Why Sri Lanka & the Maldives make a great twin-centre holiday
With diverse and captivating cultures, blissful beaches and exquisite resorts, the Indian Ocean's islands are enticing.
But choosing which one to visit can be near impossible when you compare the South Asian customs and excellent cuisine of Sri Lanka and the long stretches of white sands and marine adventures in the Maldives; so, why not visit both? And as a mere 90-minute flight separates these island nations, there's every excuse to opt for a two-for-one holiday.
Read on to see why Sri Lanka and the Maldives make the perfect twin-centre partners, not only through proximity but with variety that will keep everyone happy.
Where to stay: find beautiful accommodation in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives with Sun Siyam Resorts*, which offers super stylish and considered abodes in both destinations.
Sri Lankan adventures
Start in Sri Lanka, where you'll spend some busier days exploring. The south and west coasts are well-trodden paths, from capital Colombo to the seaside towns and resorts of Negombo, Galle and Bentota.
But to experience a Sri Lanka still relatively untouched by tourism, be ready to venture further. Pasikudah on the east coast is under-explored; wander the nearby fishing town of Valaichenai and you're unlikely to see another tourist.
The genesis of this has tragic roots. The east and north of Sri Lanka were marred by civil wars from 1985, with the Sinhalese and minority Tamils in on-off battles until 2009. But the relaxed east couldn't be further from this today, with visitors to the luxury and boutique resorts dotting Pasikudah's coast seeking escape from busier tourist towns.
There's much to see too, from the vibrancy of the Hindu Vinayagar Temple, in Kalkudah, 3 km from the beach, to Valaichenai's market buzzing with life and an abundance of produce, some of which may be alien to you but make a perfect vegetable curry, or sambal.
And you can buy spices here, such as golden turmeric and real cinnamon (not merely cassia bark, ground or in sticks) for just a few pence.
Sri Lanka's interior holds many adventures. A three-hour drive through verdant landscapes, pausing to watch the odd elephant or monkey family roaming roadside, takes you to Sigiriya. This 5th-century fortress is perhaps the most famous landmark in Sri Lanka. Music fans may recognise that Duran Duran even filmed the video for Save a Prayer here.
But that isn't the reason to brave its 1,200 steps. You may be puffed at the summit, but stay a while to breathe in the expansive views over the lush green landscape and recover.
Then there's nearby Dambulla with its 800 steps (you can decide whether to visit both in one day!). But this 1st-century BCE Buddhist temple built within the cave system is staggering in its scale and the artistry in the works it contains, from hundreds of statues to intricate wall paintings.
Finally, don't miss the chance to spot elephants on a safari at Kaudulla, Sri Lanka's newest national park. It is part of the elephant corridor that runs between Minneriya and Wasgomuwa national parks, and from July to October, thousands of elephants move between the two. However, at any time of year, you're bound to see elephants; more than 200 live there.
Climate in Sri Lanka
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  31 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  5 |
5 |
 9 |
 14 |
14 |
15 |
 11 |
11 |
14 |
 16 |
15 |
10 |
| Sea temperature °C |  28 |
28 |
29 |
 30 |
29 |
28 |
 27 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
The above guide shows the climate in Colombo. Find out more about conditions across the archipelago in our complete guide to the climate in Sri Lanka.
Make for the Maldives
The Maldives had struck me as a destination perfect for a romantic getaway with little to do but gaze out to sea and into the eyes of your beloved. And while there is some truth to its romantic nature, there is great variety in the Maldives. It really depends on where you stay among its atolls.
Lovers will have their pick of secluded islands for love-ins, but there are many others to suit family holidays, girls' trips, multigenerational groups, or any number of breaks.
Take Sun Siyam Olhuveli*, which I paired with Sri Lanka's Sun Siyam Pasikudah*. Both offer affordable luxury, which is key when you consider that an upscale resort in the Maldives can cost in excess of £1,000 a night elsewhere.
Transferring by speedboat from Malé airport, you'll arrive at Olhuveli's long jetty, hovering above crystal-clear shallows where seagrass hugs the ocean floor, providing shelter to blacktip reef sharks and thousands of fish.
The resort has two house reefs for you to snorkel or dive whenever you wish, so encounters with nature are plentiful. And that's before you book one of the many day trips to swim with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays or even nurse sharks.
Olhuveli is spread across three interconnected islands, one of which is a TUI Blue resort. But you often won't notice when you've crossed a bridge to the other island, nor does it ever feel overwhelmed with people.
The resort offers all-inclusive dining across 14 restaurants and bars, two full-service spas, 11 swimming pools, including the longest in the Maldives, miles of white sand beaches and even a fun karaoke room where you can sing into the night.
Climate in the Maldives
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C | 30 |
31 |
31 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall | 5 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
| Sea temperature °C | 28 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
29 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
The above guide shows the climate in Malé. Find out more about conditions across the archipelago in our complete guide to the climate in the Maldives.
Ready to book your twin-centre stay? Find the latest offers on affordable luxury with Sun Siyam Resorts*.
Sarah stayed in a garden pavilion with a pool at Sun Siyam Pasikudah* in Sri Lanka and in a grand beach suite with a pool at Sun Siyam Olhuveli* in the Maldives.
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