Only a twenty five minute drive from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, is the busy beachside town of Negombo. Hotels, restaurants and boutiques line the short strip known as Lewis Place, which has become the tourist center of the town. Some of the very best seafood in the country can be found in this area, along with several quirky restaurants serving an array of international cuisine. A handful of hotel properties like Amagi Lagoon Resort & Spa Negombo provide easy access to the beach, while also offering the convenience of proximity to Sri Lanka’s only international airport.
The touristy part of Negombo Town sits in a picturesque setting, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Negombo Lagoon on the other. The lagoon itself has many stunning features. It is rich in lobsters, crabs and prawns, which contributes greatly to the fishing industry. At dawn, visitors can witness the buying and selling of seafood firsthand. Later, they can go on to savour the fresh seafood at any of the nearby restaurants.
Muthurajawela, which translates from Sinhala as ‘Royal Field of Pearls’, is a coastal wetland found at the southern end of the Negombo lagoon. The unique integrated ecosystem was formed by the high tide bringing saltwater from the sea into the wetland, daily, for thousands of years. The marsh that spans a six thousand hectare area, is wonderful treat for wildlife enthusiasts, especially bird watchers.
Sightings of over one hundred species that include migrant birds have been reported inside the wetlands. Boat rides and guided walking tours can be arranged through the Muthurajawela Visitor Center. The reserve is home to several species of fish and amphibians, some of which are indigenous or endangered. Fishing cat, otter, Eurasian crocodile, Spectacle Cobra Russell’s viper and the Python, Sri Lanka’s largest snake can also be found here.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+
