20+ Best Family Vacation Spots with Teenagers – US + International Destinations

Posted on May 30, 2022 | Julie J. |

Last Updated on July 11, 2024

Planning your next family vacation and wondering where to go? Traveling with kids can be tedious so picking the right destination to keep them entertained is a must, especially when traveling with teens.

We have selected some of the best destinations in the US and abroad for families with teenagers. From adventurous trips to city breaks and everything in between, these places are sure to keep your teens busy throughout your vacation. They’ll have fun, discover new things, and learn a lot.

Keep on reading to discover the best family vacation spots with teenagers!

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Best family vacations with teenagers in the US

New York City, New York

By Kelly from Travel New York Now

Looking for one of the best destinations in the world for teens? If so then look no further than New York City, New York. After all, this vibrant city is brimming over with exciting activities that teens will love.

So, start your trip off with a magical visit to Coney island. While you’re here, you can ride the Cyclone roller coaster, walk along the beach, enjoy the Wonder Wheel, and grab some of the best pizza in the city from Totonno’s.

Next, head back to Manhattan and try The Escape Game escape room before becoming a spy for a day at the Spy Museum. See, this incredible, highly interactive museum not only details the history of spy networks all across the world, but it allows you to engage in a series of tasks that will help you and your teen determine what type of spy you should be.

Then, head to the Empire State Building and take in the awesome beauty of this art deco masterpiece. See exhibits on how the building was constructed and savor incredible views from the 102nd and 86th floors. Be sure to save the photos for the 86th floor though since this is an open-air observation deck and the 102nd floor is not.

Finally, unwind for the night at the super cool, Pod 51 hotel which is great for anyone planning to complete the ultimate NYC bucket list on a budget – or check out the vacation rentals available around town.

Houston, Texas

By Mark from Summer Camp Hub

Houston, Texas, offers an immense amount of indoor and outdoor activities for teenagers and adults. This large city in south Texas is the perfect place to experience an outdoor adventure or a day trip from anywhere in Texas.

You can explore unique attractions like the NASA Space Center, where teenagers can learn about space travel and look at real equipment and artifacts from space missions. There is also the Houston Museum of Natural Science with its numerous exhibits that include artifacts from ancient Egypt and the large Burke Baker Planetarium, which hosts astronomy shows.

For the outdoors, teenagers can do all kinds of fun activities, like kayaking at Lake Conroe to going on fun water rides at Typhoon Texas Waterpark Houston. The Typhoon Texas Waterpark is a great place for kids and adults to have fun with the numerous water slides and rides. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby for a fun time at night for adults.

With all its natural attractions and outdoor parks, it’s not surprising that Houston has some of the top camps in the entire state.

Houston is a bike-friendly city, so you’ll also find plenty of bike trails to go on a family bicycle ride.

If your teenager enjoys learning about nature and the environment, then a trip to the Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens offers an amazing experience with beautiful gardens to look at and a relaxing atmosphere.

Since it’s such a large and popular city in Texas, there are also numerous accommodations for any travel budget. The Club Quarters Hotel in downtown Houston is one of the top hotels in the city, close to numerous attractions.

Boston, Massachusetts

By Deanne from Scenic and Savvy

Boston, Massachusetts is a fun destination to visit with teens. Located along the Atlantic coast, this capital city has beaches, outdoor activities, professional sports teams, great food, numerous historical sites (dating back to before the United States was even a country), and much more.

With such a variety of things to do, planning a trip to Boston with teens is easy. There is something for everyone to get excited about. Teens might like a Segway tour through the city, or walking the Freedom Trail, which tells the story of the American Revolution. Families can visit a historic fort or climb aboard the oldest commissioned warship in the world—the USS Constitution.

Rent a canoe, kayak, or learn to sail on the Charles River, or catch a game at Fenway Park—America’s oldest major league ballpark still in use. Boston’s shopping districts keep teenage fashionistas busy for days.

Teens who love food will love Boston! Little Italy is in Boston’s North End with plenty of pizza, pasta, and pastries to satisfy a teen’s cravings.

