We land 11pm tonight and the radar is green - is a Negombo beach night just a wet bus shelter
Qatar into CMB around 11. Originally booked a beach guesthouse in Negombo to start soft. Forecast is showers and it has been dumping on the west all week. Is the first night a write-off. Should we eat, sleep, and get a van to Kandy at 7am instead of pretending we are on holiday.
More
5 Answers from travellers
August on this coast is rain between sun, not a postcard. The lagoon and the beach road are fine for a shower, a hoppers breakfast, and out. Do not plan a boat on the lagoon tomorrow morning if it is still blowing. If your real target is Kandy tonight / tomorrow, sleep here (15-20 minutes from CMB) and leave by 8. A beach day after an 11pm landing in this weather is how people waste Saturday.
We did exactly this earlier this week. Walked the beach at 7 in a drizzle, ate string hoppers, in Kandy by lunch. Not wasted - just short. The fish market at dawn is the only Negombo thing I would still do in the rain.
Friday night CMB-Negombo is normal. Friday night CMB-Kandy during Perahera is a 3.5-5 hour night drive and you will hate yourselves. Sleep west, move inland in daylight.
If the guesthouse is on the beach road, ask for a room that is not the one whose roof sings in the rain. Bring a pack of biscuits. That is the whole first night.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- We land 11pm tonight and the radar is green - is a Negombo beach night just a wet bus shelter5 answers
- Best 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary - what route actually works and what should I skip if time is limited?3 answers
- Best transit option from Colombo Airport to Negombo2 answers
- Airport transfer to a Midigama homestay booking a private van with a roof rack2 answers
- Negombo first night after landing - worth staying or just pass through to Colombo?3 answers
- Taking surfboards on the night bus to Arugam Bay hostels3 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture