Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination to travel for a family holiday, but travelling with young children can be difficult especially if you are heading to a country, you have never visited before. That is why it is important to plan your itinerary properly and well in advance so that you have all your bases such as travel dates, transportation, accommodation, things to do and of course what to eat, all covered. Let us look at the important points to keep in mind when planning your trip.

Image via Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Sri Lanka is an all-year-round destination country to visit, but your itinerary may be limited by the months you choose to visit. The Southwest of Sri Lanka has warmer temperatures and its monsoon season from late April onwards, so tourists generally tend to visit between December and April. In comparison, the East coast of Sri Lanka is visited from May through October. The central parts of the country such as Kandy, Sigiriya, and Ella which are tourist hotspots can be visited at any time of the year.

The best transport option when travelling as a family with young children is to hire a chauffeur guide. It is very comfortable, and many drivers are great guides. Make sure you get a trusted driver and opt for an air-conditioned vehicle during the summer months. You can also request a car seat from some of the high-end tour operators, but it is not available in all cases. The driver doesn’t have to stay with you for the entire trip, instead, you could use tuk-tuks in the local areas when you have a stay for a few days. You can get metered tuk-tuks or use ride-hailing apps. Trains are a fantastic way to travel with the kids when you are on a budget as they are quite affordable, and the routes cover almost all areas of the country. There are also buses, but they can be tiring to journey on for children.

There are many family-friendly hotels in Sri Lanka, ranging from beach resorts such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, to luxury hotels, bungalows and villas. Most travel companies will only recommend a limited number of hotels to families, so it is best to do your research and find what fits your family's needs as there are countless options to choose from. Sri Lanka luxury resorts cater to families of all ages and have many family-friendly amenities such as large pools, baby pools and kids' play areas. Whilst the parents can pamper themselves with ayurvedic massages, spa treatments and relaxing on the beaches.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Sri Lanka with the kids. The country is very diverse with a wide range of experiences to choose from. Safari trips are a hit with children and there are many national parks to choose from such as Yala National Park, Minneriya National Park and Udawalawe. A visit to the Rock fortress of Sigiriya is another fun visit for children, but there is a fair bit of climbing involved. It makes for a fun adventure to see the frescos and climb to the top. The Dambulla Rock Temple is another top attraction in the area. It is a beautiful place to visit that has much historical significance as well as intricate artwork to see. There are many other temples to visit in Sri Lanka, such as the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and the Gangarama Temple in Colombo, which are both well worth the visit. Ella and Nuwara Eliya are the tea country regions of Sri Lanka and make for a lovely visit with the children to explore and understand the process of tea production. Sri Lanka has an abundance of amazing coastlines and is a fun visit with children to snorkel, swim and play on the beaches.