There are many family-friendly places to stay in Boston, including the Residence Inn by Marriott at the Boston Harbor. They offer studio and 1-2 bedroom suites on the waterfront within walking distance to downtown—a perfect place to relax after a fun-filled day touring the city.

Lake Tahoe, California

By Rasika from Bae Area and Beyond

Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation destination for both locals and tourists alike. Lake Tahoe is situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and in between California and Nevada. It’s known for its crystal clear water and breathtaking views, which are enhanced by its proximity to the snow-capped mountains.

Lake Tahoe offers so many activities that it is impossible not to find something that interests you! From skiing and snowboarding on the slopes to hiking through nature trails or even just relaxing on a beach chair with a good book – there’s something for everyone here!

You can also spend your time exploring nature by biking along Tahoe East Shore Trail, one of the best bike paths in the country. Or if you prefer more excitement in the water, then try kayaking or parasailing on Lake Tahoe.

The best tip when visiting Lake Tahoe is to make sure you’re packing layers. The weather can get unpredictable with one day being sunny and the other day being windy.

There are many great places to stay near Lake Tahoe including hotels, resorts, and cottages. If you want a luxurious hotel experience then check out The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa And Casino. This four-star resort has all the amenities you could ever want including restaurants, hot tubes, a heated pool, a spa, and an on-site casino!

Maui, Hawai

By Jordan from The Homebody Tourist

With a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, Maui is the ultimate destination to visit with your teenager! After arriving in paradise, check in to your hotel and spend your first night relaxing and adjusting to the time difference. You will not have any difficulty finding an epic hotel or condo right on the water! For a good beachfront resort, check out Kaanapali Alii by Hyatt Residence.

On day 2, convince your teen to wake up early for the adventure of a lifetime: a road trip along the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana features over 600 turns and 59 bridges through the lush Maui rainforest. Along the drive, you will pass by so many roadside waterfalls, tasty food trucks and stands, black sand beaches, and even get to hike through a bamboo forest (to a massive waterfall!).

During the rest of your vacation, be sure to check out the amazing landscape at IAO Valley, the wildlife during a snorkeling trip to the Molokini Crater, the views while hiking the Waihe’e Ridge trail, and of course squeeze in a couple of relaxing beach days.

If you are looking for even more adventures, you can take a surfing lesson, take an ATV ride through the Maui mountains, or hike on top of Haleakala (a shield volcano in East Maui).

Your teen will definitely appreciate the blend of adrenaline and resting during your Maui vacation.

Los Angeles, California

By Paula from Paula Pins the Planet

Los Angeles is the ultimate U.S bucket list destination with scenic beaches, fiery sunsets, and the iconic Hollywood area. You’ll find plenty of great attractions within this city ranging from fantastic museums to hiking trails, so there’s something for everyone.

Some of the most popular places to visit include the Hollywood Sign, Griffiths Observatory, Sunset Boulevard, and the Walk of Fame. You can even take a small road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway or explore many of the city’s food markets.

For the ultimate Los Angeles itinerary, you NEED to visit the top areas of the city including Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. These neighborhoods are home to the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles, and some of the best activities.

If you’re heading to LA with teens there are plenty of great theme parks too including Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Paramount Pictures Studios is another great place to visit if you’re traveling as a family!

No matter what time of year you visit, it’s a good idea to purchase the LA city pass – especially if you’re wanting to keep costs low. The pass includes over 35 activities/attractions and can save you up to 55% on ticket prices.

Hiring a car is one of the best ways to get around LA as the city is HUGE. Public transport services are efficient, but many of them don’t reach certain areas so keep this in mind before your trip! However, there is a great metro system if you’re staying in downtown LA, Chinatown, or the Hollywood area.

For first-time visitors, downtown LA is the best place to stay and there are plenty of great accommodation choices including Hotel Indigo and Freehand Los Angeles.

Utah National Park Road Trip

By Jessica from Uprooted Traveler

A road trip around the five U.S. National Parks of Utah is sure to be a hit with the whole family- even hard to impress teens! Each of the parks has a unique landscape and a variety of activities, from low-key to adrenaline-pumping, to satisfy everyone.

