How to find the Best Place to Travel with Family for a Holiday in Sri Lanka

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with an abundance of attractions for visitors. Spectacular beaches, rolling tea plantations, misty hills, and enchanting waterfalls are a few of nature’s blessings whilst this tiny island also boasts a rich history and culture dating back many centuries. If you are planning to holiday in Sri Lanka with your family, many wonderful experiences are awaiting you if you choose them with care knowing the expectations of each member.

Preplanning your itinerary

Group of Elephants in Minneriya National Park | Image via Wikimedia Commons

Having decided on the destination as Sri Lanka takes one major decision out of the way.
This tiny island is loaded with so many things to see and do, with wildlife parks, awesome beaches, historical sites, UNESCO Heritage sites, scenic railway journeys, and many more.
Hence you must put on the critical thinking cap at this stage to decide how best you can cover the attractions and sites that hold special appeal to all of you as well as give precious and memorable moments together away from the hustle and bustle of your regular life.
It may be a good idea to do a combination of experiences in exploring Sri Lanka as they are different and can be intriguing, enlightening, and educational for your children.

Some examples of combinations are,

  • Beach & Wildlife - Combine Galle in the south with the Yala National Park
  • Wildlife & Heritage Sites - Minneriya National Park, Lion Rock, Sigiriya, Dambulla
  • History & Tea Growing - Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Visiting a tea plantation
  • Cooler climes and scenic environs - Nuwara Eliya and Plantation bungalows
  • History and Culture - Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka
  • Beach, whales, turtles - Mirissa Beach, Whale watching tour, turtle hatchery

These are only a few combinations whilst many more combos can be curated based on your specific requirement as well as considering the number of members in the family, the age of children, duration of stay, etc. Many reputed operators are offering well-managed private tours in Sri Lanka for different categories of visitors including families, and their expert services can be used.

Booking the right accommodation


This is another critical aspect contributing to the overall experience of your holiday, especially when traveling with family. Primarily the hotel or bungalow must be safe and comfortable with the expected amenities, and centrally located to the attractions you are hoping to experience whilst being there. With many digital resources being available for visitors nowadays, do look up reviews of the properties you have identified and do the selection carefully.
You may also get assistance for booking your accommodation from the private operator you are using to book your excursions while in Sri Lanka. Experienced operators such as Walkers Tours may also have tie-ups with Hotels and Leisure properties which can be availed if they match your expectations.
It is also good to look up the availability of snacks on a 24x7 basis when you are traveling with young kids.

Scheduling excursions and activities


Have pre-discussions with your operator when the combinations you are going to do while in Sri Lanka are decided. These must take into consideration the ages of your children and their abilities to complete some of the excursions. For example, the Lion Rock in Sigiriya can be difficult for very young children even with assistance whilst the older children would love experiencing the view from the top and admiring the ancient architecture.
Similarly on the beach trip if older children want to engage in water sports such as surfing and snorkeling the specific beach location with the right waves for surfing during the particular time of the year and the availability of coral reefs must be considered and booked appropriately.

Enjoy the holiday


Build flexibility when you plan activities without crowding your days. Have time for relaxation, hanging around and playing a board game or card game as a family. These unique times together will leave lasting memories of your holiday.