Are you looking for the BEST family holiday destinations in SE Asia? I was too! So I asked some friends who have travelled in South East Asia with kids and together we have put together a ‘family holiday destinations in Asia’ guide to help you have the best family holiday Asia style.
There are 11 countries that make up South East Asia: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma (Myanmar), Phillipines, East Timor and Brunei. What we’ve done is divide this article up into these countries and then cities/towns within those countries.
We think this article will give you a good list of the best Asian family holidays….
So where ARE the best family holiday destinations in Asia?
Which family holiday destination in SE Asia?
Are you looking for the best family holidays Asia has to offer?
Our family is off on a trip to see many of the countries in SE Asia, but we wanted to know in advance is which of the destinations in the cities and towns in each country in SE Asia were family friendly and would offer the best experience for our family! In short: for our Asia family holiday we wanted to know – where are the best family holidays in Asia?
Asian family holidays
So here’s our overview (with a whole lot of help from our friends) of the best Asian holidays for families to ensure that your family holiday in Asia with kids is every bit as awesome as these ones below.
Thailand with kids
South East Asia family holidays don’t come much easier and more diverse than Thailand! Thailand simply is one of the best holiday destinations in Asia for family! This is one of our favourite child friendly destinations in Asia because it is so easy to travel here. It is also baby friendly, toddler friendly and great for teens.
Here are our favourite places:
Phuket Thailand
Christine of Advenure, Baby!
Phuket, a lush island in the Andaman Sea, is home to stunning beaches with crystal clear water. With plenty of high-end, family-friendly resorts to choose from, as well as plenty of restaurants, spas, nature and culture galore, Phuket is an ideal destination in South East Asia to take the kids on a relaxing or adventurous vaycay.
Check out the cheapest Phuket airport transfers here.
Beaches
The beaches in Phuket are so beautiful, they have to get a mention. With white sand shores and the turquoise ocean, the beaches are just stunning so allocate a day or many to just enjoying the beaches. Our favourite was Karon Beach, but there are plenty to choose from.
Big Buddha
An imposing 45m high statue, Big Buddha is perched on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata. This revered landmark is a must-visit in the area and while there are a lot of stairs to climb, it’s a great place to take kids to get a real taste of Thailand. Explore Big Buddha easily with these trips – click here.
Karon Temple (Wat Suwan Khiri Khet or Wat Karon)
We discovered Karon Temple wandering through the main street of Karon. It’s a stunning and pretty new temple with a low-key vibe. The welcome monks might even introduce you to their pet chickens.
Old Phuket Town
The historic centre of Phuket is well worth a visit to see its beautiful pastel-coloured shophouses. Do a spot of shopping or have lunch in one of the many cafes. These are our favourite Phuket Old Town tours.
Phang Nga Bay
This was a day trip we took and highly enjoyed kayaking around the limestone karsts. Phang Nga Sea Canoeing is cheapest on the Klook website here.
Preparing for Thailand
Bring the essentials! I highly recommend bringing mosquito repellent, sunscreen, scarves to cover shoulders when visiting temples, comfortable walking shoes, hat, swimmers, goggles and plenty of loose, light layers when it comes to clothing. Thai people dress quite conservatively so while tourists can wear shorts and tank tops, it’s advisable not to show too much skin when you’re not at the hotel. When visiting temples, some will require you (and the kids) to cover shoulders and knees.
Pick up a cheap 4G SIM to stay connected in Thailand – click here
RELATED: Best gift ideas for travelling children.
Chiang Mai Thailand
Allan of Live Less Ordinary
Despite Chiang Mai’s obvious popularity as a tourist destination, it is somewhat of a tiny destination when it comes to population and size compared to Bangkok, and other lesser-known cities in Thailand. At the same time, Chiang Mai takes a more-than-fair share of tourism, meaning the tourist infrastructure is likely better than any other destination in Thailand. Which always helps for any family-friendly travels.
Chiang Mai – areas of interest
Most people opt to stay in the old city of Chiang Mai, but it can be a bit chaotic at times, and there are always quieter and more amiable areas found in the not-so-far outskirts of the city. These areas would include the Chiang University area, which has a lot of parks and green spaces to explore, as well as Nimman area (Nimmanheiman Road) which is found beneath the backdrop of Mount Suthep. And I would personally go with the Nimman area as it brings both laid-back local scenes as well as excitement in the side streets with quirky cafés, international foods, and a massive air-conditioned mall (Maya) to escape the heats.
Chiang Mai – kid friendly attractions
Chiang Mai is considered to be the cultural capital of the North, and it is one of the most diverse destinations to explore in Thailand, within reach of the Laos and Myanmar borders. So there are plenty of excursions available to explore this rather fascinating part of the world. As Chiang Mai makes for the perfect base when exploring the northern ‘Lanna’ provinces. But there is also plenty explore nearby, and including some kid-friendly attractions.
Three of the better including:
- Elephant Nature Park: An ethical home to 30+ elephants where many have been saved from the otherwise dubious tourist camps. Find an elephant experience to match your values here.
- Homestays with Hilltribes: Unlike the themed hill-tribe museums you can find homestays for some cross-cultural learning with the regions varied hilltribes.
- Flight of the Gibbon: For pure fun flying over rainforest canopies on a zip line. You can book it here.
Not to forget the overall excitement of street life, exploring temples, and just running around town in a tuk-tuk.
Of all the Thai Islands, Ko Lanta must be one of the best to visit with kids. Miles and miles of sandy beaches, warm calm seas and beautiful sunsets. What’s not to like? It is also one of the largest Thai islands and has retained that laid back charm we all want from a paradise island.
Ko Lanta Thailand
Chris of More Life in Your Days
Ko Lanta is very much geared up for families with great hotels and restaurants with all you need for a relaxing stay with kids. The island even has pre-schools and schools popular with Swedes that escape their cold winter for the warmth of Thailand
Hit the Beach!
Ok, so it is an obvious one but hitting the beaches has to be number 1 on any list of top things to do on Ko Lanta. The West coast is where most of the best beaches are and there are a number of great beaches to choose from. Each have their own different vibe so it’s worth doing some research to ensure you enjoy your stay.
Our favourite beach is probably Long Beach which, as the name suggests, is a huge bay fringed by golden sands and palm trees. All along the front you will find nice restaurants and cool bars, but the atmosphere is very family friendly and many of the establishments have play areas and beach toys for your little ones.
Ko Lanta has it all, if this is too busy for you, head to the quiet, deserted beaches to the south of the island, or for a middle ground choose Khlong Dao which is another beach popular with families.
Take the ‘4 Islands’ snorkelling trip
Older children will love the snorkelling amongst the karst islands and coral reefs of nearby islands, Ko Ngai, Ko Muk, Ko Kradan and Ko Chuek. The 4 islands are all travel brochure beautiful with karst formations rising sharply out of the waters. The underwater world is no less impressive with a wide array of sea life on view. To cap it all off your trip will include a visit to the spectacular Emerald Cave on Koh Muk which has to be seen to be believed. For even more adventure this trip can be combined with kayaking across the emerald waters.
