Negombo & Chilaw Holidays
Sri Lanka's west coast includes the island's most established beach resort, Negombo, where there's always plenty to do, as well as lesser known Chilaw for those seeking a more relaxing place to enjoy time beside the sea.
Located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, the wide sandy beaches of Negombo are perfectly located within easy reach of the international airport and so it has grown from an historic little town into Sri Lanka's fourth largest city with an array of hotels, bars and restaurants, with seafood a particular speciality. Whilst you will find the odd quiet stretch of beach, particularly those maintained by the hotels, many are a hive of activity with local fishermen and their traditional outrigger boats. There's also lots of opportunities for watersports including snorkelling or diving, with a few coral reefs and a shipwreck that serves as an artificial reef for many varieties of fish. Attractions away from the beach include the 17th century Dutch Fort, the Dutch Canal and a variety of picturesque churches.
North of Negombo is the charming fishing town of Chilaw, which as well as a beautiful lagoon also offers a wonderful expanse of soft sands that lead to the inviting turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. A notable sight is the Hindu temple of Munneswaram, dating back of 1,500 years, while for nature lovers the Chilaw area is also renowned for bird watching. This is also a perfect base for day trips, albeit long, to the cultural area.
- Wide sandy beaches
- Watersports
- Excellent dining options
- Short drive from Colombo airport
- Within easy reach of Kandy
- Bird watching in Chilaw
- Historic buildings
Why visit Negombo & Chilaw?
Annette
Travel Expert
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