Today, we wanted to take a closer look. We caught the bus from the end of this road right to downtown Negombo. Then, we walked the length of Sea Street, passing the city limits. That was a very long ways in the hot sun. I was not bothered as it was interesting to see the hotels, restaurants, and public beach area. A famous landmark hotel, Brown's Beach, has been completely razed and massive construction has commenced. Other properties are under scaffolding and being refurbished. The Jetwing Hotel Group seems to now own multiple properties.
Several decades of conflict stalled tourism here. Now things are booming in most aspects of life. I like that Negombo has not had the chance to get overdeveloped. It is possible to still find $10 / night fan rooms or spend more than $350 at a big property. I hope this variety doesn't disappear as current progress changes the face of the hotel industry. Oh, and I really hope developers take it easy with the spa concept as that will only be of interest to a tiny percentage of foreign tourists.
If not this trip, then during a future one, I hope to spend a few days at a hotel in Negombo.