A honeymoon in Sri Lanka is the perfect romantic destination. From the lush landscapes, powdery sand beaches, and beautiful cultural experiences, you'll have an experience of a lifetime.
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Is Sri Lanka a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Sri Lanka is a gem, with a perfect combination of romance and adventure, thus one of the best honeymoon destinations.
It has a vast terrain with lakes and mountains and national parks in between, perfect for hiking and strolling. And if your honeymoon must include beaches, this magical country has several where you indulge in water sports and enjoy the breathtaking ocean.
For architecture, culture, and history, you can comb through the plentiful ancient temples, historic sites, museums, and shrines for the most beautiful experiences.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Sri Lanka?
- Go on a safari: National parks here are ideal for safari. The best include Kaudulla and Yala national parks, where you can spot wildlife, including leopards, sloths, turtles, and herds of elephants.
- Trekking and hiking: Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock are the best places to hike and explore picture-perfect landscape views.
- Take a train ride: Go on a train ride from Kandy to Ella and enjoy scenic views on this five-hour journey.
- Trek the tea plantations: While you can enjoy the views from the train, you can also trek with locals through the mountainous Nuwara Eliya tea plantations.
- Visit the ancient ruins, including Buddhist temples, fortresses, and shrines. The most popular include the Dambulla cave temple and the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress.
- Climb the Sigiriya rock: It’s one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka. It’s the best place to enjoy sunsets as you explore the ponds, canals, and architecture on the walls and stairs.
- Hit the beaches: You can take a break from the wild by lazing on Sri Lanka’s idyllic beaches. The best are on the west and south coasts, including Bentota, Mirissa, and Hikkaduwa beaches.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a year-round tourist destination enjoying warm weather throughout the year. But the best time depends on the region you want to visit due to the alternating monsoon seasons.
The best time to visit the hill country and beaches (west and south coasts) is between December to April when there’s little rainfall and warm weather.
The east coast and the northern region have the best weather from May to September.
Is a Sri Lankan Honeymoon Expensive?
Sri Lanka is cheaper than nearby destinations such as the Maldives. On average, a five-day honeymoon getaway may cost $2500-$6000 per couple minus flight costs.
But the amount may be more or less depending on the accommodation type, food, activities, and your destination. Again the exchange rate is low, meaning you can do much for a few dollars.
How To Plan a Budget Honeymoon in Sri Lanka
- Visit during the off-season. The best time is immediately before or after the monsoon season. (May is good if you’re going to the west and south coasts, while November is okay if you want to enjoy the north and east coast.
- Use public transport. You Can take the train for more adventure or use the buses connecting small and larger towns.
- Stay in budget-friendly hotels. You can find decent and comfortable accommodation for as low as $ 20.
- Use Airbnb or homestays where you can make some meals.
- Eat from restaurants where you can have decent meals for as little as $5 and snacks for less than a dollar.
- Shop in the local markets where things are cheaper than in touristy areas.
- Enjoy the free activities such as hiking, trekking, and public beaches, or go for a group tour safari.
- Book your flights in advance, as early as three months, and check for discounts.
7 Best Cities to Stay In Sri Lanka
Colombo
Your holiday will start or end in Colombo city owing to its proximity to the international airport. This commercial hub has everything modern, from fancy hotels to malls and skyscrapers. Its beauty lies in the well-maintained colonial buildings and beautiful gardens.
Activities include:
- Shopping
- Nightlife
- Visiting the temples such as Murugan Hindu temple
- Admire the architecture of the colonial buildings.
- Take a day trip to Bentota Beach and proceed to Negombo for a day.
Where to stay: Kollupitiya, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo City Center
Galle
It’s one of the most beautiful cities due to its elegant colonial mansions, museums, and forts. This UNESCO world heritage historic site is the best place for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Activities include:
- A visit to Galle Fort: apart from the architecture, you’ll love the ocean views from the lighthouse.
- Shop from trendy boutiques.
- Visit the mosques and churches such as the Dutch reformed church.
- Walk the rambled streets, take photos, and eat from the stylish cafes.
- Hop on a taxi and spend at Unawatuna Beach.
Where to stay: Unawatuna, Near Fort, Galle City Centre
Kandy
Kandy is the best place for nature lovers due to its lush landscapes, forest-covered hills, and glimmering lake. It depicts Sri Lanka’s history and culture with its spectacular Buddhist temples and festivals.
Activities include:
- A visit to the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic for a prayer session.
- Participate in a Kandyan Dancing at Kandyan Culture Centre.
- Stroll around Kandy Lake and enjoy the picture-perfect views.
- Take a day trip to Sigiriya Rock or hike the hills.
- Walk the royal botanical garden or hand in hand on the spectacular streets.
Where to stay: Kandy City Center, Kandy Lake
Nuwara Eliya
This is one of the most scenic places in Sri Lanka’s hill country. It’s home to vast tea plantations and stellar golf courses and hiking trails. In addition, you’ll find fabulous mountains and waterfalls.
Activities include:
- Take romantic walks through the Hakgala botanical gardens.
- Enjoy scenic views at St Clair and devon falls.
- Take a refreshing boat ride at Gregory Lake.
- Spend a night at Ceylon tea trails.
Where to stay: Hillside Tea Factories, Near Gregory Lake, St Clair
Trincomalee
It’s one of the best cities with beautiful secluded beaches for a laid-back getaway. It’s home to spectacular temples and the colonial-era Fort Frederick.
