Luxury Holidays Asia

Does Sri Lanka welcome LGBTQ travellers? Is it safe for the LGBTQ community? In this article, we answer it all. Being one of the best, most beautiful island destinations in South East Asia, many people visit Sri Lanka every year and this includes LGBTQ travellers. This article shares what you need to know before travelling to Sri Lanka as a non-straight person.

Even though the rule makers are still refusing to take down the laws that make being a member of the LGBTQ community illegal, Sri Lanka is a great place for any LGBTQ traveller that want to experience what the country has to offer.

People tend to ignore the law that illegalizes same-sex relations, which dates back to 1883. In conclusion, this makes authorities, and the citizens of the country let LGBTQ people mind their own business.

LGBTQ issues aside, Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. If lush green mountains, golden sandy beaches, a society exploding with culture, and a rich history to explore are things that you like, then Sri Lanka is a great destination for you.

Travelling the country as an LGBTQ member is not dangerous and won’t cause any issues. Just keep in mind that same-sex relations are illegal and avoid any public affection displays. That way, you can get the full experience without having to worry about being judged for your sexual preferences.

Sri Lanka is a county that heavily depends on the income that comes from the tourists that visit the country. As such, people and the authorities tend to pay a large amount of respect to their visitors no matter the pronouns they use for themselves. Moreover, you might have already heard about the warm hospitality and how friendly the Sri Lankan people are.

This is reason enough to guaranty that Sri Lanka is a safe place for any member of the LGBTQ community to visit and spend their time on.

Many consider Sri Lanka to be the jewel of Asia, and as the name suggests, it is indeed a jewel of a country. Travellers can experience multiple climates within this small island and visit world wonders and world heritage sites.

Sri Lanka is also famous among surfers and many visitors to get a first-hand experience of the waves of Arugam bay and Mirissa. Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa are great places to visit for LGBTQ travellers who are interested in history, archaeology, and ancient architecture.

Travellers can also find forest reserves where you can go for a trekking adventure or a safari like Sinharaja, Yala, and Wilpattu for an exhilarating experience. The train ride to Ella, which is one of the most scenic train rides in the world, is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you, as a member of the LGBTQ community, can freely enjoy. Finally, while you are in Sri Lanka, make sure to take a sip of Ceylon Tea and take a bite of Kottu to complete the full experience.

If you are ever in Colombo or Negombo and want a luxurious resort that is LGBTQ-friendly, Dickman Resort is a great place to be. Dickman offers royal suites & luxury double rooms with a no children allowed policy. That way if you are visiting Sri Lanka with your partner, you can get the privacy that you deserve here at Dickman.

The resort is designed and decorated with a very colourful colour palette making this the ideal retreat in the heart of the Negombo Strip. Dickman also offers travel packages to its customers with a few special offers that depend on your time of stay.

All the rooms at Dickman are air-conditioned and come with basic accommodations like WIFI cable TV, private safes, and a DVD player. There is also a spa and an eco-friendly pool that you can use to take a relaxing swim.

Tea Cottage Resort is a great place to stay for anyone, including the LGBTQ people, who love nature. The resort is in the Greenwood estate of Nawalapitiya, surrounded by over 200 acres of lush green tea plantation. Here, they show no discrimination toward the LGBTQ community, and you can freely enjoy your time.

Tea Cottage offers suites, villas, cottages and rooms with great views and even greater service. While you are there, you can do activities like trekking, biking, hiking, bird watching, river bathing, and even soft archery.

The cool atmosphere and the calm environment make Tea Cottage Resort one of the best places in Sri Lanka to get away from the busy streets. Basic amenities like WIFI and cable TV are here as well as a great spa and delicious cuisine.

Located in Dambulla near Sigiriya, Occidental Paradise is a unique resort that is surrounded by nature with high- end luxury. The great thing about this resort is that they welcome members of the LBGTQ community with open arms.

Visitors can dine among trees, chill by the pool, and relax in the comfortable villas all in one place. Since it is close to tourist attractions like Sigiriya, Dambulla temple, and Pidurangala rock, you will have a much easier time finding tours to visit those places.

The resort comes with two restaurants and bars which offer good food and drink options. A fitness centre, Ayurvedic spa, and large swimming pool make this property a great place to spend some quality time off.

• Visit as many places as you can 

Sri Lanka has a great many numbers of places to visit. So make sure to cover most of them you can to make some unforgettable memories.

• Enjoy the hospitality

Sri Lankan people are very friendly and will not hesitate to show their hospitality. Talk and make friends with them, and they will treat you as their family.

• Public displays of affection

While you are free to travel, same-sex relations are still illegal in the country. So, it is wise to avoid any public displays of affection.

• Disrespecting the native religions or culture

No one likes it when someone insults something that they believe in. So, respect the ways of the country that you are visiting.

Plan your tour with us for a seamless touring experience while having a tour expert by yourself to guide you throughout your holiday. Get in touch with us.

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