Negombo is situated 39 km north of Colombo and 3 km off the Bandaranayake International Airport Katunayake. It is a picturesque coastal town of much character and atmosphere. Both the fishing hamlets and the fisher folk found here are very colourful. One of the must see sights is the fishing fleet of out rigger canoes coming home.
Some significant places in Negombo are Angurukaramulla Buddhist Temple, Hindu Temples in Sea Street, the Air Force Base and brackish-water fish at Munnakkara. Negombo is one of the few Roman Catholic areas in Sri Lanka. A popular Roman Catholic Shrine can be visited at Duwa. Negombo boasts of fine beaches, beautiful lagoon and Dutch built Canal. Travellers can enjoy good swimming, sailing, rod and line fishing. Negombo is famed for its good seafood, especially Shell fish. It is also known for extensive coconut cultivation and toddy tapping. It was an important cinnamon growing centre in Dutch and Portuguese times, 16th to 17th centuries.