Best Holiday Destinations With Teenagers

Teens are at an age where they want some freedom and independence while on vacation. Selecting a vacation that gives teens their space, while allowing for ample family time, ensures everyone has a drama-free vacation. Planning fun vacations with teenagers and the entire family is a snap when you keep everyone’s interests in mind.

Cruises for a family holiday

Cruise lines vie for the attention of vacationing families with dedicated youth hangouts and thrilling onboard attractions. Newer ships are designed with youth activities in mind, rather than being retrofitted, so try to book on the newest ships a fleet has to offer.

Available on all ships, Carnival Cruise Line has Camp O2 for high schoolers ages 15 to 17 years. Teens embark on teens-only shore excursions, and enjoy pool parties and dedicated lounges.

Circle “C” is for kids ages 12 to 14 and has outdoor movies, dance parties, and a host of other activities to keep them well-occupied. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s newest fleet of mega-ships is filled with activities like rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, a teen spa, as well a slew of activities and youth clubs for teens ages 12 to 17.

All-Inclusive Resorts

Resorts are popular among singles and adult travelers, but many also cater to families — especially teens.

Beaches by Sandals operates three Caribbean resorts — located in Ocho Rios, Negril, or Turks and Caicos — and all are teen-friendly. Gaming lounges, teen hangouts, dance parties and plenty of fun in the sun make the all-inclusive Beaches resorts an ideal choice for families with teens.

If you don’t want to do all-inclusive we recommend Atlantis Resort. Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, is a 97-acre aquatic resort that boasts a climbing complex, outdoor activities, teen spa treatments, a 63-acre water park, and Club Rush, a teens-only hangout.

Adventure Vacations

Adventurous families with daring teens can’t go wrong with an adventure vacation. These off-the-beaten-path vacations offer the experience of exploring a destination in ways many tourists never do. Outfitters Kauai leads adrenaline-pumping adventures on the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai that include a zipline safari through rainforest canopies, sea kayaking tours, and mountain bike excursions.

For a more global vacation, Wilderness Travel, an eco-tourism company, takes travelers on small group treks to some of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders including destinations to the Galapagos, Costa Rica, Egypt, and Africa. Teens can get wet and wild with white water rafting trips in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Suitable for varying skill levels, these trips provide a unique way to bond as a family.

Road Trips

While resorts, cruises, and adventure tours are nice, they’re not always in the budget. Road trips are excellent alternatives to pricier vacations without sacrificing fun and good times. The great open road is full of quirky roadside attractions, national parks and monuments, and memorable experiences that last a lifetime.

The United States is a vast and diverse country with something for every type of traveler. For families seeking outdoor adventures, road trips to national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon are a must.

Ski resorts in Lake Tahoe or Jackson Hole cater to winter sports enthusiasts, while San Diego offers a beach resort experience with opportunities for scuba diving and jet skiing. Urban explorers can delve into the cultural richness of cities like New York, San Francisco, and Boston, with attractions ranging from the iconic Times Square to the historic Fenway Park.

To help get your trip off to a good start, the American Automobile Association (AAA) offers members-only services including trip planning, maps, destination guides, insurance coverage and helpful agents. Rather than staying in hotels or motels, teenagers will enjoy camping along the route. KOA’s more than 475 campgrounds provide clean, safe options ranging from tent, RV, cabin, and unique accommodations such as tree houses or retro Airstream trailers, throughout the United States.

International destinations

When it’s cold outside the lure of hot places, full of golden rays of sunshine, can encourage people to up sticks and set off on an adventure to discover a sunnier climate. The world provides vacationers with a vast playground when, as sun-seekers, they pack their bags and scurry to airports and seaports to avoid miserable winter drizzle and ice-laden sidewalks. Choosing a hot holiday destination can set vacationer’s minds ablaze with opportunity.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, once famed as supporting a British tea colony, stays a deliciously warm 25 to 30c all year around. Vacationers can follow the tea trail or visit the stunning fortress Sigiriya, which is often described as the eighth wonder of the world. Built on a rock 350 meters high, Sigiriya hosts amazing frescos, and is close to the city of Colombo.

