Family week: Kandy, tea hills and Bentota beach

8 days, 7 nights: Negombo (1N), Kandy (2N), Nuwara Eliya (1N), Bentota (3N). Best time to go: Dec–Apr.

Day 1: Arrive in Negombo

Negombo

Negombo beach sunset · 2 h. Currents can be strong; swim only Nov–Apr and where others are swimming.
St Mary's Church & Dutch Fort gate · 1 h

Local tip: Currents can be strong; swim only Nov–Apr and where others are swimming.

Kandy · Negombo to Kandy, Private car ~3h

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic · 2 h. Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.
Kandy Lake walk · 1 h
Ceylon Tea Museum, Hantana · 1.5 h

Local tip: Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.

Kandy

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya · 3 h. 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.
Kandyan cultural dance show · 1 h. Shows start around 5pm near the lake; pair with the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Bahirawakanda Buddha statue viewpoint · 1 h

Local tip: 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.

Nuwara Eliya · Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, Private car ~3h via Ramboda (train to Nanu Oya ~4h)

Tea factory & plantation tour · 1.5 h. Pedro and Mackwoods estates near town run short tours with tastings; factories process in the morning.
Gregory Lake walk & boating · 2 h
Ramboda Falls stop · 1 h. On the Kandy road; pair with a tea stop at the estates around Ramboda.

Local tip: Pedro and Mackwoods estates near town run short tours with tastings; factories process in the morning.

Bentota · Nuwara Eliya to Bentota, Private car ~5h

Madu River boat safari (Balapitiya) · 2.5 h. Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.

Local tip: Mangrove tunnels, a cinnamon island and an island temple; 30 min south of Bentota.

Bentota

Bentota River water sports · 2 h. Jet ski, banana boat and windsurfing run Nov–Apr; prices are per ride, agree before starting.
Kosgoda turtle hatchery · 1 h. Choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings promptly rather than keeping turtles in tanks for photos.
Brief Garden (Bevis Bawa) · 1.5 h

Local tip: Jet ski, banana boat and windsurfing run Nov–Apr; prices are per ride, agree before starting.

Bentota

Bentota beach day · 3 h. Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.
Lunuganga estate (Geoffrey Bawa) guided tour · 1.5 h. Tours run at set times; book a slot ahead.

Local tip: Swimmable Nov–Apr; red flags are common May–Sep.

Bentota

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Negombo (1 night): Negombo beach strip. Pools and sea views, 25 min to the airport.
Kandy (2 nights): Hills above Kandy Lake (Lake Round area). Lake views, 5–10 min by tuk-tuk to the temple.
Nuwara Eliya (1 night): Gregory Lake side. Lake walks and easy access to the Hakgala road.
Bentota (3 nights): Bentota beach hotels. Beachfront pools next to the river water-sports centres.