South West Coast:
South West Coast of Sri Lanka is an important
region in tourism map of the island nation. This part of the country is the
busiest in Sri Lanka and chock-a-block with large number of globetrotters
throughout the year. The road running from north of Colombo city to and
following the coast all the way to south is a part of southwest coast.
Travelling along this route, one will get to see beach hotels and resorts,
turtle hatcheries, several fishing hamlets, some excellent wildlife reserves
and an elephant orphanage.
Colombo:
Colombo is the most sparkling gem of Sri Lanka’s
crown. This city of ancient world is gradually emerging as a metropolitan
city of present day, keeping its age old heritage intact. Located on the
south -west coast region, Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city
of Sri Lanka and boasts a fine blend of antiquity and modernity.
Apart from being a financial hub, Colombo is also famed tourist destination
and chock-a-blocks with vacationers round the year. This emerging
metropolitan city is dotted with a massive fort with Dutch and Portuguese
colonial buildings, Pettah, a colorful bazaar area, Slave Island, where the
Dutch imprisoned their slaves at night, Cinnamon Gardens, the National
Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Art Gallery, and Victoria
Park.
While during your sojourn at Colombo, don’t forget to spend some time
at Galle Face Green and enjoy setting of sun in the azure water of Indian
Ocean. It is a true visual delight. Colombo city also serves as “gateway
to Sri Lanka” as it is easily accessible and well joined to other parts
of the island nation with all three modes of communication.
Negombo:
Sobriquet as “Little Rome”, Negombo is a beach
town, located just 37 km from Colombo city. This coastal town is situated by
the shores of a lagoon by the same name and once served as a trading port
for Portugese and Dutch traders. It is quite popular among the holidaymakers
as it is very close to Bandaranaike International Airport (7 km) and offers
excellent scope of quick access to cool breeze of Arabian Sea and sandy
stretches. Beaches of this town are mostly unexplored and less crowded as
compared to other beaches. So, it is an ideal destination for leisure
vacation. One can also enjoy some water sports activities like diving, and
water surfing here at Negambo beaches.
Apart from this, other attractions of Negambo are an old Dutch fort gate
built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the 100km long Dutch Canal which was
then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing
villages, Catholic churches, Buddhist temples, and Muthurajawela Marsh, a
unique wetland habitat and the largest marsh in Sri Lanka. This marshland is
a paradise for eco-lovers.
Bentota:
A Sri Lankan coastal town, Bentota is most sought after
tourist destination for family vacationers. This beautiful beach resort is
located on the southern coastal tip of the Galle district of South-west
province and beautified with some finest beaches of the island nation.
Beside its alluring natural beauty which can charm anybody at the very first
glimpse, Bentota is an ideal destination to indulge oneself in adventurous
water sports. The broad, sandy, gently shelving beaches of the town, which
has calm, warm waters on two fronts- the sea where the swimming is generally
safe and deep sea fishing and diving can be arranged and the other front is
River where you can try your hand in water skiing, wind surfing or enjoy a
cooling, lazy boat ride up stream and through the mangroves.
Apart from this Bentota is also famous for Ayurveda, the ancient art of
healing and production of Toddy. It is a locally made alcoholic beverage
made out of coconut nector. Stay in anyone of the hotels or boutique villas
at Bentota and enjoy the local seafood and absorb Sri Lanka’s spirit.
Ambalangoda:
The scenic town of Ambalangoda is a coastal town,
located in the South- west coast of Sri Lanka. This scenic town has
beautiful stretch of sandy beach and captivating rocky little islet off its
coast. The white sandy beach of Ambalangoda provides magnificent view of
Indian Ocean and offers some quite moments of peace and tranquility to its
visitors.
Apart from its sea coast beauty, Ambalangoda is also famous for its various
kinds of Sri Lanka masks and devil dancing. The masks created by the
craftsmen of this town are carved out of soft wood and brightly painted.
Carving of wooden Muppets is also specialty of this town.
Hikkaduwa:
Alike other beach towns of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is one
such coastal town which is bestowed with immense beauty of Mother Nature.
Located about 98km south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is also a part of South-west
coast region of Sri Lanka. It is the only town of the country which boasts a
marine sanctuary and ideal for underwater delights. This marine sanctuary is
well known for its collection of rare corals and tropical fishes. Engage
yourself in snorkeling and taking a ride in a glass bottom boat and enjoy
watching beautiful shoals of fish.
Even the beaches of the town are also famous for relaxing and sunbathing or
one can take a leisurely stroll along the beach to get a feel of glamorous
nightlife of the beach.
