If you are looking for a truly unforgettable honeymoon, make sure Sri Lanka is on your shortlist. This not so small exotic island country in the Indian Ocean, formerly called as Ceylon, is full of wonders and adventures. From unspoiled golden beaches to picturesque national parks; ancient ruins to sacred temples, Sri Lanka is a dream destination for couples who want relaxation and adventure at the same time.
Table of Contents
- Honeymoon in Sri Lanka at a glance
- Honeymoon destinations in Sri Lanka
- Things to do in Sri Lanka on honeymoon
- Best time to visit Sri Lanka
- Useful information for Sri Lanka
Honeymoon in Sri Lanka at a glance
You can try various water sports, hike in the mountains or go on a river safari throughout the day, and end the day while enjoying the sunset with a romantic stroll on the beach. There are only a few countries in the world where you can observe the wildlife in their natural habitat and Sri Lanka is one of them. Elephants, leopards, sea turtles, dolphins, blue whales and many endemic birds are living in Sri Lanka. Among all of the wildlife observation spots, elephant sanctuaries are the most popular ones among tourist visiting Sri Lanka. You can spend an unforgettable day volunteering in an ethical elephant sanctuary and have chance to get to know these amazing creatures.
Sri Lanka has plenty of accommodation options for all budgets both on the coastline and in the inland of the island. From beach resorts offering the ultimate luxury to affordable boutique hotels situated on the lush inland landscapes, you will definitely find what you want in Sri Lanka. Renting luxurious villas with private pool and garden is also becoming very popular among newlyweds looking for a romantic getaway.
Honeymoon Destinations in Sri Lanka
Although Sri Lanka looks like a small island, it is actually a quite large country. In the recent years, it has become one of the most attractive tourism destinations in the Southeast Asia. There are many things to explore and experience on this paradise island. Ancient temples, breathtaking sceneries, lush green landscapes, national parks and golden beaches are scattered across Sri Lanka, attracting travelers from across the world.
Colombo
Your honeymoon in Sri Lanka will most likely start in Colombo, the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the western coast of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a bustling city with a very rich history and heritage. You can easily spent a day or two in Colombo visiting historic sites, museums and colorful streets, although it will not be the highlight of your honeymoon in Sri Lanka. The real Sri Lanka that will be the highlight of your honeymoon is away from the city, tucked away at the heart of Sri Lanka’s nature.
The South and the Southwest Coast
South and South West side of Sri Lanka is very popular among newlyweds for a beach getaway thanks to lots of luxury resorts and hotels. However, if you are going to Sri Lanka, you should spare couple of days for exploring the nature and joining culture tours in the inland areas of Sri Lanka as well.
After having a glimpse of Colombo, you can spare at least a few days to relax on the golden sandy beaches of Western and Southern coast of Sri Lanka. Negombo, Kalutara, Beruwala and Bentota are famous beach towns in the west coast of Sri Lanka and all of them are within easy reach of Colombo. On the south coastline; Mirissa, Hiriketiya, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna are all absolutely beautiful beaches perfect for relaxation and various water sports.
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
At the heart of Sri Lanka, the area between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Kandy is known as the Cultural Triangle. Of all the 8 of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 6 of them are located within this triangle. These 6 sites are; Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (1982), Ancient City of Sigiriya (1982), Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (1991), Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982), Sacred City of Kandy (1988) and Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (2010). All of these 6 locations are top sights in Sri Lanka that should be in your honeymoon bucket list.
Adam’s Peak is another must-see sight in Sri Lanka that you can hike. This 2,243 meter tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka is famous for the Sri Pada, i.e., “sacred footprint” which is considered as the footprint of Buddha for Buddhist, Shiva for Hindus and Adam for Muslims and Christians.
Yala National Park
If you want to observe the wild animals in their natural habitat, you can sign up for a safari tour in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park (largest one is the Wilpattu National Park) in Sri Lanka. Bordering the Indian Ocean, Yala National Park is home to 215 species of birds, 47 species of reptiles and 44 species of mammals. Yala National Park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Elephants, wild water buffalos and Sri Lankan sloth bears are other endangered mammals that you can observe in the wild in Yala National Park.
