Negombo - why go, how to get there, what to see, where to stay

General information about Negombo

Negombo is a large city in Sri Lanka on the west coast, 30 kilometers from Colombo (see Negombo on the map of Sri Lanka). The city is the fourth largest in the country (population 128,000). It is known as one of the country's largest fishing centers, and a large fresh fish market operates here daily, which is also visited with interest by tourists as one of the attractions.

Negombo is a special city in Sri Lanka. Historically, a large number of Catholics live here. Throughout the city, you can see Catholic churches, crosses, and images of Jesus as attractions. But at the same time, it is a multi-religious city, and you will see Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, and mosques here.

The proximity of Negombo to the main gateway to the country, the international Bandaranaike Airport, and the presence of beaches and excellent tourist infrastructure make it one of the most visited places by tourists and travelers in the country. But in fact, not many tourists spend their entire vacation here, but often use it as a transit base for a short rest after a long flight before continuing their journey through Sri Lanka, or vice versa for rest before flying home. It is especially convenient that in Negombo you can rent a car, motorbike, or tuk-tuk to travel all over Sri Lanka and return it here at the end of the trip. Many travelers use this, including us.

Our videos about Negombo

If you prefer watching videos instead of reading or didn't understand something from our guides, we have made a video guide about Negombo for you:

• 🎥 Analyzing Negombo thoroughly, part 1: how everything works here and infrastructure
  Watch on: RuTube | VK Video
• 🎥 Analyzing Negombo thoroughly, part 2: attractions, beaches, and summing up
  Watch on: RuTube | VK Video
• ❤ Our entire playlist about Sri Lanka
  Watch on: RuTube | VK Video

Vacation in Negombo and why come here

The city has quite developed tourist infrastructure, which is actively developing. In general, in our opinion, this is the most developed resort in Sri Lanka in terms of tourist infrastructure, and if it weren't for its sad beaches, it could be one of the best resorts on the island. But, unfortunately, the beaches here are very mediocre compared to the rest of Sri Lanka.

Despite the fact that many tourist sites selling tours to Negombo promote it on their pages as an ideal resort with the cleanest beaches and lots of attractions, one should be cautious about such descriptions. Reality is very different from the statements of travel agencies, and objectively Negombo is one of the most unsuccessful beach resorts in Sri Lanka. It does have a medium-quality beach, but compared to the beaches at other resorts in Sri Lanka, the local beaches are almost like a dump.

The fact is that the water in the ocean here is murky most of the year due to waves and silt brought by canals and rivers. Most of the city beach outside the tourist area is dirty and not cleaned. There are practically no water activities, umbrellas, or sunbeds on the beaches, except for rare spots near expensive hotels. The only plus of the beach in Negombo is that it is very long and spacious. Almost along its entire 3-kilometer length, the sandy strip is uninterrupted, and the width in some places reaches over 100 meters. More about beaches and areas of Negombo.

At the same time, one of the most convenient and calm tourist zones has formed in Negombo along the coast, very different from the bustling and noisy city center. There are many restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, and even some nightlife at the hotels. But still, those who love ideal beach vacations should categorically not spend their entire vacation here.

Nevertheless, it is indeed a good and convenient place to start or end your journey through Sri Lanka, thanks to the proximity of the airport and the convenience of getting to it, but not the main place for vacation. Perhaps in some ways it can be convenient as a base from which you can visit other places on the island by rented car or motorcycle, or to hire a guide with transport for radial trips. You can also purchase multi-day tours around the country here.

There are other objective pluses in Negombo: here are some of the lowest prices for food and accommodation compared to other popular resorts in Sri Lanka. The tourist area is generally well "packed" with cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shops, there are many liquor stores (see about alcohol in Sri Lanka here). And in general, the very presence of a tourist area here gives Negombo many pluses. Negombo is also known as a good place for diving thanks to three reefs located about 20 kilometers from the shore. One of these reefs is considered the best in the country. And another plus, Negombo is an almost year-round resort, although there is a conditionally rainy season.

What infrastructure is in Negombo

As we have already noted above, Negombo is a city with very developed infrastructure, including for tourists. On the one hand, there is a calm and well-equipped tourist area along Lewis Place beach with hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. On the other hand, there is a noisy, lively, and absolutely authentic commercial center where all local life boils. The main plus is that everything a traveler needs is here, and the prices, especially in the center, are among the lowest in Sri Lanka.

• Where to eat in Negombo and what are the prices

  In the tourist area, the choice of places to eat is huge: many cafes with menus in English and even sometimes duplicated in Russian, restaurants with seafood, and those atmospheric establishments right on the sand with a view of the sunset. They look simple - tables and chairs on the sand - but the evening atmosphere is worth it. However, prices here are higher than on the main street: lunch or dinner with drinks will cost at least 2000 rupees per person. Portions are often very large, sometimes one can be shared by two. Moreover, you can bargain even from the prices on the menu.

