Sri Lanka family holidays

Family holidays in Sri Lanka deliver the whole nine yards. Whenever you visit, you’ll find jaw-dropping wildlife, intrepid adventures and eye-widening ancient sites, topped off with plenty of downtime on those world-famous sweeping sands.

Families often return to Sri Lanka’s well-loved shores, knowing they’ll discover something new on every trip. There’s plenty to keep kids of all ages smiling, from cheering on a cricket match in Galle, to trundling by train through tea fields, or whale-watching just off the coast.

Add in sunshine somewhere all year round, and it’s easy to see why Sri Lanka constantly bowls us over!

Highlights of a family holiday in Sri Lanka

Cycle between the ruins of an ancient capital, imagining its glittering past
Bump along dusty tracks on the back of a bull-cart at a working coconut farm
Stay overnight in a wilderness camp, and venture out at first light in search of leopards
Get breathtakingly close to the unique elephant gathering in Minneriya
Bodyboard in some of the best beginners surf in Asia, or just kick back on the beach!

Leopard spotting in Yala NP

With a UK based team of Destination Specialists with offices and partners across Asia, ensuring we focus on staying really local in our approach. Our specialists have travelled extensively in the Philippines and throughout Asia, many having also lived in the region.Along with enjoying great travels, the team regularly inspect the best hotels, seek out new activities and

design new routes – for inspiration we’d suggest taking a look through some of their Favourite Journeys. The weather during any of the kids holiday dates is always an important consideration and we have that covered with our best time to visit the Sri Lanka section.

Are we nearly there yet? Discover your Sri Lanka

Call us on 01273 670 001

Get in touch

How to spend your time...

Three of our favourite family-friendly itineraries in Sri Lanka

Summer Family Adventure

13 days from £6,564US$8,598

East Coast Sri Lanka

13 days from £1,658US$2,172

Simply Sri Lanka

13 days from £1,620US$2,123

...and where to rest your head

Three of our favourite family-friendly hotels in Sri Lanka

Leopard Trails Tented Safari Camp

Near Yala National Park

The Mudhouse

Anamaduwa

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Tangalle

Sri Lanka with kids: what to expect?

Sri Lanka’s astonishing beaches are a huge draw for families. Different coastlines are at their best at different times of year, but there are always golden sands and palm-lined bays to explore somewhere. Dive and snorkel just offshore, go whale watching around the coast, or learn to bodyboard in perfect beginners’ surf.

If you’re in the south, a visit to Galle is a fantastic way to delve into the country’s history and culture. Kids can clamber over the famous fort walls, watch dolphins pass offshore, and perhaps catch a world-class cricket match (or a less formal one down a side street - cricket is everywhere in Sri Lanka!).

Sri Lanka’s wildlife is guaranteed to grab any kid’s imagination, and watching wild animals appear just a few metres away will always be a thrill. You could learn about vital turtle conservation, spot leopards on an intrepid safari trek, or even get tantalisingly close to elephants in northern Minneriya.

Fancy waking up to a dawn chorus with a difference? Big game camping in a national park is a great option for families looking for wildlife adventures with a few extra creature comforts. Head out early on family-friendly safaris, and cosy up around the campfire each evening to relive the day’s adventures.

The eco-friendly Mudhouse can give kids an immersive taste of off-grid living. Opt for family yoga classes, pristine stargazing and traditional Sri Lankan cookery classes - without any WiFi distractions!

For an awe-inspiring journey to remember, rumble by train through Tea Country’s lush landscape, and perhaps finish with a few days in a classic hillside resort. The kids can run about on the lawns, while you sedately sip a fine Sri Lankan cuppa in the shade.

Things you’ll all love in Sri Lanka

What to do in Sri Lanka: Discover more with our hand-picked experiences & highlights

whales and dolphins just off the Sri Lankan coast

Gasp at glimpses of whales and dolphins just off the coast

A close encounter with these ocean giants is a bucket-list-topping experience, and you can’t get closer than a boat trip into their migration path off Sri Lanka’s idyllic coast. Feeling the boat rock beneath you as a whale surfaces nearby is an experience you will never forget.