For example, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique and colorful rock formations, called hoodoos, formed by millions of years of erosion. Take a hike down below the lip of the canyon, like along the Navajo Loop Trail, to admire the hoodoos towering above.

For a slightly more adventurous trail, consider the iconic Narrows hike in Zion National Park, where you’ll hike literally through the chilly waters of the Virgin River through a slot canyon, as the walls soar overhead.

If the kids are looking for something that will really get your adrenaline going, there are plenty of thrilling activities to be found in and around Utah’s national parks, from whitewater rafting down the Colorado River in Canyonlands, spelunking in Capitol Reef, or trying your hand at via ferrata in Zion.

If you’re not within driving distance to the parks, your best bet will be flying into either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, renting a car, and then exploring the parks from west to east (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches).

On your final nights in the quirky town of Moab for your visit to Canyonlands and Arches, consider a stay at the Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa, where you can recoup after a day of adventures by listening to live music around the nightly bonfire. On your last day, take a quick dip in the pool before you make the drive back to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, where you can start planning your next adventures back to Utah!

Best international vacation destinations for families with teens

Travel tip: Before any international trip, make sure to get good travel insurance.

Glasgow, Scotland

By Moumita & Sankha from Chasing the Long Road

Home to some of the best family-friendly activities, Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is one of the best places to travel with teens.

One of the main Glasgow tourist attractions is the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Here you will discover a remarkable collection of 8000 objects in many galleries, ranging from priceless Renaissance art objects to armories.

Glasgow is famous for urban street art murals by local and international artists. Searching for these colorful street murals all around the city is very exciting, you can also join a walking tour. You can hire a bike for the day to explore many beautiful parks and gardens in this city.

Head to the famous Riverside Museum on the bank of River Clyde. Here you will find an intriguing collection of transportations from many different eras. From skateboards to vintage cars, baby-strollers to model ships, there are many interesting exhibits that will keep the teens engaged. Take a stroll along the recreated old streets of Glasgow and learn about the history.

While you are here, don’t miss the adjacent Tall Ship. Hop on board the restored historic ship to learn its thrilling stories around the globe.

Also, Glasgow Science Centre is not too far from here. Teens can easily spend half a day at the science center browsing through different exhibitions.

From Glasgow, take a day trip to Loch Lomond National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake by surface in Britain and a top attraction in Scotland. It’s a popular place for hiking, camping, cycling, and water sports.

The Jurys Inn Glasgow and Maldron Hotel Glasgow City are some excellent choices to stay near the city center. You’ll also find many nice vacation rentals around town.

Melbourne, Australia

By Lanie from Let’s Make More Adventures

Whether your teen is a sports enthusiast, foodie, artist, music lover, or all of the above, Melbourne, Australia is a fun location with plenty for teens to do day and night.

Melbourne is known for its street art which can be seen in the many laneways throughout the city. Melbourne’s laneways are the perfect backdrop for photographs.

Queen Victoria Market is a popular spot for both fresh and prepared foods. A 2-hour market foodie tour makes for a fun lunch. Dessert lovers need to check out the bakery windows full of cakes and slices on Acland Street in St. Kilda. On the weekends, Grazeland has just about every cuisine imaginable, plus live music and other entertainment.

Teens can view Melbourne from above at Melbourne Skydeck and even walk on a clear floor at “the edge” or participate in a virtual reality “plank” that makes them feel as though they are right on the edge of the building looking down at Melbourne.

Getting around Melbourne is easy on the public trams, including the free tram that runs through the center of the city. Teens who want a little bit of independence can ride the tram alone to meet up with their families throughout the day.

Depending on the season, AFL, AFLW, rugby, soccer, or cricket matches are played in stadiums throughout Melbourne.

Another place to check out at night is the Ice Bar. Despite being the largest ice bar in the southern hemisphere, the Ice Bar is not large. It is, however, lots of fun. Teens can order a drink at the bar made out of ice and play air hockey on a table made of ice.

For teens who want to get out of the city for the day, or even longer, The Great Ocean Road is gorgeous and full of hikes, beaches, and beautiful views.

