6 Reasons You Should Visit Negombo Over Colombo

Negombo is a popular beach town in Sri Lanka that allows visitors ample space for rest and relaxation. With beautiful beaches, refreshing breezes and plenty of holiday resorts to choose from, there are many reasons to choose to stay in Negombo over Colombo.

Beaches and nightlife… all close to the airport

When it comes to Sri Lanka, one hears a lot about the golden beaches of the south coast or bustling Colombo city. But Negombo is a natural alternative: it’s conveniently located less than 20 minutes away from the airport, is a charming coastal town with gorgeous beaches and some of the trendiest nightlife in Sri Lanka. There are also a number of celebrated holiday retreats for days of fun in the sun. Just take a right turn from the main road as you exit the airport and continue ahead; you should be in Negombo within 20 minutes.

The lagoon

The Negombo lagoon is not only breathtakingly beautiful, it also serves as an ideal playground for watersports enthusiasts. Windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, rafting and boat rides – you name it. Relax with a refreshing cocktail at the end of the day overlooking the tranquil bay.

Negombo is, in any ways, completely opposite to the hustle and bustle of Colombo. It’s a rather laid back city, with beaches that are practically isolated. In Negombo, you can truly let your hair down and watch the world go by.

The local life

Highly urbanized Colombo doesn’t give you an insight into local life quite like Negombo does. Head over to the Negombo fish market to watch the locals as they shop, or down to the beach to see the fishermen drag in the day’s catch. Such activities are part of everyday life in this charming coastal town.

1. The beautiful churches

Church

Also known as “Little Rome”, Negombo is home to a number of magnificent churches and cathedrals, remnants of the Roman Catholicism introduced by Dutch colonialists. A must-see is St Mary’s Church, located at the very heart of the city. It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight.

St Mary’s Church, Main Street, Negombo, +94 78 689 4980

Church in Negombo| © Bernard Gagnon/Flickr

The Dutch & Portuguese legacies

The small but significant fort built by the Portuguese, later claimed by the Dutch in 1672, is more than 440 years old. It is a rather unknown landmark in the area, but shouldn’t be missed.

Another Dutch legacy is Negombo’s canal system. Once an important transportation route for cinnamon and other produce, the Dutch canals are over 300 years old and well worth exploring.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.