Negombo, Sri Lanka: travel guide
Airport-side beach town of lagoon boats, a fish market and Catholic churches
A lively beach town minutes from the international airport, known for its Dutch canal, huge daily fish market, lagoon boat rides and Catholic heritage churches.
About Negombo
Negombo is a coastal town just north of the international airport, with a long beach, a lagoon and a strong fishing tradition. It is often a first or last stop, but has enough going on to deserve more than one night.
You can watch fishermen at the fish market, see the Dutch canal and the remains of the old fort, and visit St. Mary's Church, one of several churches in this largely Catholic area. Boat trips on the lagoon take in mangroves and birdlife, and the beach is lined with seafood restaurants.
It suits travellers with an early flight or a gentle start to a trip. The drier season on this coast runs roughly from December to March.
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Currency
- LKR
- Time zone
- Asia/Colombo
- Nearest airport
- CMB
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Negombo
St. Mary's Church, Negombo
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A large 19th-century Catholic church known for its painted ceiling, reflecting Negombo's deep Catholic heritage ("Little Rome").
Negombo Beach
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Wide sandy beach lined with hotels and restaurants, a short ride from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Negombo Dutch Fort remains
Fort · 3.3 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Sparse ruins and a restored gateway of the 1678 Dutch fortress, near the old town.
Negombo Fish Market (Lellama)
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Sri Lanka's second-largest fish market, a lively pre-dawn auction and daily market on the beach with catamarans hauling in the day's catch.
Negombo Lagoon
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Large brackish lagoon behind the town, popular for sunset boat rides, crab/prawn fishing and birdwatching among mangroves.
Dutch Canal (Hamilton Canal)
Heritage · 3.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
18th-century Dutch-built canal once used to transport cinnamon, now a scenic stretch for walks and boat rides.
Things to do
- Negombo Lagoon Sunset Boat Safari Nature · 1.5 h · from LKR 3,000 per person
- Negombo Fish Market Morning Tour Activity · 1.5 h · from LKR 2,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Negombo Lagoon & Fish Market Half-Day Tour 5 h · from LKR 6,000
Where to stay in Negombo
- Negombo Beach Road
The main tourist strip with beachfront hotels, restaurants and bars, close to the airport.
- Duwa
Quieter fishing-village stretch south of the main strip.
Hotels
- Jetwing Lagoon 5-star · LKR 37,394 to LKR 108,210 per night
- Goldi Sands Hotel 4-star · LKR 43,197 to LKR 76,696 per night
- Catamaran Beach Hotel 3-star
Where to eat
- Cafe Zen cafe, international · about LKR 2,500 per person
- Lords Restaurant Complex sri_lankan, seafood, international · about LKR 5,000 per person
- Mr. Crab seafood, chinese · about LKR 2,500 per person
Getting to Negombo
Nearest airport: Colombo (CMB), about 6 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Negombo
- Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), next to Negombo By air from Colombo · common · unconfirmed
The country's main international airport sits north of Colombo on the Negombo side; the coast line also runs north to Negombo. Source: roughguides.com
- Coast-line train via Colombo By train from Colombo · possible · unconfirmed
The coast line runs along the west coast from Puttalam in the north through Colombo and Galle to Matara. Source: roughguides.com
Getting around
- Car With Driver
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Tuktuk meter/fare inflation
Tuktuk drivers near the beach strip and airport sometimes quote inflated fixed fares to tourists rather than using the meter.
How to avoid it: Ask for the meter or agree a fare via PickMe/Uber before starting the ride, and know approximate distances in advance.
Best time to visit Negombo
- Jan 29°C
- Feb 31°C
- Mar 32°C
- Apr 30°C
- May rough
- Jun rough
- Jul rough
- Aug rough
- Sep rough
- Oct 28°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 29°C
More in Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions about Negombo
- How many days do you need in Negombo?
- A typical trip to Negombo is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Negombo?
- The highest-rated places in our Negombo guide are St. Mary's Church, Negombo, Negombo Fish Market (Lellama), Negombo Lagoon, Negombo Beach, Negombo Dutch Fort remains.
- Where should I stay in Negombo?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Negombo: Negombo Beach Road, Duwa.
- How do I get around Negombo?
- Ways to get around Negombo covered in our guide: Car with driver, Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Negombo?
- Scams reported to us for Negombo include Tuktuk meter/fare inflation. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Negombo?
- Average daytime highs in Negombo run from 28°C in Oct to 32°C in Mar.
- Which airport is nearest to Negombo?
- The nearest airport to Negombo has the code CMB.