Negombo

Overview

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Itinerary

• Located on Sri Lankau2019s west coast just north of Colombo, Negombo is a city full of history and charm. Along the waterfront, the 17th-century Dutch Fort now functions as a prison, while the Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermenu2019s huts, flows into the historic Hamilton Canal that leads south to Colombo. Donu2019t miss St. Maryu2019s Church, a neoclassical masterpiece from the 1920s, famous for its colorful and intricate ceiling paintings.

• Experience the Negombo Fish Market, bustling right on the beach with the dayu2019s fresh catch. Watch fishermen at worku2014untangling nets, sorting their boats, and sun-drying shark, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and more along the shore. Children play nearby, and lively stalls sell everything from fresh fish to live crabs. You might even spot families relaxing in the shade of the fishermenu2019s open coastal sheds.

• Negombo Lagoon is a vast estuarine lagoon located in south-west Sri Lanka. Fed by several small rivers and a canal, it connects to the sea through a narrow northern channel near Negombo city. The lagoon is bordered by a densely populated area, featuring rice paddies, coconut plantations, and stretches of grassland.

• Negombo Fort, about 30 km north of Colombo, was originally built by the Portuguese to defend Colombo. Captured and contested by the Dutch in the 1600s, it was later rebuilt in 1672 with a pentagonal design, though only four bastions were completed. The fort sat on a narrow strip of land between a lagoon and the sea, surrounded by a dry moat and accessed via a drawbridge. The British took over in 1796 and eventually demolished most of the fort in the late 1800s to build a prison, using its stones. Today, only part of the eastern rampart, mounds from former bastions, and a recessed arched gateway with a 1678 inscription remain, and the site continues to serve as a prison.

• Negombou2019s history has been strongly shaped by Christianity since the Portuguese era, earning it the nickname u201cLittle Romeu201d due to its many churches. Construction of St. Maryu2019s Church began in 1874 and, after a long pause, was completed in 1922. The church, along with a few others in Sri Lanka, showcases a unique blend of European architectural styles and local Sri Lankan art, reflecting the cultural fusion of the early 20th century.

• Sri Muthumariamman Temple (Tamil: u0bb8u0bcdu0bb0u0bc0 u0baeu0bc1u0ba4u0bcdu0ba4u0bc1u0baeu0bbeu0bb0u0bbfu0bafu0baeu0bcdu0baeu0ba9u0bcd u0b95u0ba4u0bbfu0bb0u0bcdu0bb5u0bc7u0bb2u0bbeu0bafu0bc1u0ba4 u0b9au0bc1u0bb5u0bbeu0baeu0bbf u0b95u0bcbu0bb5u0bbfu0bb2u0bcd) is a prominent Mariamman temple in Negombo, built in the traditional Dravidian architectural style. The temple has preserved its old-world charm over the years. Its intricate granite carvings are highly revered by the local Tamil community, who consider it a powerful place of worship where pujas and offerings bring blessings and benefits to devotees.

• Negombo, just 6 km from the international airport, is a charming Christian fishing town with historic churches, narrow streets, and local boutiques. Famous for traditional fishing and its lagoon, visitors can enjoy seasonal seafood and take outrigger canoe rides to experience the authentic life of local fishermen.

• The Hamilton Canal, also called the Dutch Canal, is a 14.5 km waterway connecting Puttalam to Colombo through Negombo. Built by the British between 1802u20131804 to drain saltwater from the Muthurajawela wetlands, it was named after Gavin Hamilton, the Government Agent of Revenue and Commerce.

• Negombo, often called u201cLittle Romeu201d, is a major Catholic center in Sri Lanka, with over 90% of its population following the faith and more than 50 churches and shrines. The town has produced many Catholic leaders, including the countryu2019s only Cardinal.nnBuddhists, though a small minority, have a strong presence. Notable figures like Brahmachari Walisingha Harischandra were born here, and Harischandra Vidyalaya is named after him. The townu2019s Budu Ge and Pilima Ge feature beautiful sculptures and paintings depicting Buddhau2019s life, Jataka stories, important Buddhist events, and life-size images of Sinhala kings from Vijaya to Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe.

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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