  Many tourist establishments are located along the main streets Lewis Place and Porutota rd in the tourist area, and prices here are lower than on the beaches - dishes from 800 rupees, and you can eat tasty and hearty with drinks (non-alcoholic) from 1500 rupees.

  

  It is much cheaper and more colorful to eat in the city center, on Main Street and Green Street. There are many establishments for local residents where you can try simple but hearty food like rice with curry from 300 rupees. Finally, you can have a snack on the go: local pastries from stalls will cost a couple of hundred rupees. But be careful with street food and local establishments: the food can be very spicy, and the sanitary condition of some eateries leaves much to be desired. We have talked in more detail about local cuisine in a separate guide.

  As a result, we use the following budget calculation for food and drinks in Negombo:

  • Eat economically in local establishments, buy drinks and water in supermarkets – from 1400 rupees/person per day / 4.23 USD.
  • Eat tasty in tourist cafes, but without delicacies like seafood and without alcohol – from 2500 rupees/person per day / 7.55 USD.
  • Eat tasty in restaurants with seafood and alcohol without excesses – from 6000 rupees per day / 18.13 USD.

• Shopping in Negombo

  

  In terms of variety and shopping opportunities, Negombo is second only to Colombo, Kandy, and Galle. But it is important to understand: there are no large shopping malls here. All shopping is concentrated in the commercial center of the city and beyond the railway station, and in the tourist area - only souvenirs and small shops.

  Be sure to visit the colorful Sunday market (Negombo Sunday Street Market), but be prepared for dirt and crowds. For everyday purchases, look for large chain supermarkets like Arpico and Cargills. In them, you can buy drinks, essentials, as well as interesting products as gifts to take home, such as tea, spices, local rice. And for real finds, go to the local supermarket Coronation Grinding Mills in the center. It is small and cramped, but we bought excellent Ceylon tea and spices there at prices much lower than in tourist places, as well as many things you won't find in regular chain stores. Liquor stores (Wine Stores) are available both in the center and in the tourist zone.

  

• Where to buy alcohol

  

  In Sri Lanka, alcoholic beverages are sold only in specialized stores. In Negombo, there are many such stores, no less than a dozen. They are in both the tourist area and the center. But their density is not high, and you cannot just walk down the street, enter a supermarket, and buy a bottle of beer; you need to search purposefully. Local residents or hotel staff can help you find the nearest store, or you can use Google Maps with the query Wine Store

  Alcohol is also served in some cafes and restaurants, but the price is almost double the store price. We have talked in more detail about alcohol in Sri Lanka, prices, and where to buy in a separate guide.

• Where to buy a SIM card

  

  SIM cards are sold in the tourist area in shops and stalls with almost double markup. You can buy without intermediary markup at the operator's price from Dialog or Mobitel salons in the center, as well as at Colombo airport upon arrival. We have talked in detail about buying a SIM card at the airport and everything else, including choosing a tariff and operator, in the detailed guide "Mobile communication and Internet in Sri Lanka".

• Money exchange, ATMs and bank cards

  

  With money in Negombo, everything is simple. Russian Mir cards do not work here, but a UnionPay card from Russian banks will not cause problems - we personally checked it in supermarkets, some cafes, and hotels. ATMs for cash withdrawal are widespread everywhere.

  But you can't do completely without cash. It is best to change money in the city center on Main Street. In our experience, the rate in local exchange offices is as favorable as at the airport or in Colombo. The main thing is not to change everything at the first exchange point you come across, but to walk around and compare the rate, and also don't be shy to bargain a little.

Hotels in Negombo and where to stay

Hotels in Negombo are considered among the cheapest among Sri Lankan resorts, and we can confirm this from personal experience. Finding budget accommodation on the spot is not difficult, especially in the low season. Prices for quite decent and clean rooms in local guesthouses start from 4000 rupees (12.09 USD) for two without air conditioning, and a bunk in a decent hostel from 2000 rupees (6.04 USD).

But to get a low price, you need to either book accommodation in advance or bargain on the spot. Depending on the season and the appetites of the owners, the initial price when searching on the spot may be one and a half to two times higher than the real one. But in practice, you can and should bargain down prices in almost any guesthouse and in any season.

