Many parents would love their children to experience the diversity of cultures and landscapes across the world. These family trips are where we create some of our special memories together.
Taking all the family on a memorable vacation can quickly become expensive. But that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many places to explore without costing the earth, and often, these are all the more fun and interesting.
We’ve put together a shortlist of family-friendly destinations for an unforgettable family vacation on a budget.
Get started by searching for flights and comparing destinations on Skyscanner.
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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Holiday type: adventure, nature
La Fortuna is located inland, boasting lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It’s become a popular destination for experiencing wildlife and adventure alongside relaxing in the hot springs.
Accommodation options in La Fortuna
For family-friendly hotels and resorts in La Fortuna, take a look at Arenal Country Inn.
If looking for a vacation to connect with nature, you could book the family into an eco-lodge or cabin such as the Arenal Oasis or La Fortuna Natural Green.
For a fun stay that will really wow the kids, you could book a place at the Treehouse Hotel.
What to do with kids in La Fortuna
Brave the Mistico Hanging Bridges, for which you can get guided tours and continue the adventure with ziplines, rafting and many more action sports.
For wildlife, take a visit to Natura Eco Park or a tour to see a wild sloth.
La Fortuna is famous for its hot springs, of which there are many to visit and bathe in. While coffee & chocolate tours have something for all the family.
Starting price for flights to Costa Rica
Return flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, start at $162.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
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Holiday type: beach, adventure
With white-sand beaches along this Caribbean coastline, the Riviera Maya in Mexico is an excellent destination for a beach and resort holiday. You can also explore Mexican culture by visiting sacred ruins and traditional fishing villages.
The Riviera Maya has amazing sea life to get up close with snorkeling while exploring the landscape of underground rivers and cenotes, which makes for a great adventure.
Accommodation options in Riviera Maya
When looking for a place to stay, the Riviera Maya has many beach resorts to choose from, offering a whole range of facilities and activities. More budget and family-friendly resorts include the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Both have pools and water activities, as well as children’s programs.
If you’re looking for your own place while exploring the coastline, there are many on Airbnb, including Jungle Oasis or a cabin stay in Ruta de los Cenotes, where you can stay surrounded by nature.
What to do with kids in Riviera Maya
You and the family are spoiled for choice when it comes to water parks on the Riviera Maya. Check out Xcaret and Xel-Ha Water Park for water adventures, including snorkeling.
The ancient site of the Coba Ruins is just one ancient site that brings history to your trip. The 3D Museum of Wonders and Akumal Monkey Sanctuary are other kid-friendly attractions.
The real highlight of the Riviera Maya is the beaches and natural landscapes. Akumal Beach and Playa Paraiso are two to start with. There are also many tours exploring rivers and cenotes, such as this Secret Rivers adventure.
Find cheap flights to Riviera Maya
Return flights to Cancun start from $177.
Havana, Cuba
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Holiday type: beach, city
A city in the Caribbean, Havana is packed with culture, food, and stunning sandy beaches. It makes for a brilliant destination on its own or as a starting point for exploring other parts of Cuba. Old Havana and its Fortification System are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Accommodation options in Havana
Most people stay in B&Bs or small boutique hotels in Havana with Art Boutique a great option with a kid-friendly buffet, children’s network TV, bike rental and books, DVDs, and music for children.
The advantage of a hotel is access to a pool, which provides easy entertainment for kids. Meliá Cohiba is one to check out.
What to do with kids in Havana
There are beautiful sandy beaches, such as Playa Bacuranao, that are within easy travel distance from Havana’s city center. Here you can swim, go snorkeling and play on the beach.
Of course, a ride around the city in one of the iconic convertibles in Havana will be a memorable experience. The city is known for its street art and food while there are many museums to discover the history of Havana. Two of these are the living museum and working pharmacy Museo de la Farmacia Habanera or the art museum Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
You can also catch a show at the puppetry theatre El Arca.
Starting price for flights to Havana
Return flights to Havana start at $266.
London, United Kingdom
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Holiday type: city break
London is one of the world’s most famous cities. The capital of the United Kingdom makes for an incredible family vacation that allows you to explore history and culture while having loads of family fun.
Accommodation options in London
The budget hotel change ibis has a centrally located hotel at Blackfriars, while the Park Plaza County Hall London offers family packages. You can also stay at the Premier Inn in London County Hall, which is in the same building as popular family attractions, including the London Aquarium.
What to do with kids in London
Seeing Buckingham Palace during the Changing of the Guard is as London as it gets. A visit to Madame Tussauds will create some brilliant family photos.
The West End is famous for its musicals with Matilda and The Lion King, two popular family-friendly shows.
The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are free to visit, as is the National Gallery, allowing you to immerse yourself in art and history on a budget.
Starting price for flights to London
Return flights to London start from $262.
Barcelona, Spain
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Holiday type: city break
With medieval architecture on the Balearic Sea and home to the world-famous soccer club Barcelona FC, this is a city well worth a visit. There’s a real variety of things to do to make each day different for the kids, dipping into history, culture, and the sea.
Accommodation options in Barcelona
For accommodation in Barcelona, Novotel offers reasonably priced family rooms and has a rooftop pool.
Aparthotels, such as Ramblas Apartments or Apartment Val, are a cost effective accommodation option that also give you a little more space.
What to do with kids in Barcelona
Barceloneta Beach gives you the sandy beach experience straight from the city with other beaches to explore along the coast.
Watch the spectacular Magic Fountain of Montjuïc lit up at night and explore the medieval Gothic Quarter. You can also take a tour of the UNESCO-listed cathedral La Sagrada Familia.
The Barcelona Aquarium is a great family-friendly attraction, while Park Guell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the kids can run around and use the playgrounds.
