

Start the day early by exploring the mangrove-lined River Madu on a sunrise kayak excursion. Paddle the placid waters as you watch for birds, monkeys, and lizards in the dawn light, with a guide on hand to provide navigation and commentary. If you prefer to stay on dry land, catch a village or countryside tour—getting to know Bentota by car, tuk-tuk, open-top VW Beetle, or bike. Sights and routes vary, but tours typically include a visit to a turtle hatchery to see the local work being done to protect endangered sea turtles and stops at temples, markets, rubber farms, and coconut plantations. 

Afternoon: Spice Things Up

Dedicate this afternoon to fun or food. Bentota Lagoon offers the ideal conditions for water sports, so book a package that includes a ride on a banana boat or tube, use of a Jet Ski, and a mangrove boat trip, all with equipment and instructions included. Alternatively, sign up for a Sri Lankan cooking class. Working in an outdoor kitchen, get the lowdown on the island’s spices, and prep a selection of local curries and vegetable dishes with hands-on guidance from a local chef.

Night: Lagoon or Shopping Trips

As evening beckons, enjoy a shopping spree in Bentota and nearby Aluthgama. A private tour frees you from having to haggle with cabs or tuk-tuks and lets you browse for souvenirs such as gemstones and homegrown tea without worrying about how to get back to your hotel in time for dinner. If you’re feeling more energetic, finish with a final fix of adventure. Take a lagoon boat ride to see water monitors and crocodiles as the sun sets, or head onto its waters on a night fishing trip to catch mullet, snapper, and catfish.

With two days in Bentota, you’ll have time to enjoy many of the attractions of this laid-back beach resort. Whether it’s water sports on Bentota Lagoon, exploring the countryside by tuk-tuk or bike, or a whale-watching cruise or game drive, here are our tips for a perfect 48-hour itinerary.

Day 1: Cover Bentota’s Highlights

**Morning:**Admire the sunrise from a kayak on the River Madu, spotting monkeys, snakes, and crocodiles as you paddle and learn about local nature from your guide. Or, get an overview of Bentota and its countryside on a bike, car, tuk-tuk, or convertible VW Beetle tour—visiting temples, markets, and a sea turtle sanctuary.

**Afternoon:**Cruise Bentota’s river mangroves to see tree frogs, bats, and monitor lizards, or go all out for fun on a lagoon water-sports package that includes banana boat and Jet Ski rides. Alternatively, embrace Sri Lanka’s cuisine by learning to create some of its staple curries and side dishes at an outdoor cooking class.

**Night:**Conclude with a sunset stroll along the beach before having dinner under the palms. If you’re a novice or experienced angler, consider booking a night fishing trip on Bentota Lagoon to hook fish such as mangrove jack and mullet, with tuition and equipment provided.

Day 2: Day Trips

**Morning:**Get the most from your second day by catching a full-day tour. Wildlife enthusiasts can hit the seas to see whales or take a safari in Udawalawe National Park, known for its wild elephants. For culture and scenery, consider a day trip to Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, two of Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill-country towns.

**Afternoon:**Continue the day trip you began this morning. Scan the waves for blue whales from a whale-watching boat, or search Udawalawe’s grasslands for elephants, deer, and buffalo. Alternatively, check out Kandy’s sights, such as the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; or Nuwara’s rolling tea plantations and waterfalls.

**Night:**If you’re back in Bentota this evening, take a shopping tour around its malls and markets—having a guide and transport will make finding the best souvenirs easier than if alone. Then, enjoy your last night in style, watching an ocean sunset from a beachside restaurant or bar.

With careful planning, two days are enough time to explore three of the area’s parks: Yala, Uda Walawe, and Bundala. See lots of animals (maybe even a leopard), spend the night in high-end safari tents, and get a taste of village life or Buddhist history along the way. Here’s how.

Day 1: Into the wild

**Morning:**Animals are at their most active around dawn and dusk, so aim to get to the Yala area the night before, ready for an early-morning game drive. Start the day in the wetlands of the less-visited Bundala National Park, looking for sea turtles, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, and a wealth of birdlife.

**Afternoon:**Head to either Uda Walawe (known for elephants) or Yala (famous for leopards) for a classic safari camp experience. On your way, join a cultural village tour followed by a local meal, or check out Sithulpawwa Rock Temple, once home to Buddhist hermits.

**Night:**Savor the magic of tented camp living, with rangers to ensure your safety. Dine and drink around a campfire, shower alfresco, then sink into clean linens on a teak bed as the sounds of the wilderness echo around you.

