Family holidays with teenagers

Teenagers make brilliant travelling companions. They are old enough to take part in pretty much any activity, interested in the world around them and, on the whole, take things in their stride. Of course, there’s scope for the odd teenage grump, but for the most part, holidays with teenagers are just… well, fun!

That said, we will always want to personalise your holiday. We’ll chat to you about what your family is like, and what makes your kids tick, and will then use our expertise to create just the right blend of activity, relaxation and culture for your holiday. Almost every one of our destinations can be adapted to suit older children, and we’ll make sure your itinerary is designed around your teenagers’ interests and energy levels.

Cycling in Rio - beside the beach - on a family holiday with kids

Rio, Brazil

Here’s a quick guide to destinations that you might like to consider:

Top 10 Best destinations when travelling with teenagers

Costa Rica – This offers a particularly brilliant range of adventure activities, from zip-lining to white-water rafting, hiking, biking and kayaking. The wildlife is also incredible, with great sightings of sloths, monkeys, hummingbirds, crocs, butterflies and so much more, and there are blissful beaches too!
Vietnam – Vietnam is always popular with teens as it offers such a lot of variety within one trip. There are incredible landscapes, a wide range of teen-friendly activities, beautiful beaches and a foodie culture that is hard to beat. The recent history is also fascinating for many families.
USA – With so many iconic places to visit, the USA really has something for everyone. California is always a hit, whether that’s cycling across Golden Gate Bridge or roller-blading along Santa Monica Boulevard. But there’s also a wonderful range of superb national parks, the Florida Keys, maritime experiences in Maine, New York diners, yellow school buses, and so much more.
Thailand – Thailand is hard to beat for teens with its great combination of culture, history and sensational food. The beaches are amongst the best in the world, there’s great shopping and some memorable wildlife experiences.
Peru – With incredible scenery and world-class sights (including, but not limited to, Machu Picchu), Peru really works well for families travelling with teenage children. Visits to the Amazon and Lake Titicaca complement the classic destinations in Cusco and the Sacred Valley and make for a wonderfully varied holiday, with brilliant adventure activities.
Brazil – Brazil is vast, and consequently offers remarkable variety. There’s wildlife (both in the Pantanal and the Amazon), colonial history, buzzing cities and stunning beaches. Playing volleyball or catching a wave at the beach in Rio will be experiences that are always particularly popular with teens.
Botswana – With some of the best wildlife viewing in the world, Botswana offers superb safari experiences truly out in the wild. Walking safaris are understandably off-limits to younger children, but teens will relish the chance to get up close to the animals on foot. You can combine Botswana with time in Victoria Falls for some relaxation (or adrenaline!) at the end of the trip.
Greece – With so many islands to choose from, Greece offers rich history, superb beaches, a fabulous range of exciting water activities and great shopping. Our experienced team has travelled extensively with their own teens and knows which islands will best suit.
Norway – Norway is hard to beat for the exhilarating activities that it offers, in absolutely extraordinary scenery. The landscapes here really are stunning, and you can be walking on glaciers, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, enjoying a floating sauna and so much more. The climate offers an alternative to the super hot summers elsewhere in Europe.
Canada – This is always a winner for families with teens, with its combination of cities, wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes and fabulous activities. There’s so much to do, whether you concentrate on the dramatic mountain scenery of the Rockies in the west, or the lakes, forests and rivers of the east.

Family with teenagers and a pre-teen tubing in Costa Rica on a family holiday

Tubing, Costa Rica

Indonesia & Bali – Idyllic sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and a tropical breeze. Bliss
Thailand – Beautiful sweeps of powder-white sand and turquoise water. Busy or quiet, depending on what you like
Belize & Mexico – Swathes of stunning beaches running the length of the Caribbean coast. Superb snorkelling and diving too!
Kenya – Incredible Indian Ocean coast, backed by palm trees, and perfect for post-safari relaxation
Australia – The Australians really know how to beach! Hundreds of beaches, amazing surf, and great outdoor life.

Check out these destinations as well: Borneo, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Oman, Croatia and Greece.

