History and Culture Await on a Sri Lanka Honeymoon

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Considering a Sri Lanka honeymoon? Located just south of India in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a South Asian destination you may not have previously considered for your honeymoon, but should. Beautiful beaches with blue waters and white sands, awesome food culture, stunning nature, fascinating history and cultural attractions all make Sri Lanka one of the best honeymoon destinations for couples who want to truly explore on their romantic getaway.

Sure, it does take a little bit longer to reach this beautiful island destination compared to some other popular honeymoon spots, but the travel time is well worth it once you see what awaits.

Intrigued? Here's everything you need to know about honeymooning in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Sri Lanka Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Sri Lanka Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Sri Lanka Honeymoon

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Best Time to Honeymoon in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's seasons are split into rainy and dry. When planning your visit, you'll want to account not only for the season, but also where you're going to stay on the island, as temperatures drop and weather changes the further inland you travel.

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Coastal Sri Lankan temperatures are around 80 degrees, while inland temperatures hover around 60 to 70 degrees. Monsoon season on the south coast and in southwestern Sri Lanka is from early summer to fall. In the northwestern region of the country, it's from mid-fall to winter. If you want to experience all of the island country with as little rain as possible, the best time to visit is in the spring.

Best weather: March to June.
Festival highlights: The Esala Perahera in Kandy is a spectacular procession held in July or August that features dancers, drummers and elephants. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April is marked by traditional games, rituals and feasting. Vesak, celebrated in May, illuminates the country with lanterns—signifying the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha.

Sri Lanka Honeymoon Planning Tips

The best thing about a Sri Lanka honeymoon is the fact that there's just so much for couples to do and see. You'll never be bored. Whether you and your honey prefer adventurous activities, beach bumming or learning about ancient temples, you can do it all, plus more. Additionally, Sri Lanka is a relatively affordable destination compared to nearby honeymoon destinations like Seychelles and the Maldives.

As noted, it does take a while to get to Sri Lanka. If you're traveling from the East Coast, you can expect a flight of about 19 hours, or over a day in some instances, potentially with multiple connections. If you're visiting from the West Coast, you can definitely expect to be traveling for more than a day. Given this, you probably don't want to pick Sri Lanka for your honeymoon if you only have five to seven days to spend in your destination; you'll be spending all of your time traveling and then recovering from jet lag.

Additionally, if you're looking for a destination where you can just sit on the beach, go to the spa and enjoy some romantic dinner dates, Sri Lanka might not be the perfect honeymoon spot for you. You're better off going to an all-inclusive resort rather than a destination where the best experiences are had while exploring off-property.

Entry requirements: You must have a US passport that is valid for six months from your expected date of departure from Sri Lanka.
Language: Sinhala and Tamil.
Location: Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean.
Currency: The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).
Flight time to Destination: From major US cities like New York or Los Angeles, the flight time to Colombo, Sri Lanka, typically ranges from 18 to 24 hours (this is including layovers, as there are no direct flights).
Getting around: Options include hiring a private driver, which is affordable and convenient for exploring the island. Trains and buses are available for those seeking an adventure and don't mind a slower pace. Tuk-tuks are great for short distances within cities.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Sri Lanka honeymoon expertise, reviews and testimonials.

Best Sri Lanka Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From luxury beach resorts and fancy hotels to eco-lodges in the jungle, you have many options to choose from when it comes to finding Sri Lankan honeymoon accommodations. Many places will provide special honeymoon packages with romantic extras, so make sure you mention that before booking your room.

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Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa

For a luxury resort-style experience, look to Shangri-La Hambantota. The elegant property features the only golf course in the country, as well as an upscale spa and adults-only areas. Book a Janapathi Suite for views of the Indian Ocean, an indoor soaking tub, your own outdoor jacuzzi and a private massage room (perfect for spa treatments and a bit of pampering). The property's location is great, giving you quick access to multiple national parks.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Anantara Kalutara Resort

The Anantara brand is known for providing discerning travelers with unmatchable experiences, and the Anantara luxury hotel in Kalutara, just south of Colombo, is no exception. With beachfront, garden and lagoon views, all of the guest rooms delight, but you can't go wrong with the Presidential Suite, which includes a private plunge pool. Elsewhere around the property, you'll find multiple restaurants, two pools and a world-class spa.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Relais & Chateaux Ceylon Tea Trails

For something truly one-of-a-kind, stay at Ceylon Tea Trails, a small boutique hotel in tea country made up of several restored, colonial-era tea plantation residences. From the bungalows' period furnishings and private pools to the hotel's tea plantation setting and butler service, every refined detail is sure to impress. Take advantage of one of the property's curated experiences for a unique activity to add to your itinerary, whether it's a guided tea factory tour, a picnic lunch or a private tea tasting.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for Sri Lanka honeymoon accommodations tha may provide more privacy or lower prices, consider staying at an Airbnb or VRBO.

Sri Lanka Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Couples can enjoy all kinds of things to do on a honeymoon in Sri Lanka. Whether you choose to bask on the tranquil beaches of the south, take a scenic train ride through the highlands, or experience a hot air balloon ride over the Cultural Triangle, you really can't lose.

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Explore Colombo

You'll likely fly into Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, but don't head straight from Colombo to your beach resort. Instead, stick around and see all that this bustling urban hub has to offer. History and culture buffs, foodies and retail therapy fans will all find something to enjoy. Even a simple stroll through popular neighborhoods like Cinnamon Gardens or Bambalapitiya will yield gorgeous views (and perfect Instagram backdrops) thanks to the hodgepodge of internationally inspired architecture.

Visit the Cultural Triangle

Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle connects Kandy, in the country's hill country; Polonnaruwa, a medieval capital; and Anuradhapura, an even more ancient capital. Combined, the three destinations pack in tons of historic and cultural attractions, as well as several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kandy is the largest of the three, with lots of art, history and Buddhist temples. Polonnaruwa is filled with well-preserved ruins and is such an extensive point of interest that you can rent a bike or a tuk-tuk to spend the day exploring.

Anuradhapura dates back to the third century BCE and contains ruins, holy sites and even the world's oldest living human-planted tree.

Commune With Nature

Even if you don't consider yourself to be all that outdoorsy, Sri Lanka's national parks are worth a spot on your itinerary. Yala National Park is home to the densest population of leopards in the world, but you'll also spot other wildlife when you take a guided tour, ranging from elephants and crocodiles to sloth bears. Udawalawe National Park also attracts visitors with its elephant herds.

Horton Plains National Park in the highlands is known more for its views than its wildlife. Check out World's End Precipice, as well as Baker's Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the country.

Hop Between Beaches

You'll find beautiful sandy beaches on both Sri Lanka's east and west coasts. Spend at least a few days exploring the beaches and enjoying a little relaxation by the water. Unawatuna is one of the most popular Sri Lanka beaches, as is Bentota, but if you want something a little less crowded and more romantic, try Arugam Bay or Uppuveli.

Whatever beach you find yourself at, take advantage of the many available water sports. You'll find water skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing and more.

Pro tip: If there are any specific Sri Lanka honeymoon experiences you'd like to try, include them in your gift registry.

What to Pack for a Sri Lanka Honeymoon

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Make sure to include plenty of layers in your honeymoon luggage. As you travel around Sri Lanka, you'll need more or less clothing as the temperature rises and falls. If you plan on traveling when one of the country's regions is impacted by monsoons, rain gear is also a must. Since so many of Sri Lanka's best sights require a bit of exploration on foot, you should also pack your favorite comfy walking shoes. For a more complete list, check out our full guide what to put on your packing checklist.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.