Sri Lanka also boasts ancient cities, built 2500 years ago, and distributed around them are the remains of castles and temples. Dalada Maligawa, a stunning temple with a gold-plated roof, houses the tooth of the Buddha and is well known for its beautiful carvings and paintings that make it worth seeing.

In Sri Lanka, adventurers will also discover lowland tropical rainforests, botanical gardens, and a National Park. Golden beaches satisfy those who wish to lie in the sun listening to gentle waves lapping along the shoreline while windsurfing and waterskiing keep more energetic individuals occupied and happy.

Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia, is gaining popularity as a family-friendly destination. With beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and a rich local culture, Sri Lanka offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Families can explore ancient temples, go on wildlife safaris in national parks, and enjoy water sports along the pristine coastline. Luxury hotels in Sri Lanka provide a comfortable retreat after days filled with outdoor activities.

Grab your teenagers and come to Sri Lanka with us. Sri Lanka Group Trip: 10 Days June 20 – 29, 2024

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a jewel in Central America, offering a plethora of outdoor activities suitable for families with teenagers. The country boasts lush national parks, beautiful beaches, and a variety of water sports. Families can explore the wonders of Arenal Volcano National Park, go horseback riding through the rainforest, or indulge in thrilling white-water rafting adventures. Inclusive resorts in Costa Rica provide the perfect backdrop for quality family time, with options for water parks and various recreational activities.

Visitors to Costa Rica can look forward to up to twelve hours of sun a day and sumptuous beauty, as they enjoy a bike ride through the mountains, or surf long the coast. National parks and nature reserves are geared towards teaching visitors about Costa Rica’s diverse tropical plants and animals supported by its unique climate. Families wishing to partake in an environmentally friendly eco holiday will find Costa Rica a fabulous destination to support their needs.

The Monteverde biological cloud forest, so called because of the cloud canopy straddled above it, houses stunning orchids, ferns, and wildlife that are gathered together in this amazing place. It’s said to be breathtakingly beautiful, and a very special holiday destination.

South Africa

Cape Town

South Africa provides a unique blend of wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes. Families can embark on safari adventures in Kruger National Park, go mountain biking in the Drakensberg Mountains, or explore the vibrant city of Cape Town. Boat trips to see the marine life around the Cape of Good Hope and horseback riding excursions add to the diverse range of activities. Inclusive resorts in South Africa ensure that the entire family, from young children to teenagers, can enjoy a variety of experiences.

Galapagos Islands

For families fascinated by wildlife and natural wonders, the Galapagos Islands are a dream destination. Located off the coast of Ecuador, these islands provide a unique opportunity to witness diverse marine life and exotic creatures. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and guided tours allow families to explore the natural habitat of species found nowhere else on Earth. Luxury cruises and eco-friendly resorts enhance the experience of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Jamaica

Travelers who long for sunshine, blue waters and palm trees will enjoy a winter vacation in Jamaica. Montego Bay provides sun worshippers with sandy beaches, plus has the advantage of being the second largest city in Jamaica, full of places to shop and dine in style. There are several legendary houses to visit, including Greenwood Great House and Rosehall Great House. The latter is supposedly haunted by Annie Palmer, known as the White Witch of Jamaica. Annie murdered her husbands, and viciously attacked slaves before being murdered herself.

Ocho Rios provides sun-seekers with discos, restaurants, shops and markets. It also sports fantastic views along its coastline and hills. The luscious mountains, long and winding roads, plus Dunns River Falls, add another side of Jamaica for vacationers to see, which is different from the well-known and loved golden sands and swaying palms it’s famous for.

There are many hot places to go when it’s cold outside, but none can provide more activities, beauty, and diversity as Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, or Jamaica. From Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, to Costa Rica’s stunning wildlife, and beyond to Jamaica’s perfect beaches and turbulent history, there’s a hot holiday to suit everyone’s taste from which to choose.

Whether you opt for the outdoor thrills of Costa Rica, the cultural richness of South Africa, or the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, each destination offers a unique experience for families seeking the best family vacations. Inclusive resorts, national parks, beach resorts, and city breaks around the world provide ample opportunities for quality time, adventure, and relaxation with your loved ones.