Sri Lanka Vs Thailand: Which is Best for a Family Holiday?

Take the Family is a UK-based travel agency specialising in family holidays to both Thailand and Sri Lanka. Both offer beautiful beaches, wildlife encounters and rich culture, but they deliver very different travel experiences depending on your children’s ages and interests.

By Tracey Davies

Two of the most exciting family-friendly destinations in Asia are Sri Lanka and Thailand, both them offering paradisiacal beaches, lush jungle and oodles of culture. But which one is right for your family?

From tea plantations and elephants to palm-fringed beaches with stilt fishermen swaying precariously over turquoise seas, it's easy to see why Sri Lanka is a hit with families. Even with two monsoon seasons (north and south), it’s still a good year-round option, although the best time to visit Sri Lanka is October through to March.

There are also a million and one reasons why families fall in love with Thailand – the colourful street markets of Bangkok, the sugary-sand beaches fringing Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Samui, and the Buddhist temples and elephant-trampled jungles of Chiang Mai. When seen through a child's eyes, Thailand is like dipping your senses in rainbow sherbet. 

Although it also has year-round appeal, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and April, when temperatures are a balmy 32°C or so and rainfall is minimal. But it can also be a good-value alternative to the Med in summer, as the rainfall may be heavy but is normally short-lived. 

Sri Lanka vs Thailand: Which is cheaper?

Both countries are relatively affordable, and the humble pound generally goes much further than it would in Europe. Whether you want beach resorts, boutique hotels or jungle lodges, Sri Lanka has accommodation to suit. If you want budget-friendly luxury –and who doesn’t? – Sri Lanka has some fantastic resorts that are often a fraction of the price of other tropical destinations. See our guide to family resorts in Sri Lanka.

Thailand has been in the tourism game a little longer than Sri Lanka and has more budget-friendly options if that’s your travel style. But it’s also well-versed in the luxury travel market, with family resorts such as the Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui and Club Med Phuket. See our guide to family resorts in Thailand.

Which destination has the best beaches?

Floury white sands, shallow aquamarine waters, swaying palm trees… Thailand has the most beautiful beaches in the world. Islands such as Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui have some of the best beaches in Thailand, ones that largely appeal to families. With gentle waves, soft sands and family resorts, Kata Beach in Phuket is particularly good for those with younger nippers, while Ao Nang Beach in Krabi is one of the best beaches for water sports, with snorkelling and kayaking for older kids and teenagers.

Some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka are on the southeastern coast. Unawatuna Beach near Galle has calm, shallow waters perfect for paddling with little ones, while Bentota is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka for water sports, with upmarket beachfront resorts offering jet skiing, banana boat rides and windsurfing for older kids. Wannabe surfers always head to the east coast and Arugam Bay, which has world-class surf waves and a more bohemian vibe to appeal to teenagers.

Which is best for adventure?

Jungle treks, surfing, whale watching… See our Sri Lanka adventure holidays for a mix of fantastic activities. Kitulgala is considered the country's adventure hub, with the best activities in Sri Lanka for teenagers, including whitewater rafting, kayaking and canyoning. The south-west coast around Ahagama and Arugam Bay on the east coast has several surf schools offering kids' tuition.

Thailand adventure holidays are a great way of tackling this country as a family. You might hop on the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok and go trekking in the jungles of Chiang Mai and visit local hill tribes.

And for some families, the best activities in Thailand might involve water parks and theme parks such as Splash Jungle Water Park in Phuket, and Safari World and Dream World in Bangkok. 

Which offers the best cultural experiences?

Sri Lanka has a rich historical heritage and is awash in temples, ancient ruins and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Older kids love exploring the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, while younger children enjoy the scenic train rides through the tea plantations of Ella.

Thailand is equally as blessed, with attractions including 40,000 or so Buddhist temples dotted around the country. The key ones to visit are Wat Pho, which has a 46m-long gold reclining Buddha, and Wat Phra Kaeo, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, both in Bangkok.

Which is best for wildlife?

Sri Lanka generally has better wildlife-viewing opportunities, particularly if you want to see elephants and blue whales. One of the best places to see wildlife in Sri Lanka is Yala National Park in the Southern Province, where you can spot sloth bears, elephants, and if you're lucky, the elusive leopard. Kids also love seeing baby elephants at the Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary in Udawalawe National Park.

The waters around Mirissa and Galle on Sri Lanka’s southeast coast are the main spot for whale-watching, particularly blue whales. The best time to see the largest mammal on the planet is between late November and mid April, when they come closer to the shore to feed.

See also our feature on the best wildlife experiences in Sri Lanka with kids.

Thailand also has its fair share of wildlife, albeit not as prolific as you'll find in Sri Lanka's national parks. See our feature on the best elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, which include the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, where children can observe the elephants as they roam freely in the forest, watch them feed and bathe in the river.

Which destination is best for food?

Thai cuisine is an absolute joy, and you’ll find many dishes are mild, sweet and perfect for even the fussiest kids. From pad Thai noodles to mango sticky rice, children find plenty of food they enjoy. But all luxury resorts in Thailand also offer kid-friendly menus with international favourites for pickier eaters.

Sri Lankan cuisine is generally a little spicier. Many kids love Sri Lankan hoppers – dish-shaped rice-flour and coconut-milk pancakes filled with a fried egg or curry. ‘Short eats’ is another Sri Lankan tradition – as with the British high tea, you get a plate of vadais, samosas, rolls and patties and just pay for what you eat. Of course, all luxury resorts in Sri Lanka also cater for more delicate palates and always offer familiar favourites such as pizza and pasta.

Find out more about Sri Lanka family holidays and Thailand family holidays.