Colombo, Negombo & Surrounding Area, Sri Lanka

To the north of Colombo lies Negombo, an old fishing village with a number of good 4-5 star hotels lining the long golden beach. As the gateway to the cultural triangle it can feel busy and slightly transient but it is undoubtedly a good base. Wilpattu National Park is only a couple of hours away - a great place to stop off, either at the beginning or the end of your trip and the beaches there are truly spectacular!

South of Colombo lie the coastal resorts of Bentota, Kalutara and Hikkaduwa. The coastal road seems to go on forever, but eventually after an hour or so, you start to get glimpses of the beautiful coast with swaying palm trees and small coves. This part of the coast is home to more guest houses intermingled with large resorts, and is not always the right place for those looking for tranquility but it still has a lot to offer with great diving and snorkelling as well as excellent transport links to the deep south.

We then come to Colombo itself. Steeped in history, with an eclectic mix of architecture, it is now home to some great hotels and villas, as well as excellent shopping - either in the markets or in the more westernised Paradise Road area. Spending a few days here, either at the beginning or the end of your trip, is definitely worth doing.