Aluthgama (Bentota)

Until now we thought it was Bentota, until we looked at the map. Bentota is located on the left bank of the Bentota Ganga River and consists mainly of hotels and a few food stalls along the central road. And all the shops, markets, all the action takes place in the town of Aluthgama on the right bank of the river. On a relatively small area along the road there are a lot of shops, shopping centers, jewelry stores, bazaars, etc., etc. It is very convenient for a tourist to skimp and go back to the hotel by tuk-tuk for some 200-300 rupees ($1-1.5). Transport in the Bentota area is very inexpensive (perhaps this is due to the consequences of Covid-19). Change currency only in jewelry (win up to 20%). In large stores you can buy everything except fruit; fruit is on the shelves and in the bazaar. Very cool street food - it's so authentic). The only thing that overshadows it is the molesters (helpers-extortionists). Here you must firmly but politely refuse, otherwise you will overpay for all food and alcohol (for example, the famous Calypso rum can increase in price from 3,000 to 3,800 rupees). It’s clear that on your first trip out into the world (into the city) you’ll definitely screw up somewhere :-), but the next time you start to enjoy the local color and bustle.