Botswana – World-class wildlife viewing, truly out in the wild
Ecuador & the Galapagos – Extraordinary wildlife, beautiful and varied landscapes, brilliant activities
Borneo – Some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia, with orangutans, pygmy elephants and more. Great beaches too
Tanzania – Superb safari sightings that you can combine with varied activities and beautiful beaches
Brazil – Both the Pantanal wetlands and the Amazon offer incredible wildlife viewing.

Also see Costa Rica, Kenya, Sri Lanka, the Azores, Canada and Australia.

China – Truly extraordinary historical sites and a unique and fascinating culture
India – A wonderful swirl of colour, history and culture, endlessly interesting
Mexico – Superb Mayan ruins and a rich colonial history. Great beaches too!
Japan – An incredibly rich and colourful history, contrasting with the ultra-modern
Egypt – Everyone should go to Egypt at least once. The oldest and arguably most impressive ruins anywhere in the world.

Also consider Cambodia, Peru, Turkey, and Greece.

Family - mum and daughter - exploring temples in Egypt

Luxor, Egypt

Peru – Massive food scene, with an incredible range of brilliant restaurants
China – Arguably the best cuisine in the world (contentious, we know!), with a superb variety of dishes
Sri Lanka – Little-known cuisine but always absolutely delicious. A real highlight
Mexico – Hard to argue with Mexico as a top foodie destination. Tacos to die for!
Greece – One for all ages – who doesn’t love a gyros or souvlaki? But so much more besides.

Check out these countries as well: India, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, Argentina and South Africa.

China

Georgia – Mountains, incredible food, trendy Tbilisi
Laos – Breathtaking scenery, incredible history, lovely people
Guatemala & Belize – Stunning volcanoes, beautiful beaches, Mayan ruins and colonial towns
Madagascar – Awe-inspiring landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, stunning beaches (limited infrastructure)
Uzbekistan – Stunning architecture and fascinating history.

Also see Mongolia, Cambodia, Nepal, Colombia, Namibia and Montenegro.

Still deciding? Our guide to 25 of the best holidays for teenagers showcases some of our favourite family adventures, from wildlife safaris and mountain treks to tropical islands and iconic cities. It’s packed with ideas to help narrow down the options before we create something completely tailored to your family.

Teenage boy takes in the views of Georgia

Ananuri Fortress, Georgia

What makes a great holiday for teenagers

Every child and every family is different, and what fits one family won’t fit another. Fortunately, the whole point of a tailor-made trip is that we will find out what makes you and your teenagers tick. And then we will design the whole holiday around this.

A later start often goes down well. This is not an age group that will welcome too many sunrise starts.
Adventure is on the wish list for many teenagers – white-water rafting, cycling (mountain biking for some, gentle e-biking for others), snorkelling, sea kayaking, canyoning etc are all much appreciated by this audience.
By this age, food can become part of the adventure. Cookery classes and food tours (particularly in places where the cuisine is a highlight) work brilliantly. And all the better if your teenagers learn to cook some delicious dishes to be recreated back at home.
As children become older, a little independence can make all the difference. A hotel where there are cafés, restaurants and shops nearby can work well, as teens will enjoy being able to wander by themselves. Our team can let you know which places our kids have enjoyed.
Most teenagers enjoy returning home with some envy-inducing photos – it might be a giant swing in Bali, seeing a lion up close in Kenya, or posing under the Hollywood sign in LA. But wherever you decide to travel, we’ll make sure that there are plenty of iconic stops along the way.
Even the most active teenagers will appreciate some downtime. It doesn’t always have to be the beach. A lazy afternoon by a pool or sitting on a hotel balcony might do the trick. We’ll make sure there’s as much relaxation as you think they will need along the way.
Of course, every teenager is different. Some can’t sit still, while others are happiest with a good book (or, let’s be honest, a phone) and a view. If your family has a mix of both, don’t worry, as we’ve planned plenty of holidays like that and know just how to strike the right balance for everyone.

Cambodia trip, Stubborn Mule consultant Caroline with her kids

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Ready to start planning?

Every Stubborn Mule holiday is meticulously and individually planned and no two holidays are ever the same. Tell us about your family, what your teenagers enjoy and where you’re dreaming of travelling, and we’ll create a tailor-made itinerary that’s designed around all of you. Start planning your family adventure.

Talk to our family travel experts