The Ultimate Sri Lanka Honeymoon Guide: Where to Go and What to Do For Every Travel Style

Boat on the beach Sri Lanka

For couples seeking a honeymoon destination that offers a mix of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, Sri Lanka is a dream come true. With its stunning beaches, rich history, and diverse landscapes, this island nation has something to offer every type of traveller. However, with so many options to choose from, planning the perfect itinerary can be daunting. That’s why our Sri Lanka honeymoon guide is here to help you create a personalised itinerary that caters to your unique preferences and travel style.

Why Honeymoon in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Wildlife
Discover incredible wildlife in this wonderful destination

Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for couples who are looking to plan a holiday or honeymoon. With its diverse cultures, ancient sites, luxurious accommodations, and wildlife-spotting opportunities, it offers a plethora of experiences for an unforgettable journey with your loved one. With so much to see and do, Sri Lanka is a destination that promises to create unforgettable memories for you and your loved one.

Situated off the coast of India, this beautiful island-country has something for every couple. You can explore ancient temples in the Cultural Triangle, relax on palm-lined beaches in Tangalle, discover the art scene in Kandy, admire colonial-era buildings in Galle, or go on a wildlife safari in Yala National Park.

If you prefer city life, you can enjoy the metropolitan grandeur of Colombo. After years of civil war, followed more recently by a financial crisis, Sri Lanka has stabilised and is now a booming tourist destination. Couples can spend anywhere from 10 days to two weeks exploring all this island nation offers.

Sri Lanka Honeymoons: What to Do & See Based on Your Travel Style

Don’t know what to do on your Sri Lanka honeymoon? This guide breaks down the top activities and sights based on your preferred travel style.

Fishing men on Stilts Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka for the adventure-seeking couple…

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to thrills in Sri Lanka. In this incredible destination, you’ll find everything from jungles and pristine beaches to tranquil hinterland and minuscule islands. 

Easily one of Sri Lanka’s most-loved attractions, its wildlife is truly spectacular – think leopards, sloth bears, elephants and inquisitive monkeys. One of the best places to see them all, Yala National Park in Southwestern Sri Lanka offers plenty for thrill-seekers.

A huge expanse of forest, grassland and lagoons, the park offers safari trips and even camping. Want to mix luxury and adventure? Spend your honeymoon (or at least a fraction of it) at Ralais Chateaux’s super-luxe Wild Coast Tented Lodge Yala that sits adjacent to the park. 

If you consider yourselves accomplished hikers, take on the challenge that is Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) in Sri Lanka’s central highland region. Join a certified guide to start ascending the mountain in the middle of the night – come morning you’ll be rewarded with a pinch-me-now sunrise over the landscapes below. At the top you’ll also find a large footprint-like hollow that Buddhists say is left by Buddha’s left food. 

Prefer to hit the water? Sri Lanka is also blessed with wonderful dive sites filled with captivating creatures and colourful coral. Top spots include the Taprobane East Wreck in Colombo, the coastal town of Hikkaduwa on the southeast coast and Bull Dog Reef in Kalpitiya.

Related article: What to See & Do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka for the luxury-loving couple…

Ceylon Tea Trails Sri Lanka
Ceylon Tea Trails is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic honeymoon spots

Offering up some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful outlooks on a silver platter, there are many dreamy places to stay on the island that are perfect for a post-wedding escape. 

One of the destination’s most famous offerings, Ceylon Tea Trails in the tea-growing region of Hatton is honeymoon perfection. The world’s first tea bungalow resort, the Insta-ready hideaway overlooks mountains and lush tea fields, and is boarded by the World Heritage-listed Central Highlands.

There are five secluded bungalows to choose from here, all decked out in period furnishings inspired by the resort’s colonial era past. Another reason to escape to this romantic spot? Known for offering ‘all-inclusive’ Tea Trails experiences, Ceylon Tea Trails offers everything from butler service and gourmet cuisine to guided tea field walks with the resident Tea Planter. 

Looking for something a little less extravagant? Top off your Sri Lankan honeymoon with a once-in-a-lifetime hot-air balloon ride over forest and jungle. Or, discover more of the destination’s colonial past aboard the iconic Viceroy Special. Running between December and August when it’s attached to public trains, the carriage features wooden panelling, butler service, a glamorous bar and gourmet Sri Lankan dining experiences. Sit back and relax in style as you travel through the tea field-dotted highlands – this stretch of railway is believed to be one of the world’s most scenic train rides. 

Sri Lanka for the beach-loving couple…

Relax under shady palms at one of Sri Lanka's pristine beaches
Relax under shady palms at one of Sri Lanka’s pristine beaches

Cherished for their almost-deserted stretches of sand and bright blue waters, Sri Lanka’s beaches and offshore islands are serious screensaver material.

