Best for Families with kids
Kuching is one of our favourite underrated spots for families. You can see rescued orangutans (ethically!), kayak in lush rainforest, and even spot wild dolphins and turtles if you're lucky. Families can also meet with indigenous tribes, and show kids a vanishing way of life. The street food here (Sarawak Laksa!) is also amazing! It's raw & heartfelt. For kids aged 4+.
Chiang Mai is perfect for families of all ages - especially with elderly parents & young kids. See rescued elephants or gibbons at ethical reserves, hike to sticky waterfalls, or go glamping and foraging in Chiang Dao. If you're with elderly parents, skip the hikes and enjoy temples, cooking and night markets instead. For kids aged 1+.
Mui Ne is a great overnight getaway from Ho Chi Minh. Here you go sand dune sledding, snorkelling and fishing. It is not well known by foreign travellers but it's a popular spot for locals. If you want low-stress beach vibes with unexpected & fun activities for younger kids, this works well. For kids aged 4+.
There’s a lot more to Bali than beaches. Get beneath the surface to see the true Bali - one that's heartfelt and deeply grounded in tradition. Families can save baby turtles, go on a firefly safari with a conservationist, take a jeep up Mt Batur, learn farming & cooking and craft with artisans. For nature lovers with older kids, we'd highly recommend camping in Munduk.
Yogyakarta is full of hands-on fun for kids of any age. Younger kids can learn batik from village grannies, cook over firewood, and see ancient UNESCO temples. Bigger, more adventuous kids can even abseil into an Indiana Jones cave, tube down an underground river or jeep around an active volcano (don't worry it's safe). The stays here are also very nice & comfy.
Halong is a super easy trip for families — spend 3D2N on a comfy cruise with kayaking, cycling and cave walks. Great for parents who want a no-plan trip with nice rooms and activities for the kids. Some cruises will even have golf for the grown ups or playrooms for the kids. For fussy eaters, the cruise buffets pretty much cater to every taste. For kids aged 4+.
Ho Chi Minh is surprisingly great for a parent-child adventure. Make art with local artists, eat your way through hidden street food spots, and explore the Cu Chi Tunnels with someone whose family lived through the war. You can also do a day trip to the Mekong for floating market & and a local chocolate factory. There's a ton of heart, history and nature here. For kids aged 6+.
Sri Lanka is one of the best family destinations in Asia. A short flight from Singapore, you’ll find wildlife safaris, surf beaches, hikes and blue whales - all in one trip. The country is small enough that you can see the highlights on a 1-2 week road trip. The drives from place to place are short. The stays here are also super nice and affordable. For kids aged 4+.
Khao Sok is great for families who want to see wildlife without going too far off-grid. It's one of the world's oldest rainforest, where you can see Thailand's last wild elephants. Stay in floating lakehouses or a farmstay, and go on rainforest safaris, cave walks and boat rides. Just a few hours from Phuket, it’s easy to get to but feels like another world! For kids aged 5+.
Krabi is perfect if you want something more heartfelt than Phuket. Take a longtail boat to island-hop, walk with rescued elephants (there's one ethical sanctuary here!), and stay at family-friendly stays. There’s lots to do with young children without it feeling too commercial. For kids of any age.
Komodo is one of the easiest adventures for families with kids. The hikes here are pretty easy (45 mins), and you'll get to see some truly epic views. It looks right out the Game of Thrones, and you'll get to hike with Komodo dragons, snorkel with manta rays, and chill at pink beaches. Do a 3D2N liveaboard or short day trips if your kids get seasick. For kids aged 4+.
Lombok is great for parents who want Bali-like beaches without the crowds. Kids can surf, snorkel with turtles or even go camping. Our favourite heartfelt experience with kids is a day hike with a women-led community around the Rinjani foothills. It’s simple, adventurous and full of heart. For kids aged 5+.
Perfect for wildlife-loving kids. Kids LOVE zoos, but we're not a big fan of them and think the best way to see wildlife is where they belong! Go on river safaris to spot wild pygmy elephants, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys. Pair it with a stop in the cosy Kota Kinabalu town before heading to Sandakan!