Teens prefer their space and privacy, and a hotel such as the Lancemore on Crossley Street provides a 2-bedroom family room with separate bedrooms and bathrooms. The Lancemore is centrally located and near public transportation.

Wasaga Beach, Canada

By Erie from Everywhere Ontario

If your teens are beach crazy but heading south isn’t on your radar, then Wasaga Beach might just be the summer family getaway for you. As the world’s longest freshwater beach and just over an hour from the metropolis of Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, Wasaga Beach is absolutely booming in the summertime.

This party town has tons of things to do, from beachfront restaurants to skydiving to nearby Scenic Caves and the luxurious Scandinave Spa. It also boasts some of the most Instagram-worthy sunsets and provides almost endless sandy shorelines for long family walks on the beach.

While you will find plenty to do at the beachfront, Wasaga Beach also has beautiful hiking trails and canoe/kayaking/SUP rentals along the Nottawasaga River. It might be one of the busiest and best beaches in all of Canada, but it won’t let you leave without getting a taste of the great Canadian outdoors.

While Wasaga Beach has lots of mid-range hotels, the most common way to stay at the shore is to rent a cottage, and the town is absolutely filled with rentals close to the water. If you’re looking for a more upscale accommodation, you will enjoy options like The Westin and Blue Mountain Resort in the nearby ski village of Blue Mountains.

Wasaga Beach has lots to offer any beach-crazed teens (and their parents!) and thankfully shouldn’t break the bank in doing so.

Essaouira, Morocco

By Jenny from Explore Essaouira

Perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, just a three-hour drive west of Marrakech, Essaouira is a great place to visit with teens as its safe to allow them some independence, has great activities on offer due to the beach location, and importantly for them, the WIFI is good for keeping in touch with friends back home.

There are some fantastic things to do in Essaouira, and active teens will enjoy taking surf lessons or even kite surfing lessons. Indeed Essaouira, coined as ‘Morocco’s Windy City’ is one of the best places in Africa for kite surfing due to the strong winds blowing off the Atlantic. There is also quad biking along the beach.

Importantly for parents, Essaouira’s traffic-free Medina (old town) is much more relaxed compared to say Marrakech. Following a grid pattern and being compact, it’s very difficult to get lost, and there are no mopeds brushing past at speed. Essaouira is very chilled and laid back, and the sellers in the souqs are not pushy at all. So, parents, this is the place to let your teens have some independence by letting them wander on their own, while hopefully avoiding any extra grey hairs for you.

There are a handful of high end hotels outside the Medina (Hotel Le Médina Essaouira Thalassa, Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa). But for that authentic experience, try one of the many superb and reasonably priced Airbnbs in the Medina. This will give the whole family space to spread out, and allow teens their own rooms.

This also means that you have the best local restaurants on your doorstep, and can send the teens out each morning to get fresh bread, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. Although if the teens are craving cereal, there’s a Carrefour Supermarket on the main road out of town, selling Western food items.

Lake District, England

By Paulina from UK Every Day

If you are looking for the best family vacation with teenagers that offers plenty of activities and incredible views, look no further than the Lake District in England. An exciting holiday that includes climbing the highest English mountain, Scafell Pike, or checking out Infinity Bridge, 610m above the ground, to name just a few of the Lake District attractions.

This part of England has some of the most beautiful mountains and lakes. Teenagers can enjoy many water sports such as canoeing, paddleboarding, or swimming in the biggest lake in Lake District – Windermere.

There are also plenty of amazing waterfalls to explore such as Aira Force or Scale Force Waterfall. If you are looking for an adventurous holiday with teenagers, try Ghyll scrambling. This exciting activity includes climbing through mountain steam in small groups.

Another popular attraction is rock climbing or visiting an impressive cave near Rydal Water. With such an abundance of options, you will keep your teenager busy during the whole vacation.

Lake District is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, so make sure to find accommodation as early as possible. For instance, you can try glamping or camping, which is an amazing option to wake up with beautiful views of mountains.

Seoul, South Korea

By Erica from Travels with Erica

Seoul is one of the best destinations to visit with teens. There is lots of history, culture, and food to keep your teen entertained and engaged on your vacation.

