Quick answer
A Sri Lanka honeymoon in May should reverse the classic route and end on the east coast. Spend one night in Negombo, two near Kandy, two in the tea country, three at Sigiriya and four at Trincomalee, Nilaveli or Pasikudah, where the sea is calm from about May to September. The south-west monsoon makes the south and west coasts wet and rough from mid to late May. Vesak, the May full moon, fills towns with lanterns, and alcohol is not sold for two days.
Key takeaways
- The south-west monsoon usually reaches Sri Lanka in the second half of May.
- The east coast at Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pasikudah has calm sea from roughly May to September.
- Vesak Poya in May marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, with lantern displays across the island.
- Alcohol and meat sales are restricted for two days at Vesak.
- May is among the cheapest months for hotels on most of the island.
Is May good for a Sri Lanka honeymoon?
May is a good month for a Sri Lanka honeymoon on the right route and a disappointing one on the wrong route. Couples who book the standard south coast finish in late May get grey sea and red flags. Those who finish in the east get sunshine, empty beaches and low rates.
The first ten days of May are often still fine in the south, so a honeymoon early in the month has more freedom. From the middle of the month, treat the east as the only beach option. Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Yala are dry throughout.
- →Best for: value, Vesak, quiet east coast beaches.
- →Watch for: monsoon rain in Colombo, Kandy's western approaches and the south-west.
- →Avoid: a south coast beach finish after mid-May.
The May honeymoon route
The May honeymoon route runs from the wet side of the island to the dry side. After a night in Negombo, drive three to three and a half hours to Kandy for two nights, then take the train into the tea country for two more. The western hills see rain in May, so expect mist and choose a bungalow with a fireplace.
From the hills, a drive of roughly four to five hours leads to Sigiriya for three nights. The last leg to Trincomalee takes about two hours, or two and a half to three to Pasikudah. Four nights by the sea complete the trip.
- →Night 1: Negombo.
- →Nights 2 to 5: Kandy and the tea country.
- →Nights 6 to 8: Sigiriya.
- →Nights 9 to 12: Trincomalee, Nilaveli or Pasikudah.
Vesak on a honeymoon
Vesak is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, and it falls on the full moon of May. Homes, streets and temples are hung with paper lanterns, and large illuminated panels called pandals tell stories from the Buddha's lives. Roadside stalls known as dansalas give free food and drink to anyone passing.
Walking through a lit town on Vesak night is a gentle, generous experience and well suited to a honeymoon. Colombo and Kandy have the largest displays. Plan around the practical side: bars are closed and alcohol is not sold for two days, and some restaurants serve only vegetarian food.
The east coast finish
The east coast in May is at the very start of its season. Nilaveli, roughly 15 kilometres north of Trincomalee, has a long, pale beach and boats to Pigeon Island National Park for snorkelling over coral. Pasikudah, further south, is a shallow bay where the water stays waist deep for a long way out.
Hotels on the east coast are fewer and simpler than in the south, with a handful of good resorts in each place. Choose Pasikudah for a polished resort with a large pool and Nilaveli for a more natural beach and more to do.
- →Nilaveli: space, snorkelling, a short drive to Trincomalee.
- →Pasikudah: the calmest water in the country and resort comfort.
- →Both: five to six and a half hours from the airport, so plan an evening flight.
Booking a May honeymoon
Booking a May honeymoon is easy, with good availability a month or two ahead except over the Vesak holiday, when Sri Lankan families travel. Prices at many hotels are a third or more below January.
Lankan Stays & Trails usually suggests using part of that saving on better rooms, such as a suite at the tea bungalow and a beach-front room on the east coast, since the same budget goes further in May than in any winter month.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a bad time to visit Sri Lanka for a honeymoon?
May is not a bad time, provided the beach nights are on the east coast. The south and west coasts turn wet and rough from mid to late May, but Sigiriya, Yala and the east are dry. Prices are low and the main sites are quiet.
Where should we go for a beach honeymoon in May?
Go to the east coast in May. Nilaveli and Uppuveli near Trincomalee, and Pasikudah further south, have calm sea from roughly May to September. Arugam Bay is also in season, though it is a surf village with a lively feel and simpler rooms.
What is Vesak and does it affect travel?
Vesak is the May full-moon festival marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing. Towns are decorated with lanterns for several days. Alcohol is not sold for two days, some shops close and evening traffic in Colombo and Kandy is heavy. Sites and parks stay open.
Does it rain all day in May?
It rarely rains all day. In the south-west and the western hills, May brings heavy showers and some overcast days once the monsoon sets in. In the Cultural Triangle and on the east coast, most days are dry and sunny, with the occasional evening storm.
Is Yala good in May?
Yala is very good in May. The park lies in the dry south-east, which the south-west monsoon largely misses, and wildlife gathers around shrinking waterholes. On a May route it is far from the east coast, so many couples choose the elephants of Minneriya or a Wilpattu safari instead.
Is Sri Lanka cheaper in May?
Yes. May is low season for most of the country, and hotel rates in Kandy, the hills and the Cultural Triangle are often well below winter levels. East coast hotels are at the start of their season and not yet at peak prices. Flights are usually cheaper too.