Get close to the impressive elephant gathering in Minneriya National Park

Before the monsoon season begins, elephants from far beyond the borders of Minneriya National Park journey to the park’s vast ancient reservoir to quench their thirst and take shelter under the trees. This extraordinary event is The Gathering; the greatest assembly of Asian elephants anywhere in the world, an unique opportunity to encounter these powerful and majestic animals in the wild.

Roll through Tea Country’s mysterious misty hills by train

Travelling by train has to be one of the most immersive and atmospheric ways to see a new country, and the Tea Country train is one of the world's most extraordinary train journeys. Feel your senses stirred as you climb up through the highlands, surrounded by views over lush tea plantations and stunning scenery in every direction.

Stargaze from a hammock at the unique Mudhouse eco-retreat

No electricity, outdoor showers, walls made of mud (literally), in the back of beyond, no air-con and miles away from civilisation as we know it… and we love it. The creation of a mad man or a genius, we can’t quite decide - perhaps a well balanced combination of the two - The Mudhouse is a ‘marmite’ type of retreat… you’ll either get it, love it and adore it, or you’ll quickly slip away in search of a few more creature comforts!

Responsible Travel in Sri Lanka

From rustic eco-lodges to conservation-first wildlife projects, Sri Lanka is overflowing with opportunities for the conscious traveller. When the tourist industry represents the third largest source income, its important that the country looks after it and that it, in turn, looks after the country.

Throughout our travels many in Sri Lanka we have been buoyed to see an ever-growing awareness from hotels that have started to push back on single-use plastics and explore alternative ways to keep you suitably hydrated and pampered. There are especially responsible safari camp operators too, such as the team from Mahoora who consider every step of their operation when it comes to scoring their RT credentials.

We've long enjoyed designing and operating slightly alternative programmes throughout the country, whether that be a cycling tour on the outskirts of Galle or a streetfood walking tour in Colombo; each an opportunity to keep a step closer to the real Sri Lanka experience.

Find out more about Selective Asia's Responsible Travel policy and our innovative One Bottle at a Time initiative.

Our Sri Lanka Specialists' top tips for families

With quite a few parents among our well-travelled Destination Specialists, we know how important it is to get the finer details sorted before travelling with kids, and we always go the extra mile to make sure they are. We want everyone to enjoy each moment without sweating the small stuff.

If you have any questions, or want to have a chat about planning your family holiday to Sri Lanka, we'd love to have a chat. In the meantime, here are a few FAQs to help you get started…

