Just north of Colombo and only 6km away from Sri Lanka’s international airport you’ll stumble across Negombo, a fascinating beach resort situated by the shores of a lagoon. Its prime location is one of the reasons why it has remained throughout the years as the perfect place for travelers who want to use it as the first or last night stay of their holiday. Negombo is a vibrant and happening place dotted with numerous up-market and moderate hotels, excellent seafood restaurants, pubs and cozy cafes. Once colonized by the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, their imprint is clearly visible from the high percentage of Roman Catholics and the many churches found in and around the town. Its great location on the west coast made it a popular fishing and trading port. Gems and spices, especially cinnamon were frequently transported along canals by the Dutch from the interior of the island and along the coast to the Negombo port for loading and the old Dutch Canal is a monument that can still be seen. The numerous fish markets, the harbor and Negombo’s heritage as a fishing village also make up a large part of its charm. The many activities like exploring the Dutch heritage, snorkeling in the reefs close by, taking a boat out on the lagoon, cycling along the canals or enjoying a refreshing beer in one of the many pubs means that there’s plenty to do even outside the hotel.

A few places we would recommend are;