Honeymoon: Kandy, Ella, Mirissa and Bentota

Day 1: Arrive in Kandy

Kandy

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic · 2 h. Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.
• Bahirawakanda Buddha statue viewpoint · 1 h

Local tip: Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Kandy

Kandy

• Kandy Lake walk · 1 h
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya · 3 h. 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.
• Kandyan cultural dance show · 1 h. Shows start around 5pm near the lake; pair with the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.

Local tip: 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Kandy → Ella

Ella · Kandy to Ella, Scenic train ~7h (car ~5h)

• Nine Arch Bridge · 1.5 h. Check the day's train times locally and arrive 20 minutes before one; stay off the tracks when a train is due.
• Ravana Falls · 1 h. 6 km below Ella on the Wellawaya road and linked to the Ramayana; fullest after rain, rocks are slippery.

Local tip: Check the day's train times locally and arrive 20 minutes before one; stay off the tracks when a train is due.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Ella

Ella

• Little Adam's Peak hike · 2 h. 45-min walk from town on a clear path; sunrise or late afternoon.
• Sri Lankan home cooking class · 2.5 h
• Flying Ravana zipline · 1 h

Local tip: 45-min walk from town on a clear path; sunrise or late afternoon.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Ella → Mirissa

Mirissa · Ella to Mirissa, Private car ~3.5h

• Coconut Tree Hill · 1 h. Short walk from the east end of the beach; sunrise and sunset get crowded.
• Secret Beach · 3 h. Small cove 10 min by tuk-tuk; a natural rock pool forms at low tide.

Local tip: Short walk from the east end of the beach; sunrise and sunset get crowded.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Mirissa

Mirissa

• Whale watching boat trip (Nov–Apr) · 5 h. Boats leave ~6:30am; blue whales are likely but not guaranteed. Take seasickness tablets and pick an operator that keeps its distance from the whales.

Local tip: Boats leave ~6:30am; blue whales are likely but not guaranteed. Take seasickness tablets and pick an operator that keeps its distance from the whales.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Mirissa

Mirissa

• Parrot Rock & Mirissa beach sunset · 2 h. Wade across only at low tide.
• Dondra Head lighthouse (southernmost point) · 1.5 h
• Surf lesson at Weligama bay · 2 h. Weligama's sandy bay suits beginners; Nov–Apr.

Local tip: Wade across only at low tide.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Mirissa → Bentota

Bentota · Mirissa to Bentota, Private car ~2h

• Madu River boat safari (Balapitiya) · 2.5 h. Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.
• Ayurveda massage & spa · 2 h

Local tip: Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Bentota

Bentota

• Bentota beach day · 3 h. Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.
• Bentota River water sports · 2 h. Jet ski, banana boat and windsurfing run Nov–Apr; prices are per ride, agree before starting.

Local tip: Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Bentota

Bentota

• Brief Garden (Bevis Bawa) · 1.5 h
• Kosgoda turtle hatchery · 1 h. Choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings promptly rather than keeping turtles in tanks for photos.

Local tip: Choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings promptly rather than keeping turtles in tanks for photos.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps