A Guide to Family Travel in Sri Lanka over the Easter Holidays
Top things to do, weather & where to stay in Sri Lanka’s Shoulder Season
If you’re looking for a unique family experience over the Easter holidays which blends culture, nature, adventure, and history, Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise that boasts stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, vibrant festivals, and warm hospitality. For a glimpse of what Sri Lanka is like between March and April, here’s our guide to what to see and do in the pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Weather in Sri Lanka in March and April
The country’s two shoulder seasons present optimal weather conditions nationwide, with the added benefit of reduced crowds and more affordable prices. In the coastal areas and lowlands, like Colombo, Galle, and Negombo, March and April usually experience temperatures ranging from 28°C to 32°C. There may be occasional showers, but overall, these months are characterised by plenty of sunshine and relatively dry weather.
Explore the Ancient Cities
March and April are the perfect months to explore Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites are steeped in over 2000 years of history and offer a fascinating glimpse into the island’s rich past. The towering dagobas, intricately carved stone temples, king’s pleasure gardens, palace complexes, and ancient reservoirs feel like a scene out of Indiana Jones, and the surrounding countryside offers plenty of fringe experiences.
Kids will love racing up Sigiriya Rock Fortress or ‘Lion Rock,’ canoe boat rides, cycling through village trails and UNESCO Anuradhapura ruins, Tuk-tuk rides through UNECSO Polonnaruwa which was the setting of Disney’s ‘Monkey Kingdom’, seeing wild Sri Lankan elephants at Hurulu Eco-Park, visiting the Smithsonian Primate Research Station in Polonnaruwa for a walk with a primatologist and exploring the lesser known 2000-year-old Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve and Forest Monastery.
Nature and Wildlife
Sri Lanka is home to an incredible array of wildlife, and the Easter holidays present the perfect opportunity for a safari adventure. If you haven’t got the time to squeeze in a safari at Yala National Park or Wilpattu National Park, there’s still plenty of opportunity to see wild Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, and a myriad of bird species across the island, and you needn’t travel too far before you stumble across stunning natural beauty. Teardrop Hotel’s Wallawwa is a gateway to a relaxed holiday in an almost jungle-like setting, amidst 200-year-old gardens, and an organic garden home to friendly goats.
Kids will love spotting wild animals on 4×4 game drives through Yala National Park or Wilpattu, the open plains of Horton National Park, the Hog Deer at Geoffrey Bawa’s Honduwa Island, nesting sea turtles along the south coast, and rainforests like UNESCO Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
Sun, sand, surf
With its pristine beaches and clear waters, Sri Lanka is a beach lover’s paradise and offers endless possibilities for family fun. From the serene boulder-strewn shores of Balapitiya on the west coast to the buzzy beaches of Unawatuna and Weligama in the south, there’s a coastal destination to suit every preference. Kumu Beach and Lunuganga offer two beautiful and relaxing settings, with Kumu Beach set along the southwest coast and Lunuganga set beside a stunning waterfront.
Kids will love surf lessons in Hikkaduwa or Weligama, whale watching in Mirissa, an endless life-sized sandbox as a playground, wood-fired pizzas, gelato, and bonfires on the beach.
Trekking the hill country
No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without experiencing its famed tea plantations. The weather in the hill country is sublime over the Easter holidays, and it’s one of the best times to visit Nuwara Eliya. The Hakkgala Botanical Gardens will be in full bloom and Adam’s Peak will be in season – ideal for families travelling with older kids.
Teardrop Hotels’ three tea bungalows, Camellia Hills in Dickoya, Goatfell in Nuwara Eliya and Nine Skies in Ella provide luxurious family-friendly retreats amidst tea estates, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills. The bungalows are also well positioned to several access points of The Pekoe Trail. From the breathtaking vistas of Ella Rock to the mystical beauty of Horton Plains National Park, there are plenty of trails to suit all ages and fitness levels.
Kids will love chance sightings of Sambar Deer in the hills, boat rides on a traditional fisherman’s catamaran along the Castlereagh Reservoir, train rides in the hills, ziplining in Ella, and family picnics at secret viewpoints.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka offers a little something for every kind of family traveling over the Easter holidays. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, embarking on a wildlife safari, or simply relaxing on a sun-kissed beach, this small island has something for everyone.