One of the must-do activities in Seoul is visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and taking a free guided tour to learn about the palace’s history and significance. There is a Changing of the Guards ceremony at 10 am and 3 pm most days, and you don’t want to miss it.

If your teen loves theme parks, you can take a day trip to Everland and ride a wooden rollercoaster.

Seoul is extremely safe, and if your teen wants some freedom and to get away from you for a while, you can allow them to wander through Myeongdong or Insadong alone knowing they’ll be safe.

Be sure to indulge in the food in Seoul. It has some of the best street food and restaurants in the world. One restaurant you can’t miss is OsegyeHyang located in Insadong. It is a vegan restaurant that serves traditional Korean foods and is one of the few restaurants in Seoul where you can try vegan/vegetarian Bibimbap.

The tourist attractions in Seoul are spread out, so you’ll need to rely on public transportation a lot of the time. The best area to stay in if you want to walk to a number of tourist attractions easily is Myeongdong. It’s central, and you can walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong in less than 20 minutes. A great hotel to stay for families traveling with teens is the LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

By Delilah from Our Travel Mix

Rarotonga, the largest and most popular destination in the Cook Islands, is a remote, tropical island in the South Pacific Ocean. Getting away to a paradisiacal island with teens is always a great idea, and Rarotonga is one of the best.

The allure of Rarotonga is largely thanks to its laid-back, island lifestyle. Activities on the island revolve predominantly around the idea of alternating between sipping cocktails, lying on the beach, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear water. It’s really all about forgetting about the real world and relaxing.

If you or your teens are looking for a little more adventure, however, you can choose from a few exciting activities such as Raro Buggy Tours, diving, or hiking to The Needle.

It’s also worth noting that Rarotonga is extremely safe, with very minimal crime. Due to the size of the island (small enough to walk around in a day), it’s also pretty hard for teenagers to get up to mischief.

Rarotonga accommodation covers all kinds of travelers, with cheaper options tending to be a bit more dated and lacking in modern amenities, and luxury resorts offering private pools and beachfront bungalows. On the cheap end, you’d be impressed by Rarotonga Backpackers. Castaway Resort is a solid mid-range option, whilst Te Manava is one of the best luxury resorts on the island.

Tokyo, Japan

By Melissa from Parenthood and Passports

Whether you’re traveling with teens or younger children, visiting Japan with kids is an incredible experience for the entire family. Teenagers will particularly love the bright lights and allure of Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. With its arcades, anime and kawaii culture, and trendy teen fashion districts, Tokyo is one of the best destinations in the world to visit with teens. In fact, the Harajuku district of Tokyo is known as “Teen’s Holy Land” in Japan. With cutting-edge fashion at reasonable prices that teenagers can afford, this district is a must-visit for trendsetting teenagers.

For the teenagers addicted to their video games and smartphone apps, the tech district of Akihabara in Tokyo is a stimulation of the senses. Home to 4-story arcades where even the urinals in the men’s restrooms are equipped with gaming systems, the district is like stepping into a real-life video game.

But beyond the fun, fashion, and games, Japan offers a unique cultural lesson that teens are the perfect age to appreciate. Visit any of the temples around Japan to learn about Buddhism, Japanese values and customs, and the history of this wonderful country. Visiting Japan will be a trip your teenagers will remember and cherish forever!

The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo is located directly adjacent to the central train station, Tokyo Station. Making it a convenient hotel to stay in when exploring the city.

Rome, Italy

By Joanna from The World in my Pocket

Rome is a fantastic vacation destination in Europe to visit with teens. There are so many things that they can learn, but also fun things to experience.

For teens who are passionate about history, a visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill is a must. After learning about the Roman Empire, teens can have a chance to dress up as gladiators and practice their skills in fighting in the arena, at the Rome Gladiator School. Here they can also visit the museum dedicated to Gladiators. It’s a perfect fun activity for children and teens.

The Vatican is another great place to visit as a family. There are dedicated tours of the Vatican specifically aimed at children and teens, to transform the visit into a fun, learning experience. The views from the cupola are also breathtaking, so don’t miss out on climbing up there. Near the Vatican, you will find Castle Sant’Angelo, where families can see how Rome changed over the past 2000 years.