Day 2: Safari and sunset

**Morning:**Rise before dawn and enjoy a light snack before your game drive. The goal is to spot Sri Lanka’s big three—leopards, elephants, and sloth bears—but even if some of these are elusive, expect to see deer, crocodiles, and much more. Refuel with a leisurely breakfast back at camp.

**Afternoon:**Time to experience the park you haven’t yet visited. If you spent the night in Uda Walawe, opt for a leopard-spotting safari in Yala. If you spent the night in Yala, discover Uda Walawe’s jumbo herds, and stop by the Elephant Transit Home orphanage.

**Night:**Wrap up your stay in the area with dinner under the stars. Feel the romance of a 4-course dinner on an Indian Ocean beach, surrounded by fire torches; gather around a roaring bonfire; or take a sunset cruise.

Sri Lanka’s most popular safari site, Yala National Park sprawls across coastal plains, forests, and lagoons. It’s one of the world’s best leopard-spotting destinations, and sightings of elephants, deer, monkeys, and crocodiles are almost guaranteed. Here’s how to make the most of the area in just one day.

Morning: Elephant excursion

Wild animals are at their most active around sunrise and sunset—so get to the Yala area the night before to set yourself up for a dawn game drive. Start your day at Uda Walawe National Park, home to hundreds of wild elephants that roam in herds of up to 50. Be sure to stop at the Elephant Transit Home, an ethical halfway house for rehabilitating orphaned elephants. Interaction isn’t an option, as the elephants will eventually return to the wild, so look for a tour that arrives around feeding time. 

Afternoon: Looking for leopards

Travel back to Yala, and refuel with a hearty Sri Lankan lunch. Then, head out on your second game drive of the day, this time in Yala National Park, home to one of the densest populations of leopards. Even if you don’t manage to spot the famously elusive predator, expect to see deer, crocodiles, peacocks, monkeys, and maybe even a sloth bear. For more flexibility and to avoid the more crowded areas of the park, splurge on a private safari.

Night: Beachfront barbecue

Yala closes in the early evening, so there are no night safaris within the park. However, the perfect way to unwind after a day of animal antics is to have dinner under the stars. Opt for a barbecue feast on a romantic Indian Ocean beach; venture into the buffer zone around the park to dine surrounded by fire torches and the cries of nocturnal animals; or choose a sunset cruise on Tissa Wewa (Lake Tissa).

Three days are enough time to see four of the area’s wildlife parks: Yala, Bundala, Kumana, and Uda Walawe. Spend a night or two in a classic tented camp; spot leopards, elephants, and more; and explore the lakeside town of Tissamaharama. Here’s how to do it all in 72 hours.

Day 1: Safari chic

Dawn and dusk see wildlife at its most active, so get to the Yala area the night before, to prepare for an early game drive. The next morning, explore Bundala National Park, a compact wetland home to monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, sea turtles, and migrating birds. Then, head to either Uda Walawe (known for elephants) or Yala (famous for leopards) for a classic safari camp experience. Some packages include two nights and three days with a prearranged itinerary that includes multiple game drives and activities such as fishing. Whichever park or package you pick, enjoy a close encounter with the wilderness from a stylish, fully furnished tent with a fan and electric lighting.

Day 2: Leopards and elephants

Start the day bright and early—and get a head start on travelers visiting from outside the park—with a dawn game drive in search of Sri Lanka’s “big three”: leopards, elephants, and sloth bears. Once you’ve captured the photos of a lifetime, unwind over breakfast back at camp. Your afternoon destination is the park you didn’t stay in last night (either Yala or Uda Walawe). In Yala, don’t miss the historic Sithulpawwa Rock Temple; in Uda Walawe, stop by the Elephant Transit Home, an ethical elephant orphanage that returns all its charges to the wild. Choose a private tour for the most flexibility. In the evening, dine on a barbecue feast in the park’s buffer zone, surrounded by fire torches and the sounds of the forest.

Day 3: Culture and cuisine

Bird-watchers in particular will want to complete their series of national park visits with a morning game drive in Kumana, where wetlands house more than 400 bird species. Later, tour a village on foot or by tuk-tuk, and learn about traditional chena farming systems. Then, enjoy a curry lunch with a local family before soaking up the sights of Tissamaharama, a pretty lakeside town. Wrap up your stay with a sunset cruise on Tissa Wewa (Lake Tissa) or an alfresco dinner on a private Indian Ocean beach.