From the surf beaches of Sri Lanka and Bali, to the idyllic paradise islands of Thailand and more temples and ruins than you could ever hope to see in a lifetime, Asia has something to offer everyone. Get off the beaten path though, and it’s easy to start to wonder how appropriate some of these Instagram favourite destinations are for travelling with kids.
We’ve been travelling our way around the continent with our kids to put these countries through their paces and stress-test them for kid-friendliness. The good news is, a lot of the places we’ve been have been fantastic for family travel. Some have been less than ideal and we share our experiences and advice in our Asia travel guides for families.
Don’t be put off my stories from jaded travellers about how wild and unsafe travelling through Asia can be – most of the areas we have travelled to were fantastic for kids. Plenty of family-friendly activities and outings and local populations who adore children mean Asia should definitely be high on your list of places to travel with kids.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a small island nation but has very diverse attractions to appeal to any traveller.
The south is dominated by miles and miles of stunning beaches, lined with ramshackle surf shacks and an economy that is seemingly built on a foundation of fresh fruit stalls and yoga studios. The north is known predominantly for its temples, ruins and ancient attractions. In between the two lie the famous tea plantations of Ella and Kandy and the must-see Elephant parks of Udawalawe and Yalla.
Consider too that Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest destinations you’re able to visit these days and you’ll start to wonder why you haven’t been there sooner.