Enjoy a nightime fire show
Another must do on Ko Lanta is to see one of the many nightly fire shows along the beaches. Many of the local bars and restaurants put on spectacular shows of what our daughter called “spinning fire”, using fire poi and devil sticks. You will find these shows on all the beaches but the best is probably at the Indian Bar on Khlong Dao.
For more travel inspiration and tips on visiting Ko Lanta please visit us at More Life in Your Days
Koh Chang Thailand
Jenny of TraveLynn Family
With is shallow, calm waters and long stretched of silky sand, Koh Chang in Thailand is the perfect destination for families. Whilst the west coast has quite a backpacker/party vibe, particularly around White Sands Beach, tucked away on the East Coast of Koh Chang, lies Serenity Beach Resort.
Water activities
This low-key, chilled out resort is backed by lush mountains and the staff are extremely welcoming to young kids. We loved using the free kayaks out on the calm water before breakfast every morning, and us parents certainly appreciated the free buckets and spades for the boys to play in the sand in front of the restaurant. There is also an infinity pool with a step along one side that was a safe, supervised, playing area for our then 18-month-old. Plus there is a pond of fish who need feeding each day.
Tuk Tuks in Koh Chang
Take a tuk-tuk ride around the island, explore other beaches, wander the fishing villages to the South, venture into the jungle for some adventure or select one of the many beach side restaurants for a chocolate banana pancake (seemingly every kids favourite Thai dish. Elephant riding is offered on the island, but please do not take your children to do this. The elephants here are not well cared for and the methods of riding cruel and harmful.
Make a plan for Koh Chang
For us, Koh Chang formed the final part of a 10 day Thailand itinerary with our kids that involved no internal flights or overnight trains. Between Bangkok and Koh Chang, we stopped at the quaint, rustic, gem-town of Chanthaburi for a couple of days to break up the journey. It was about 3.5 hours to Chanthaburi from Bangkok and then 2.5 hours to Serenity Resort. There is a car ferry to take you from the mainland at Trat across to Koh Chang. No booking is required.
Looking for cheap tours and activities in Koh Lanta? We’ve found these GREAT ideas!!
Koh Lipe Thailand
Melissa of Thrifty Family Travel
Browse the BEST activities in Koh Lipe for families here.
Thailand’s Koh Lipe Island makes for the perfect family island getaway. This small Thai island is surrounded by gorgeous post card perfect beaches, brightly coloured turquoise waters and spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving. The island is slow paced, and the atmosphere is chilled out making for a fantastic setting for a perfect relaxed family holiday.
Koh Lipe is a small island located in southern Thailand on the outskirts of the Tarutao National Marine Park near the Malaysian border. Koh Lipe is 60 km from the Thai mainland and even closer to the Malaysia mainland being only 30 kms away. The best way to get to Koh Lipe is via 90 minute ferry ride from Langkawi.
If you are visiting Koh Lipe with family here are my 3 must dos:
DIY Snorkel Tour
Hire a couple of kayaks from the north end of Sunrise Beach and paddle over to the more isolated Sunset Beach. Here you will find some of the best snorkeling right off the beach.
If you keep paddling around past the main resorts on Sunrise Beach you will find a few little coves where you can have your own private beach to swim from.
Spend the Day Lounging Around the Beach
There are three main beaches on Koh Lipe namely Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset. All three beaches are perfect for just doing not much at all.
Whichever beach you choose, spend the day swimming in warm, calm crystal clear water, help the kids build sand castles, lie around on sun lounger, order drinks from the nearest beach bar and repeat all day until you’ve had enough.
Watch the Sunset
Just before sunset head to one of the many beach bars or resorts which have 2 for 1 cocktails, mocktails of course for the kids. Either find yourself a comfy beach chair or the perfect position from the infinity swimming pool and get ready to watch mother’s nature free entertainment as the sun goes down.
After sunset, hang around as most bars have free fire dancing shows.
Koh Jum Thailand
Carrie of Flying with a Baby
Thailand is a wonderful contender for some winter sun. Although there may be the odd (warm) rain shower, these often pass very quickly. Whether you are a culture vulture, an active sporty family or prefer to relax and unwind – there really is something for everyone.
One of my preferred holidays in Thailand is exploring the various islands. Recently, we went off the beaten track and visited Koh Jum after a short stay in Krabi. An hour taxi ride followed by a 45 minute long boat ride brought us to this idyllic island spot. Think Thailand before mass tourism descended but with all the comforts (but with no 7/11 in sight!) With various accommodation options there is something suitable for all budgets.
Koh Jum is a perfect island base for complete relaxation and those famous Thai massages. However for children it is magical, a place where they can imagine they are own their own island. Here are my top 3 things to do with kids in Koh Jum.
Snorkel or take a kayak out and explore the reef near the shore. Look out for fish and don’t forget a banana to feed them. Afterwards head to Laboa beach for a fresh fruit cocktail ( or G & T, relax on the hammock or wooden swing and watch the sunset.
Take a boat trip to the amazing Monkey Island with its powder white beaches and cheeky little wild local monkeys. The famous Phi Phi is also nearby.
Explore the rock pools and marvel at all the crabs and the sand markings they make. With all the fabulous activities larger hotels on the mainland had, enjoying the basics, with no WiFi or tech was what the children genuinely enjoyed the most. Sometimes it really is about the simple pleasures of walking along an almost deserted beach, building sun castles, looking for monitor lizards and playing with cheeky monkeys!
How much will a trip to Thailand cost? We love this Thailand Travel Costs & Prices Guide.
Laos with kids
Laos is one of our favourite and best family holiday destinations Asia has to offer! Here’s why:
Luang Prabang Laos
Marianne of Mum on the Move
FIND the best family friendly activities in Luang Pragang – click here.
Luang Prabang sits peacefully on the banks of the Mekong River in Laos and is a perfect family holiday destination in SE Asia. Life here revolves around Buddhism, and beautifully preserved temples greet you at every turn, while orange-robed monks stroll the streets. While this may not sound like the most exciting place to visit with kids, in fact this World UNESCO Heritage site is a great place to take the family.
The lack of crazy traffic that so often characterizes Asian cities means that exploring Luang Prabang with a buggy is infinitely doable. Also, with the town centre being compact, you don’t need to worry about little legs tiring out too quickly.
Although you won’t find any theme parks or purpose-built family friendly tourist attractions here, there are plenty of cultural activities for the whole family. Our top three are listed below:
The temples
It’s hard to avoid the temples in Luang Prabang; they are everywhere. Although there is a limit to how many temples you can drag kids around, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit some of the most spectacular ones.
