If you are looking for somewhere to spend your weekend, you do not have to go far away. Drive about 15 kilometres from the Bandaranaike International Airport along the coastline, and you will be greeted by this golden landscape: Negombo beach. Also known as Golden Mile, Negombo beach is frequented by locals as well as foreigners.
Once a small fishing area, Negombo gradually became a harbour for exporting cinnamon. At present, the town has earned a reputation as a major tourist hotspot with quite a number of attractions such as colonial buildings. If you are interested in exploring the colonial legacy of this interesting town, book a Negombo hotel for a few days.
Interestingly, most hotels such as Heritance Negombo have the beach in their backyards. As you walk along the beach, you will come across a number of shops, restaurants and hotels. Generally, the beach is crowded during the weekend due to its popularity. Despite the crowds, the beach is kept clean almost all the time thanks to effort of the hotels that surround it.
At night, especially during the weekend, the Negombo beach embraces a different colour. Get together with other guests, both local and foreign, and enjoy the moment with exciting entertainment such as dancing and singing. Sometimes the Negombo beach is not suitable for swimming due to strong currents. This may, however, differ with the change of seasons. Best thing is to ask your local guide if you are in the right season for swimming.
If you arrive early in the morning, you will be able to catch sight of the fishing boats sailing ashore. It will be a particularly new experience, if you have not seen tropical fishing before. You can also take boat rides along the lagoon to watch dolphins. If you manage to make friends with a fisherman or two (through a guide or an interpreter), you will be able to enjoy a fishing boat ride. Such an expedition will introduce you to a rare experience.
Simply speaking, Negombo beach is worth visiting at any time of the day. If you visit there at sunup, you will be able to delight in the sight of glistening waters and enjoy the fresh morning breeze. Visit here at sundown, and you will experience the nightlife exquisite to Negombo. If you plan to visit here around noon, beware because the sun is at its hottest at this time. Do not forget your sunscreen.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+