Another great thing to do in Rome is to experience the traditional Roman cuisine. Families can take a cooking class together and learn how to make Rome’s most famous dish, pasta cacio e pepe. Even the fussiest teen will enjoy eating this delicious vegetarian pasta dish.

A hotel recommendation is B&B Santa Maria Maggiore, a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum and 30 minutes from Fontana di Trevi

Malta

By Linn Haglund from Brainy Backpackers

Malta is an amazing destination to travel to with teens. There’s so much to do from exploring history to breathtaking nature spots. Especially Valletta is jam-packed with historic sites, cool viewpoints, and your teens will love the underground shelters where they can experience how it must have been like to hide from the rain of bombs during World War Two.

There are also other smaller World War Two shelters throughout the island that you can visit, like the ones in Mellieha and Mosta.

Take a boat tour to discover the Blue Grotto or go to the Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino where you can swim in crystal clear water. Comino does also have one of the most scenic hikes in Malta where you can walk around the entire island in only a couple of hours. The island of Gozo is also worth a couple of days exploring. The coastal trails are fun with some of the most stunning cliffs in Malta – make sure you go to the Sanap Cliffs for sunset!

There are other cool places to go for a swim and cliff jumping in the summer months too, like St. Peter’s Pool near the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk. And finally, you should not miss out on Popeye Village. This is truly a fun place for the entire family.

Malta is perfect for traveling by bus with their tap and pay bus tickets that last for 2 hours, or by rental car if you want to have a free schedule.

Check in at the wonderful Mercure St. Julian’s Malta Hotel where you can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool at the same time as you are close to the beach.

Algarve, Portugal

By Linn Haglund from Amused by Algarve

One of the most fun destinations to take your teens to is the breathtaking Algarve Coast in Portugal’s south.

Most travelers fly into Seville in Spain and take the bus to Algarve or take the plane straight to Faro. This is a great place to base yourself for a few days as you have direct access to the mesmerizing Ria Formosa Natural Park. But there are many other fun things to do in Faro, like hiking, visiting the bone chapel, or going on day trips to fishing towns like Tavira or paradisiacal islands like Culatra and Armona.

Yet there are many other cool towns in Algarve where you can base yourself with teens making sure there is a multitude of activities keeping them busy.

A trip to the Algarve is not complete without taking a surfing c o urse and one of the best places to do that is Lagos. This is also a great base for seeing the Ponta da Piedade cliff formations and Sagres. The area also holds some of the finest beaches in the country with secret passageways through the cliffs to hidden beaches.

Albufeira is a top place to stay for all kinds of adventures like parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking to the famous Benagil Cave, or going on a quad tour through the countryside. In Albufeira, a great place to stay is the Casa dos Arcos – Charm Guesthouse where you can hang out in the cute backyard when planning the adventures for the day.

Costa Rica

By Pubali and Indranil from Paradise Catchers

Costa Rica is one of the best places on earth to get your teens introduced to the world of animals, in the wild! In this beautiful small country of Central America, the law prohibits keeping wild animals in captivity and hence there are no zoos in this country. But to respect the habitat of the wild animals, a large part of the country is protected forests and reserves.

Some of the best places to spot monkeys and sloths are Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific side and Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean side, both situated along the coastline. So, when you visit these national parks, you get to see tropical rainforests, wildlife as well as pretty beaches.

Apart from watching wildlife in Costa Rica, there are many other activities that teens may enjoy here. For example, hiking in the cloud forests and zip-lining over forest canopy in Monteverde, or seeing volcanoes, chasing waterfalls, and soaking in the natural hot springs in La Fortuna.

From stunning beaches to wonderful waterfalls, from active volcanoes to dense tropical forests and the presence of more than 500,000 species of wildlife spread across the country make Costa Rica a fantastic place to visit for people of all ages who enjoy nature and the outdoors. Just remember to carry insect repellent and sunscreen!

