Beach town in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Bentota for solo travelers
Is Bentota good for solo travel?
Calm west-coast resort beach with river boat trips, water sports and easy trains to Colombo and Galle. Suits relaxed stays; nightlife and cheap hostels are limited and sea is rough in monsoon.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally fine, with some staring and catcalling on beaches and trains. Travel in daylight and use women-only train carriages. |
How to meet people in Bentota
Beach-resort water-sports operators, yoga classes, river boat tours and hostels or guesthouses in nearby Hikkaduwa where most backpackers gather.
Good things to do alone
- Take a Bentota River boat trip
- Visit Brief Garden and Lunuganga estate
- Watch turtles at a Kosgoda hatchery
- Try jet-skiing or kayaking on the lagoon
- Day trip to Galle Fort by train
Where to stay in Bentota
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Bentota Beach and Galle Road | Hotels, water sports, dive shops and the railway station |
| Aluthgama (north) | Local town with markets, buses and cheaper guesthouses |
| Induruwa and Kosgoda (south) | Quiet beaches, turtle hatcheries and villa rentals |
Solo travel across Sri Lanka
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kandy | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Galle | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mirissa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Weligama | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Arugam Bay | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Unawatuna | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hikkaduwa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ahangama | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hiriketiya | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Colombo | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sigiriya | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nuwara Eliya | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Negombo | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Trincomalee | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bentota | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tangalle | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jaffna | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Bentota good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Calm west-coast resort beach with river boat trips, water sports and easy trains to Colombo and Galle.
How do you meet people in Bentota?
Beach-resort water-sports operators, yoga classes, river boat tours and hostels or guesthouses in nearby Hikkaduwa where most backpackers gather. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Bentota?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Bentota safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine, with some staring and catcalling on beaches and trains. Travel in daylight and use women-only train carriages.
More about Bentota
Going to Bentota solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Bentota meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.