Things to Do in Colombo with Less than LKR 1,000 as a Couple

Imagine this. It’s payday. You feel a swell of happiness looking at the total in your bank account. You sigh contentedly, thinking “I am rich again”.

Then suddenly,

Phone bills. Transport costs. That pair of shoes you wanted to buy. That late night Uber Eats order. And worst of all, that bar bill that you don’t remember paying but makes you want to cry the next morning.

All of a sudden you are hocus pocus brokus! You are left with just enough to survive the rest of the month, provided that you have lots of no-spend days in between.

Cheer up. We are here to save your month. Read on for a fun list of activities you can do as a pair for under LKR 1,000 in Colombo.

1. Visit the Planetarium

“Fly me to the moon, let me play amongst the stars.” There’s a reason why Frank Sinatra’s anthem is one of the most played love songs of all time. The planetarium is definitely a place to visit, offering a unique and one of a kind experience.

2. Salsa Nights

Stay tuned to The Irish and Playtrix social media pages. On certain nights they hold Salsa Nights where dancers of all ages and levels come to have a good time. Grab your partner and bust out some moves. If you are shy, the people there are more than friendly and will teach you how to do a few basic moves.

3. Crystal Shopping

Into the spiritual realm of things? House of Siris on Stratford Avenue offers free aura readings that show you your chakra balance. They also offer you free advice and suggestions on how to bring yourself back into balance. They also have a range of really cool tumbled crystals for less than LKR 1,000, although this depends on what the crystal is (Blue Lace Agate costs LKR 1,200, whereas Rose Quartz or Red Jasper costs LKR 400)

In addition to this, they offer aura readings ranging from LKR 300 – LKR 350!

4. Cycling at Bellanwila Park

At times like these, I wish I could ride a bicycle. Head on over to Bellanwila Park, rent two bicycles (LKR 100 for an hour) and enjoy the beautiful ride around the lake with your companion. It’s a great way to get in a work out, and when you are done, head over to one of the food stalls for some cheap but tasty food. All for under LKR 1,000!

5. Colombo National Museum Tour

Filled with artifacts from different eras, exploring the Colombo National Museum will have you occupied for hours. It’s also a great place to visit if you both are design students looking for inspiration.

6. Plant Shopping at Diyatha Uyana

Do you and your partner enjoy gardening? Did you fall in love over your green thumbs? Head on over to Diyatha Uyana, where plant vendors come and display their goods every weekend. From some interesting succulents to exotic flowers, they have everything you can think of at very reasonable prices.

7. Swan boat rides at Diyatha Uyana

We all know what goes on inside these. But there is something nice and peaceful about bobbing up and down in the waves of the lake with your beloved. It’s a great opportunity if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle and spend time with your partner.

8. Book hunting at Maradana second hand book shops

Bookworms beware! It can be very tempting to spend way over LKR 1,000 in here! There’s something incredibly satisfying about finding a gem in the shelves of the dusty shops in Maradana. There are shelves and shelves and piles and piles to choose from, with the guys who run the shops ready to help you with whatever you need.

9. Photo-walk around Nelum Pokuna

One of the prettiest areas in Colombo is the stretch around Nelum Pokuna, near Viharamahadevi Park. From the beautiful pieces of art on the Green Path stretch to the majestic Nelum Pokuna itself, photography enthusiasts are bound to take some great snapshots. And it doesn’t cost a penny!

10. Make your own flower bouquet

Deans Road is filled with various flower shops from start to finish. You can select from a range of floral favourites and interesting foliage and put together a bouquet that will easily fall under LKR 1,000. Talk about flower power!

11. Gaming at Ground Zero, Excel World Entertainment Park

Avid gamers, be prepared to go nuts in here. With a wide range of games that you can select from, Ground Zero at One Galle Face promises a fun time where you can get into a bit of healthy competition with your partner!

12. Wine on the beach at Mount Lavinia

Although this would cost about LKR 1,000 per person, this is one of the simplest and most romantic dates you could do. Grab a bottle of red or white wine for less than LKR 2,000, grab a blanket and maybe a picnic basket, and head over to the sandy shores of Mount Lavinia to enjoy the sunset.

13. Bowling at Excel World

Need we say more? Bowling is fun, exciting and guaranteed to give you a good time!

14. Carnival Ice Cream

Satisfy your sweet tooth by hitting Carnival, a favourite amongst all of us for years. It offers a range of flavours to choose from at very reasonable prices. The cute interior also makes for some nice Instagram pictures!

15. Drop into a dance or yoga class

There’s no harm in trying something new. Try a fun dance class or a relaxing yoga session. Who knows, it might even be the start of a new habit! Plenty of yoga places offer single classes for less than LKR 1,000 per head, or if it’s just you and your best girl pal, try this fun class by dancer extraordinaire Kiyoshi Perera. Teaching 5 styles (Latin, Hip Hop, Afro, movement and traditional) in one class, this ladies-only class is guaranteed to teach you some cool moves! And if you want to attend more classes, she does them by the month too!

16. Tea date at Chaiwala

Enjoy a warm, comforting Chai and a yummy pastry and do some people-watching on Marine Drive. The place lights up at night, making for some cool photos.

17. Coffee Date at Caramel Pumpkin

Coffee lovers, drop in to Caramel Pumpkin where they offer a tasty selection of coffee and coffee based beverages at reasonable prices for a mouthwatering experience!

18. Visit the Dehiwala Zoo

Are you and your partner intrigued by animals? Go to the Dehiwala Zoo! They offer night visits too, which might be more favourable to the scorching sunny afternoons that we have been having lately.

19. Happy Hour at one of the pubs

We Lankans love our booze. But bar bills tend to hurt more than hangovers. Happy hour is a life saver! Some places offer ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ deals, some serve free selected cocktails and others offer various discounts. Two mugs of beer will easily fall under LKR 1,000 and you can enjoy some live entertainment, depending on which spot you go to.

20. Isso wade and walk at Galle Face Green 

I swear we take this one for granted. When was the last time you walked down Galle Face Green, sea breeze in your hair, munching on a warm, fresh Isso wade THAT WILL COST YOU LESS THAN 200 BUCKS? Enjoy the sunset and the antics of the excited kids that frolic on the grass. It’s bound to be a memorable evening.

And there you have it! Activities to transform your broke month into an awesome month with your partner in crime!

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