Holiday in Negombo - Travel Tips

Banks in Negombo operate between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Branches of main banks both local and international are located in the city centre for easy transactions such as currency exchange. Government offices operate between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday while the large department stores and retail shops are open from 9 am or 10 am to 7pm on weekdays and shorter hours until 3 pm on Saturdays. Mind you, not all shops open on Saturdays. But If its beach wear and hats you require in a hurry there are plenty of roadside kiosks along the by-lanes leading to top beach hotels in Negombo.

Negombo is one of the island's premier beach resorts; made even more popular by its location close to the international airport. The place is home to a bevvy of hotels catering to all manner of tourists. Whether you are in transit or enjoying your first or last day in sunny Sri Lanka a stay at one of the fine Negombo resorts is recommended. The beaches are excellent and budget hotels are quite the favourite for short or long stays with the mighty Indian Ocean as your front lawn; which is why with places similar to Hotel J Negombo caters to the budget traveller as well as the busy traveller on the go.

An essential aspect of any journey; especially when travelling with children health care in Negombo is good provided you have proper medical insurance as immediate medical attention needs to be paid for. In the sense of staying healthy make sure to drink plenty of water and liquids to avoid dehydration while precautions against food poisoning and malaria are recommended. Make sure to drink only bottled and certified water and to properly wash all fruit before consumption. Meats and fish too must be properly cooked before eating while it pays to be cautious of where you choose to eat. Look for reputed and clean eateries.

Sri Lankans are a friendly bunch and those in Negombo are quite jolly and ready for a party. If you are invited to a meal especially a dinner, it may be wise to eat a bite beforehand as the actual main meal is served much later. Your host will inquire if you need to wash your hands before the meal; please do so as this is part of dining etiquette in Sri Lanka – probably due to the fact that many Lankans eat with their fingers. Eating with the hand means using only the right hand and tips of the fingers. Remember to leave a small quantity on the plate when finished; this is considered polite.

The Negombo Tourist Information Office is located at 12/6 Lewis Place Negombo. It is open from 9 am to 5.15 pm. The place has brochures, maps and information on local tourist attractions and important places. As well as any other tips or touristy information one may require.