Wat Xieng Thong, or Temple of the Golden City, is a real must see. This complex of over twenty beautiful shrines and pavilions, has plenty of shimmering golden doors and hidden Buddha statues to wow the kids. Another favourite is Wat Ho Pha Bang, the ornate temple within the Royal Palace Museum.
Kuang Si Falls
The Kuang Si Waterfall is one of the most stunning waterfalls I have ever seen, with layer upon layer of cascading water leading up to the main fall: 60 metres of gushing water, surrounded by green tropical jungle. The Falls are a good 45 bumpy minutes in the back of a tuk tuk from Luang Prabang, which makes for a fun adventure for the kids in itself.
Also at Kuang Si you will find the Tat Kuang Si Rescue Centre. This bear sanctuary looks after 23 Moon Bears that have been rescued by the Laos government from illegal poaching and trading. They are super cute and it is fun for the kids to watch them playing. Find out about the best tour to the Kuang Si Falls here.
Mekong Cruise
Sunsets in Luang Prabang are sensational, and the riverbank is lined with laidback rustic bars, where you can take advantage of their sunset views. But for a real magical experience, you need to take to the river.
If you head down to the boat pier just before sunset you will be able to arrange with a local boat driver to take a private river cruise up and down the river for an hour. Beautiful! See if one of these three Mekong Cruises might suit your family!
Vietnam holiday destinations
If you are looking for best cheap family holidays Asia has to offer, then Vietnam is a great choice! When looking to save money Vietnam is a strong contender for best Asian holiday destinations for families.
Where are the best family holiday destinations Vietnam has to offer? These are our suggestions:
Ho Chi Minh City
Mary of Move To Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City or also known as Saigon is one of the hottest destinations in Southeast Asia not only for young travellers but for a family with kids too. This is a fantastic place for a family holiday in Vietnam! The businesses that are focused on tourism focus on bringing great activities that family tourists can enjoy especially with their kids. Activities that are cultural and fun at the same time. Here are three things that you must do in Ho Chi Minh City during your visit with your kids:
Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Show
Even though the singing will be in Vietnamese, you’ll be surprised how many tourists in all ages go to see the traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. My Vietnamese friend explained to me what the show was about and he said that it’s actually about the history and some legends about Vietnam, mixed in happy and some serious things that are part of Vietnamese culture. The kids who were watching the show were trying to sing along and seems had a great time during the entire show.
How to get there: Bringing your kids with you, the best is to take a taxi. If you will book a tour, most of them come with the transportation service. Find the best traditional Vietnamese water puppet show here.
Mekong Delta Tour
This tour mostly fall under the “must see attraction”. A fun all day tour where you can get on a boat with your entire family. The Mekong Delta River is located more or less 2-hour of the Ho Chi Minh City, it flows from China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, then Vietnam, which makes it very interesting. If you book a tour, they will provide the transportation from Ho Chi Minh City and back, lunch and drinks, boat fee, and an English speaking guide.
How to get here: With kids on the tow, the best is to do it with a tour. Choose from one of these respected Mekong Delta tours.
Cyclo Tour with a Traditional Vietnamese Rickshaw
It’s simply a tour where you and your kids can hop on a traditional Vietnamese Rickshaw – a three-wheel bicycle operated by a local guy. A fun and convenient way to explore the entire city. You can easily hail them on the street but you should choose the right time of the day to avoid the peak hours that flows with heavy traffic’ also to avoid the heat of the sun. Find an organised cyclo tour at a cheap price here.
There are more things to explore or do in Ho Chi Minh City with your kids like exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, walking around the local markets, or even join a food tour. I can also suggest these accommodations for your stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ha Long Bay
John and Leezett of Discover Family Travel
Ha Long Bay in Vietnam would be one of our most favourite locations in Vietnam to enjoy as a family. With its emerald waters, towering limestone islands and mysterious magic feel. It’s a great location for all types of families with children of all ages to enjoy.
One of the most famous things to do in Ha Long Bay is sail on a traditional Chinese Junk, exploring it waters and seeing some insight to the traditional life of the Vietnamese that live in floating villages and live off the waters.
While the boats now are more modern in luxury, they still have that old Chinese Junk feel with various levels of luxury depending on what boat you choose. With children we recommend you spend the extra dollars to have that wonderful experience with service, dining and room standard.
Once at the port in Ha Long Bay, things can get a little busy, but don’t be too worried, once on your boat and once you start sailing, it doesn’t take the crew long to get you out of the crazy busy port and into paradise where its calm, quiet and all you can see is natures beauty and the other sailing boats in the distance.
Our biggest tip would be to enjoy at least one night aboard your boat cruise. Day cruising while popular is limited to how far out they can sail and return the same day. Overnight cruising means you get to move further away from the port and enjoy the most amazing sunset, evening dinner and gentle rocking of the boat while you sleep.
After doing 3 sailing cruises over the recent years with our young child, we believe we are well qualified to recommend the following must do’s while enjoying Ha Long Bay.
Find the perfect Ha Long Bay cruise for your family here.
Kayaking
Most cruises offer kayaking as an option. Take it. Even with younger children, life jackets are supplied and once in the Kayak you get to paddle off to locations not accessible on a larger boat. We will never forget the time we paddled through a cave and came out into an opening completely surrounded by limestone cliffs and rock. It was magical, surreal and a moment we will never forget.
A village tour will be on offer to take you through a floating village showing you the life of a local Vietnamese that lives and works on floating houses or boats. Children growing up on water with literally small walkways to learn to walk on, never cease to amaze me that safety is not a major worry for parents. Learning to swim young is essential in floating villages.
Swimming
Most boats allow a time for guests to swim and jump into the water off the boats edge. It’s fun way to enjoy the water and have a little family water bombing competition.
Hoi An in Vietnam
Elaine and Dave of Show Them the Globe
The ancient riverside town of Hoi An is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam and is a fantastic family friendly destination in South East Asia. The lantern filled Old Town, with its riverside setting and absence of traffic, is almost frozen in time: Chinese temples sit alongside yellow merchant houses, a historic Japanese Bridge, bustling tea shops and busy tailoring stores. As well as the charming Old Town, there are beaches, rice fields, islands, marble mountains and ancient ruins which are all easily accessible resulting in fun filled days exploring Hoi An and its surrounds.
Lanterns in Hoi An
The Hoi An lantern festival, held on the 14th day of each lunar month, is a must do when travelling with kids. The lights are switched off, motorcycles are banned and candlelit lanterns glimmer across the river and the Old Town. We loved releasing our lanterns into the river from the Cau An Hoi Bridge and then taking a traditional sampan boat ride among them from the river’s edge. We dined at the riverside cafes, watched the locals play ancient games and listened to the theatre performers and poetry recitals during a perfect evening at the festivities.
