The Best Things to do in Negombo - The little Rome of Sri Lanka!

Negombo is not just a massive city, it is also a fishing village and was originally founded solely for that purpose all the while other industries developed in the city. Fishing, however, is still a major pillar of the local community. Strolling through the smaller fishing villages that lie on the outskirts of town can be an eye-opening and rewarding experience. You'll be able to witness how these locals earn their daily wages while illustrating the stark difference in income and expenditure from those who live on the outskirts and those who live right in the city centre. Visiting a fishing village is thoroughly enlightening.

When the Europeans started to colonize the area, they brought along with them the knowledge and workings of agriculture and the necessity of moving goods from one trading post to another within a quick amount of time. Their insight and influence resulted in the construction of canals throughout Sri Lanka. While today's technology and advancements allow goods to be shipped through alternative transportation means, you can witness the ways of the old days by taking a tour through the canals. You can hire a boat service to give you this taste of an authentic Sri Lankan experience. The kaleidoscopic colours of the fishing boats, the traditional houses that simply line the shore all add to this magical experience. Another key highlight on a canal boat trip is the different and interesting wildlife you'll encounter, such as jumping monkeys and kingfisher all on the hunt for their next meal. If you're on the lookout for Colombo Airport Hotels around the Negombo area, you'll find plenty of options such as the Tamarind Tree Hotel for example.

The Muthurajawela Marsh, translated as the 'Swamp of Royal Treasure,' is home to a whole array of interdependent flora and fauna. This can be explored via the many tours on offer. The tours provide you with a magical experience in the coastal wetland ecosystem located towards the southern end of the Negombo Lagoon. You'll be able to take a bird watching tour by boat in the wetlands and be on the lookout for monkeys, crocodiles and over 75 different species of birds. The vast Negombo Lagoon extends over 6000 acres, where you'll even come across fiddler crabs.

Since Negombo is primarily a fishing dominated area, you'll come across the gorgeous catamarans they use for their daily work. These are almost always handmade and vastly different from each other with intricate details and colourful paintwork artistically done. To complete your adventure in Negombo, definitely consider taking a ride in one of these locally designed catamarans, which will take you across the waters and provide you with wonderful opportunities for photos as well.