Galle Sri Lanka Travel pictures & information

Bentota Beach Sri Lanka Famous for its Sunset Views

South of Colombo, this Bentota beach fronts the Hotel Serendib, where each evening, the residents gather to toast the setting sun. The setting, pool and restaurant were fine, but the rooms left a bit to be desired.

It's popular with the all-inclusive packagers from Europe, whose clients may be looking for sun and cheap first, free booze second, and not be bothered by the rooms.

The patio doors of ground floor rooms could not be locked; overbooking resulted in rooms that had just been sprayed for insects. Check for renovations before booking. I'm sure it's fine by now.

Saman Villas Bentota

A more luxurious choice would be the Saman Villas virtually next door to the Hotel Serendib, but a few stars higher.

It has 27 suites in a cluster of buildings scattered on a rocky headland, safely above the reaches of the waves.

I include these pictures here not so much to promote the resort as to remind myself why I will book a suite here when I return to Sri Lanka.

Pavillion Indian Ocean

Still at the Saman Villas infinity pool, this pavillion is available for romantic, special dinner celebrations such as anniversaries, honeymoons and the like.

It stands at the edge of the pool overlooking the ocean. Imagine the sunsets!

I remember there being a very good library lounge for guests, and well-provisioned conference rooms.

While the beach is a long walk down from the hotel, I rather like that, from a safety standpoint.

Outdoor and indoor shower in one

At Saman villas, still, the suite interior rises a few feet to different levels from the front entry.

There's a sitting area on the first level, then the bedroom area on the next.

At the top level, there's access to bathroom, with this shower area that's open to the sky.

I was quite taken with this half-outdoor ensuite, though not certain as to what else I could find in in here in the middle of the night.

I think that this would be a hotel resort to consider when planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway, or a posh business conference.

Between Bentota and Galle

Between Bentota and Galle, the surf was very rough.

There are a few turtle sanctuaries in this area, and for a few rupees, the attendant will do a show and tell about the turtles and eggs etc.

Keep an eye out as you drive: There are small chameleons on fence posts changing colours, and for men, walking on rope bridges high in the palm canopy, harvesting coconuts.

Harbour along coast between Bentota and Galle

Boats were anchored where the waves were calm, not far from several of the area's turtle sanctuaries.

We stopped to talk to the fishermen, and a young lad about 8 years old.

Fort of Galle

The fortifications at Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, date back to the 16C and the Portuguese, with further development in the 18C by the Dutch.

This whole area is an isthmus that juts out to the southwest and the open ocean.

Galle should be a two-hour drive from Colombo, but that city's traffic can easily add another hour onto the journey. We stopped for a very good lunch and ginger beer at what was onetime the Oriental Hotel; I believe it's now the Closenburg Hotel.

This area has many street vendors selling cotton clothing decorated with lace, some hand-made lace, for which this area is known, and some machine made lace.

The vendors (as were most of the vendors we encountered) aggressively and relentlessly mobbed all who come to walk along the sea wall near the lighthouse. There's a fine old church here, with great views from its upper levels.

Closenburg Hotel

The Closenburg Hotel is an old colonial building about 150 years old, with spacious, high-ceilinged rooms, many antique furnishings, large windows, and the ever-present mosquito netting over the bed.

This seems to be right out of a historical romance novel -- don't you just love it??!!

There is a sandy beach on the eastern side, with quite shallow waters, but I can't attest to its suitability for swimming.

Muslim Town Galle

One of the oldest settlements in Galle, this enclave of homes and shops is about half a mile from the sea wall. These tiny apartment units built into the old fort have long been home to Galle's Muslim community. The locals called it by the name 'Muslim Town'.

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