Family Holidays In Sri Lanka

Family holidays in Sri Lanka is something the country embodies effortlessly, as everything in Sri Lanka caters perfectly to families. From national parks to activities, we’ve jotted down why planning family holidays in Sri Lanka is as easily said as is done. Whether you’re with kids, a big or small family, there’s something for every age group in Sri Lanka. Read on to know all there is to know about family holidays in Sri Lanka. 

Travellers of all ages can make their way through Sri Lanka – Photo Credit sk

National Parks A-Plenty!

Don’t be fooled by its mediocre size – Sri Lanka is packed with things to do. It has an astounding total of 26 national parks, and an even wider range of hiking and trekking routes. The best part? These make for perfect stops on your family holidays in Sri Lanka. This gem of an island is known for its biodiversity and flourishing wildlife. Give your kids an experience that is so much more fulfilling than a zoo visit by taking them on a safari through the parks. You’re almost certain to spot elephants making their way through the jungles. And with some luck, they could even spot leopards, basking in their natural territories. 

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Minneriya National Park: Minneriya is said to have the largest wild elephant gathering in the world! They organise several safaris to give visitors a chance of spotting elephants as well as a range of other animals and birds. It is located in Central Sri Lanka.

Kaudulla National Park: The national parks in Sri Lanka are connected with each other, mainly in clusters of 3. Kaudulla National Park is neighboured by the Somawathie Chaitiya Park and the Minneriya Wildlife Park. But among the three, it alone has the privilege of being home to the ‘elephant gathering’, as the locals call it. It takes place in the months of July to September, which is the dry season. 

Get the kids to spot a sloth bear at Wilpattu National Park.

Family Friendly Hikes

Practically all the hikes in Sri Lanka are between 1000 to 2000 meters, and not any further. This means that it never gets unbearably cold as you summit, and you avoid the possibility of altitude-induced breathing problems. The scenery around abounds with beauty, and you can make multiple stops to ensure your kids get adequate breaks. 

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World’s End at the Horton Plains plateau: Trekking across the Horton Plains plateau to the viewpoint at World’s End is unbeatable. The trail to World’s End, with a drop of over 800mts, is fixed. Worn down by the tramping feet of many other people, it is impossible to miss. It takes 2 to 2.5 hours and is more of a walk than a trek, so kids of all ages can enjoy it. It passes by the gorgeous Baker’s Falls as well. A word of advice – tighten your grip on your kids’ arms when nearing World’s End as the cliff is steep.

Ella: The mountain-town of Ella is surrounded by rolling hills, stretches of tea plantations and waterfalls. There are a number of treks and hikes around Ella, with different difficulty levels. Little Adam’s Peak (6 hours) and Ella’s Rock (4 hours) are great if you have kids in their teens or older. You can just as easily visit one of the many tea plantations or spice gardens if you have younger kids.

Sigiriya: Sigiriya should definitely be on your list for family holidays in Sri Lanka. Located in central Sri Lanka, it is home to the massive 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress. It is also a convenient distance from the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. You can go on safaris in the parks on half or one day trips from Sigiriya. 

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a family-friendly hike in Sri Lanka

Adventures by the beach

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean has a coastline of over 1340 kms. Fringed with yellow sand and palm trees, Sri Lanka has tons of activities near its beaches. While the tots will be satisfied with their share of sun and sandcastles, the older teens can engage in activities like kite surfing, snorkeling or surfing with their parents. In Sri Lanka, you’re never too far from a beach.

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Mirissa: Whale watching is one of the most popular activities to do at Mirissa in Sri Lanka. Spotting blue whales and dolphins in their natural habitat is breathtaking, and will fill your kids with delight. However, do note that the tours start in the early morning, as early as 6 am. Your kids may get cranky and impatient as you wait for a sighting. 

Trincomalee: Snorkeling at Trincomalee opens you up to a fascinating world under the sea. Protected by reefs, the shallows are home to a number of coral, that are in turn home to an even more diverse collection of fishes. Most snorkeling tours will have a training session, so you can definitely get your kids along to enjoy this. Ensure you read up on age limitations and health precautions beforehand.  

Arugam Bay/Weligama: Surfing in Arugam Bay is definitely something you can do while on family holidays in Sri Lanka. Plus, you’ll find loads of other surfers and it’s a great way for your family to interact with others’. If you’re looking for something a little less intense than Arugam Bay, Welligama has waves for all levels of surfers. It is also a great place to learn how to surf – a fun family activity to take part in!

Engage in some scuba diving at Mirissa on your family holiday in Sri Lanka.

Learning is fun

Sri Lanka has a myriad of historical influences, and a culture that has 2000 years’ worth of richness. The British, French and Dutch all left their marks here in the form of forts and architectural influences. Young foodies will love tracing the roots of various culinary influences to colonialism or trade with neighbours. Visiting the old temples gives you a sense of just how long they have withstood the fury of man and nature, while encountering herds of wild elephants and massive blue whales instills a sense of respect for life.

Peek into the lives of the friendly locals as you interact with them on a train or at a homestay, and admire the work that goes into the tea plantations. Additionally, Sri Lanka has an almost palpable aura of Buddhism over it, and kids interested in local culture will have a blast. It can’t get more perfect for those seeking out family holidays in Sri Lanka.

Like the train, the rickshaw is definitely a thing to experience in Sri Lanka- Photo Credit Eddy Billard

Sri Lanka Is Family Friendly

It’s small size means covering distances between destinations in Sri Lanka is not problematic. The absence of long drives and flights means you and the kids get to spend more time actually experiencing the country. Plus, you have the option of the fantastic train rides that take you through hill country and along the coast. Not only are there amazing views, but travelling on the local train is a fun experience for everyone in the family.

We recommend the 2-hour ride from Colombo to Galle that runs along the coast. Or, the 4-hour ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, through the tea plantations. Renting a car and driver for the shorter car rides means you can have a hassle-free family holiday in Sri Lanka. 

You have a range of hotel accommodations to choose from, with several being family-run boutiques and homestays. The beauty of these is that while they come equipped with all modern amenities, they don’t resemble the lackluster chain hotels in any way. With unique character and equipped with pools and playspaces, these ensure you have a great stay in Sri Lanka. 

Plus, as parents, you have little to worry about in Sri Lanka. The locals are some of the warmest you’ll meet, and are hospitable, more so towards young families or families with kiddies running around. There’s always help or distractions to be found when your kids run amok. You’ll rarely come across touts as well. 

Your kids are sure to enjoy the train rides that take you through scenic hill country- Photo Credit Jaromir Kavan

Word of Caution

If there is a bit of worry, it’s with regards to Sri Lankan food. The food tends to be flavorful, and on the spicier side. You won’t find too many fast food options, and the ones you do will only be in the main cities. On the bright side, there’s loads of fresh fruits available, which you can easily turn to. Breakfast is usually less troublesome as you’ll be served sweet pancakes or omelettes. 

You can ease yourself local cuisine by trying out the following dishes: pittu ( a coconut-rice combination), hoppers (sweet or savoury bowl-shaped pancakes) and roti (stuffed flatbread). You could opt for boutique hotels run by Westerners, as those have the highest likelihood of familiar food. 

Delicious Sri Lankan Lentil Curry known as PARIPPU MIRISATA- photo Credit Alex B

Sri Lanka is a gorgeous country, and is easily affordable for backpackers. The food is delicious and the list of things to do or best places to visit are endless. If you’d like to experience Sri Lanka your way, just get in touch with us for a perfectly customized Sri Lanka itinerary.