In terms of variety, Sri Lanka does very well. Within a single week, a family could go from climbing a rock fortress to watching elephants graze at sunset and then spend the last few days doing absolutely nothing on the beach. Pace it well enough so that no one gets burnt out.
The Cultural Leg: Colombo, Kandy and the Ancient Cities
Start in Colombo for a day. It eases you in gently, gives kids time to recover from the flight, and the city has enough going on to be interesting. From there, head toward Kandy for the Temple of the Tooth Relic and, if the timing works, a cultural dance performance in the evening. Kids tend to love the drumming more than they expect to. After Kandy, the Cultural Triangle opens up. Sigiriya is the big draw here, a rock fortress rising out of the jungle that looks almost impossible. Get there early before the heat and the crowds build up.
The West Coast Wind-Down: Wadduwa and the Kalutara Stretch
The West Coast is where you can slow down a bit. The stretch of coastline around Wadduwa sits just 32 kilometres south of Colombo, which makes it an easy final stop before heading to the airport. The beaches here are calm, and the atmosphere is unhurried. If you want to spend a few days here, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly accommodation options. Hotels near Wadduwa, Sri Lanka, range from budget to high-end stays, with the latter including places like The Blue Water Hotel and Spa.
Safari Days: Minneriya or Yala
Both parks are worth it, depending on your route. Minneriya is great for elephants and works well if you’re travelling from the Cultural Triangle. Yala sits further south and has a higher density of leopards than almost anywhere else in the world. Either way, book a jeep and go early.
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A Few Things to Know
The best time to travel this route is from November to April. Build in buffer time between drives because road journeys almost always take longer than expected. And don’t skip the train from Colombo to Kandy as the views through the hills are something the whole family will remember.
