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Negombo, the beach town, is famous for its location; only a half an hour away drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport making it the ideal place to visit either as the first or last stop of your vacation. With accommodation options like Wallawwa in close proximity to the airport, it's the ideal place for travellers on their first or last leg of the journey.
Also known as the Negombo Fort. It was built in 1672 by the Portuguese only to be captured and reconstructed by the Dutch later on. The fort was demolished by the British in the 19th century and these stones were later used to build a prison. The prison, the fort, and the unmistakable clock tower are what that is left of the original fort.
It is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka and a very prominent landmark in the heart of Negombo. The construction of the church commenced in 1874 and was completed in 1922. The church portrays a neoclassical style and a striking feature is the fact it is a great example of the amalgamation of the Sri Lankan and European cultures.
There are about 25 churches in Negombo which resemble the strong influence by the Christian faith. It was also called “Little Rome” due to this. Also, Christmas season in Negombo is one of the most celebrated events due to its large population of Catholics.
A Buddhist temple that is about 300 years old is most notable for the 6 meters high Buddha statue. The statue is unmistakable and can be seen from afar. At the base of the statue is a giant dragon with its mouth open; the entrance to the shrine room. Walking along the hallways, you can observe some beautiful paintings that are influenced by Buddhist literature.
A serene lagoon that’s located approximately 30 minutes away from Negombo town, offers guests a chance to explore the exotic life that thrives in the mangroves and murky waters of the Gin Oya Estuary. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s close to this lagoon and the sea, Wattura Resort and Spa offers you the best of both worlds!
How does going on a deep-sea fishing excursion in the second oldest fishing town in sunny Sri Lanka sound like? An opportunity that must not be missed! There’s an annual fisherman’s festival that occurs in July where many local fishermen gather to take part in many events and display their skills.
Negombo is a great place for water-sports. Especially if you want to learn something new because the calm, sheltered beaches and lagoon makes it the ideal spot. Some of the popular watersports available are jet skiing, banana boat rides, kite surfing and kayaking.
The best time to visit is during November and March when the weather is at its optimum. It is best to avoid the months between June to August as there are heavy rains during this time. However, being a tropical island, you should always expect rain and sunshine.
