West Coast

Colombo energy, Negombo lagoons, Bentota beaches.

What defines the West Coast.

The west coast is where most journeys begin and end: Colombo's energy, Negombo's lagoon and fishing fleets, and the resort beaches of Bentota an easy hop south. A convenient, comfortable bookend to any trip.

November – April(south-west dry season)
Best time: 6
Main regions: 37
Landmarks

Every corner of the West Coast.

Explore the West Coast.

Browse the regions that make up this theme, then wander into the one that calls you.

Colombo

The island's fast-changing commercial capital.

Colombo is the country's commercial heart and most cosmopolitan city — a layered mix of colonial arcades, Buddhist and Hindu temples, sea-facing promenades and a fast-rising skyline of rooftop bars and design hotels. The restored Dutch Hospital precinct, the frenetic Pettah bazaar and the Galle Face Green seafront capture its range in a single day. Most trips begin or end here, and the city rewards a night rather than a rushed airport transfer, with world-class Sri Lankan cooking, contemporary galleries and the architectural legacy of Geoffrey Bawa all part of the draw. The new Port City reclamation and the lotus-shaped tower mark a skyline changing faster than almost anywhere in South Asia.

Explore Colombo