Top 06 Attractions in Negombo – Colonial Splendour and Seaside Attractions

This wetland the largest in the western province is found at the southern end of the huge Negombo Lagoon. Just 30 minutes from the town centre the place can be reached via car or the zippy tuk-tuks in less than 30 minutes. Tuk tuk's, by the way, are economical modes of transportation for tourists favouring Sri Lanka budget hotels. There are government organised boat tours of the swamp; these commence from the Dutch Canal and cross the swamp. Look out for the odd crocodile, huge monitor lizards a variety of birds and a lush ecosystem.

To the north of the Dutch Fort along the expanse of beautiful Negombo Beach is the country's second largest fish market. Not a pretty sight and certainly not for the faint hearted the fish market is a treat of local culture, colours and flavour. Do leave aside your inhibitions to visit the place otherwise called the lellama for an insight to the rough and brash trading that goes on there. Besides this is the best place to buy fresh fish at very competitive prices.

This is the third largest fishing harbour on the west coast; the other two are Puttalam Harbour and Chillaw Harbour. This harbour is found at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon. Boat tours of the harbour are available and come well recommended for sights of the colourful town and surroundings dotted with a myriad of motorboats plying in and out of the harbour. Enjoy a sojourn on the windy lagoon as part of the tour on a catamaran or traditional canoe called an oruwa.

Built during the town's colonial period the Dutch Canal was once the main route for transporting cinnamon during Dutch rule. Also called the Cinnamon Canal this waterway a few minutes from Hotel J Negombo was once 100kms in length. It ran from Negombo to Puttalam; today the Negombo stretch has been dredged and cleaned out to offer one a pleasant tour of the verdant banks, dotted with wildlife amphibians and a myriad of birds.

The beautiful Maha Oya is blessed with verdant banks, at the river mouth there is a lagoon with a small beach and beautiful surroundings. You can rent out boats for a trip around the oya as well as the Dutch Canal.

There are believed to be over 360 catholic churches in the Negombo area; hence the name Little Rome. This is the high impact Christianity made on this little fisher town. St. Mary's Church is the largest and most impressive with alabaster statues of many saints and stunning ceiling paintings. The church which was first built by the Dutch was later extended during the period of 1874 to 1922.