Negombo, with its stunning beaches surrounded by the ocean and palm trees would entice the ardent traveler wanting an escape into paradise. Long-stretched sandy beaches of Negombo are well suited for water sports including some swimming. Some of the beach stretches here are well maintained by luxury hotels like Jetwing Beach, which is a Negombo hotel par excellence. The city with some of the best hotels, restaurants, and pubs in the country would definitely be at the heart of your holiday in this part of the world.
Negombo is in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, close to the Bandaranaike International airport (7 Km). The city is popular for its beautiful and beaches and inviting night life. Many either begin or conclude their tour of the country from Negombo. Night clubs are also found in the beach strip where you can eat, drink or dance your cares away.
Among the major tourist attractions are the remnants of the Dutch fort built in 1642; shrines and picturesque churches, the impressive St Mary’s church with its amazing ceiling paintings and at the north end of the lagoon, the Sri Lanka’s second-largest fish market known for its freshness. Muthurajawela Marsh, to the south of Negombo is a wonderful habitat where approximately 192 species of wildlife can be seen. A boat ride along the network of canals while being under a canopy of mangroves is undoubtedly a memorable experience.
Negombo Lagoon
The fishermen use outrigger canoes carved out of tree trunks, oruvas and paruvas a large, man-powered catamaran to catch crabs, shrimps, lobsters, cuttlefish (squids) and many of the native species of fish. A boat ride in the lagoon in the morning is a memorable experience where one can see incoming and outgoing fishing vessels crisscrossing the waters and making numerous birds to take to wings. The best place for sea bathing is Morawala and for water-sports and diving ‘Kudapaduwa’ with well-preserved coral reefs.
Thus, Negombo with its scenic beaches, historical monuments, facilities for water sports, fresh sea food and many tourist attractions provides for a memorable tourist holiday.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
