Also known as “Little Rome” due to being the home to a predominantly catholic community, Negombo is a quaint old fishing town located in the western costal town of Sri Lanka with close proximity to the international airport. From churches, ramparts, forts, wayside shrines to beguiling canals and creeks, Negombo is a town retaining some of its old-world charm preserving remnants of a vivid bygone era of rich history.

Negombo town offers an unparalleled introduction to costal life in Sri Lanka. “Lellama” being the second largest fish market in the country which offers over 500 species of edible fish freshly caught from the sea and the inland lagoon. Catamarans are hauled over to the sea at the crack of dawn which brings the day’s fresh catch to land by mid-day. Fishing trips can be arranged with the local fishermen which gives an interesting insight to their lives and how they wade the waters harboring their daily catch. a walk in the fish market will give you an eyeful of stunning colours of the many different fish and educate you with the old traditional techniques used in curing and drying fish and make you delve deeper into the local customs and the culture of this charming town. Leaving the fish market, hop on a boat and take a ride through the waters of the lagoon wading through the dense mangrove forests and swamps while catching a glimpse of rare avifauna species with a rare look at shrimp farming that takes place in these waters. While the beaches at Negombois very wide in places it is comparatively mangy when it comes to other pristine beaches the island offers. Yet, the pubs, resorts and other hotels that surrounds the beach offers a delightful experience when it comes to fresh seafood and cheap beer that takes you all the way through a lively experience that draws late into the night. The night is young, take a sip and enjoy the best of Sri Lankan cuisine while you relax to the sound of the distant shores. If is diving and snorkeling is more of your forte, take a dip around a 50-year-old shipwreck that serves as an artificial reef for colorful corals and exotic marine fish. Catamaran rides can be requested from all most all hotels in the surrounding area and if the thrill seeker in you yearns for an altogether different experience try some water sports which includes wind surfing. Moving towards the land side, remnants of centuries old Portuguese and dutchcolonization looms on the horizon. Administrative buildings, houses, churches dot the neighborhood. Some of the most notable attractions include the ceiling frescoes of St.Mary’sCathedral church and the old Dutch fort which lays dilapidated yet stands in memorial of the rich architectural heritage of colonialism.

Though Negombo offers less comparatively to other famous coasts around the island it is not a destination that should be overlooked, considering how it is a budget haunt for many locals and tourists alike. It definitely is an underrated location and it’s an absolute must have in your travel itinerary.