Negombo Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk
Description
Meet Athula Priyantha of Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Hello! I'm Athula Priyantha, the owner and main guide behind Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours. Since 2004, I've been based in beautiful Negombo, dedicated to giving visitors an authentic, up-close look at Sri Lanka. I believe every journey should be tailored to the traveler, which is why I offer flexible touring options to suit any adventure. Our Specialized Tour Services: * Local Sightseeing by Tuk-Tuk: For quick, fun, and immersive travel, my tuk-tuk is the perfect way to explore! Join me for memorable sightseeing tours in Negombo.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is a beautiful and vibrant Hindu temple (or Kovil) dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered as the Remover of Obstacles and the God of Wisdom. Architecture: It features a strikingly colorful Dravidian-style gopuram (entrance tower) adorned with intricate sculptures and statues of various Hindu gods and goddesses. Significance: It serves as a vital place of worship for the local Hindu community, reflecting Negombo's rich multi-religious heritage. The Experience: Visitors can step inside to experience the serene, spiritual atmosphere, admire the detailed artwork, and witness the daily rituals involving flowers, incense, and lamps.
⛪ St. Mary's Church (Maha Veediya Palliya) Negombo is famously known as "Little Rome," and this majestic church is the centerpiece of that reputation. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka and a beautiful blend of European neoclassical style with Sri Lankan artistry. Architecture: Built between 1874 and 1922, the church features a grand, towering facade and massive columns. The Interior Highlight: The most famous feature is the breathtaking ceiling, which is covered in vibrant frescoes and paintings depicting the life of Christ and various saints. What makes this art truly unique is that the ceiling work was done by a local Buddhist painter, N.S. Godamanne, showcasing Sri Lanka's cultural harmony. Significance: It reflects the deep-rooted Catholic faith of Negombo's coastal community,
Negombo Fish Market & Dry Fish Fields The Negombo Fish Market, locally known as Lellama, is a chaotic, colorful, and authentic slice of local life. It’s one of the largest and most dynamic fish markets on the island. The Market: Best visited early in the morning (around 6:00 AM) to see fishermen unload their fresh catches of tuna, crab, prawns, and various reef fish. It is a vibrant, loud, and bustling spectacle that offers a raw glimpse into Sri Lanka's fishing economy. The Dry Fish Fields: Just beyond the wet market is the sun-drenched area where vast expanses of the day's catch—especially small fish and large, cut pieces—are laid out to dry in the open air, a traditional preservation method. This field creates a powerful, unique aroma and is a visually striking sight against the blue sky and sand. This area showcases the heart of Negombo's identity as a classic coastal fishing town.
Negombo Dutch Fort (Old Fort) The Negombo Dutch Fort is a historic site that marks the city's role in Sri Lanka's colonial history, having been a key trading post for cinnamon and spices. History: Originally established by the Portuguese, it was later captured and rebuilt by the Dutch in the 17th century. Current State: Unlike the sprawling fort in Galle, much of the original structure in Negombo was dismantled by the British in the late 19th century to build the nearby prison. Today, visitors can see the preserved main gateway and some sections of the wall. Significance: While only remnants remain, the site offers a glimpse into the colonial-era architecture and the strategic importance of Negombo's coastal location.
Dutch Canal in Negombo, officially known as the Hamilton Canal, is a fascinating historical waterway that serves as a living connection to Sri Lanka's colonial past and the local fishing community. The canal runs for about 14.5 kilometers (9 miles), connecting Puttalam to Colombo, and it passes right through Negombo, where it links up with the Negombo Lagoon.
Angurukaramulla Temple, officially known as Bodhirajaramaya, is one of Negombo's most renowned and historically significant Buddhist sites. It is celebrated for its incredibly colorful and ornate architecture, particularly its elaborate murals and sculptures.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Wait at the in front of the hotel's main entrance or gate. The tuk-tuk will have the "Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo Sri Lanka" logo displayed on both sides. Be outside and clearly visible at the time of pickup; do not wait in the lobby, as the driver cannot usually leave the vehicle to search for you.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(42)
Absolutely brilliant tour guide, very knowledgeable and polite. Provided ice cold water for free. Took us to some stunning churches and temples, and to the famous fish market ( be prepared for strong smells, luckily I'm from Grimsby so the smell of fish didn't bother me). The tour guide didn't pressure us or take us to anywhere we didn't want to go and even offered to take us to an ATM and a supermarket to buy rice (as my phone succumbed to the 95% humidity so needed drying out). Great value for money definitely recommended and will use again.
