Although Sri Lanka is relatively small, the sheer variety of things to see and endless possible itineraries can make planning a trip daunting. Our private tours can be tailored to make the perfect itinerary for your family, and our Travel Consultants can guide you through the planning. The perfect itinerary for you will depend on when you are going, the age of your children and of course what you would like to see and do. It is worth considering whether you would like to focus on wildlife, culture or the beach, or the best option in my opinion, a combination of everything. Here are my top tips to get you started.

From April to September the east coast beaches of Sri Lanka enjoy plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall so this is the place to head for as the beaches around Trincomalee and Passekuhdah are perfect for relaxing after touring the island. If pure relaxation isn't your (or more likely your children's) thing, there are various excursions to keep you entertained including snorkelling or visiting the historic sights and temples of Trincomalee.

If you are keen to take in the highlights of Sri Lanka before enjoying some beach time, check out the Sri Lanka Family Explorer which takes you to the tea plantations, Yala National Park, the Cultural Triangle and the East coast. The perfect blend of culture, wildlife, scenery and relaxing. If this seems like a bit too much, don't worry you can easily visit just Kandy and the Cultural Triangle before the beach, or even just the Cultural Triangle. I highly recommend taking a scenic flight back from the East coast, not only does it minimise travel time, the views are spectacular and you will feel like a celebrity, especially if (as happened to us) the whole village turns up to watch the plane land!

Sri Lanka's most popular season for visitors are the months of December to March and this is an ideal time to visit the south west coast. For families with younger children who aren't limited to school holidays this is the perfect time to visit. If you don't fancy touring you can still enjoy a huge variety of experiences by basing yourself in a beach resort and taking day trips. For example, the iconic stilt fishermen of Weligama are just a short drive from most of the south west beaches.

The southern city of Galle is also a dream of a day trip, boasting an old city within a fort, crumbling Dutch colonial buildings, boutique cafes, shops, art galleries and plenty of restaurants. Strolling around the UNESCO World Heritage listed old town and the old fort walls will give you endless photo opportunities. You may even catch an impromptu cricket game being played either in an open square or in the cricket ground (major games are also played here, but it is advisable to arrange tickets in advance). Children will love the National Maritime Museum and it's also a good place to escape the midday sun. It is easy to combine a day trip to Galle with a visit to a turtle hatchery. 

If wildlife is your thing then whale watching trips leave from the south west coast. It is also possible to take a day trip to Udawalawe which is one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for seeing elephants. 

If you would like to see more of Sri Lanka you can of course combine the south west coast with a tour of the rest of the island.

Sri Lanka offers a diverse array of wildlife which will impress children and adults alike. One of the best (and most family friendly) things about wildlife experiences here is that they are easily accessible and eminently affordable.

Elephants are the big draw and seeing them in the wild is an amazing experience, no matter what your age. Sri Lanka offers plenty of opportunities to see them, the easiest being an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, just a short drive from your Cultural Triangle hotel yet it feels like another world. We were surrounded by elephants and spent a couple of hours watching them wander down to the lake for a drink, taking endless photos of the babies. In the south, Udawalawe National Park is an easy add-on to a touring itinerary, or can be done as a day trip from a some beach resorts. Ask your Travel Consultant which hotels we offer this from. It can be a long day regardless, but does offer the convenience of not changing hotels, along with the flexibility for one adult to take older children as it isn't suitable for under 6's). 

For families with older children Yala National Park is the ultimate Sri Lanka wildlife destination. Here, as well as elephants, you have the chance to spot leopard (the park has one of the highest densities in the world) as well as jackals, sloth bears and crocodiles. 

Monkeys are also very common in Sri Lanka and kids will love watching their antics. Exploring the ruins of the old capital of Polonnaruwa while watching the moneys forage for their first meal of the day while a naturalist tells you about their behaviour makes for a magical morning.

Sri Lanka has culture in abundance. It's not just in the Cultural Triangle but it's an obvious place to start. Running around the ruins of Polonnaruwa can burn off the kid's energy while you take in the ancient city. Visiting a traditional Sri Lankan village is also a great way for children to learn about a different culture and lifestyle. 

The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy has a lively atmosphere with plenty of bright colours to catch the attention of children, you can also take in a traditional dance show here. 

The tea plantations of the hill country don't just offer spectacular views, there is also the opportunity to try your hand at tea picking or visit a tea factory to learn how the tea gets from bush to cup.

The national dish of Sri Lanka is "curry and rice" and involves several different types of curry to try along with the ubiquitous rice. This is perfect for families as there are lots of different flavours to try (there are plenty of western options for those craving home comforts too).

So there you have it, from beaches to bears and temples to tea country. I hope I have convinced you to consider Sri Lanka when you are thinking of your next family holiday, you won't regret it!

For more inspiration, take a look at our Sri Lanka Holidays pages.