Activities include:
- Exploring Uppuveli and Nilaveli beaches for water sports or lounging on the white sand.
- Visit the temples such as Pathirakali Amman Temple.
- Enjoy breathtaking sunsets at Fort Frederick and the colorful Koneswaram temple.
- Spend a day at pigeon island national park, home to vibrant marine species and endangered rock pigeons.
Where to stay: Uppuveli Beach, Nilaveli Beach
Hikkaduwa
It’s one of the most popular beach destinations in the country. It has vast, beautiful beaches with extensive coral reefs perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. If you fancy luxury resorts and sandy beaches, Hikkaduwa is your place.
Activities include:
- Water sports such as scuba diving, surfing, and snorkeling.
- Head over to turtle beach and hang out with sea turtles.
- Go on a river safari at Madhu River and spot wildlife near as you cruise the mangrove.
Where to stay: Hikkaduwa Beach, Narigama Beach, Near Hikkaduwa national park
Tangalle
Tangalle is a popular place in southern Sri Lanka with beautiful beaches, beachside bars, and restaurants. Other attractions include Mulkirigala Temple, Bundala, and Yala national park.
Activities include:
- Water sports in the plentiful beaches like Tangalle, Hiriketiya, and Rakawa Beaches.
- Go on a safari at Yala National Park.
- Visit the Buddhist rock temples.
Where to stay: Tangalle town center, Luaya beach, Turtle Bay
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Sri Lanka?
The best way to travel to Sri Lanka is by flying. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to the island, but you’ll get many flights with layovers in the UAE or Europe.
Popular flights fly from Dulles, John F. Kennedy, and Los Angeles international airports to Doha in Qatar or London and proceed to Bandaranaike international airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
You can also get flights from other US cities, including two or more stopovers.
Traveling Within Sri Lanka
- Trains: You can use them to connect towns such as Ella and Kandy. But ensure you travel first or second class for ample space and air conditioning.
- Buses: Buses are cheap, but avoid the public ones (government-run), which may be slow, noisy, and overly crowded, not to mention the heat. Instead, go for the modern ones (privately owned) with comfortable seats and air conditioning.
- Hire a car: You might also need a driver since the roads can be narrow and steep at some points.
- Tuk-tuk: It’s a cheaper alternative to a personal car, and you can get off the beaten path for a better experience.
- Domestic flights: Use domestic flights that connect cities like Colombo, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kandy, and Sigiriya. They’re quick but expensive.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a variety of accommodations depending on your budget and preferences.
Luxury hotels and resorts are usually found in large cities and on the beachfront. At the same time, boutique hotels are mostly located in colonial buildings and villas.
Eco lodges are an option as well. Vacation rentals are perfect for budget travelers. Legal campsites are in national parks. Note that camping in other places (hillsides or beaches) is illegal.
What Type of Food Should You Try in Sri Lanka?
- Kottu/ kottu roti: A favorite fast food among Sri Lankans made of godamba roti (flat and crispy bread). It’s usually served with spicy curry sauce.
- Kukul mas curry: Also known as chicken curry, it’s a household Sri Lankan dish made from chicken and many spices. They include curry powder, coconut milk, tomato puree, and herbs (cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seeds, cloves, lemon grass, turmeric, and pandan leaves).
- Sour fish curry (Fish Ambul Thiyal): A beloved dish made from cubed fish such as tuna and spices like dried Goraka responsible for the sour taste.
Are There Any Cultural Experiences to Include in a Sri Lanka Honeymoon?
A honeymoon in Sri Lanka would only be complete after immersing yourself in its beautiful culture. Attend a prayer session at Dalada Maligawa, a sacred Buddhist temple, and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Tea tasting is a thing here. You might think this is your usual tea, but it’s not. Sri Lanka is a tea country and the third world’s largest tea exporter. So you can sample the history-packed tea as you explore the large tea plantations.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Sri Lanka
Its vibe is casual, and you only need to dress in line with the weather. Pack the basics like light summer wear, light rain jackets (showers can be unpredictable), hiking gear, comfortable walking shoes, and sunscreen.
Also, pack beach essentials and slip-on shoes. Carry identification documents, a universal charger, and a power bank.
Is Sri Lanka Safe to Visit?
Thanks to newly found political stability, Sri Lanka is a safe place to visit. However, while violent crime is low, especially for tourists, petty crime is high, but you can avoid it by following these preventive measures.
- Keep your purse out of sight to avoid pickpockets.
- Avoid deserted areas, including beaches and walking trails.
- Avoid night walks, especially in poorly lit areas.
- Check flooding reports before you visit, especially in the rainy season.
- Avoid scams by staying alert.
- Negotiate bus and taxi fares upfront.
- Ensure your accommodation has tight security.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Sri Lanka?
You need a visa to visit Sri Lanka. You can apply for an ETA (30-day electronic visa) or get one on arrival. Applying for an ETA means you won’t need to queue for a visa on arrival; you’ll only need your passport to travel.
Bonus Sri Lanka Honeymoon Tips
- The water Is not potable. It is okay to brush your teeth but not for drinking. It’s safer to drink bottled water.
- ATMs are scarce in some areas, so you will need cash.
- The local languages are Sinhala and Tamil, but some people speak English.
- 1 USD translates to 322.16 Sri Lankan Rupee.
- While tipping isn’t expected, you can tip hotel staff, cab drivers, and chauffeurs.