Stay Safe
Waterland provides the ultimate in social distancing: your own private villa, private plunge pool, and private dining.
Our staff are available to cook, serve, clean, and assist, but will essentially stay out of your way.
Read about our COVID-19 protocols and other precautions we have taken to keep you safe.
A list of the amenities and services not available due to COVID-19 may be found here.
A Tropical Oasis
Beautiful. Uniquely situated between a river, a canal, and a coconut plantation, Waterland is a tropical oasis of towering coconut trees, flowering birds of paradise, and fragrant frangipani.
Exclusive. We have only 5 villas. Each villa celebrates an important feature of Sri Lankan culture: fire, the monsoon, the lotus, the elephant, and the peacock. Each villa has a private infinity-edge plunge pool, a refreshing sanctuary to cool off in the tropical climate.
Relaxing. A restaurant and a dining barge provide culinary delights. A floating spa promotes wellness and relaxation. A colonial era billiards table, a boules court, bicycles, bird watching scopes, a library, a lounge, and boat trips from our private dock ensure that guests have a range of activities to choose from.
Intimate. Waterland provides personable 5-star service.
A hidden gem. Waterland is the highest rated hotel on Trip Advisor and the highest rated 5-star hotel on booking.com. Trip Advisor has named Waterland 1 of the 25 Best Small Hotels in Sri Lanka. The most frequent comment from our guests: We wish we had spent more time here.
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Convenience
Waterland is 17 kilometers from the airport. The drive takes 25 - 40 minutes depending on traffic.
We are happy to arrange airport pick-up or airport drop-off for 25 USD per vehicle.
We can arrange local transportation, drop-off at your next hotel, or tours around the island.
Our Front Desk staff are available to check guests in and out at any time of day or night.
Services & Amenities
Play
Play billiards on a piece of history in our Games Room. The teak billiard table was originally on a colonial tea estate.
Board games available include backgammon, chess, dominoes, and Scrabble.
In the garden, play boules or bean bag toss on our boules court.
Boat Safari North
Depart from Waterland's dock and head north. Along the way, you may see herons, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, parrots, ... Watch a toddy tapper climb towering palm trees and have a glass of toddy (fermented coconut sap) with him.
1 1/2 hours. 40 USD
Boat Safari South
Depart from Waterland's dock and head south.
Experience village life along the water. On the journey, pass coconut plantations, rice paddies, and picturesque mangroves.
3 hours. 80 USD
Take a leisurely bicycle ride. We have maps for two bicycle routes, a shorter one around the neighborhood and a longer one to Negombo Beach.
No charge for guests
Sri Lankan Cooking Class
Learn how to make Sri Lankan rice & curry and a series of side dishes. Enjoy the meal you prepare as a late lunch or have it served for dinner. Includes a drink and recipe book.
2:30pm - 4:30pm. 20 USD per person
Please book at least 24 hours in advance
Tour of Negombo
Visit Negombo Lagoon, the fish market, the Dutch Fort, Angurukaramulla Temple, and St. Mary's Church.
3-4 hours.
May be done by 3-wheeler/tuk-tuk or by car. Price depends on mode of transport.
Negombo
A short distance from the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Negombo is the usual starting and ending point for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
Visitors choose Negombo as their gateway to Sri Lanka because of its proximity to the airport, its vibrant beach scene, and the chance to experience life in a thriving seaside community.
Negombo enjoys a tropical climate all year round. Average high temperatures range from 27 degrees Celsius (May – August) - 30 degrees Celsius (March and April).