Keen surfers, hit Arugam Bay on the southeast coast for some of the best waves in Sri Lanka. This laid-back spot is also ideal for chilling out with a freshly husked coconut on powder-soft sands.

A winner for its coral reefs, turquoise waters and beachside restaurants, Unawatuna on the southern coast is popular with couples for a reason, while the palm-dotted Mirissa in the Southern Province and within easy reach of Galle provides a lovely setting for relaxing in a hammock by the water. 

If you’re dreaming of discovering Sri Lanka’s offshore islands, hire out a boat and explore Pigeon Island National Park. With rock pools, white sands and vibrant coral gardens teeming with life, it’s a must-visit. 

Sri Lanka for the culture-seeking couple…

Sigiriya Sri Lanka
Sigiriya

You really can’t come to Sri Lanka without visiting the ancient city of Sigiriya. Sitting on a rocky outcrop that seems to rise out of the emerald ground below, the World Heritage-listed site holds the remains of King Kassapa’s palace from the 5th century AD. Ascend the stairs on the side of the mountain to reach the palace and an ancient fortress. The 360-degree jungle views are also enough to entice a mountain trek. 

Another unique site you won’t find anywhere else, the Dambulla Buddha Cave Temple in central Sri Lanka is incredibly impressive. Sitting atop a 160-metre high rock, the monastery and its five sanctuaries are covered in colourful Buddhist mural paintings that have been cared for by Buddhists for more than 2,000 years. Also filled with awe-inspiring statues from the 12th century, the site is a treasure trove of Buddhist cultural significance.  

Sri Lanka the foodie couple…

Sri Lanka's cuisine is bod and fresh
The local cuisine is all about fresh seafood and bold flavours

If you love seafood, fragrant curries and exotic flavours, you’re in the right place. Influenced by its Indian neighbours and tropical climate, much of Sri Lanka’s cuisine is packed full of flavour and fresh produce – definitely do not leave without trying coconut pancakes or Jaffna seafood curry made with the ground, dried stalk of the palm fruit.

Start your Sri Lankan culinary journey in the capital of Colombo. Here, you’ll be treated to delicious street-food, fine dining and everything in-between. Celebrate the start of your honeymoon with dinner at Ministry of Crab. Set in a preserved 400-year-old Dutch hospital and known for its, well, delectable crab dishes, this renowned spot was named as one of Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2018. 

Sri Lanka’s other major city, Galle, is also great for straight-from-the-ocean seafood. While we are talking about Galle, it has to be said that you’ll want to pop this on your travel itinerary no matter what style of traveller you are! Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts 16th-century ramparts and charming cobbled streets lined with Dutch villas, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Foodies will be particularly delighted with the new dining options that have opened in recent years, with talented international and local restaurateurs transforming Galle Fort into a delicious destination.

Meanwhile, further in the north you’ll be treated to more Indian-influenced dishes. Wherever you spend your honeymoon, expect bold, mouthwatering dishes served with no-fuss, home-style flair. 

Sri Lanka and Maldives Honeymoon: A Perfect Combination

Centara-grand-island-resort-and-spa-maldives-drone-shot-of-a-couple-lying-down-on-the-beach-or-shore
Photo courtesy of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives

For a honeymoon that offers a blend of culture, nature, and stunning views of the Indian Ocean, many couples opt to combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka offers a rich cultural experience with its ancient temples, lush tea plantations, and wildlife safaris, while the Maldives boasts luxurious private island resorts and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling and diving. Together, these two destinations offer the perfect balance of relaxation, indulgence and adventure for a truly unforgettable honeymoon.

We’ve put together a great honeymoon guide for The Maldives here.

Need to Know – Sri Lanka Travel

Sri Lanka Beach

Language: In Sri Lanka, the official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, but English is also recognised and spoken by a minority of the population. This linguistic diversity reflects the country’s complex history and cultural influences.

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee

Best time to travel to Sri Lanka: If you’re planning a trip to the west coast, the best time to go is between December and April. Do note, you’ll want to avoid the monsoon season, which brings heavy rains and runs from May to August. On the other hand, if you’re headed to the east coast, the ideal time to visit is between May and October.

Getting Around: Travelling around Sri Lanka can be done through various modes of transportation. Trains and buses are available throughout the country, with some being more modern and efficient than others. However, due to narrow and winding roads, driving can be slow and challenging. To make the most of your trip, it’s recommended to hire a car service – we used one that allowed the driver to stay with us for ten days and take us to all of the major sites – or use taxis and tuk-tuks for local travel. With these options, you can easily explore all that Sri Lanka has to offer.

Related Article: 10 Must-Do Adventures in Sri Lanka

Adventures in Sri Lanka

Images courtesy of Sri Lanka Tourism and sourced via www.resplendentceylon.com/

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