Sri Lanka with kids

The best time to visit Sri Lanka with kids

When planning a trip to Sri Lanka with kids, it’s smart to take the climate into account. What’s special about Sri Lanka is that there are two different monsoon seasons, so there’s always a region that’s suitable to travel to throughout the year.

• December to March: the best period to visit the west and south coasts, including popular spots like Galle and the beaches toward Mirissa and Unawatuna.
• April to September: ideal for the east coast (for example, Trincomalee and Arugam Bay) and the central highlands around Kandy and Ella.

We traveled through Sri Lanka with kids in August and also enjoyed beautiful weather in the south. Of course, there’s always a bit of luck involved, but even during the rainy season, there’s usually no need to worry. During the rainy season, it mostly rains in the afternoons or at night, although it can be more frequent in the peak months. During the day, you often have plenty of time to go out and explore.

One advantage of traveling outside the high season is that it’s often quieter and accommodations are more affordable. Keep in mind, however, that during less busy months, some restaurants or hotels may be closed. During the European summer holidays (July & August), you usually won’t notice this: there’s plenty of life and activity.

In short: the best time for a Sri Lanka round trip with kids depends on which region you want to visit. With a bit of flexibility, you can have an amazing trip almost any time of the year.

Transportation during your trip through Sri Lanka with kids

One of the first things you encounter when planning a round trip is: how will you get around? Fortunately, there are several options in Sri Lanka to suit everyone.

Many families choose a car with a driver, and for good reason. You don’t have to drive on the busy roads yourself, the driver knows the way, and can often give tips or suggest stops you might otherwise miss. It’s a relaxed way to travel, especially with young children who need occasional breaks.

We chose to rent a tuk-tuk for part of our trip. And honestly: it was one big adventure. Driving your own tuk-tuk means ultimate freedom: you stop wherever you want, drive through small villages, and always have a chat with the locals. Keep in mind, though, that this is mainly suitable for shorter distances (we drove a maximum of 100 kilometers per day) and that you need a bit of courage in traffic.

A train journey in Sri Lanka with kids is also a must. The ride between Kandy and Ella is world-famous, and for good reason. As the train slowly passes through green hills and endless tea plantations, the kids can hang out the window and wave to the locals. The pace is slow, making it feel safe and relaxing. For families, this is truly one of the highlights of a trip to Sri Lanka.

Also convenient: you can easily arrange a private taxi for each ride. Often your hotel will do this for you, but a previous driver usually knows someone who can take you further. Additionally, there’s the app PickMe, a kind of Uber, which allows you to quickly and cheaply order a taxi. For short distances, you can even hop into a tuk-tuk – always fun for the kids.

There are also many buses, and you can even rent a scooter, but I wouldn’t really recommend either with kids.

In short: traveling through Sri Lanka with kids can be done in many ways. Depending on your route and preferences, you can even combine different modes of transport. This makes the trip more varied and fun for the kids.

The ultimate Sri Lanka round trip with kids – day-by-day itinerary

Sigiriya with kids

After our arrival at Colombo Airport, we drove about three hours to Sigiriya. We always arrange our taxi in advance via Booking.com: ideal, because someone is ready for you immediately and you can get in right away. Many families choose to spend the first few nights in Negombo by the beach, but since our schedule was a bit tight – and the climate around our travel period wasn’t optimal – we decided to drive straight on. It was quite a tough ride after such a long flight, but luckily the kids slept the entire way, and we could get a bit of rest too. Because of this, we saw little of the surroundings, but once we arrived, we immediately got those typical “jungle vibes,” with lots of nice lodges and small restaurants along the road.

We stayed at Nelu Villa Sigiriya – an absolute must. It’s beautifully situated among rice fields and palm trees, has a lovely pool, a relaxed atmosphere, and incredibly friendly staff. And all of this for a very affordable price.

