West coast

Negombo

A fishing town and beach about 15 minutes from the airport, the easiest place to sleep off a long flight before heading inland.

Plan a trip with Negombo

Time to spend: 1 night
Best months: December to April.
Getting around: Tuk-tuks are everywhere; agree the fare first or use a ride-hailing app.
Good to know: The airport transfer is short, which makes Negombo useful for a late arrival or an early departure.

Negombo sits on the coast just north of Bandaranaike International Airport, so it is the natural first night if you land in the evening or simply want a gentle start.

The town has deep fishing traditions. Early in the morning, boats come in to the lagoon and the fish market, and catches are dried in the sun on the beach. The large Catholic community has given the town many churches, including the painted St Mary's Church.

It is a base for a night, not a destination for a week; the beach is wide but the sea is often rough outside the dry season.

What to see and do

Negombo Lagoon and fish market
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Watch the outrigger boats come in and the morning auctions at the fish market by the lagoon mouth.
1 hr · Morning · 06:00 to 11:00Free entry
Negombo Beach
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A wide stretch of sand north of the town; good for an evening walk after a long flight.
1 hr · SunsetFree entry
St Mary's Church
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A large Catholic church known for the painted ceiling inside, at the centre of the town.
30 min · AfternoonFree entryCover shoulders and knees

Also consider

Nearby places to stay

ColomboAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
BentotaAbout 2 hr by carPlan with both

Photos

The wide sandy beach at Negombo, looking towards the town

The pastel facade of St Mary's Church, Negombo

When to go

January: Best
February: Best
March: Best
April: Good
May: Poor
June: Poor
July: Good
August: Good
September: Good
October: Poor
November: Good
December: Good

BestGoodPoor

Same pattern as Colombo. The sea is calmest from December to April.

Where it is

Driving times from here

Airport (CMB)	15 min (allow 30 min)
Colombo	45 min (allow 1 hr)
Bentota	2 hr (allow 2 hr 30 min)
Hikkaduwa	2 hr 30 min (allow 3 hr)
Kitulgala	2 hr 30 min (allow 3 hr)
Thalpe	2 hr 30 min (allow 3 hr)
Unawatuna	2 hr 30 min (allow 3 hr)
Galle	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 15 min)
Ahangama	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 15 min)
Ratnapura	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 30 min)
Weligama	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 15 min)
Kandy	3 hr (allow 3 hr 30 min)
Mirissa	3 hr (allow 3 hr 30 min)
Dambulla	3 hr 15 min (allow 4 hr)
Kalpitiya	3 hr 15 min (allow 4 hr)
Hiriketiya	3 hr 30 min (allow 4 hr 15 min)
Tangalle	3 hr 30 min (allow 4 hr 15 min)
Wilpattu	3 hr 30 min (allow 4 hr 15 min)
Sigiriya	3 hr 45 min (allow 4 hr 30 min)
Sinharaja	3 hr 45 min (allow 4 hr 45 min)
Anuradhapura	4 hr 15 min (allow 5 hr)
Tissamaharama	4 hr 30 min (allow 5 hr 30 min)
Udawalawe	4 hr 30 min (allow 5 hr 30 min)
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)	5 hr (allow 6 hr 30 min)
Haputale	5 hr (allow 6 hr 15 min)
Knuckles Range	5 hr (allow 6 hr 30 min)
Polonnaruwa	5 hr (allow 6 hr)
Nuwara Eliya	5 hr 15 min (allow 6 hr 45 min)
Ella	5 hr 30 min (allow 7 hr)
Trincomalee	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)

Car times from OpenStreetMap routing, adjusted for road conditions.

Ready-made trips that include Negombo

Use one as it is or open it in the planner and make it yours.

5days
Five days of ancient cities and Kandy
Negombo → Sigiriya → Kandy
Best Feb to Sep
7days
Seven days in the Cultural Triangle
Negombo → Anuradhapura → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya
Best Feb to Sep
7days
Seven days of rock, temples and Colombo
Negombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Colombo
Best Jan to Sep
9days
Nine days to Jaffna and the east coast
Negombo → Anuradhapura → Jaffna → Trincomalee
Best Feb to Sep
10days
Ten days from Sigiriya to the south coast
Negombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Tissamaharama → Mirissa
Best Jan to Apr
10days
Ten days on the south coast beaches
Negombo → Bentota → Unawatuna → Mirissa → Tangalle
Best Dec to Apr
14days
Fourteen days around the island
Negombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Tissamaharama → Mirissa → Galle
Best Dec to Apr