Sri Lanka Honeymoon Tour Package Review: A Very Real Look at 12 Days in 2025

So, you’re thinking about a Sri Lanka honeymoon, which is frankly a great idea. We just got back from a 12-day, 11-night trip, and well, we have a lot of thoughts to share. Picking a honeymoon spot is, you know, kind of a big deal, and so is the tour you pick. Honestly, we were looking for something that blended relaxation with a bit of real adventure. This specific all-inclusive package promised exactly that, so we figured, why not. To be honest, we were just a little nervous about if it would live up to the pictures online. I mean, we really wanted this first trip as a married couple to feel special. We wanted experiences we’d talk about for years, not just a bunch of days spent on a bus, and frankly this itinerary looked very promising.

Arrival and Easing into the Coastal Vibe (Days 1-3)

Alright, so landing at Bandaranaike International Airport was pretty straightforward. We found our guide, a really friendly person named Sanath, holding a sign with our names, which was a relief after a super long flight. As a matter of fact, his van was air-conditioned and comfortable, which was a huge plus right away. He handed us some cold water bottles, which honestly felt like the most refreshing thing in the world at that moment. The first stop was Negombo, which is actually very close to the airport. Our hotel was literally on the beach, and the first thing we did, you know, was just open the balcony doors to hear the ocean. The place itself was more or less exactly as shown in the pictures online, with a huge pool and palm trees everywhere. We pretty much spent the first day just decompressing from the flight, you know, ordering some food and watching the sunset from our room.

The next day, Sanath gave us a little tour of Negombo, which frankly has a lot of interesting history. We visited the fish market, which is really something you have to see to believe; it’s so full of life and sounds. The smell is, of course, very strong, but in a way, it felt very authentic. You can find so much more about the local life and markets here, which is worth a look. We then saw the old Dutch fort and some of the very old, pretty churches that are all around the city. Still, our favorite part of these first couple of days was just the downtime. The package wasn’t rushed, so we had, like, entire afternoons to ourselves. We would just sort of hang out by the pool, read books, and chat. Honestly, it was a very gentle start to the trip, letting us get used to the time difference and the warmer weather. The food at the hotel was actually quite good too, with lots of fresh seafood options on the menu every night.

Into the Cultural Triangle: Old Rocks and Hidden Caves (Days 4-6)

Okay, so on day four, we left the coast behind and started heading inland towards the cultural heart of the country. The drive itself was really interesting; you really see the scenery change from coastal plains to greener, more rural areas. Our main goal was Sigiriya, which you have probably seen pictures of. First, our guide Sanath was just a little worried about the afternoon heat for the climb. He suggested we go early the next morning, which was obviously a great idea. So instead, we spent that afternoon on what they called a ‘village safari’. This involved a ride in a cart pulled by a bullock, a short canoe trip across a lake, and then a visit to a local home where a woman showed us how to cook some traditional dishes. Honestly, it felt a little bit staged for tourists, but at the same time, the people were so genuinely warm that it was hard not to enjoy it. The food she made was literally the best curry we had on the whole trip.

The next morning, we were up before the sun to climb Sigiriya Rock. I mean, it is quite a climb with a lot of stairs, but it is so, so worth it. The views from the top as the sun comes up are just incredible, and you can see for miles in every direction. The ancient water gardens at the base are really pretty too. Later that day, we visited the Dambulla Cave Temple, a complex of caves filled with hundreds of Buddha statues and amazing paintings. It’s a very peaceful and sort of spiritual place; walking barefoot on the cool rock floors inside the caves felt really special. For people wanting to explore more historic spiritual locations, this is definitely one for the list. The hotel we stayed at in this area was more of an eco-lodge, sort of tucked away in nature, which was a really nice change of pace. You could hear all kinds of birds and monkeys in the trees right outside your window, which was pretty cool.

