Negombo
Negombo is a quiet town in the western coastal area of Sri Lanka, with a tourist strip to the north on Jetwing Beach. Its key attraction is its proximity to the international airport. Formerly the haunt of budget travellers, rising hotel rates and luxury resorts haven't really increased its attractiveness.
Understand
The 100-km-long canal network running through the city is still used, and outrigger canoes and modern water-craft ply this route daily, for trade and tourist purposes. Remains of colonization include the Dutch fort built in 1672, as well as centuries-old Portuguese and Dutch houses, administrative buildings, churches and the ceiling frescoes of St. Mary's cathedral church. Negombo is the centre of Sri Lanka's Catholic community, and you can expect to see many churches during a visit.
Negombo is also home to the country's second-largest fish market, the "Lellama", at the north end of the town's lagoon. There are daily fish auctions, which give tourists a chance to meet the area's fishermen and even organise fishing trips into the lagoon and the ocean beyond. Other nearby attractions open to visitors include the Muthurajawela marshland, which is part.
Get in
By plane
1 Bandaranaike International AirportCategory:Has map markers (CMB Category:Airport listing IATA also known as Katunayake Airport), ☏ +94 11 225 2861. Many accommodation options exist in close proximity of the airport, starting as low as US$6.
Getting there and away:
- A trishaw will cost Rs 2,500—3,000 from/to Colombo and Rs 500–600 from/to Negombo, best to book with Pickme or Uber. Besides, most hotels can arrange pricey pickups.
- 1 KatunayakeCategory:Has map markers (aka 18th Mile Post) at the western main road has many north- and southbound buses and the railway. It's a 30-min walk there.
- A train (3rd class) via 2 Katunayake South stationCategory:Has map markers is Rs 80 from/to Colombo and Rs 50 from/to Negombo.
- It's a 15-min walk to the local 3 Katunayake Bus StationCategory:Has map markers (Aweriwatta Bus Station). , which has direct connections to many major towns or cities in Sri Lanka, like Kandy, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Dambulla, etc.
- There used to be a free shuttle bus from the Arrival Terminal to Katunayake bus stop, but it's no longer available. This bus now goes to Colombo. You may try your luck asking the driver to drop you off at Katunayake, but he may ask for the full fare to Colombo, or just have the correct fare ready and avoid any discussions.
By train
Negombo lies on the Colombo-Puttalam line. The 4 Negombo Train StationCategory:Has map markers. is located in the city center. See the Sri Lanka Railways website[dead link]Category:Articles with dead external links for schedules.
By bus
Buses leave the main 5 Negombo Bus StationCategory:Has map markers. to Colombo every 30 mins. The journey costs Rs 75 and takes 1.5 hours depending on the traffic.
To Kandy: buses depart every 30 minutes from the main bus terminal, Rs 220, 3–4 hours.
To Sigiriya/Polonnaruwa: one bus daily at 14:00 from the main bus terminal. Trip takes 4 hours to Sigiriya and 6 hours to Polonnaruwa.
To Anuradhapura: buses depart from Periyam Mulla junction bus stop in Negombo, journey takes 5+ hours.
By taxi or trishaw
To reach Kandy, 100 km east of Negombo, one can take a tuk-tuk to Veyangoda and then get a 2–3 hours train ride.
Get around
By trishaw
Trishaws or "tuk tuks" are a common way to travel around. Be sure to negotiate your price ahead of the ride. These days, drivers tends to charge "fixed price" for tourists (e.g. Rs 200 from the Negombo Bus/Train Station to hotels in Lewis Place Street) and especially from Lewis Place it is difficult to catch the passing ones carrying locals if these "stationary" drivers are around.
The PickMe app can be used to get a fare estimate, which is usually significantly lower than prices quoted by local drivers.
By bicycle
Negombo is very flat so bikes are popular among locals. It is also possible to rent one, for example at 1 Shane ToursCategory:Has map markers, 176 Lewis Pl, Negombo (Near the Holy Rosary church.), ☏ +94 776650525. Rs 500 for a bike for 24h.
Renting your own vehicle
You can find international companies at the airport or local one in Negombo streets, where you can easily rent tuk tuks, vans, 4x4 or motorbikes, providing you have an international driving license. Note that to rent a tuk tuk, a local license is needed (which can be obtained through a travel agency).
See
Negombo is a holiday destination itself, but far less attractive than it used to be. It's not really worth it staying here, except as a convenient stopover on your way to or from the airport. If you need airport accommodation but don't care about the beach, there are many accommodation options closer to the airport than Negombo.
Things to see im Negombo include:
- 1 Dutch FortCategory:Has map markers. Built in 1672
- The canals
- 2 St. Mary's churchCategory:Has map markers.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesKatuwapitiya ChurchCategory:Has map markers, Katuwapitiya Rd. Dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Sebastian. Modeled on the Reims Cathedral in France. Built in the 1990s.
- 3 St. Sebastian ChurchCategory:Has map markers (Sea Street Church).
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsCategory:Has map markers, intersection of Ave Maria street and Old Chilaw street.
- 4 Negombo fish marketCategory:Has map markers. See where the local fishermen sell their catch of the day. Very busy during the early morning hours.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesNegombo Grand Jumma MasjidCategory:Has map markers.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesAgurukaramulla Raja maha viharaya Buddhist templeCategory:Has map markers, Temple rd.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesAbhayasekararamaya templeCategory:Has map markers.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesSri Sudarshanaramaya Buddhist templeCategory:Has map markers.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesAsapuwa Buddhist templeCategory:Has map markers.
- Category:See listing with no coordinatesDutugamunu viharaya Buddhist templesCategory:Has map markers.
Do
- Boat rides in shallow waters of the Negombo lagoon. Tours can be organized by most of the hotels, several tour agencies can be found in the hotel area near the beach.
- Streak along the wide sandy beaches. Unfortunately the beaches are quite dirty due to rubbish and (stray) dog poo. Nevertheless the sheer size of Negombo's beach strip makes it worth a walk, especially in the evening hours when hundreds of locals gather near the old water park to fly their kites (some of them of quite impressive size). During these hours you will also find several booths at the beach offering various cheap deep fried snacks.
- Handicraft and other gift shopping.
- Diving. There are two diving centres along the main strip, with boats departing from the beach, and roughly 30 dive sites.
Buy
Negombo used to be a major producer of cinnamon. While the trade has moved on, you can still find local cinnamon and vanilla for sale at roadside shops.
Souvenir shops sell Sri Lankan handicrafts such as jewellery with local gems, batik, etc.
Eat
Local curry houses offer authentic dining for Rs 200. Cheaper, local restaurants are inland from the main strip, Porutota Rd. Roti Talk, on Porutota Rd and opposite Jetwing Blue, offers excellent local roti and chutney for Rs 200–300, and local curry and rice for Rs 700–900.
A mid-range destination, recommended by locals, is 1 King CoconutCategory:Has map markers. located on the southern end of Jetwing beach. It offers Sri Lankan curry & rice, but is most recommended for its pizzas. Expect to pay about Rs 1000 for a meal.
2 LordsCategory:Has map markers (Porutota Rd opposite Jetwing Blue). Somewhat pricey by local standards, and is very much for western visitors. It also showcases local art, and has a cultural show on Wednesdays. Expect to pay about Rs 2000 for a meal..
3 KoththamalliCategory:Has map markers (Inside Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions). Touts itself as the only vegetarian / vegan restaurant in Negombo, which might be correct. Haute cuisine for very reasonable prices. Most dishes are less than Rs 1000..
Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesSundown Rooftop 4th floor Hotel JCategory:Has map markers, Hotel J Negombo, 331 Lewis Pl, Negombo 11500 (from town 3 km), ☏ +94 312 232 999. 5-11PM. Bar and restaurant known for sunset views
The three Jetwing resorts dominate the upper end of dining. Expect to pay about Rs 3000 for a meal. Local seafood is fresh and plentiful: fish, lobsters, crabs, prawns and shellfish can be ordered in many restaurants. Crabs are sourced from the local lagoons. The fish markets are worth a visit. Also any juicy tropical fruits can be purchased at Negombo food markets.
Drink
Sri Lankan fresh king coconut is cheap and ubiquitous. If you search a bit you will be lucky enough to taste fresh toddy from area.
Sleep
There are plenty of hotels (both budget and mid-ranged) and a few hostels in town, mostly scattered around the beach area.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesWoodside VillaCategory:Has map markers, St Sebastian Place, Ethukala, ☏ +94 77 748 4549. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 11AM. Guesthouse just a short walk from the beach. The rooms are all spacious, clean and equipped with AC. There is a large garden and lounge areas with wifi throughout. Rooms have AC. The staff are fantastic and can cook breakfasts. from Rs 3,000.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesDion's Guest HouseCategory:Has map markers, 137 Lewis Place, ☏ +94 31 22 37373. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 11AM. Has a nice large lawn and a spacious dining area. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, air-conditioning and in-room free WiFi. Can arrange pick-up drop from airport, bus or railway station. Rs 4,000.
- 1 Hostel First KatunayakeCategory:Has map markers, 477 Negombo Road (follow the road away from the airport until it crosses with Negombo Road; turn right and follow Negombo Road until you see the hostel's sign on the left), ☏ +94 76 728 6788, colombo@hostelfirst.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Spacious accommodation, 24-hour reception, free WiFi and parking, airport transfers and tours can be arranged Dorm US$10, private rooms US$25-40.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesMarine Tourist Guest HouseCategory:Has map markers, 118 Lewis Place (1 km from the city center), ☏ +94 71 564 1827. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. 1,500.
- 2 St. Lachlan Hotel & SuitesCategory:Has map markers, St. Anthony's Lane, Ettukala, ☏ +94 312 275 000. The hotel comprises 16 guest rooms and suites, all of which have LED TV, DVD player, mini-bar, and tea/coffee making facilities. Some of its amenities are a pool bar, swimming pool, and a gift/souvenir shop. Rates on official website start at US$176.
- 3 Star Beach HotelCategory:Has map markers, 83/3 Lewis Place (beside Golden Star Beach Hotel, opposite Ocean View Tourist Guest House), ☏ +94 312 222 606. Non-air conditioned room ground floor Rs 800, worn and old rooms. Air conditioned rooms first floor Rs 1600.
- 4 Club Hotel DolphinCategory:Has map markers, Kammala South Waikkal, ☏ +94 314 877 100, serendibleisure.antyra@gmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Comprehensive range of modern facilities
Stay safe
The main roads and beach areas of Negombo have their share of touts. Expect to be spoken to by taxi drivers, souvenir-sellers and beggars. One man walks the beach with a monkey on a rope, trained to grab hold of tourists' legs.
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