The towns just north of Colombo include Negombo, Marawila, Chilaw, Kalpitiya, and Puttalam, famous for cinnamon, spices, fishing, and pearls, have attracted traders from Arabia, Asia and the West from the 5th century.  Many of those traders, including the Dutch and the Portuguese in the 17th century, settled in the area and their cultural, religious and architectural influences still remain.

In more recent times, the long sandy beaches of the Negombo coast have become one of the most popular beach resorts in the island. While the small towns just to the north remain untouched by mass tourism, Negombo offers a wide range of accommodation from simple two-star hotels to the five star luxuries of The Beach Hotel, one of the best hotels in the island and an excellent place to refresh after a long flight.

This strip of coastline is varied with tranquil blue lagoons meeting the Indian Ocean, scattered little islands, inland wetlands, paddy fields and large spice and coconut plantations.  The lagoons are famous for their lobsters, crabs and prawns, as well as a variety of fish that are auctioned daily on the beach.  There are some good coral reefs to the north of Negombo and the deep seas of the Gulf of Mannar in Kalpitiya are home to sharks, Dugongs, stingrays and several species of giant turtles.

Many fishing communities from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds lead peaceful lives along the coast.  The influences of the Dutch and Portuguese periods are notable right along from Negombo to Puttalam.  Several 17th century Catholic churches are found in this area and are popular pilgrimage sites, especially St. Anne’s shrine in Talawilla where pilgrims flock during the months of March and July for the church festivals.

An old network of canals developed by the Dutch, linking Colombo’s seaport to the North Western coastal towns for transporting cinnamon and spices, still function as active waterways full of life.  These canal paths winding through the villages can be explored by bicycle.  The sacred Hindu shrine of Munneswaram located in Chilaw is visited by thousands of pilgrims, especially in August where a colourful perehera (pageant) and fire walking takes place in devotion to God Shiva.

The North West though is far more than just a beach destination and the region stretches inland up to Kurunegala, a 12th century capital of the Sinhala kings then known as Panduwasnuwara.  Today the capital of the North West Province, Kurunegala is a central point linking the coast, Cultural Triangle and hill country. Archeological ruins of a palace, monastic complex, stone inscriptions, Buddhist temples and a large reservoir make Kurunegala a convenient and interesting location the main tourist trail.

The varying habitats of the North West are home to many species of birds and animals.  The Muthurajawella marshes located south of the Negombo lagoon, Sri Lanka’s largest salt-water wetlands, is home to purple herons, cormorants and kingfishers.   About 26km north of Puttalam is the Wilpattu National Park. Covering an area of 1,085 sq. kms, the park has several unusual features, including a small fishing village, coastal cliff-tops as well as a collection of ‘villus’ (freshwater lakes) providing natural habitats for a variety of ‘big game’ including leopards, elephants, water buffalo and many species of birds.

• Muthurajawela Marshes - Muthurajawela Marshes are situated just south of Negombo and cover an area of approximately 6,000 hectares inclusive of the Negombo lagoon. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters over thousands of years, has led to a brackish, integrated coastal ecosystem that is biologically diverse and teeming with life. A variety of mangroves and other types of flora including medicinal plants, numerous types of birds, butterflies and fish, some of which are endemic, are found in the Muthurajawela marshes. Crocodiles, monitor lizards and Sri Lanka's largest snake - the Python, is also found here. A boat ride along the marshes during the early morning hours or evening, will let you experience this rich ecosystem to its fullest. The Muthurajawela Marsh Centre has been setup to provide valuable information and will organize a trained guide who will accompany visitors on a two-hour boat ride along the marshes and the Negombo Lagoon.
  
• Wilpattu National Park - Covering an area of 131,000 hectares that stretches from the Northwestern coast to the north-central province, the Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest wildlife parks.  Wilpattu’s varying natural habitats - coastal belt, natural lakes (villus), cliff tops, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest – consists of numerous species of animals.  Many of the `big game’ found in Sri Lanka including elephant, sloth bear, water buffalo, spotted dear and leopard can be seen here.    The coastal belt and natural lakes attract many species of birds such as painted storks, white ibis, open bills, Whistling teals, spoonbills, cormorants and kingfishers as well as water monitors and mugger crocodiles.  Situated away from the common tourist routs, Wilpattu is unspoilt and can   be enjoyed in tranquil seclusion.
  
• Colonial architecture - Negombo is a quaint town with an interesting Portuguese and Dutch heritage.  Explore the ruins of the 17th century Dutch Fort and cemetery and the numerous Dutch period Catholic Churches.  Take a boat ride or cycle along the centuries old Dutch Canals which stretches from Colombo through Negombo to Puttlam in the North.
  
• Fishing in Negombo - Old world fishing crafts such as the catamaran with its bellowing sails, are used by Negombo’s fisherman and is characteristic to this part of the island.  The majestic view of the catamarans as it sets sails into the sunset is a wonderful sight.  Visit a fishing village along the coast, join a fisherman as he sets sail for his day’s catch,  or visit the early morning fish auction on the beach -  bustling with activity as the catamarans comes ashore with their bounty of numerous varieties of fresh fish, prawns, crabs and lobster.
  
• Water Sports - Negombo offers an exceptional range of high-quality water sports for all ages and levels of competence. Whether it’s zipping across the warm water of Negombo on a windsurfer or having a gentle paddle in a Canadian canoe.  Reliable equipment, coaching and expertise are provided.  Safety of course is a priority.