My Son temples
Exploring the ancient temples of My Son makes for an awesome afternoon of adventure close to Hoi An. The cluster of Hindu temple ruins, once a site for religious ceremonies, was constructed between the 4th and the 14th Century. As we wandered through the overgrown temples in their lush jungle setting it felt like we were discovering a hidden city for the first time! A visit to My Son is great for history, culture and letting imaginations and little feet run free.
Hoi An Water Puppet Show
The Hoi An Water Puppet show is a firm favourite with both adults and kids. Set in an outdoor theatre close to the Old Town, the colourful hand carved puppets tell stories of Vietnamese life and legends. The energetic show lasts just under an hour and, as darkness falls, it’s a really special experience under the stars.
Some of our other favourite family friendly things to do in Hoi An include taking a cookery class and having some chill out time on An Bang or Cua Dai beach before exploring the Hai Van Pass on the way to the old royal capital of Hue.
Phong Nha National Park in Vietnam
Ross of Ross the Explorer
Xin chào (hello) from Vietnam. After teaching in and travelling the country for 18 months I have become well versed in the touristy and upcoming touristy areas. Unlikely the terrifyingly chaotic roads in the major cities, Phong Nha National Park offers spectacular scenery in a family friendly environment. With tourism increasing nation wide and videos of Hang Son Doong (the largest discovered cave in the world) going viral, the national park will soon become part of the tourist circuit but at the moment it still remains relatively unknown.
The area is home to many other caves which are part of the top 10 biggest in the world. Sadly these bigger caves are pricey and are not realistically accessible to young children. Thankfully Phong Nha Cave is a really cheap cave which everyone, young and old will be able to enjoy.
Son River runs through the deceptively long cave and the boat station is within walking distance of the hotels in the town. Here you pay 400,000Vnd ($17) for a boat and 150,000VND ($6.50) entrance fee per a person. So visiting the cave on a private boat would cost a family of 4, $43.
The scenery on route to the cave is majestic and once inside the cave images of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fill your head. The rock formations, high ceilings, contrasting colors and river combine to create this surreal, Hollywood like experience. The cave provides much needed shaded from Vietnam’s harsh summer weather and other than a brief walk at the end, the little ones need not worry about tired legs.
After visiting the cave, ask your hotel to organise a taxi to the Duck Stop to ride the water buffalo hilariously named Donald Trump, do not worry, he is friendlier than his human counterpart. Finish the day at Phong Nha Farmstay where you can enjoy seeing the sun gradually dip below the peaks of the many mountains that help define this national parks geography. A free shuttle bus runs from the farm stay back to town.
The nearest train station is in Dong Hoi, 45 kilometers away. The station is on the Hanoi to Saigon railway line. From Dong Hoi you can catch a bus or flag down a taxi. The bus does not run late at night and a metered taxi will cost around 500,000VND.
A Mekong Cruise in Vietnam
Chris of Chris Travel Blog
A Mekong Cruise from Ho Chi Min City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is a unique experience and great to do with kids. It’s easily integrated in a two-week Vietnam itinerary. You’ll sleep 4 nights on the boat and each day you’ll go ashore in the morning and again in the afternoon to experience the local Mekong Delta life. Kids can interact with local kids on some of the excursions and participate in plenty of activities together with locals.
Tours usual start with a one-hour drive from Ho Chi Min City towards the docks at My Tho where cruises leave. The boat cruises up the Mekong River that day an anchor for the night. Most, if not all, cruise have meals and drinks included and that was something the kids loved. They where playing a game of Monopoly in the relax room of the ship and when I came to check on them they had 10 cans of ginger ale on the table too. They were happy, and I knew they were drinking enough in the heat of Vietnam.
Excursions along the Mekong River
Excursions aren’t compulsory but out of the six excursions three are highly recommended with kids:
- Visiting a local family in a small Mekong Delta community. During this excursion you’ll visit a local family in a traditional house on stilts. Most families live with 3, or even 4, generations together. When the rumor went around two blonde kids from Europe where visiting the place was swarming with local kids too. They played games, chatted / teach English and just had fun together.
- One other must-do excursion with kids is the cooking class. Learn from the locals to prepare the best traditional dishes they have been preparing for ages. Back home I won’t say the kids are spoiled but attending a cooking class and learning about local produce did open their eyes. The dishes are so pure they now -try- to prepare them at home too but most ingredients simply aren’t that fresh.
- Weaving baskets is also very suitable for kids. The head of the family – 78 years old! – shows how to turn bamboo cuts into a beautiful basket. After the introduction is time to make your own basket and take it home. It’s an eye opener that weaving baskets all day long is what some families do.
Other excursions that are offered are a visit to a bird sanctuary, fishing village, and coconut farm. All the excursions include a ride by tuk tuk or even canoe through the country side too which is a great way to experience more. The cruise ship has a lot to offer too where you can just relax and play games while watching a beautiful Mekong sunset. Away from other tourists the Mekong Delta is a great area to explore and that’s best done by Mekong Cruise.
Find your perfect family friendly activity in Vietnam here.
Best family destinations in Indonesia
I truly believe that Indonesia is one of the best places to visit in Asia with kids. Bali is easy to get to with numerous international flights from all parts of the globe every day. It has been welcoming overseas visitors for decades, so they are well versed in how to keep kids happy.
Bali is definitely a great kids holiday destination that definitely warrants further investigation. Here are our picks for one of our favourite child friendly Asian destinations:
Ubud – a family friendly destination
Sam and Natalia of Something of Freedom
Ubud is one of the most family friendly destinations in Bali, Indonesia. Although it’s a small town, there are plenty of things to do in the surrounding areas to keep the whole family entertained. There are plenty of restaurants in the town, serving up both traditional Balinese food as well as Western dishes – perfect if the kids aren’t feeling adventurous when it comes to dinnertime!
Sacred Monkey Forest
In terms of things to do in Ubud, a visit to the sacred monkey forest is essential to add to your list as a family holiday destination in SE Asia. Entry costs 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah for an adult and 40,000 Rupiah for a child, and gives you the chance to wander the forest, which is home to around 700 playful monkeys. Children will love the chance to get up close to the mischievous monkeys – who may even try to climb onto you if you’re not careful! Fortunately, guards are on hand to keep you safe in case the monkeys do get aggressive. Generally though, you shouldn’t have an issue as long as you don’t have any food/water with you and don’t make eye contact with the monkeys – as they see this as a sign of aggression.
Waterfalls
Ubud is close to a number of lovely waterfalls, which are great fun to visit. In particularly, Kanto Lampo is perfect for families as it’s possible to swim at the base of the falls – meaning the kids can have fun cooling off while enjoying the falls. The walk down to Kanto Lampo isn’t as strenuous as some of the other falls in the area too, so it saves too much strain on the legs of young ones! There are plenty more waterfalls to check out as a family too, with Tegenungan waterfall being one of the more powerful and the cave waterfall at Tukad Cepung perhaps being the most picturesque.