Is it easy to travel in Sri Lanka?
As Sri Lanka is a relatively compact destination, everything is fairly close together and journeys between stops are shorter. Apart from being a real bonus when travelling with kids (as all parents know, long journeys with littlies can be tough!), this means you can mix it up a bit and include several stops on your family holiday itinerary. You’ll get to the best of the beaches, wildlife watching and bustling city sights without spending too much time on travel!
When is the best time of year for a family holiday in Sri Lanka?
One of the reasons Sri Lanka is a natural choice for a family holiday is that it is a genuinely great year-round destination. From December to April, you’ll find the best weather overall. The east coast and north of the country are dry and sunny from May to September, so ideal for UK summer holidays. For winter sun and Christmas breaks, head for the west and south west.
Is Sri Lanka safe for families?
Yes, in general Sri Lanka is very safe country for families to travel in. After the events of Easter 2019, Selective Asia’s founder Nick spent time with our ‘in-country’ teams and local guides to get a first hand understanding of the security situation, and start mapping out a recovery plan. The country was quickly open for business again, but we urge you to read Nick's insights for a well-rounded, first-hand report, and if you have any questions, please do give us a call.
Do I need a guide in Sri Lanka?
Having an experienced, knowledgeable and welcoming local guide on hand during your trip is absolutely invaluable. They’ll meet you upon arrival, act as translator, transfer you between locations, and generally make everything go as smoothly as possible. They’ll leave you to your own devices as much or as little as you wish, but we think a good guide is essential for a successful family holiday. We pride ourselves on using only the best guides in a given region. All our guides are trained to the highest level, and fully certified and licensed. Sri Lanka is unusual in that you will be with the same guide throughout your entire trip. This gives continuity to your family during their holiday, and builds a warm relationship that makes your visit truly special. Find out more about our brilliant guides here.
What vaccinations do I need for Sri Lanka?
When planning a trip to Asia, it’s important to consider the possible requirement for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it is still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. The NHS Fit For Travel Sri Lanka web page confirms that malaria is ‘not normally present unless the illness was contracted abroad’, and the NHS Travel Vaccinations site has lots of up-to-date information.
Do I need a visa to go to Sri Lanka?
Yes. All foreign nationals (excluding Singapore & the Maldives) require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority to visit Sri Lanka. From 01 August 2019 for a period of 6 months only, tourists from 48 countries (including UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand & most European countries) are entitled to a FREE tourist visa for a maximum 30 day stay. You will still need to either apply for your ETA online or queue at the airport, but there will be no fee. If you are arriving in Sri Lanka by air, you can obtain your Electronic Travel Authority in advance of your departure with the easy-to-use online visa service. Alternatively most nationalities can obtain their visa on arrival at Colombo Airport.
What should I pack for a trip to Sri Lanka?
Though you can pick up some stuff you need in the cities, we’d recommend taking supplies of any essentials, such as favourite nappies, formula etc., as well as your preferred brand of sunscreen and insect repellent. Light, long sleeved shirts, a light scarf or two, and long trousers or skirts will mean that you’re prepared for any modest dress code requirements. They’ll also help provide valuable protection against strong sunlight and mosquitoes. If you’re travelling with tinies, consider taking a really good baby carrier, as push-chairs might be more difficult to get about with.
What’s the best currency to take to Sri Lanka?
You can’t obtain Rupee outside of Sri Lanka. You will find ATM machines in most major cities and there are several in the arrivals area at Colombo Airport. There are also a number of money changers at the airport offering fair rates of exchange on most major currencies. Hotels will also change currency and will often also accept payment in £, $ and Euro. In most shops and restaurants only Rupee cash and credit card payments are accepted. Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Sri Lanka.

Stories from our latest Sri Lanka blog

4^th June 2021

Local lowdown on Sri Lanka's Wildlife & Conservation

null

27^th May 2021

Life in the wake of Covid: Sri Lanka

28^th June 2019

Nick's report from Sri Lanka

Thank you for signing up to our InspirAsian newsletter

An error occured, please try again or contact us if the problem persists

“Thank you Selective Asia!”

24 April, 2022

We hired Selective Asia to help organise a trip to Sri Lanka for our family of 3 (one 10 year old child). This was our first experience of Selective Asia We sincerely hope it won't be the last. Prior to travel the communication with Andrew frequently went above and beyond. He very carefully took the time to get to know us and understand our trip requirements. The result was a perfectly judged, perfectly paced itinerary which included stays in some truly exquisite locations. Once on the ground in Sri Lanka the excellent service continued. Safely escorted by Miral our very knowledgeable guide & driver, we were able to enjoy a completely stress free experience. Selective Asia's planning and organisation ran like clockwork from the first moment to the last. For that, huge credit goes to both the UK and Sri Lankan based SA teams. Thank you Selective Asia for a great holiday!

“Great quality”

31 March, 2022

Great experience, covered so much in our time in Sri Lanka

“Simply the best!”

29 March, 2022

We first used Selective to book a dream Vietnam trip just as the pandemic was starting. At the time they gave us huge flexibility as to proceed or not and with the information available we decided to travel. The on-ground team in country were brilliant as were the first few days and we were very excited about the itinerary and adventure ahead. Unfortunately then we were quarantined as there was a CVOID outbreak on the boat. This is where Selective shined - Nick was on the phone personally all hours of the day and night and his crew locally stayed near the hotel so they could bring us food/drinks and even a chess board;) These people ensured a horrible situation was as bearable as possible and I will be forever be grateful. Everybody went well above and beyond! Then when we returned home whilst other travelers fought to get refunds or insurance Nick refunded immediately. Combine their expert country knowledge, fantastic tours, value for money, the best in country teams with an owner who truly cares and you have the perfect travel partner. That's why we have booked our next trips already and recommend so strongly!

