Sri Lanka Romantic Getaways by Occasion

A romantic Sri Lanka trip looks different for an anniversary, a honeymoon and a couple who would rather hike, so pick the plan by occasion.

Anniversary: three nights on the south coast

Stay in one villa and let the evenings do the work. From November to April the south coast is dry with calm seas.

  • Choose a villa near Tangalle or Mirissa, set back from the main beach strip. Compare south coast villas on Booking.com and look at the distance to the sand.
  • Walk the Galle Fort ramparts near sunset. They are free.
  • Book a beach seafood dinner for two with prawns, snapper and squid, usually LKR 8,000 to 16,000.
  • Take a morning whale boat from Mirissa, available November to April and strongest from December to March.

Honeymoon: ten nights, hills then sea

Put the cool part first and the beach last. Spend 4 nights in a tea-estate bungalow around Nuwara Eliya or Hatton, where nights are cool and the verandas look over the estates. Rates vary widely, so compare before committing.

Move on by road to the coast for 5 or 6 nights. A short stop in Ella breaks the journey, and the scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella and Badulla suits two. Reach Nanu Oya by road and check Sri Lanka Railways for current services before building a day around it. Seats can be reserved online up to 30 days ahead at the railway portal .

At the end, add a wellness afternoon: an hour-long Ayurvedic oil massage costs about LKR 5,000 to 10,000 at certified centres.

Active couples: a week of early starts

  • Climb Pidurangala for sunrise, about LKR 1,000 and open from 05:00. The view looks straight across to Sigiriya’s rock.
  • Cook together in a clay-pot class in Ella or Habarana, LKR 4,500 to 8,500.
  • Surf at Weligama from November to April, or Arugam Bay from May to September.
  • Walk a stage of the Pekoe Trail through working tea estates. See pekoetrail.org for stage conditions.

Timing and manners

The two monsoons hit opposite coasts, so match the beach to the month: south and west for November to April, east for May to September. Keep public affection modest away from the beach, and cover shoulders and knees at temples. Keep any Buddha tattoo covered and never turn your back to a Buddha statue for a photo. For a longer stay, see the 4-day itinerary .

Verdict: for a honeymoon, spend the first half in the hills and the second on the sand, and book the bungalow first.