Tegalalang rice terraces
If you’re looking for a bit more culture to share with the family, then visit the Tegalalang rice terraces. The beautifully green terraces are essential to the production of rice – one of the key contributors to the Indonesian economy. To make the visit more fun for the kids there are a number of swings to have a go on. These swings have become famous on Instagram as they offer spectacular views of the terraces, so they’re great for adults too! Find the perfect tour to the Tegalalang rice terraces here.
With plenty of family friendly activities, Ubud is a great destination for a family trip in South East Asia.
Canggu Bali – take the whole family
Kate of Rolling Along with Kids
Canggu has always been a popular spot with surfers but is now turning into a family friendly area of Bali. There is so much to do with the kids in Canggu including cafes that also have kids playgrounds and some even have pools!
Finns Recreation Club.
If you have a pass to Finns included with your villa you are in luck! There is so much for the family to enjoy including Splash Waterpark, Bounce Trampolines, Strike Ten Pin Bowling and Cubbyhouse kids club. Splash is fantastic especially with younger kids compared to the popular Waterbom waterpark in Kuta. It is easy to watch the kids while they enjoy the water slides, kids splash park, lazy river and swing into the pool. Bounce is a trampoline fun centre where the kids will have a great time working up a sweat! Overlooking the Bounce area is Strike ten pin bowling and bar. The perfect spot to try out ten pin bowling and watch the older kids bounce below. Cubbyhouse kids club is open to all families so you can enjoy the convenience of having the kids looked after.
Bali Equestrian Club
If you have any horse mad kids this is a family holiday destination in SE Asia you must add to your list. But this is not just a horse riding centre, they also have a pool, playground and restaurant for the family to enjoy. You don’t need to ride horses to join in on the fun but pony rides with grooming are available for the youngsters and more structured private lessons for the keen horse riders. The horses are well looked after and the facilities of high standard. Just be sure to pack long pants and covered toe shoes if the kids want to have a go.
The Joglo
The Joglo is a playground and cafe that also has fun things like pilates, yoga, kids movie nights and a delicious reasonably priced Sunday brunch. The open air playground features a cubby house with slide, a swing set and many more thing for the kids to be entertained on while you enjoy a bite to eat at the open style cafe. The kids menu is fantastic with such things as a Mickey Mouse pancake that will have the kids asking to come back for more! Each Friday night a kids movie is shown and kids yoga is a feature each week.
Canggu is a must do destination next time you visit Bali and the whole family will have a great time. The hardest part will be choosing what to do!
RELATED: We love this guide to the best kids clubs in hotels in Bali.
Cambodia with kids
Despite its turbulent past, Cambodia has become one of the most popular family friendly destinations in Asia.
Siem Reap Cambodia
Claudia Tavani of My Adventures Across the World
There is no doubt that Siem Reap, in Cambodia, is one of the most interesting destinations to visit in South East Asia, even for families. The town is at the heart of the tourist scene in Cambodia, and an incredibly fun, lively place that each year attracts increasing number of visitors. Though the actual town is nothing special in terms of beauty, it provides easy access to Angkor Wat, a complex of temples and archaeological sites that is a must see when in the country. As the site is so spread out, visiting Angkor Wat requires several days of exploration. It is better to do so on a guided tour as well: a good guide typically knows the best routes which will allow to see everything while at the same time avoiding the crowds of tourists.
Among the most fun things to do in Siem Reap that are guaranteed to entertain whole families there is zip lining at Flight of the Gibbon. Here, it is possible to literally fly from one tree to the other, to get a proper feel of the local jungle and at the same time contributing to the conservation and reintroduction in the area of gibbons. A typical day includes a training with Flight of the Gibbon includes a walk around the forest to learn more about the endemic species; several zip lines; the possibility of seeing the gibbons (though they are free to roam, so they may not show up!) and a fantastic lunch at a local restaurant.
Siem Reap proper isn’t exactly beautiful, but it is a fun place to explore. The city is packed with good shopping opportunities – there is a market where children can be easily entertained. There’s a lot of good restaurants that cater to any taste and need. There’s accommodation options for any budget, and since the weather in this part of the world is so hot, even budget hotels have a pool where it is nice to relax and play once back from a day of exploration.
Battambang Cambodia
Cathy of Mummy Travels
Just a few hours from Siem Reap, towards the Thai border, Battambang often gets overlooked among the more popular destinations in Cambodia – but even if you’ve only got a short time in the country, it’s a fantastic place to visit with kids, as I found out when I visited with my five-year-old.
Bamboo Train
Battambang’s best-known attraction, this is one thing not to miss – the little motorised wooden platforms on wheels once ran on the old line to Phnom Penh. Disused for decades, you could speed along through the countryside until the track ran out before whizzing back the way you came. Briefly closed after the official railway reopened in 2017, the bamboo train was so popular, it has been moved to a new spot outside the city, running for 4km from near Phnom Banan on purpose-built track. Still fun if more touristy, you no longer get to spot the ‘trains’ being dismantled if you met another one on the one-way track.
Phnom Banan (Wat Banan)
With its five towers, the 11th century Wat Banan has been called a mini Angkor Wat – set on a hilltop, there are over 350 steps to climb past decorative nagas before you reach the crumbling golden stone temple and shrines shaded by trees. There aren’t as many visitors so it’s easier to explore, to get chatting to some of the monks and to enjoy the peace of the spot – as well as the incredible views. Stalls at the base sell green orange juice and there’s also a little fish farm where kids can feed the fish.
Phnom Sampeu bat cave
At dusk every night, millions of bats stream from caves in the side of cliffs near Phnom Sampeu, pouring out to gorge on the insects which would otherwise eat the local rice crops. And every night, at the foot of the cliffs, small crowds gather to watch them emerge from the slits in the rock in a constant stream of black. You can also climb the 700 steps up the hillside, where a Buddha statue is very slowly being carved from the rock, although if you’re visiting with younger kids, it’s worth knowing some caves here have a darker history, used by the Khmer Rouge. There’s a small playground by the pagoda near the base – perfect to chill out and watch the monks before heading over to see the bats at sunset.
Koh Rong Samloem Cambodia
Cerise of Enchanted Vagabond
Families wanting the perfect beach holiday with small kids will find true paradise in Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia. This small island located just a short ferry ride away from the resort town of Sihanoukville made the perfect vacation in SE Asia for our family. Seeking sandy beaches? Check. No need to wear shoes for a week? Check. Swings over water? Check. Gentle waters and protected bay? Check!
Unlike its big brother island, Koh Rong, known for party-goers and backpackers, Koh Rong Samloem island is the opposite with a laid-back vibe and tranquil environment perfect for families. We stayed at the Sol Beach Resort in a family cabin that was literally just steps from the calm water. Each villa has its own hammock and private deck, and there is even a small playground and spa on site. What makes this destination in SE Asia perfect for families is the shallow, gentle ocean water that is very swimmable and safe. Kids, especially young kids, will enjoy running up and down the beach and swimming while still easily being able to touch the bottom without waves crashing or knocking them over.