Sigiriya itself is famous for the iconic Lion’s Rock, but we found climbing the nearby Pidurangala Rock just as impressive. From the top, you get a fantastic view of the surroundings and of Lion’s Rock itself. For kids, it’s an adventurous hike, with plenty of distractions along the way to keep it fun.

A visit to Minneriya National Park is also a must. The park is famous for the large herds of elephants you can spot here. We booked this safari in advance via GetYourGuide, but note: park entrance fees are paid separately on-site.

And another fun tip: have a meal at Soul Food, a cozy restaurant with a view of Lion’s Rock. Delicious food and a view you won’t soon forget!

Kandy with kids

From Sigiriya, we drove about three hours to Kandy. We arranged a taxi through our hotel for 20,000 rupees. Along the way, we made a few fun stops, which made the drive feel much shorter for the kids.

Our first stop was at one of the many spice and herbal farms, in our case Royal 100 Spice. Here we got a free tour of the herbs and plants, followed by a short massage. For kids, it’s a fun break: they see all kinds of things, smell various scents, and learn where spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper come from. Of course, you can buy some products in the shop afterward, and donations are appreciated.

Next, we stopped at the Golden Temple of Dambulla, recognizable by the huge golden Buddha towering above the entrance. It was busy because of the full moon, but that only made it more lively. For the kids, the many monkeys around the temple were a highlight.

In Kandy, we stayed at Kandyan Villa – a great choice for families. With a small pool and playground, it’s a nice place to relax, which is very welcome in busy Kandy.

Although Kandy itself wasn’t the most remarkable city of our trip, we came here for a very special reason: The Kandy Esala Perahera (the Sri Dalada Perahera procession of Kandy), also known as the Festival of the Tooth. This centuries-old festival revolves around the sacred Temple of the Tooth, where, according to tradition, a tooth of Buddha is kept. During the procession, countless dancers, musicians, and decorated elephants parade through the city. For us, it felt very special to experience this together with the locals. At the same time, we found it difficult to see the role of the elephants – something to think about carefully if you want to visit this festival.

Even outside the festival, there are plenty of things to do in Kandy with kids. The Temple of the Tooth is definitely worth a visit: an important religious site full of history and impressive rituals. We also enjoyed the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya Temple and the Kandy Viewpoint. For a relaxing break, you can stop by Hideout Lounge for an iced tea or a quick snack. And for a touch of local atmosphere, the Kandy Municipal Central Market is a must-see.

Nuwara Eliya with kids

The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya takes about three hours by car, including a few stops along the way. It’s a journey that keeps you looking outside almost non-stop: everywhere you see green hills, waterfalls, and tea landscapes. We took breaks at a few viewpoints and at Chill Ramboda, a cozy restaurant with a stunning view over the valley.

You can also take this route by train, which is just as beautiful and is often mentioned as one of the highlights of Sri Lanka.

We mainly used Nuwara Eliya as a convenient stopover between Kandy and Ella. For families who want to stay longer, there are fun activities like visiting a tea factory, where kids can see how tea is picked and processed. From here, you can, like us, hop on the train to Ella. This ride is known as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and is a fantastic experience for kids as well.

We stayed at The Wind Castle, an accommodation with a typical English vibe and spacious family rooms. For kids, it feels almost like a little adventure, with views over the hills and fresh mountain air. A good tip: it can be much colder here than in the rest of Sri Lanka, so be sure to bring some warm clothing.

The famous train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella

The train journey between Nuwara Eliya and Ella is without a doubt one of the highlights of a Sri Lanka trip with kids and deserves its own section. Second and third class have open windows and you really sit among the locals, but they are often very crowded. For a calmer and more comfortable ride, we chose first-class tickets, booked via 12goasia, which is highly recommended with children.

The scenery along the way is breathtaking: you pass vast tea plantations, green valleys, and tropical palm trees, and regularly stop at picturesque stations. The closer you get to Ella, the more tropical the landscape becomes; you can see a beautiful transition from hydrangeas and rhododendrons in Nuwara Eliya to palm trees and banana plants in Ella.

