If there was ever a place to travel abroad with the kids, Sri Lanka is the place. Peaceful, friendly people make it one of the safest places to visit. It’s also an incredibly cultural experience for little ones that have never been outside of their home country. The economy and logistics make it even easier as your money can go farther here. Flights are direct and if you stay in Sri Lanka villas for families the on-site villa manager can have everything arranged for you.
When you arrive at the airport the car will be waiting for you to take everyone and all their stuff directly to the villa. Easy. Everyone gets their own room and you can even have your very own private chef prepare a welcome meal for everyone by the private pool. The dream family holiday can be yours! After some time galavanting around the island, maybe the beach or the nature reserve come back home to a clean and well designed luxurious dwelling for some relaxing family time in the movie room. Eventually it’s time for bed in your very own king sized sumptuous bed with en suite bathroom complete with a large relaxing bathtub. A dream come true.
Nature
The wildlife in Sri Lanka is still just that, wild. An impressive spectacle of how nature used to be before development. Kids and adults alike will find joy in seeing these majestic beasts in their natural habitat. A short ride will bring you right to the nature reserve and tickets for the whole family are quite affordable.
An afternoon jeep safari ride in Minneriya National Park feels like another world. Here you will see elephants roaming about, drinking from the pond and of course taking care of their babies. You can spend hours watching these enchanting creatures and take endless amounts of photos. Udawalawe National Park is an easy side trip or can be made a day of its own. Definitely a great idea to visit to see the wide range of other animals and incredible plants they have protected here.
For older children Yala National Park will peak their interests. Leopards, jackals, sloths and crocodiles are the stars here. More are found here than anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Kids always love monkeys and their hijinks. What a better way to spend time together than laughing at the monkeys. The old capital of Polonnaruwa is another special sight. The ancient ruins are mysterious and intriguing. Be sure to go with a naturist so they can tell you about the history as well as the monkeys that life here.
Culture
Sri Lanka has an overflowing wealth of culture. Visiting a traditional Sri Lankan village is also a great way for kids to learn about a different culture and lifestyle other than their own and to try new foods.
Head over to Kandy and visit The Temple of the Tooth. A lively, fun atmosphere with bright colours and traditional dancing lessons and shows is a welcome change from the dusty jungle tours.
If a beautiful overlook with spectacular views is more your style, then take the kids to the tea plantations of the hill country. You can get fantastic family photos and try some tea picking together.
The way to a nation’s culture is through the stomach. Something like that. The national dish of Sri Lanka is curry and rice, but don’t expect this dish to be simple. There are many different types of curries and flavours to try. Here the kids will experience something new and grow in their tastes as well as their cultural understanding.
Sun and Fun
From April to September the east coast beaches of Sri Lanka are the place to be. Visit Trincomalee and Passekuhdah for great weather and minimal rain. Try and relax on the beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches. If relaxing isn’t your children’s idea of spending a holiday (we know it isn’t) then there are plenty of things to do here. Water sports such as snorkelling and paddle boarding are quite popular. There are also many temples to explore and a fun city to visit. Be sure to take the scenic flight back from the east coast when leaving the island as the views are spectacular.