Misty Mountains and Endless Tea Fields (Days 7-9)

From the cultural area, our trip took us higher up into the hill country, first to the city of Kandy. Kandy has a totally different feel, you know, a bit cooler and built around a very nice lake. The main attraction here is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is a very important place for Buddhists. We went during an evening ceremony, and it was just packed with people and the sounds of drums, which was a really intense experience. By the way, the city also has some beautiful botanical gardens that are perfect for a quiet walk. We actually spent a whole afternoon there just wandering around. We also went to a cultural show in the evening with traditional dancing and fire-walking, which was quite entertaining and clearly a popular thing for visitors.

Frankly, the absolute best part of this section of the trip was the train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You have definitely seen this on Instagram, and seriously, it lives up to the hype. Sanath dropped us at the station, and we had reserved seats in a carriage, but we spent most of the time leaning out the open doorways just watching the world go by. The train moves very slowly, and you wind your way through these incredible green tea plantations that cover all the hills. It is really one of the most picturesque things you could ever do. Nuwara Eliya itself is a very unique town, sometimes called ‘Little England’ because of its colonial-era bungalows and cool climate. We even had afternoon tea at a grand old hotel, which felt a bit formal but was fun. The next day we visited a tea factory; you get to see how the tea is processed, and it was actually quite interesting. They explain everything from picking the leaves to the final product, which is something you should see for your own deep dive into tea making. Of course, you get to sample lots of different kinds of tea at the end.

Wildlife Safaris and Colonial Forts (Days 10-11)

So, the last big adventure on our itinerary was heading south for a safari in Yala National Park. At this point, we were pretty excited because Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. We switched from our comfortable van to an open-top jeep, which really adds to the sense of adventure. The safari itself is a few hours long, and it’s basically a game of chance. You drive along these bumpy dirt roads, and your guide is looking for any sign of animals. For instance, we saw herds of elephants, spotted deer, wild boar, lots of crocodiles, and a crazy number of colorful birds. Then, almost at the end of our drive, our guide suddenly stopped the jeep and pointed. There, just lounging on a rock in the distance, was a leopard. Seriously, it was a completely magical moment and made the whole thing worth it.

Our lodging near Yala was a kind of ‘glamping’ setup with luxury tents, which was really cool. It felt like you were in the wild, but, you know, with a really comfortable bed and a proper bathroom. After our safari adventure, we started making our way back up the coast. The final stop was the city of Galle, which has this incredible old fort built by the Dutch. You can literally spend hours just walking along the fort walls, looking out at the ocean. The fort itself is full of little cobblestone streets with cute cafes, art galleries, and small shops. Honestly, it’s a very romantic place, especially at sunset. It’s a great spot to look for unique things to take home and it’s a good idea to check out some tips on what to find there. This was sort of our last proper outing of the trip, and it was a really beautiful and relaxed way to cap things off.

A Few Practical Things to Know Before You Book

Now, we thought it would be helpful to just share a few practical thoughts about this kind of package. The ‘all-inclusive’ part basically covered our driver, the car, fuel, hotels, and breakfast every day. At the end of the day, lunches and dinners were usually on our own, which we actually liked because it gave us the freedom to try different places. Sometimes we ate at the hotels, but other times Sanath would recommend a great local spot, which was often better and way cheaper. You should definitely try the ‘kottu roti’; it’s a sort of chopped flatbread with vegetables and it’s just delicious. Also, bring cash with you for tips and small purchases, as not everywhere takes cards.

You really should also think about what you pack. Yes, it’s a tropical island and mostly very warm, so you need lots of light clothes, sunscreen, and a good hat. But, the hill country, especially around Nuwara Eliya, gets surprisingly chilly in the evenings, so packing a light jacket or a couple of sweaters is a really smart move. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, especially at sites like Sigiriya, so comfortable shoes are an absolute must. Another thing is the driving times; the country looks small on a map, but the roads can be slow and windy. So, a 100-kilometer drive might take, like, three hours or more. Just be prepared for that and bring a book or some podcasts for the car. If you want more tips for your trip, there’s a lot of useful info on what to prepare before you go. Honestly, being ready for these little things just makes the whole experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable.