Quick 4 nights: Colombo and Bentota

5 days, 4 nights: Colombo (2N), Bentota (2N). Best time to go: Dec–Apr.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

Colombo

Galle Face Green sunset & street food · 2 h. Isso vadai (prawn fritters) and kottu from the stalls; busiest on weekends.
Independence Square & Arcade · 1 h

Local tip: Isso vadai (prawn fritters) and kottu from the stalls; busiest on weekends.

Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple & Seema Malaka · 1.5 h. Seema Malaka on Beira Lake is a short walk away; shoulders and knees covered.
Lotus Tower observation deck · 1.5 h. Foreigner tickets are about USD 20; go just before sunset.
Pettah market walk & Red Mosque · 2 h. Go before noon; crowded lanes are hard with small kids. The Red Mosque is on 2nd Cross Street.

Local tip: Seema Malaka on Beira Lake is a short walk away; shoulders and knees covered.

Bentota · Colombo to Bentota, Private car ~1.5h via expressway (coastal train ~2h)

Madu River boat safari (Balapitiya) · 2.5 h. Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.
Bentota River water sports · 2 h. Jet ski, banana boat and windsurfing run Nov–Apr; prices are per ride, agree before starting.

Local tip: Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.

Bentota

Brief Garden (Bevis Bawa) · 1.5 h
Bentota beach day · 3 h. Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.
Kosgoda turtle hatchery · 1 h. Choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings promptly rather than keeping turtles in tanks for photos.

Local tip: Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.

Bentota

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Colombo (2 nights): Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) and Colombo 7. Quiet streets near Gangaramaya, cafés and design shops.
Bentota (2 nights): Bentota beach hotels. Beachfront pools next to the river water-sports centres.