Starting price for flights to Barcelona
Return flights to Barcelona start at $264.
Paris, France
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Holiday type: city break
Paris is known as the ‘City of Love,’ being famous for its beautiful architecture, famous landmarks, and food. There is a lot for kids to do as they explore Paris. With good planning and making the most of the free activities in the city, visiting Paris can be done on a budget.
It also makes for a good launch pad to visit other parts of France and Europe.
Accommodation options in Paris
Hotel chains Novotel and ibis have multiple locations in Paris at reasonable rates and are family-friendly.
For a little more space, Adagio has aparthotels across the city.
What to do with kids in Paris
Going up the Eiffel Tower for views over Paris is something the kids will always remember. Head to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and other works of art before a boat ride along the Seine.
Kids will love the immersive light projections of artworks at Atelier des Lumières. The Luxembourg Gardens has puppets and activities for children.
Of course, there is also Disneyland Paris for a fun and magical day out.
Starting price for flights to Paris
Return flights to Paris start at $282.
Iceland
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Holiday type: adventure
Iceland has some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes with volcanoes, the northern lights, glaciers, and beaches. It is a true adventure destination that can also be included as a stopover on many flights between the US and Europe.
Accommodation options in Iceland
For family stays, renting an apartment is often more cost effective and provides more space. Heimaleiga and Kvosin offer apartments and studio stays.
Renting a cabin, such as Brú Guesthouse, is often cost effective and gives the whole family an experience staying close to nature.
For an unforgettable adventure, you can rent a campervan from IndieCampers. A bonus getting accommodation and transport in one!
What to do with kids in Iceland
Seeing the northern lights is a magical experience, as is whale watching and seeing other wildlife, including seals and puffins.
Take the Golden Circle route to see Iceland’s spectacular landscapes and explore the lava caves and glaciers. Bathing in hot springs and lagoons is another popular activity.
In Reykjavik, you will find restaurants and cafes, the Park & Zoo, and the Árbæjarsafn Open Air Museum.
Starting price for flights to Iceland
Return flights to Iceland start at $251.
Toronto, Canada
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Holiday type: city break
Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is a great place to visit and is full of cultural experiences. With museums, galleries and lots of family attractions, Toronto makes for an exciting city break with the kids.
Accommodation options in Toronto
Being a large city, Toronto has many hotels to choose from. The Chelsea Hotel offers a family suite while you can also find chain hotels such as Holiday Inn Express, Pan Pacific, and Novotel with good family offers.
You could also opt to rent an apartment, with many available throughout the city.
What to do with kids in Toronto
Toronto is packed with things to do with kids, from immersive experiences such as Bubble Planet and Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder to the Toronto Zoo.
There is more wildlife to see at Ripley’s Aquarium, and you can continue the fun at Centreville Amusement Park and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
Must-visit is the Royal Ontario Museum, which explores everything across art, culture, and nature.
You can also take a tour of Niagara Falls, starting in Toronto.
Starting price for flights to Toronto
Return flights to Toronto start from $180.
Calgary, Canada
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Holiday type: city break
Whether you’re visiting for a city break or stopping by on your way to explore the Canadian wilderness, Calgary is one of Canada’s major cities and well worth exploring.
It’s most famous for hosting the Calgary Stampede, one of Canada’s largest festivals and rodeos as well as the 1988 Winter Olympics with the park still a destination for sports.
Accommodation options in Calgary
With good access to the city center, Best Western Plus Port O’call Hotel has an indoor pool with water slides.
Cabin stays can be found outside of the city, such as at Chisel Creek Ranch.
What to do with kids in Calgary
See a world of animals at the Calgary Zoo or visit the Heritage Park living museum to travel back in time.
Calgary Tower will give you views of the Rockies and glass floors to see the streets below. The WinSport Canada Olympic Park has lots of activities too, including downhill karting.
You can also make a day trip out to the lakes in the Canadian Rockies with tours from Calgary.
If you’re visiting in July, the Calgary Stampede is a must. This 10-day rodeo and festival is a real Western experience.
Starting price for flights to Calgary
Flights to Calgary start from $89.
Which destination should I choose for a family vacation on a budget?
When choosing a family vacation on a budget, first decide what kind of vacation you are looking for.
For a family beach vacation, Mexico’s Riviera Maya will be hard to beat, with stretches of sandy beaches along this Caribbean coastline and many family-friendly resorts.
It’s also only a relatively short flight from much of the US. For a city break with the kids, London is packed with things to do, and its museums and galleries offer incredible free activities. Both are great destinations to go with kids of all ages.
Havana in Cuba gives you the best of both, with beautiful beaches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city.
For action and adventure, La Fortuna in Costa Rica has all kinds of thrilling experiences. Iceland’s stunning landscape and abundance of wildlife can make for the perfect break in nature.
FAQs
Where is the best place to vacation with kids?
The best place to vacation with kids depends on what kind of break you’re looking for. For a beach holiday, the Riviera Maya in Mexico is a great choice. London has lots for kids to do on a city break there. Barcelona and Havana combine cities with beaches as great destinations to go on vacation with kids.
What is the best country to take kids to?
There are many unique countries where kids can experience different cultures and landscapes. The best countries to take kids to include Spain, Cuba, the United Kingdom, and Costa Rica.
Where can I find cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, compare flights for your destination on Skyscanner or start with your nearest airport and get inspiration for destinations.
What is the best age to travel with kids?
The best age to travel with kids depends on the destination. There are travel experiences to be had for all ages. For younger children, places like the Riviera Maya and London have lots to offer. Older children and teenagers might prefer something more adventurous, such as visiting Costa Rica or Iceland.
