Formerly known as Ceylon, the picturesque island of Sri Lanka evokes mental images of honeymoons, and trips as a couple or with friends. However, it’s also a fantastic destination for a family holiday, even with small children. After all, its majestic elephants, tea plantations and kilometres of idyllic beaches are sights you’ll want to share with the whole family. And it’s important to teach children how to appreciate beautiful places and let peace and untamed landscapes become part of their dreams. In addition, there are lots of activities to thrill even the youngest members of the family.
Of course, it’s important to bear in mind that children won’t be visiting the typical theme parks that they might be used to in Europe. Instead, they’ll discover a world of possibilities when they explore a special and exotic destination like Sri Lanka. Most hotels don’t run kids’ activities, so you’ll have to organise your own itinerary and find them things to do. But don’t worry, Sri Lankans love children and welcome them with open arms.
There are a few things to bear in mind when planning a family holiday in Sri Lanka, and a trip with babies or very small children is very different to travelling with teenagers. It is also very important to take into account the size of the family, particularly when selecting a hotel that can meet everyone’s needs.
A selection of options suitable for children
Take a train ride through tea plantations, climb to the top of the mysterious ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, discover giant buddhas at the Golden Temple, see real elephants, and sample delicious, slightly (or very) spicy dishes… Young and old are welcome in Sri Lanka and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Below is a selection of options that are aimed at curious, imaginative children who love learning and trying new things:
Go elephant watching in Minneriya National Park
Visiting the park is a wonderful opportunity to see large herds of elephants. You can book an excursion from your hotel that takes you to the national park, an area the covers almost 90 km2 and is filled with scrubland, forests, and wetlands. You might also see macaques, deer, buffalo, crocodiles, leopards, and hundreds of birds. The park entrance is on the Habarana-Polonnaruwa road.
Visit a turtle farm
Sri Lanka has numerous turtle farms that children will love to visit. Five species of turtle lay their eggs on the west and south coasts of the island, and the green sea turtle is the most common.
Travel through tea plantations by train
The train journey between Kandy and Ella is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It takes about five and a half hours and runs through stunning landscapes and gorgeous valleys. Children will feel as though they are explorers on an expedition through the jungle.
Touch the clouds in a hot air balloon
A unique experience that children will adore is soaring up to the clouds in a hot air balloon and discovering a magical, majestic world from the air. Seeing Sri Lanka from on high is an experience adults will remember forever too. Head to Kandalama if you’d like to book this adventure.
Enjoy the beach as a family
Sri Lanka has countless beautiful, golden sand beaches lined with palm trees where children will love to play. It’s the perfect way to spend time together as a family and can be combined with doing your favourite water sports.
Discover Dambulla cave temple
Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the caves were dug out of the rock hundreds of years ago and contain a series of temples with impressive sculptures of Buddha, paintings that tell the story of his life, and holy offerings.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth
Don’t blame the Tooth Fairy but one of the most venerated and valuable relics in Sri Lanka – the sacred tooth of Buddha – is in an important temple on the island. The temple is close to Kandy, the second-most populated city on the island, and hundreds of pilgrims make their way here to see the tooth, particularly during the Kandy Esala Perahera festival.
Explore the colonial town of Galle
Galle is the best conserved and most charming colonial town in Sri Lanka. It’s an old, fortified town where you can see the traces of British, Dutch, and Portuguese colonists, who built numerous palaces and villas that have now been turned into hotels, restaurants, and pretty shops.
Where to stay in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is also an exotic paradise when it comes to choosing your accommodation and there are lots of options aimed at all kinds of travellers. We would like to recommend one of the island’s most enchanting hotels where you and your family will feel at home as you enjoy an unforgettable experience on the island. And as if that weren’t enough, it offers excellent value for money too.
The Occidental Paradise Dambulla is a welcoming four-star hotel surrounded by nature. Enjoy all the luxurious comforts you want on your holiday while being able to dine among the trees, unwind by the large swimming pool and enjoy the town. The hotel has great transport connections and two restaurants where you can sample delicious local and international food, plus two bars for making unforgettable memories. The Occidental Paradise Dambulla also has a wonderful Ayu Balinese Spa and a Fitness Centre with everything you could need. Children even have their own pool, and the hotel runs fun kids’ activities.
Another highly recommended option is the hotel Occidental Eden Beruwala. It’s right on the beach front and serves a wonderful range of food. Guests will be in total heaven during their stay because its 158 rooms have every comfort you could need and are the perfect place to switch off by the Indian Ocean. It also has an exclusive ayurvedic spa, a hairdresser, a beauty centre, and a gym. It’s the perfect five-star option and is ideal for cultured children who love travelling.
