Itineraries — West Coast

The Colombo region and the West Coast extends 100 km along the Indian Ocean, from Negombo in the north (7 km from Bandaranaike international airport) to Bentota in the south (transitioning to the South Coast). In the centre, Colombo concentrates the majority of the country's economic and cultural activities, and is the inevitable entry point for 95 % of international travellers.

For a short beach trip (3-4 days) from Colombo, base yourself in Bentota or Mount Lavinia, 1h30 and 30 minutes respectively from the capital, to combine beach and urban excursions. This compact formula is perfectly suited to getaways from Dubai, Singapore or the Maldives.

For a complete Sri Lanka trip (10-14 days), the region is mainly lived as an entry and exit stop: 1 night in Negombo on arrival (for jet lag and the lagoon), then direct transfer to the Cultural Triangle the next day; and 1-2 nights in Colombo at the end of the trip (for the culinary scene, shopping and cosmopolitan atmosphere before the return flight). This formula avoids losing days in an urban area in the middle of the circuit, when you can be at the heart of heritage or on the beaches.

For travellers with more than 14 days, the region can include 2-3 nights at Bentota for a mid-circuit beach break, with access to Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga estate (guided visit USD 35, room stay USD 350-500/night), to Bentota Ganga cruises and water sports. It is also the ideal starting point for a more thorough discovery of the west coast: Aluthgama, Beruwala (and its Buddhist temple), Hikkaduwa and its reefs (already on the edge of the South Coast).