NEGOMBO
Area: Sri Lanka
Country: Sri Lanka


Location:
On W coast, 27 miles N of Colombo, 5 miles NW of Bandaranaike international airport. 5 miles S of Waikkal.

Telephone code from UK:
94 31

Position:
In tropical coastal countryside, between busy main road and extensive sandy coastline.

Description:
Referred to by the locals as "Negombo city", the resort is actually made up of several little coastal and inland hamlets, with the bustling centre one to two miles from the various tourist-orientated areas. Hotels are concentrated along the beaches in a two-mile strip, although in recent years modern boutique-type properties have been popping up on the inland side of the main coast road. The town is home to some extraordinarily large churches, which are made much use of by the mainly Catholic community. Fishing is the main local industry with most activity concentrated at the S end of the beach; observing the fishing workforce is a popular tourist pastime.

Suitability:
Tropical beach lovers and water-sports enthusiasts. Weddings.

Accommodation:
Range of budget hotels with gardens and pools to above-average, self-contained, beach-orientated properties.

Shopping:
Village centre has array of local businesses but little for the tourist. Kochchikade Sunday market, four miles away, is at the very least an experience. Numerous beach hawkers offer spices, textiles, handicrafts and leather goods.

Beach:
Long, well-developed stretch of broad golden sand; each hotelier cleans the beach outside their property frequently. Particularly noted for water sports during peak season (Nov_April); ocean is often rough during summer months.

Entertainments:
Mostly hotel based but a couple of bars towards N of resort offer sports on TV and occasional live music.

Eating:
Couple of quality restaurants at N end of tourist stretch offering mainly fish, lobster and curry dishes. A few German, Swiss and Dutch eateries on main road.

Public-transport:
Motorised rickshaws everywhere and taxis outside hotels. Trains to Colombo. Regular buses along coast to neighbouring villages.

Local-excursions:
Half day: catamaran trips; boats along Dutch canal; Colombo. Full day: Kandy and elephant orphanage; Dambulla and Sigiriya.