Luxury hotel holidays to Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast

Luxury holidays to Negombo and Sri Lanka's West Coast: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions holiday to Sri Lanka's Negombo offers travellers the chance to experience Sri Lankan heritage and culture. Negombo is an important fishing town with Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage. It is also a popular holiday destination because of its proximity to the international airport and its beachfront location. Due to the Portuguese influx back in the 16th century, the inhabitants are predominantly Catholic. The country’s Dutch legacy is seen in the remains of the grand Dutch Fort and the Dutch canal (now called Hamilton Canal) which runs from Colombo to Chilaw via Negombo. Although large parts of the canal are in disrepair, it is being revived and you can see gaily-painted boats using it as a waterway. The beaches at Negombo are wide and good for beach walking, although it is a struggle to keep them clean as urban debris washes ashore daily. The currents can be strong here, so it is better to swim in the hotel pool. It is fascinating to see how the fishing industry dominates life in coastal Negombo - the fish market, the auctions, the stalls along the beach. The tourist resort area of Negombo, known as the Golden Mile, caters to a wide spectrum of holidaymakers on a range of budgets, mostly the mid to the lower end. It’s lively at night and has bars, restaurants, tourist shops and fashion outlets, selling everything from flip-flops to colourful batiks and handlooms.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Sri Lanka and within Sri Lanka, combining flights, rail, and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Negombo

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Cookery
● Visits to local festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Safari and wildlife experiences
● Scenic train travel
● Family holidays
● Eco experiences
● Ayurveda and other spa holidays
● Walking and cycling
● Bird-watching
● Garden visits

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Negombo

For nature lovers and birdwatchers there are the Muthurajawela wetlands where four varieties of kingfisher are frequently seen, as well as Negombo Lagoon. Offshore wrecks and a reef provide spots for diving (November to April, when the seas are calmer). PADI instructors, some other water sports and fishing trips are also available. Whale-watching and dolphin-watching boat trips are possible further north off Kalpitya, though this is a 3-4 hours drive away.

Cultural highlights of Negombo

In and around Negombo there are plenty of things to see and do: Dutch Fort remains; St Mary’s Church; Angurukaramulla Buddhist temple (murals); Fish markets, fishing boats and port; Select fresh seafood for your lunch or dinner; The Dutch canal (called Hamilton canal) and Maha Oya river – boat trip; Muthurajawela wetlands and Negombo Lagoon for birdwatching and nature; Some water sports and diving; November to April; Fishing; Tourist shops and restaurants (mostly mid-lower end), fashion shops; Inland to the archaeological site of Dambadeniya; Sri Lanka’s commercial capital of Colombo is 40 km away, offering a range of shops, restaurants and sightseeing.

Climate in Negombo

With daytime temperatures of between 26° C and 33° C, Negombo is hot and humid, though sea breezes cool and refresh the air. The evenings are slightly cooler. The main monsoon brings unsettled weather between May and August.

Travel around Negombo and Sri Lanka

We include private transfers with all our holidays to Sri Lanka, and a personal chauffer with all our touring holidays. Driving Distances: Negombo to Colombo International Airport: 20 minutes, Negombo to Sigiriya: 3 – 3.5 hours, Negombo to Kandy: 3.5 hours, Negombo to Colombo: 1-1.5 hours.

Negombo travel information

Sri Lankan Airways operates daily flights to Colombo from London Heathrow. Most flights leave London in the afternoon or evening. Flight time is about 11 hours. From Colombo you can also take the Sri Lankan air taxi to regional centres throughout the country.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Sri Lanka and within Sri Lanka, combining flights, rail, and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Negombo

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Cookery
● Visits to local festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Safari and wildlife experiences
● Scenic train travel
● Family holidays
● Eco experiences
● Ayurveda and other spa holidays
● Walking and cycling
● Bird-watching
● Garden visits

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Negombo and West Coast showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Sri Lanka and within Sri Lanka, combining flights, rail, and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Negombo

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Cookery
● Visits to local festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Safari and wildlife experiences
● Scenic train travel
● Family holidays
● Eco experiences
● Ayurveda and other spa holidays
● Walking and cycling
● Bird-watching
● Garden visits

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245