Popular activities are reading in oversize beach chairs, swinging at one of the many overwater swings, snorkeling, swimming and playing in the sand. Diving is also available for older kids, and a small cross-island trail is fun to hike for all ages. There are plenty of casual places to eat including both Asian and western dishes, and it’s fun to have fresh fruit and juices delivered to you when the kids are exhausted from a busy day of swimming. To get to Koh Rong Samloem, take a short 45-minute high-speed ferry boat from Sihanoukville. The closest airport to Koh Rong is Sihanouk International Airport. This family-friendly beach in SE Asia is perfect to unplug, unwind and go back to the days of playing games and relaxing as a family. This beach is definitely our favorite place to go in SE Asia with kids!
Malaysia with kids
Penang Island in Malaysia
Dawn of 5 Lost Together
One of the best family-friendly cities in Southeast Asia is the island of Penang, off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The historic city of Georgetown with its heritage old town, street food culture and rich colonial history, it is the perfect blend of Asia, but safe and modern as well. Penang also boasts beach resorts and is packed with family-friendly attractions. It is a great place to immerse yourself in the cultures of Asia, where you can experience the rich fabric of Malaysia’s Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
Georgetown
The Old Town of Georgetown is pretty as a picture with quaint Chinese shop houses, street food stalls spilling out onto the streets and beautiful street art to be found in its narrow streets. Grab a map from the tourist office and stroll around, starting on Harmony Street named for the church, mosque and temple that line it. The street art scenes of old Georgetown just screams for Instagram selfies and the kids will enjoy posing on the back of a bicycle or with the children in the windows.
Penang food
The food in Penang is renowned and while you wander stop off and sample some of the most popular dishes in Penang – char kway teow (noodles), assam laksa (a spicy soup) and roti canai (Indian bread with curry), to name a few. A food tour is a great way to sample a variety of dishes with your expert guide taking you to the best local places. Best of all, these walking tours also teach you about the history and the various cultures of the island.
Batu Ferringhi
When you have your fix of the cultural highlights of Penang, head out to the beach resort area of Batu Ferringhi. It may not be Malaysia’s best beach, but it is a lovely stretch of sand to relax. There are also a number of great kid-friendly attractions in this area of the island. Our kids absolutely loved the Escape theme park, a water park and adventure park in one. Visit an exotic fruit farm where you can taste the prized king of fruits, the durian or chase butterflies at the wonderful butterfly farm, Entopia. If you are craving some time in the great outdoors, head to Penang National Park, where you can hike for 2-hours to a beach only accessible by food or boat.
Penang is one of the great cities in Southeast Asia and with its blend of old and new, makes a great destination for families.
Kuala Lumpur – capital of Malaysia
Patrick of German Backpacker
While some cities in Southeast Asia might be quite overwhelming and stressful for families and especially for kids, Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is a good choice for a family vacation. KL is not as busy as neighbouring Bangkok or Saigon and the city is comparably organized and easy to navigate. While you’ll still get the typical Southeast Asian flair, life is less hectic and busy and therefore, KL is also the perfect destination if you don’t have much travel experience in Asia yet.
There are also several great sights and attractions that you must visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves
Probably Malaysia’s most famous attraction are the batu caves just outside of town. You’ll find a huge golden statue in the front and almost 300 steps will lead you up into the caves, which are used as Hindu temples. The cave temples itself are very impressive and you will see priests as well as locals praying and participating in religious ceremonies. A very interesting cultural experience!
Pick up a cheap tour to the Batu Caves here.
Petronas Towers
Another must visit in KL are the Petronas towers, which are probably the most famous buildings of Kuala Lumpur and a significant part of the skyline. The twin towers are connected by a bridge and while you can get up to an observation platform, you will have the best view of the towers from the park just behind. The KLCC park is actually a very nice and relaxing place. There’s a lot of green, a few fountains and you can see local families enjoying time together – all in front of the impressive towers.
Find the best priced tickets for the Petrona Towers – click here
Masjid Negara
To learn a little bit more about the cultural and religion of the local people, I also recommend a visit at Masjid Negara – the national mosque of Malaysia. This is the most important mosque of the country and very impressive in its size. At the entrance, you will get a long coat in order to be dressed properly, then you are free to enter. While visiting the mosque is very interesting and impressive, you will also have a great view from the terrace.
As you can see, there’s a lot to do and to visit in Kuala Lumpur for families. If you even have some more time, you could consider a trip to the tea plantations at the Cameron Highlands, or you escape to one of the islands for some relaxing beach time. Malaysia certainly won’t be boring!
Cameron Highlands Malaysia
Vicki Franz of Vicki Viaja
The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia is a true Gem for every kind of traveler. With its green environment, it’s the perfect break after staying in a busy place like Kuala Lumpur.
The first thing you should know about the Cameron Highlands is that it’s usually much colder than in the lowlands. Especially, if you and your kids are not used to the heat, it feels really refreshing being up in the mountains with a colder breeze and fresh air.
The second and probably most important thing to know about the Cameron Highlands is that you should try to avoid visiting on the weekends. The Cameron Highlands is a popular weekend getaway spot for Malaysian locals. Therefore, every weekend many local tourists get here, and the streets and attractions can be extremely crowded. If you want to enjoy the nature in a more tranquil way you might want to get here during the week.
There are no real “must-sees” around the Cameron Highlands but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a great number of things to see. Depending on what kind of holidays you prefer, you can join tours, go hiking, take amazing walks or just drive around on your own.
One thing you shouldn’t miss when visiting the Cameron Highlands, though, is one of the tea plantations of Sungei Palas Boh. You and your children can learn where your tea comes from and take a lot of amazing pictures in the tea fields. You can as well have a look at the tea production but that might be a little bit boring for your children depending on their age.
Another great thing to do with your kids is visiting the Raaju’s Hill Strawberry Farm. Here you can try a lot of yummy things made from strawberries, such as strawberry marmalade, strawberry shakes and smoothies, and waffles with strawberries. Moreover, you can see where and how the strawberries are growing and try some of the fresh ones. How could you make your child happier than with fresh strawberries?
After enjoying the delicious strawberries, you should also visit the Mossy Forest. It’s an amazing place to see stunning nature. The walk through the forest is quite short (around 25 minutes) and therefore totally doable with children. Especially, when joining a tour, you can learn a lot about the different plants and trees of the forest.
All in all, the Cameron Highlands is a great place for you and your children to enjoy.
