Bentota is a Sri Lankan coastal city located on the southern tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province, about 7–8 km (4.3–5.0 mi) South of Beruwala on the A2 highway Bentota is a tourist attraction, with a local airport (Bentota River Airport) and a handful of world-class hotels. Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its toddy production, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar.

The name comes from a mythical story which dates back to kings time saying a demon called Bem ruled this river (tota = river bank) Benthota is a historical place described in ancient messenger poems (sandeśa kāvya). The Galapatha Viharaya is one of a cluster of five ancient temples in the region.