Sri Lanka has a way of calling you back and for our family, it’s now been twice. Our first visit was with a 3 year old and a 9month old, navigating our very first overseas trip with two little ones. The second time, the kids were 5 and 3, and it felt like discovering a whole new side of the island. Each trip brought its own rhythm, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
✈️ Quick Overview
Travel party: 2 adults, 2 young kids
Travel periods: April/May 2024 & January 2026
Our first trip in April/May coincided with the vibrant Sinhala and Tamil New Year. We spent around four weeks reconnecting with family and gently introducing our children to Sri Lanka. It was hot (think early morning or late afternoon beach visits) but the festive atmosphere made it incredibly special.
We returned in January 2026 for a family wedding, staying for three weeks. The weather was far more pleasant, making it easier to explore and move around with the kids.
🌴 Our Itinerary & Stays
Dickwella
Stay: Dickwella Resort and Spa (2 nights) – first trip
A peaceful, sandy beach that’s perfect for little travellers. The resort has recently been upgraded, fresher rooms and noticeably improved food. It’s also conveniently located about 2–3 hours from Yala.
Yala National Park Safari
Stay: Ariya Tissa (2 nights) – first trip
The hotel organised our safari, making things seamless with kids in tow. Spacious rooms and excellent food made it a comfortable base for exploring nearby wildlife.
Ahungalla
Stay: Heritance Ahungalla (3 nights) – first trip
Just minutes from a sea turtle hatchery, this was a highlight for the kids. The hotel delivered across the board—great food, comfortable rooms, and a relaxing beachfront setting.
Kandy
Stay: Hotel Topaz (2 nights) – first trip
A great location close to the iconic Temple of the Tooth Relic. The kids loved spotting monkeys around the property. Rooms felt a little dated and food could be better, but the views made up for it.
We did a day trip to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and visited the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the afternoon.
Dambulla
Stay: Jetwing Lake (1 night) – first trip
A short but memorable stay with beautiful rooms and standout food. Tip: stick to the main road when arriving, as Google Maps may direct you through a less accessible service entry when travelling from Kandy.
Kandalama
Stay: Heritance Kandalama (3 nights) – first trip
We spent Sinhala and Tamil New Year here with family, and it was magical. The celebrations, food, and overall experience were exceptional.
Most hotels will have new year celebrations and days differ from one to another. Call ahead to check with the hotel if you are intending to visit one for new year festivities.
Habarana
Stay: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana (3 nights) – second trip
A fantastic family friendly resort with spacious rooms, great food, and a dedicated kids’ pool (a huge win).
We explored the nearby village experience in Hiriwadunna which included a bullock cart ride and boat trip in the tank and went on an elephant safari at Ekho Park. We spotted around 35 elephants, though fewer other animals compared to Yala.
A note for families: our 5 year old was bitten by a non-venomous rat snake near the pool area. While the hotel staff responded quickly, we did spend a full day in hospital for observation. It’s a good reminder that this region is known for wildlife so closed toe shoes are a must. In an event of a snake bite, take a photo and/ request the hotel to catch the snake as hospitals will often ask to see the photos/animal to determine treatment.
Colombo
Stay: Cinnamon Grand Colombo (2 nights) – second trip
The buffet at Plates was hands down one of the best meals of the trip. Cheers Pub has been refurbished and now includes a kids’ area, great for unwinding as a family.
Galle & South Coast Base
Stay: Oceanfront apartment in Galle (5 nights) – second trip
We used Galle as our base for exploring the southern coast with our extended family, with day trips to:
- Galle Fort
- Hikkaduwa (turtle hatchery at Mahamodara)
- Jungle Beach & Wijaya Beach
- Weligama & Unawatuna
- Matara Fort
- Madol Duwa boat tour
Our apartment faced a reef—not ideal for swimming, but perfect for sand play and spotting tiny fish. The kids also loved the separate kids pool onsite. Sunsets from here was magical.
🚉 Getting Around
We typically self drive in Sri Lanka. On our first trip, we brought car seats, but skipped them the second time. Both kids experience motion sickness, and surprisingly, they were more comfortable without the seats.
For short trips in Colombo, we relied on ride hailing apps and three-wheelers, which were convenient and affordable.
📱 Must-Have Apps
- PickMe
- Uber
- Googlemaps
👟 Insider Tips for Families
- SIM cards: Grab one at the airport. Dialog, Mobitel, and Hutch all have counters.
- Airport taxis: Use the official taxi service (opposite the phone booths) for fixed, reliable pricing.
- Money: Exchange at airport bank counters or withdraw directly from airport ATMs.
- Wildlife awareness: In Dambulla/Habarana, watch where you step, closed shoes are essential, especially for kids.
- Dining with babies: Many hotels (especially Jetwing properties) will prepare customised meals for infants if you ask in advance.
- Buffets are a must: Sri Lanka does hotel buffets exceptionally well, don’t miss them.
- Insect repellents will be your best friends. Lots of mozzies around Yala, Dambulla, Habarana and colombo areas. we used a combination of long sleeve clothing, insect repellent cream and patches daily.
- If you have the time, check out hair grooming and treatment services. Most of them do a fantastic job. I’ve had great experiences with Tiron and Nalaka at Chagall.
🍽️ Food Highlights
Would skip next time:
- Upali’s by Nawaloka
- The Bayleaf
- Citrus Hikkaduwa (lunch)
Would absolutely return for:
- Plates at Cinnamon Grand – incredible buffet
- Cinnamon Life Oriental Restaurant
- Cinnamon Lodge Habarana Restaurant – buffet
- Waters Edge – high tea
- The Stache – brunch
Sri Lanka truly lives up to its name, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, travelling here with children is a rich, rewarding experience filled with culture, wildlife, and warm hospitality.