Kenya

By Pamela from The Directionally Challenged Traveler

To experience something truly life-changing, there’s no place quite like Kenya, Africa! The famous Masai Mara National Reserve is an extremely diversified ecosystem that will amaze anyone. Countless species of flora and fauna live there, making everyone fall in love with nature a bit more.

Kenya has a number of diverse safari parks each featuring different landscapes. From the Serengeti to the dense bush of Amboseli, there’s no shortage of wildlife spotting. The most famous safari park, the Masai Mara, has fabulous opportunities to spot the Big 5 Safari animals. The park is home to water buffalo, lions, rhinos, elephants, and even elusive leopards.

The best time to visit Kenya would be during the Great Migration, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From late July through mid-September, millions of wildebeest and zebra make the trek along the Mara River from Tanzania to Kenya.

If you’re feeling adventurous, then take a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara for aerial views of the animals. You’ll never forget the breathtaking views from above.

For an eco-friendly glamping experience, the Mara River Bush Camp is the perfect place to stay. The tents are canvas but with a floor and full bed. The camp is situated next to a river where you may be able to spot hippos from the patio of your tent. Locally sourced food is used in the in-house restaurant, giving you a truly Kenyan experience.

Kenya is a wonderful destination to visit with teens to show the beauty of Earth and how we can live together in peace with the animals around us.

Bulgaria

By Lyubomira from Bulgarian On The Go

Along the west coast of the Black Sea, you’ll find Bulgaria – a hidden gem in Europe you might want to consider for your next vacation when traveling with teens.

The diversity of things to do in Bulgaria makes it the perfect destination for people with various interests. From a beach holiday at the seaside and numerous hiking opportunities, to old historic cities and top-quality ski resorts – one can find just about anything here.

Some of the best places to visit in Bulgaria include the old city of Plovdiv where you can find some well-preserved Roman ruins, Veliko Tarnovo – the old capital of Bulgaria, Sozopol and Nessebar – beautiful seaside resorts for a summer holiday, Bansko – the biggest ski resort in the country, and the Seven Rila Lakes – a scenic hike to 7 glacial lakes, which is one of the most popular things to do here.

The best way to explore Bulgaria is by renting a car, which gives you the flexibility to go anywhere. Even if traveling only for a few days, the country isn’t big so it’s possible to fit a few places into your itinerary.

The wide variety of activities in Bulgaria makes it suitable for teenagers, as they can choose what they’re most interested in. It’s also an all-year-round destination because you can find interesting things to do during every season. Last but not least, it won’t break the bank – Bulgaria is one of the most affordable countries in all of Europe.

Bali, Indonesia

By Andy from Two Happy Wanderers

Bali, Indonesia is one of the world’s best known and most iconic tropical island destinations. Famous for its stunning natural attractions, beaches, and rich culture, it’s easy to understand why this magical place is visited by millions of people every year.

But what about for your teenagers? There are probably only so many waterfalls and temples they could visit, and they will probably get bored of sunbaking on the beach. Fortunately for them, Bali is also something of an adventure destination.

For the young adrenaline junkies, they could try their hand at white-water rafting down one of the many rapidly flowing rivers that cross the island. Or how about a half-day adventure tour on an All-Terrain Vehicle through Bali’s forests followed by a surfing lesson at Kuta beach?

A little less exhausting but still fun, is a half-day downhill bicycle tour, commencing at one of Bali’s volcanoes, and culminating with a swim at one of the iconic waterfalls Bali is so famous for.

Or how about the Tulamben Tree House, built high on the slopes of Bali’s Mount Agung volcano. And then there’s Ubud’s famous Sacred Monkey Forest, home to over 1000 Long-tailed Macaques. But don’t stand still too long or the monkeys are likely to clamber over the top of you. And for the days where even less exertion is called for there is the GWK Cultural Park, home to one of the tallest statues in the world.

And at the end of a busy day, the Hard Rock Hotel Bali provides the ideal escape for all the family. Situated just a short walk from the main Kuta beach, this hotel has several family room options available. It serves good western-style food in the restaurant to tempt the fussiest eaters and has clubs specifically designed for the teenager in your family.

Check out some of our other family travel guides:

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