Dear Douglas, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful and detailed review of your experience with Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo! It was an absolute pleasure guiding you around our beautiful city. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the visits to our local churches, temples, and the vibrant fish market—it sounds like your Grimsby roots made you the perfect visitor for the market! I always strive to provide a relaxed, pressure-free experience for my guests, and I am glad the ice-cold water and the quick stop for rice helped save your phone from our tropical humidity. Your kind words about the value and service mean the world to me and my family business. Should you ever return to Sri Lanka, it would be an honor to welcome you back for another tour! Safe travels and best wishes, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo, Sri Lanka
Athula is a very nice driver with a lot of background knowledge.
Dear Klaus, Thank you so much for your kind review! It was an absolute pleasure showing you around Negombo. I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the sightseeing tour and found the insights about our beautiful city interesting. Providing a friendly, informative, and memorable experience for my guests is always my top priority. Your appreciation means a lot to me and my family business. Safe travels, and I hope to welcome you back to Sri Lanka again in the future! Warm regards, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo, Sri Lanka
An absolutely fantastic experience! Athule was incredible and really made our visit special. Highly recommend this tour to anyone in the area—we will definitely be back!"
Dear Jennifer and Tonya, thank you for taking the time to share your fantastic feedback on TripAdvisor. It was an honor to host you. I am delighted that you enjoyed the tour and our service. Your high recommendation means the world to a local family business like Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours. We look forward to your next visit to Sri Lanka! Best regards, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo
Beautiful, interesting for an afternoon in Negombo, super skilled and competent guide
Thank you very much Laura for the beautiful review! I am really happy that you spent a nice afternoon in Negombo and that you appreciated my guiding and competence. It was a real pleasure to show you our city. Hope to see you again in the future! Best regards, Athula Priyantha, Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo.
Our guide was very informative.
Thank you for the fantastic review! I’m so glad you had a great experience with Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours. It was an honor to be your guide in Negombo. Safe travels, and thank you for choosing us!"
We really enjoyed this tour with Athula, he is very knowledgeable and he set a nice relaxed pace, we never felt rushed. We especially enjoyed the visit to the fish markets and the lagoon with all the boats. Highly recommend this tour, thank you 😀
I truly appreciate your feedback. My goal is always to ensure my guests feel relaxed and well-informed, so I am glad you never felt rushed. The lagoon and fish markets are some of my favorite places to share with visitors. Thank you for choosing Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours!
Great tour, i saw all the sights, tour took 2 and a galf hours which was perfect. Saw all the temples, fish market, dutch fort and canals. The guide explained everything and was really friendly. I would revommend
Dear Karen, Thank you so much for your kind review! I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed our sightseeing tour of Negombo. It was a pleasure showing you the fish market, the Dutch Fort, our beautiful temples, and the historic canals. I am glad the two-and-a-half-hour timing worked perfectly for your schedule and that you found the information helpful. Thank you for your recommendation; it means a lot to my small business. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Sri Lanka! Best regards, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo, Sri Lanka
The fish market was amazing our driver took us to the local experiences which we delighted in. Thank you for a great morning
Dear Lyn Bond, Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a true pleasure to host you and your husband for a sightseeing tour around Negombo. I am delighted that you enjoyed exploring our local culture and landmarks with Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours. I hope you have wonderful memories of your time in Sri Lanka, and I would love to welcome you back again in the future! Best regards, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours"
Beautiful tour around Negombo with very friendly driver . We visited a church. A Hindu temple and a Buddhist Tempel as well as the fish market, the Saturday market , Dutch Fort and the dry fish area.
Hello Aileen, Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure showing you the beautiful sights of Negombo. I am very happy that you enjoyed our visit to the churches, temples, and the vibrant local markets. Providing a friendly and informative experience is my top priority, and I’m glad we could explore the Dutch Fort and the dry fish area together. I hope you took home some wonderful memories of our city! Safe travels, and I hope to see you again in Sri Lanka. Best regards, Athula Priyantha Owner, Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours Negombo, Sri Lanka
The tour was amazing. My tour guide was patient and very knowledgeable. Took me to the best spots in the city and I had a fabulous time.
Hi Mariam, thank you for the wonderful review! I truly enjoyed being your guide and I'm happy you appreciated the pace and the sights of our city. Thank you for choosing Jayasri Tuk Tuk Tours. Wishing you all the best,