Tip: sit on the right side of the train, especially for the last part to Ella, for the best views of the valleys and tea plantations.

Ella with kids

Ella is a charming town in the mountains, surrounded by green tea fields and cozy restaurants. Our stay at Ella Rock Mystery Guest was perfect: centrally located yet quiet, with a beautiful view and plenty of space for the kids to play.

A visit to a tea plantation is a must here. We chose the Kinellan Tea Factory, where you can see the picking process. For some relaxation, the Ravana Pool Club is perfect; kids can enjoy swimming while parents take in the view.

You also shouldn’t miss the short hike to the Nine Arch Bridge. It’s an easy trail with beautiful views over the valleys, and with a bit of luck, a train passes by – always exciting for the kids! Our favorite restaurants in Ella were Café Eden and The Green Door Café, both cozy, kid-friendly, and serving delicious dishes.

Yala National Park with kids

The drive from Ella to Yala National Park is a beautiful transition from the mountains to the flat landscape, with vast rice fields and palm trees. We picked up our tuktuk in Ella and drove the approximately 100 kilometers ourselves, which took about four hours. For our stay, we chose Yala Chalets by Lalan Leisure, located about 15 minutes from the park entrance, ideal for an early safari.

A safari in Yala is best started early in the morning, when the animals are most active. A private tour is recommended, especially with kids, as you can set your own pace and stop flexibly. During the safari, you’ll often see elephants, crocodiles, water buffalo, deer, and various bird species. With a bit of luck, you might also spot a leopard, though nature remains unpredictable. You can easily book a safari in advance via GetYourGuide or through your accommodation.

The south coast of Sri Lanka with kids

You can wonderfully end your Sri Lanka round trip (or start it, if you do the route the other way around) on the south coast, at the beaches. The south has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, from wide, quiet stretches to lively surf spots. Everyone has their preference, but truly: you can hardly go wrong here. Keep in mind, however, that most beaches have strong currents and are not suitable for small children to swim in, but playing in the waves and on the sand is always possible.

Our favorite was the beach by our hotel Gaia Soul, a beautiful, wide stretch of sand where we hardly encountered anyone and the kids could play freely.

Hiriketiya Beach is a lively surf beach with lots of trendy spots around; it has a vibrant atmosphere and it’s fun to walk around or grab a bite to eat. At Polhena Beach, we snorkeled among the turtles (in calm water!). They often swim around here, but of course, it depends on luck; luckily, there are plenty of locals who can help you spot them for a small tip.

If you want to combine the beach with some culture and history, a visit to Galle is recommended. The Dutch Fort and the lighthouse are beautiful, and the charming streets with shops and cafés make it a nice change from the beach.

Practical tips for a successful trip with kids in Sri Lanka

Traveling with kids in Sri Lanka is an adventure in itself and requires good preparation. Here are some extra tips for a smooth holiday:

• Make sure all vaccinations are up to date.
• Drink only bottled water; tap water is not safe to drink.
• Traffic in Sri Lanka can be chaotic, especially in cities and around popular tourist spots. Therefore, plan plenty of travel time and, if desired, opt for private transportation with a driver.
• If you’re taking longer drives, bring enough entertainment, such as games, books, or tablets, and plan regular short breaks at hotels, restaurants, or viewpoints so the kids can stretch their legs.
• Protection against mosquitoes is essential, especially in the evenings and in natural areas. A good mosquito repellent and, if needed, a mosquito net for your accommodation can prevent a lot of discomfort.
• Wear light, breathable clothing that protects your skin from the sun and heat. Don’t forget sun hats, sunscreen, and good walking shoes for short hikes or excursions.
• Sanitary facilities are not always well maintained. Always carry a roll of toilet paper and some wet wipes in your bag.
• Flexibility and patience are key to a successful trip. The pace is often slower than in Western countries, delays or unexpected stops are part of the experience, and that is precisely part of the charm of Sri Lanka.