Watch in the video what kind of room with breakfast we booked for only 3300 rupees/night for two (9.97 USD)

Our recommendations for choosing a hotel

• For a short stop for a night or two after arrival or before departure: you can book a room in the center within walking distance from the railway or bus station. Prices here are very low.
• For budget travel: look for guesthouses on Lewis Place, especially those across the road from the beach. Prices are lower there, but be prepared to bargain or better book in advance.
• For comfortable travel: choose hotels on Porutota Rd, in the first line from the sea. Many of them have pools, which is very handy considering the ocean in Negombo is not always suitable for swimming.
• For seclusion: consider boutique hotels south of the lagoon. These are quiet locations, but keep in mind there is practically no infrastructure there, and you will need transport.

If you want to get a good hotel with amenities where you can not only sleep but also relax, it makes sense to select and book it in advance. If you plan to spend your entire vacation in Negombo, it is better to choose a hotel with a pool, as the local ocean waters are not very suitable for swimming.

And one more tip from personal experience: if you arrive in Negombo late in the evening or at night, it is worth booking accommodation in advance and, if possible, informing the owners that you will arrive late. The fact is that some guesthouses and hotels here are completely closed at night, and you simply won't be able to reach them, let alone check in.

You can find and book a hotel in Negombo on these sites, or through the search form:

• 🛌 Search for hotels in Negombo on Trip.com (👍 Mir cards work)
• 🛌 Search for hotels in Negombo on Yandex.Travel
• 🛌 Search for hotels on Ostrovok.ru

Weather, tourist seasons in Negombo

Negombo is a year-round season. Throughout the year, the temperature here stays around 29C, and the air humidity is very high. However, there is a low season and a high season.

• 🌞 High season. The best time to visit Negombo is from December to March. During this period, there are almost no rains (dry season), and there is an influx of tourists.
• ☔ Low season. The low season lasts from April to November. During this time, a fairly large amount of precipitation falls, but even during this period, you can have a good vacation. The rainiest months: May, October (the maximum precipitation) and November. From June to August, the amount of precipitation is not too high.

Tourist seasons in Negombo by month, when is the best time to go

Weather in Negombo by month

Current weather in Negombo and forecast

How to get to Negombo

Negombo is the most convenient resort in Sri Lanka in terms of how to get there. The airport is located here, there is a large bus station, and trains run here from Colombo. So there will be no difficulties getting here even for inexperienced tourists and travelers. Here are brief instructions by direction:

• From Russia and other countries. By plane to Colombo airport, and then to the resort by taxi, bus, or tuk-tuk in 20 minutes.
• From Colombo airport. Taxis, buses, tuk-tuks allow you to get to Negombo in 20 minutes for pennies.
• From Colombo. Buses and suburban trains run from the center of Colombo from the railway station and bus station in the Pettah area. There are fast express buses and regular slow city buses. There are many buses, come to the station and you will leave, trains run on schedule up to 8 times a day.
• From Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella. There are direct buses at least from Kandy, and from other cities in the central region, it is easy to get with a transfer via Kandy or Colombo.
• From the southern and western resorts Unawatuna, Galle, Bentota, Hikkaduwa. By bus or train to Colombo, and then transfer to Negombo. Buses and trains run frequently, it is very easy to get there even with a transfer.
• From other cities and resorts in Sri Lanka. If there is no direct bus to Negombo, then go with a transfer via Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala.

If you need to know all the details, then read our detailed guide with all the ways, how and by what means to get to Negombo.

Attractions in Negombo and what to see

There are very few attractions in Negombo. Mostly these are Catholic churches, there are several Hindu and Buddhist temples, mosques. The most interesting place is the local fish markets: new and old. Moreover, the new market is one of the largest in Sri Lanka. There is also one historical attraction, the old Dutch fort, but there is almost nothing to see there.

There are also few entertainments in Negombo. Well, to be completely honest, there are none at all. There are no water activities even on the beach. During the day, you can walk around the few attractions or go on excursions, take a train or bus to Colombo, and in the evening, all that's left is to have dinner in one of the restaurants on the main street or on the beach with a view of the sunset. There are no night discos or even bars working late here, and there is no promenade either.

We have told in more detail about all the interesting places in Negombo and how to visit them in the detailed guide to the attractions of Negombo, and here is a ready-made one-day route around the city that will allow you to see all the main things:

Are there excursions in Negombo and where to buy them?

Negombo is one of the most developed resorts in Sri Lanka with tourist infrastructure, including for selling excursions. They are sold here in street agencies, hotels, and even just on the street, tuk-tuk and car drivers will offer you individual trips around Negombo and вообще anywhere in Sri Lanka.

Finally, you can also find and book excursions online on trusted sites:

• Trip.com – the largest database of excursions, accept Russian cards
• Sputnik8 – excursions in Russian, verified guides
• Tripster – individual and group tours in Russian
• GetYourGuide – international platform, many reviews

Useful tips for Negombo