Negombo: A Beach Within Reach
Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport and drive just 12 kilometers north and you’ll arrive at one of Sri Lankan’s top tourist destination, Negombo. Getting around the place requires Motorized rickshaws which are cheap and fun, but agree on a fare before getting in to avoid conflict when you stepdown. Negombo boasts a Large numbers of shorebirds velvet-green estuary lined with mangroves, lagoon and shanties. Negombo’s written history dates back to the start of the spice trade in the 12th century and its cinnamon is considered the sweetest on earth. What else can you get on this place? Read along. Where to Eat The gelato, tiramisu and crêpes at Dolce Vita are good, but the sunset from the beachfront balcony—blood-red and uninterrupted—is out of this world. A short stroll down the strip, Samurai Sushi Bar (94-31/227-9500; dinner for two US$20), one of Negombo’s newest restaurants, buys tuna, prawns and lobster from the sprawling fish markets on the southern end of the beach. For tropical fruits that sell for peanuts, head down to the fruit market on King George Drive. What to Do Negombo’s Dutch Canal was completed by Dutch traders in the 17th century, but the charming neighborhood it cuts through is known as Little Rome for its winding alleyways and pastel colored churches. The standout is St. Mary’s Church, a Portuguese-era chapel on Main Street with stained-glass windows and intricate nativity frescoes splashed across its ceilings. See it on a self-guided walking tour or in a custom built replica of the speedboat James Bond used to leapfrog the local police in the 1973 film Live and Let Die. Hourly tours depart from Viksund Water Sport Resort. Afterwards, rejuvenate with a Shirodhara oil massage at Spa Hundira Every corner of this sanctuary is festooned with art and antiques collected by the Swedish Sri Lankan couple who built and run the place. Ayurvedic treatments are provided by a local healer. Where to Stay Punching far above its weight is Hotel J, where guests enjoy all of the deluxe necessities—beachfront pool and sunbeds, high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, hot showers, an in-house restaurant and snappy service; but none of the extra frills such as toiletries, mini- bars or room service. A few hundred meters up the strip, but on a completely different planet, the trendy Pledge 3 is Negombo’s coolest place to stay. From the industrial chic furniture to the pop art wall prints, everything here is designer and cutting edge. Ask for one of the over-sized attic suites, which come with their own private sundecks, elegant desk alcoves and monsoon showers. More holiday destinations and tips on this website - Vacation-now.com