Sri Lanka Travel Guide
5 Best Things to Do in Katunayake, Sri Lanka
Katunayake is the suburb of Negombo that almost every visitor to Sri Lanka passes through, because it is home to Bandaranaike International Airport — the island’s main international gateway. Most travellers treat it as a place to sleep before a flight. It deserves better than that.
Colombo sits roughly 30 kilometres away, and the drive between the two takes about an hour and a half depending on traffic. The beach town of Negombo is far closer, just 15 minutes down the road. That makes Katunayake an easy base for your final days in Sri Lanka, or for a long transit stopover between flights.
If you have a spare morning, an afternoon, or a full free day here, these are the five experiences worth your time.
Katunayake at a glance
- AirportBandaranaike International (CMB), Sri Lanka’s main gateway
- To ColomboApprox. 30 km — around 1 hour 30 minutes by road
- To NegomboAround 15 minutes
- Best monthsNovember to March
- Ideal forTransit stopovers and the last days of a Sri Lanka trip
Go bird watching in Muthurajawela
The Muthurajawela Marsh covers 3,068 hectares and forms part of an integrated coastal wetland system of considerable ecological value. It shelters hundreds of endangered and indigenous species, ranks among Sri Lanka’s twelve priority wetlands, and has been recognised as a protected wetland of world importance.
Navigate the waterways by boat and the birdlife arrives quickly. Resident species you may spot include cormorants, ducks, egrets, herons, storks, eagles, terns, swallows, swifts and kingfishers. The marsh is also home to crocodiles, monitor lizards and the python — the largest snake on the island.
Both locals and visitors come here for sightseeing and boat trips, and the wider region supports local forestry and agriculture. Staff at the Muthurajawela Marsh Centre guide visitors through set sections of the sanctuary so the habitat is not disturbed.
Pay your respects at Angurukaramulla Temple
Angurukaramulla is an ancient and much-revered Buddhist temple in Negombo, known for the dragon head that guards its entrance and for a six-metre statue of the Lord Buddha. Visitors walk through the dragon’s jaws to enter — a passage said to keep evil spirits away from the temple and its followers. The dragon sits in the shadow of the great statue, facing a still pool of water.
The grounds also hold the ruins of a 300-year-old library that once housed a substantial collection of religious and literary manuscripts. Some are rumoured to be preserved in the corridors of the newly refurbished temple.
See Negombo by tuk tuk
One of the most enjoyable ways to spend a few free hours from a Katunayake hotel is a tuk tuk tour through the history, culture and everyday life of Negombo. The route takes around two to three hours and can be shaped around whatever interests you most.
What you’ll see
- Negombo fish market
- Fish drying on the beach
- St Mary’s Church
- Negombo Dutch Fort
- Angurukaramulla Temple
- Hamilton Canal
- Negombo Lagoon
The journey starts in Katunayake and heads first to the busy local fish market, then past enormous mats of fish drying in the sun. From there you reach the Dutch Fort, where you are free to wander the grounds, before moving on to the Dutch canal — once a vital artery of the transport network that held the colonial administration together.
Next comes the 300-year-old Angurukaramulla Temple, worth the stop for its historic library, dragon entrance and vivid wall paintings. The tour finishes at St Mary’s Church, one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka and a significant place of worship whose distinctive architecture makes it hard to skip.
Speak to your travel agent, or talk to Ceylon Hunt to book your Negombo city tour.
Take a boat safari on Dandugam Oya
There is something quietly wonderful about drifting along a river with a local fisherman at the paddle, moving through thick mangroves loud with birdsong. Ceylon Hunt runs Dandugam Oya boat safari packages built specifically for travellers spending their final days in Sri Lanka, or passing through on a transit stay in a hotel near Katunayake.
The morning safari is the one to book. As you cruise the winding waterways, watch for water monitors, cormorants perched on floating branches and fruit bats hanging upside down in the canopy. With a little luck you may also see crocodiles and water snakes while the fisherman paddles on, preparing for his catch.
Book an Ayurvedic treatment
If Ayurveda is on your mind, there are really only two places to go: India or Sri Lanka. Since you are already here, it would be a shame not to try it before you fly home.
Ask your hotel staff for their recommendations on treatment centres nearby. If you can travel the short distance into Negombo, the Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion is the standout choice in the area.
The best time to visit Katunayake
November through March is the ideal window, with drier, more comfortable conditions for boat safaris and walking tours. If your travel dates fall in the hotter part of the year, April, May and June are the better months to choose.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| November – March | The ideal season to visit Katunayake |
| April – June | The best of the hotter months if you’re travelling in summer |
Where to stay in Katunayake
All four of these sit within easy reach of the airport, which makes them practical for early departures and late arrivals alike.
Wherever you decide to stay, Sri Lanka rarely disappoints. The food is affordable and delicious, the people are warm and welcoming, and the scenery speaks for itself.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Katunayake from Colombo?
Around 30 kilometres. Allow roughly an hour and a half for the drive, more during peak traffic.
Is Katunayake worth visiting on a short layover?
Yes. A Negombo tuk tuk tour takes two to three hours, and a morning boat safari on Dandugam Oya fits comfortably into a half day, so both work well on a long transit stop.
What should I wear to Angurukaramulla Temple?
Modest clothing that covers your arms and shoulders. Shoes are removed before entering the shrine area.
Can Ceylon Hunt arrange these tours from my hotel?
Yes. We pick you up from your Katunayake or Negombo hotel and handle transport, guiding and timing around your flight. Message us on WhatsApp with your flight details and we’ll build the day around them.
Planning your last days in Sri Lanka?
Ceylon Hunt runs tours to every attraction in this guide, with SLTDA-approved guides and A/C vehicles. Tell us your dates and we’ll send a free itinerary within 24 hours.
Image courtesy of Stephen Clarkson and Amila Tennakoon via Creative Commons licences. Some rights reserved.
