Negombo is acclaimed as a major tourist city in the west coast of Sri Lanka. It is a 5 minute drive from the International Airport in Katunayake and a 20 minute drive from Colombo. The main attraction to Negombo is the beach where miles and miles of calm water are experienced most of the time of the year.

Many tourists make it a point to visit Negombo when they come to Sri Lanka and make it their departure point. Cycle tours, boat rides and fishing are very popular in Negombo. This is a city built by the Portuguese and developed by the Dutch.