Bentota is the largest resort town in Sri Lanka. It was developed as a national holiday resort appointed by the government. A number of large resorts and hotels are standing on the sand bank by Bentota River. Bentota is also one of the known destinations for water sports as well as Ayurveda, a form of eastern medicine. The government created this area strategically, thus this area offers everything including a shopping center with Sri Lanka Tourist Board, souvenir shops, super markets, hair salon, and café. There are also banks, the post office and the police station right by the Bentota train station.

On the opposite side of the hotels, across the railroad, there is a village where anyone can observe and experience the authentic life style of locals of the coastal area in the island.