Explore the surroundings
Destination introduction
One of Sri Lanka's most popular beach destinations, Negombo offers swathes of sandy beach convenient for the airport, but appreciably removed from any disruption caused.
Take a stroll along the coast and feel the sand beneath your toes, wander into town and visit one of the local shops, bars or small restaurants and simply relax. Watch fishermen set out on outrigger canoes or ‘oruwa’, their large sails billowing in the sea breeze, before their freshly caught tuna, marlin, shark, barracuda, swordfish, prawns, crabs and lobster are sold at the town’s fantastic fish market.
Negombo has many pretty Roman Catholic churches, earning it the moniker ‘Little Rome’. This picturesque fishing town has a rich heritage – prized for its cinnamon, the Dutch transformed it into an important port in the 1600s and it still retains its colonial charm.
Negombo Holiday Highlights - Try thrilling watersports including wake-boarding, kite-surfing and waterskiing – or dive among coral reefs and an old shipwreck.
- Take an excursion to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and see babies being bottle fed – our Personal Travel Experts can easily book this for you.
- Visit the Dutch Fort and cemetery, poignant reminders of the town’s colonial past.
- Stay at fabulous Jetwing SEA one of our favourite hotels.
Sports
Diving
Many of our resorts have PADI centres. Sri Lanka’s waters are home to historic sunken shipwrecks and vibrant coral reef teeming with tropical fish.
Watersports
Hit the azure ocean and try scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, waterskiing, jetskiing, banana boating, catamaran sailing and kayaking.
Shopping
- In Bentota, browse the colourful bazaar and pick up souvenirs, batik and brassware.
- Negombo is home to jewellers and gift shops selling local handicrafts.
- In Colombo you can barter at Pettah Bazaar, buy an exquisite sari and famous Ceylon tea, and admire local artists’ work. You’ll also find gem-studded jewellery (only buy from shops licensed by the National Gem & Jewellery Authority).
- Galle is famous for its antique shops selling colonial furniture and ornaments, porcelain and pottery.
- A short drive up from Galle is Ambalangoda, selling antiques and intricately carved ‘devil masks’ traditionally worn to banish demons.
- Further south in Koggala, purchase delicious cinnamon from the local plantation.