“Wonderful tailored made holidays”

14 March, 2022

I have used Selective Asia already twice for my holidays and both experiences were excellent. I have reccomended to family and friends and willbe happy to use their service again in the future.

“Another fabulous trip”

28 June, 2020

This was our third trip with Selective Asia and it was just amazing. They don’t just provide an excellent trip but take the trouble to really get to know their clients and can make recommendations and suggestions that will enhance an already great experience. It’s the tiny details that can make the difference between a good holiday and an amazing experience. Karl knew our time limitations and managed to create a great itinerary that allowed us to make the most of our time in India but also allow downtime to relax. The hotels he suggested were perfect and he was always honest about what would be the best place for us to be. Our guides and drivers were perfect and a great part of the SA team. I would never travel to Asia with any other company.

“Faultless customer service”

4 June, 2020

Firstly how strange it is to review a holiday company for a holiday you never got to go on! That said I have to say this wasn't our first trip with Selective Asia, our honeymoon in 2011 was also booked through them and was amazing, from booking to completion everything was seamless. Fast forward 9 years and 2 children later we wanted to book the "trip of a lifetime" and Selective Asia was foremost for our booking. I actually went to multiple bespoke agents and Selective were the only ones who stuck to budget, considered who I was travelling with (2 young children) and actually listened to what we wanted out of our trip. Their advise and suggestions were well considered - whilst we may be "experts" on our children - we've never travelled long distance with them and the recommendations from Andrew, our consultant were exciting for us as parents, giving us the potential to feel like we were having the adventure we craved - but keeping the kids engaged and part of it. We came up with a fabulous itinerary with beautiful, individual places to stay and interesting places to visit. Everything was set. Roll on to March and with 3 weeks to go - everything changes in the world and Coronavirus changes the game. This is where things could have gone wrong - but I can't fault Andrew at Selective. He has kept us informed every step of the way and his insightful advise has just reassured me that their are companies out there (unlike my insurer!) that will act responsibly and fairly. Anyone with an internet connection can sell you a flashy holiday but the true measure of any company is how they treat you when things go wrong - and Selective Asia have been faultless in a situation that was entirely blameless. When the world opens up again, Selective Asia won't just be my first port of call, they will be my only and I would urge anyone to support this superb, small and ethical company,

“Fantastic trip to Indochina”

1 June, 2020

From the time I first contacted Selective Asia, when I had a very useful conversation with Aaron about the type of trip we had in mind, to the very end of our holiday and return home, they provided excellent service. Aaron worked hard to create an itinerary that would suit us, we were very happy with the hotels and tours they booked for us, and on the whole were more than satisfied with the local guides.

“Fantastic company, great holiday and amazing service when it all went wrong”

18 May, 2020

We booked a holiday of a lifetime to Borneo, which was extremely well planned, accommodation was great and very much enjoyed it until the Malaysian government closed the country due to Covid and we had 24 hours to leave the country. SelectiveAsia were responsible for all travel while in Malaysia but I’d booked the flights to and from the country through BA. While Nick and his team were working at 1am in the morning to get us out the country, BA wouldn’t answer the phone and refused to get us home. The SelectiveAsia team managed to get us from the middle of the borneo rainforest to KL and home within 24 hours, were constantly in communication throughout. While we were already very happy with the holiday, it is times like this when you realise why local travel agents are so important! Nick and his team were doing everything they could for us and while we were happy with the holiday before this event. We will now ensure every trip we make to Asia is with this company.

“Forceibility Quarantined in Vietnam - would I use again!”