Usually, honeymoon couples pair their Sri Lanka trip with another exotic destination such as the Maldives, Dubai or Singapore. Before you buy your plane tickets, we suggest you to check out the deals that you may find through the airlines which have connection flights from Sri Lanka to these exotic destinations.
Things to do in Sri Lanka on honeymoon
- Hop on the most scenic train ride in the worlds from Kandy to Ella
- Try various water sports from snorkeling to kite surfing
- Explore the great outdoors by embarking on a trekking or hiking tour
- Visit a tea plantation and discover the production process of tea from plants to your cup
- Observe the wildlife in their natural habitat from leopards to elephants, turtles to whales
- Taste different kinds of delicious Sri Lankan food in a nice restaurant
- Climb the Adam’s Peak
- Get a Spa Massage to relax and refresh
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the city of Kandy
- Go on a safari tour in one of Sri Lanka’s natural parks
- Climb on top of the Sigiriya Rock and watch the sunset
- Hike to the top of the Pidurangala Rock which is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock
- Take an amazing photo at the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
- Hit the beaches in Sri Lanka’s serene south coast
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
In general, the best time to visit Sri Lanka is from December to March. During these months, most of the island experience sunny weather with mild temperatures. Therefore, this period is the busiest time of Island and a perfect time to escape from the winter.
If you don’t mind getting a little bit wet from the rain, travelling to Sri Lanka during off-season also has its advantages. You may expect lower prices and fewer crowds. Plus, the rain brings a different kind of charm to Sri Lanka’s golden beaches and lush green landscapes.
Sri Lanka is a destination that you can visit all year round. The warm weather is quite constant throughout the year and the island receives lots of sunshine. The Hill Country is a little bit cooler than the coastline but it’s still pleasant for sightseeing. However, during monsoon seasons unpredictable rainfall might affect your travel plans. Although Sri Lanka is a small island, it experiences two monsoons.
Monsoon Seasons
The Southwest monsoon called as “Yala” affects the Western Sri Lanka, Southwest Coasts and the Hill Country starting from late April / early May until the end of September. The wettest season during the Yala monsoon is from April to June.
In the North and Northeast of Sri Lanka, a weaker “Maha” monsoon brings rain from November to March. The period from November to December is the wettest period during Maha monsoon.
Useful information for Sri Lanka
- Official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese and Tamil. English is spoken by many people in Sri Lanka and you won’t have trouble to find an English speaker.
- Local currency in Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). ATM machines available in bigger cities and major tourist spots.
- You can exchange money on arrival at the airport or you can use ATM machines to withdraw money. However, some banks charge commission for the ATM transactions.
- Tipping is usually expected in Sri Lanka. You can tip around 10 percent of the bill in a restaurant. However, some restaurants usually add service fee to the bill. Therefore it’s best to check before you tip. You can round up your taxi and tuk tuk fares if you received a good service. Service providers at the Hotels and Spas also expect tip for their services.
- In touristy destinations, the dress code is relaxed and you may wear typical summer clothing. However, before entering temples you should cover up a little bit. Nude or topless sunbathing in public places is forbidden in Sri Lanka.
- Pack some medication with you in case you experience food poisoning, diarrhea or headache. Better safe than sorry.
- If you are not that into spicy food, you can ask no spices before ordering.
- Bring a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of comfortable shoes for hiking and sightseeing.
- During your stay in Sri Lanka, always prefer bottled water instead of tap water. Avoid using ice in your drinks because the ice might be made of a poor quality water source.
- Bring a mosquito repellent with you.
- While travelling via train or bus, always keep an eye on your personal belongings. Also be aware of scammers such as people trying to sell you tea, sapphire, gemstone, spice garden tour etc. Always try to organize your tours in advance via reputable agencies or tour guides.
- Bringing sanitary wipes or antibacterial gel with you would come in very handy.