Kota Kinabalu Malyasia
Soumya of Travel, Books And Food
One of the reasons we chose Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia for our family vacation this year was because of the abundance of kid-friendly activities in the city. The kid in the group, as well as the 7 adults, really enjoyed their time in Kota Kinabalu. We had booked a stay in a luxury resort, Pacific Sutera which had all the amenities as well as many kid-friendly activities. But we ended up staying in the resort for just a short time while we were there in Kota Kinabalu. My recommended 3 must-dos in Kota Kinabalu are:
- Go island hopping in Kota Kinabalu. You have an option of choosing more than 5 islands to choose from. Since the kid in our group was only 3, we decided to restrict it to only one island, Sapi island. Once there, you can rent snorkelling masks or just go swimming in the clear blue water. They even have activities like ziplining or sea walking for the older kids.
- Go to the Desa cattle farm. In addition, to have a stunning location, you have an option of feeding the calves or learning how milk is processed.
- Enjoy the nighttime play area in front of the Oceanus waterfront mall. It is a funky area and will definitely keep your kids engaged.
Kuching in Malaysian Borneo
Bron of Smith’s Holiday Road
Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, located in Malaysian Borneo. It is a fantastic destination for families as it allows you and your kids to learn about local culture, get up close and personal with wildlife and explore local villages. Kuching first of all is a really easy city to walk around. It is relatively quiet, has some great street art and a lovely promenade to walk along the river in the evenings.
The Sarawak Culture centre is a living museum where kids can interact with musical instruments, walk inside real stilt houses and learn first hand from local people how to use nature in every day life. They have a wonderful musical show which showcases the history if Sarawak and many opportunities for kids to get up and dance!
A river cruise enables the whole family to explore life on the river including a visit to a local stilt village. Along the river you can witness crocodiles, fireflies and monkeys that call the river bank their home. The sunset from the boat is pretty spectacular too.
Visiting the Semenggoh Rehabilitation centre had us witnessing the amazing Orangutans as close to the wild as possible. For 1.5 hours each day ( 9am-10am and 15.00-1530) they allow a small group of people to come and visit and watch the feeding of these beautiful creatures. It is a small trek into the natural habitat to witness these amazing creatures.
Tioman Island Malaysia
Callan of Singapore and Beyond
Tioman Island, about 1.5 hours off the east coast of Malaysia, is a fantastic beach destination for the entire family. Whether you’re a troop of rugged adventurers or a group of beach bums, Tioman offers loads of pristine beach time, wildlife treks and laid-back resort vibes with activities for all ages.
The ferry ride itself is a different and fun start to the journey, where the kids will get a sense of adventure (unless you’re prone to seasickness). The ferry leaves from either Mersing or Tanjung Gemok ferry terminals (which change daily depending on the weather) and arrives at various stops on Tioman along the way, usually Genting, Paya, Tekek, ABC and then Salang. Those staying at the Berjaya Resort will alight at Tekek where most of the action happens.
The island is quite basic when it comes to amenities, but what it lacks in modern technology, it makes up for in natural beauty. The first and best thing to do in Tioman is by far swimming in the ocean. The waters are pristine, warm and teaming with marine life as you step into the water. Kids that can swim will explore the corals at waist length with a snorkel. Older kids can paddle out a bit further in the calm water, life jacket strapped on, to search for Nemo in the anemones.
When not in the water, kids can chill on the beautifully soft sand, spending the days building sandcastles and digging pits. Parents can watch from one of the beach restaurants, cocktail in hand, fresh fish on their plates.
Berjaya is also child and family friendly and offers an activity center, swimming pools (both adult and children’s) with a slide, airy restaurants and daily live music. Families ready to explore can go island hopping to the nearby desolate islands, for a picnic and some more fish spotting. There is also a turtle sanctuary on the east side of the island where you can teach your kids the importance of volunteering, sustainability and nature conservation while helping out the cute little turtles of the area.
Families with older kids who enjoy hiking can also explore the most beautiful, untouched jungles with a guide. Lucky explorers will spot all types of interesting critters from monitor lizards to the cutesy long tail macaques and even giant flying squirrels. The hikes to the waterfalls are much longer, so they are not recommended for younger children. Tioman is a great escape that the family will remember well into the future.
Singapore with kids
Nicole Barge of Travelgal Nicole
Singapore is one of the best places in SE Asia to visit with kids. The city is clean, efficient, and English is the primary language there. Add in a ton of fun things to do, great food and a great transportation system and you will want to keep coming back.
I could easily list 50 things to do in Singapore with kids but I will focus on the top three, cannot be missed attractions in Singapore for first time visitors.
Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay
The futuristic gardens and OCBC Skyway are my favourite spot in Singapore and great to visit at night and see the trees light up. You can walk along the Skyway up 20 metres in the air and see the trees and views of Singapore from there.
You’ll want to stop at the Far East Organization Children’s Garden and and take advantage of the free water park and playground there. The gardens and many of the attractions are free. You do have to pay for the conservatories and the OCBC skyway – which is the 22 metre high walkway. For tourists, its S$28/S$15 (adult/child 3-12) for the conservatories and S$5/S$3 for the skyway.
You can get discount tickets on Klook – click here
Singapore flyer
The Singaore Flyer is similar to the London Eye – a ferris wheel you can ride and see views of the city. It is the second largest observation wheel in the world at 165 metres tall. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs S$33 for adults and S$21.
You can get discount tickets on Klook – click here
Singapore Zoo
In my opinion this is not just another zoo, especially if you do the night safari. This is one of the best zoos in the world with a large collection of animals in ‘open’ exhibits with moats. It houses one of the largest captive colonies of orangutans in the world. There is also a white Bengal tiger that you must see! There is also a guided tram ride you can take around the zoo if it is too hot or you have already had a long day of walking.
Right next door to the zoo is the award winning night safari experience where you board a tram and experience 7 geographical areas of the world. Or you can experience the River Safari which is right next to the zoo as well and this is everything aquatic and based in an aquarium.
Get cheap Singapore Zoo tickets from Klook – click here.
No matter what you choose you will definitely have a great time in Singapore with kids.
Burma (Myanmar) with kids
Natasha von Geldern of World Wandering Kiwi
Myanmar is a brilliant travel destination for adventurous families and one place that is particularly family-friendly is Inle Lake in the Shan Hills. This beautiful lake is set with golden pagodas, stilt villages and acrobatic fishermen, all surrounded by blue-green mountains.
The main tourist centre is called Nyaung Shwe and has a good range of accommodation and options for eating out. Arranging activities is straightforward and a few days at Inle Lake should include a boat trip, a bike ride and a puppet show. This region of Myanmar is non-malarial but you should be aware that medical facilities in the country are limited. Oh and make sure you enjoy a delicious Shan meal.
Spend a day on a boat
Spending a day touring Inle Lake by boat is essential for any visitor and there is a fairly standard itinerary so talk to the boatman at the beginning to be clear about what you want to see. Kids will quickly become bored touring endless handicraft shops. Try to go on a day when the Indein market is on and ask the boatman to head straight there first thing as the market finishes by late morning. Spend some time exploring the colourful market and pretty village before walking up to the Shwe Inn Thein pagodas. Other recommended stops for families include the ‘cat’ monastery and the floating island vegetable gardens.