5 May, 2020

Hell yeah! Booking: a pleasure working with Maryisa to exactly specify the trip that meet our exact wishes and needs. Once this was all confirmed we had access to a great app that had all the information required to make a stress free trip. Always willing to answer any little question. Quarantine Support: There was nothing that Nick or the team could have done about this it was simply the Vietnese overnment being ultra cautious. HOWEVER whist most tour operators abandoned their quests Selective ensured we had a rep onsite at the facility who would bring us food and drink and even a pack of cards. Nick was always available day and night to answers questions and update us on what they were doing to support our early release. Post Quarantine Support: Once back in the UK unlike many of the big tour operators Selective managed to refund a significant portion of our trip which meant insurance paid out on the rest quickly. Other tour companies could learn a lot from Selective! Horrible experience as we lost our dream holiday to Vietnam but this wasn't Selective fault and they did they best to help us.

“A wonderful holiday incorporating the richness and diversity of India!”

4 May, 2020

This is the second holiday we have enjoyed with Selective Asia. Right from the initial contact the company is very helpful, the team listen to what each customer wants in terms of an overall experience and tailor their suggestions to the customer’s requirements, creating the best experience they can. The team have an excellent knowledge of each destination and do include unusual and interesting details to the itinerary which allows for a rich experience of the culture and daily life of the country in question. The team also pay attention to each customer’s budget and tailor make the holiday accordingly. They are also very mindful of the effects tourism can have on the environment and aim to lesson its impact as much as possible.

“Excellent customer service. Nothing was too much trouble.”

30 April, 2020

Everything about Selective Asia is how customer service should be. Other travel companies could learn from them.

“Vietnam trip 2020”

18 March, 2020

Great organisational skills and extremely responsive and supportive when airline cancelled one of our flights 24 hrs before we departed

“An exceptional business from start to finish.”

18 March, 2020

We have travelled with Selective Asia a number of times and we keep coming back and will continue to! They are excellent from the booking service through to their absolutely exceptional guides and staff in country! Cant recommend then enough.

“A comprehensive, informative, personalised, enjoyable tour of North India”

18 March, 2020

A carefully planned trip through North India personalised using quality accommodation transportation and guides. Thoroughly recommend this company.

“The perfect way to explore Asia”

13 March, 2020

Selective Asia is the perfect way to see Asia. They carefully listen to your requirements and needs, add a considerable amount of value with their experience and knowledge of the location, then craft you the perfect holiday. From there on your mind needs to just absorb the culture, surroundings and above all have fun. They take care of the bookings, the logistics, their attention to detail is second to none. Absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to anyone who wants to explore Asia.

“A holiday which we will remember forever. Attention to detail was excellent”

12 March, 2020

Excellent from start to finish. Frequent communication, listened to what we wanted offered advice when asked for. It really was tailor made for our needs as a " getting on in years" group. If not in the office when we sent a message always got back to us straight away. Would , and have already , recommended Selective Asia to others.

“Fantastic Cambodian holiday”

12 March, 2020

Excellent from enquiry stage to arriving home. The itinerary was perfect with plenty of time for thorough exploration of Angkor Wat and other very interesting temples, great excursions to discover village and town life with local interaction in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Lunch with a local village family following a ride on an oxen cart was particularly memorable. Guides were great. Finishing at a fantastic beach resort. Hotels were expertly chosen and perfect for us.

Sri Lanka

10 March, 2020

Excellent service

Vietnam

7 March, 2020

We received an excellent service throughout our holiday in Vietnam. The guides were knowledgeable and pleasant, the drivers courteous and careful, and the suggested itinerary suited us well.

“Choose Selective Asia for a perfect special holiday.”

11 February, 2020

The preplanning of the holiday was interactive, so S.A. was able to offer exactly what we wanted. The coordination leading up to the holiday was detailed and left us free of concerns. The holiday itself went like clockwork, guides and drivers were good and on-time. Boats were waiting for us and all the accommodation arrangements went well. Things can go wrong and when something did, S.A. dealt with it very professionally.