Go on a bike ride
Hiring bikes is easy in Nyaung Shwe and there are a number of easy routes through the unspoilt surrounding countryside where you can visit simple villages, follow canal paths and see market gardens and cottage industries in action. If you don’t feel comfortable cycling independently with kids hiring a local guide through a company such as Grasshopper Adventures. Their day tours are well-paced and varied, with good quality bikes, helmets, cycle gloves and water bottles provided.
Attend a puppet show
For an authentic Burmese cultural experience take your kids to the Aung Myanmar Puppet Show. Traditional Myanmar storytelling with marionettes is a precious but dying art and Aung comes from a long line of puppeteers who have mastered this intricate skill. The large puppets are all beautifully handmade and there are several on display. The tiny theatre is on Nandawunn Street and the evening shows last around 30 minutes. This is a charming and fun evening for all the family and Aung is usually happy to answer questions and talk about his art.
You will find the best prices for activities in Myanmar on Klook – click here.
Yangon in Burma
Aleney of Boy Eats World
Yangon may not be the first place that springs to mind for family holidays south east Asia but Myanmar’s economic and cultural centre has a lot to offer families. It must be said that the city, which only opened up to tourism a few years ago is probably more suited to older kids, due to the lack of modern infrastructure. But that is also part of its appeal. Yangon is littered with crumbling colonial buildings, golden pagodas, chaotic markets and rusty railways. At the Sule Pagoda, a Burmese stupa that serves as a roundabout and the centre of the city grid, kids can find their birth day shrine and make offerings to the Buddha.
The Yangon Circular Train is another stop that went down a treat with my tiny traveler, the rusty and rattly local commuter rail network provides an amazing opportunity to do as the lovely locals do.
People’s Park
One of our wildest experiences was at the People’s Park where we joined the circus. Shwe Daung Circus is home to a multi-talented team of European, African and South American circus performers, and my son got strapped into a harness to take on the flying trapeze. He also learned jumping forward rolls, backwards rolls and cartwheels before attempting the tightrope. It was an experience that still remains one of his favourite ever travel experiences.
Shwedagon Temple
But Yangon’s main attraction is the shimmering Shwedagon Temple. Myanmar’s oldest and most sacred site, the enormous golden Pagoda sits atop Singuttara Hill, totally dominating the city skyline. Surrounded by shrines, elephants, lions, serpents and ogres, the temple is said to be covered in more than six-tonnes of gold, and its main stupa, said to contain sacred relics of the Gautama Buddha is topped with 4,531 diamonds. It’s worth staying until sunset and the kid can help light some of the 9,000 oil lamps that encircle the stupa.
Novotel Yangon Max
The Novotel Yangon Max is the perfect spot for visiting families, with a great pool, and excellent kids’ club, a playroom, video game zone (as well games in room), foosball and children’s menus. And, for those travelling with littlies, cots, baby baths and babysitting on request. In fact, there’s really nothing for families not to love about the place.
Phillipines with kids
Boracay Island Phillipines
By Mike of 197TravelStamps.com
Boracay is one of the most beautiful islands of the Philippine archipelago. The island is located only a short ferry ride from Caticlan port – so it is a perfect destination if you want to relax on an island without spending hours on a bumpy boat ride with your kids.
Most hotels on the small island are located on or near White Beach – the heart and soul of Boracay. All tours and activities can be started from White Beach so you won’t have to spend your precious holiday time stuck in traffic trying to get somewhere else.
Here are three must dos in Boracay if you are traveling with kids:
Explore the ocean
One of the main attractions of Boracay is the life under water around the island. Depending on the age of your kids, there are several great ways to explore the submarine life of the ocean.
The best way to encounter life under water is with a snorkeling tour. The boats leave from Boracay in the morning and drive to several snorkeling spots nearby. If your kids know how to swim, they will absolutely love it. And so will you! Swimming between the incredibly colorful fish is not just a great experience for children.
If your kids don’t know how to swim or if you prefer not to get wet, there is still a way to explore the mysterious underwater world of Boracay: a tour with a glass-bottom boat. You and your kids can stay safely on board while admiring the life below you through the glass bottom of your boat.
Relax on the beach
One of the best things to do in Boracay is enjoying time on the beach. Your kids can play in the shallow water and with the fine sand while you can lean back and get some well-deserved rest. If your hotel is not located directly on the beach, you can rent sunbeds for a small fee. They usually come with a sunshade to keep protected from the strong sun in the Philippines.
See the fire dancers
Fire is a fascinating element – and the fire dancers of Boracay know how to handle it. Every evening, after sunset, several groups of fire dancers emerge around the restaurants on White Beach. They perform artistic dances swirling around chains with burning ends. Thanks to its location close to the equator, sunset on Boracay is already at around 6 pm. So even the younger ones are still up to watch the dancers while eating dinner.
Moalboal Phillipines
Ruben of Gamin Traveler
If you and your family are tired of going to touristic locations like theme parks or zoos, why not go on a quiet island where you and the gang could just relax and explore nature? There’s a lovely town on the island of Cebu in the Philippines that offers just that. Moalboal, located at Southwestern Cebu, is a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world because of its beautiful beaches, clear waters and overall breathtaking beauty.
Pescador Island
When you visit Moalboal, you can go on a tour of Pescador Island, a snorkeling and diving hotspot. The private tour begins early in the morning so you and the kids could watch the sunrise together, and hopefully catch a glimpse of the dolphins in the area. There are beautiful corals and gorgeous tropical fish in Pescador Islands waters as well. You can even swim with a huge school of sardines during this tour. How cool would that be for your children to try, right? A highlight of the tour is seeing the giant turtles. It makes us appreciate what we have all around us instead of just being stuck on our phones and tablets all day!
Lambug Beach
Another great place to see during your trip to Moalboal is Lambug Beach. You can rent a tricycle (a three-wheeled motorcycle) or ride on a bus to get here. The 30-minute trip was so worth it! Lambug is a peaceful destination with stretches of white sand for children to play on. There are all sorts of starfishes on the beach too! I remember how much I loved seeing those strange but beautiful creatures when I was a kid. They’re something you don’t always see anymore nowadays, but Lambug Beach is home to a bunch of them!
Kawasan Falls
Another destination you can visit on a motorbike or through the bus is Kawasan Falls. This wonder of nature is frequented by tourists from all over the world because of its turquoise blue waters. It is only 30-40 minutes away from Moalboal with an entrance fee of less than a dollar! You can swim, take lots of photos and hike the three levels of the falls with your family. It’s quite the adventure! Many opt to stay on the first level, where you can ride a raft and go through the falls. That’s pretty cool! However, when you reach the second and third level, you’ll find that it is more peaceful and this is where you can experience the thrills of cliff diving and canyoneering. You can cover Kawasan Falls in 2-4 hours of fun and frenzy with the family.
