If you and your family need an international getaway but you’re stuck for ideas, then look no further than these five great destinations to take your kids. You’ll find everything from fantastic indoor theme parks to fascinating wildlife, and so much more.

Costa Rica

If the perfect family escape involves stunning beaches, captivating wildlife, tropical weather, and plenty of adventure to be had, you can’t go wrong with Costa Rica. You can achieve any type of holiday imaginable in Costa Rica, whether you want to chill by the beach, explore tropical landscapes, or take a road trip to see what the country is really about. No matter what you do in Costa Rica, you can rest easy knowing that your family will feel truly welcomed. 

If you’re flying to Costa Rica from the US, you won’t need to suffer the dreaded jet lag because there aren’t too many time zones to cross. Additionally, you’ll most likely be able to grab a bargain on airline tickets, which you can track using Google Flights in your browser.

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa has countless family-friendly destinations, but Cape Town is our top suggestion. Tucked away beneath the Table Mountain, there’s plenty of action and adventure for the entire family. A great place to kick off your vacation is the V&A Waterfront, which has plenty of opportunities for shopping, entertainment, and dining out. 

Some of the best activities in Cape Town include the cable cars to Table Mountain, Tree Canopy Walkaway, and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, you can easily take a ferry and explore Robben Island, which is where Nelson Mandela himself was imprisoned. 

Iceland

Iceland is a fantastic destination for the entire family that serves up countless unique experiences like Europe’s largest and breathtaking waterfall. Additionally, you can spot marine wildlife from a schooner, take a dip in the ice-cold waters at the Blue Lagoon, and explore Thingvellir National Park. 

As well as promising an adventure to remember, Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. One of the reasons behind this is the amount of preserved landscape, the excellent community relations, strict rules, and the welcoming and friendly residents. 

Crete, Greece

Greece is a collection of stunning islands in the Mediterranean and is home to one of the most unique ancient civilizations. To make sure your experience is family-friendly, we recommend traveling to Crete, which has everything from fantastic beaches to a glorious climate. In particular, the quaint fishing town of Elounda promises plenty of activities alongside several luxurious hotels like the Domes of Elounda (Autograph Collection). 

Dubai

If you want a truly magical experience, then head out to the United Arab Emirates and explore everything Dubai has to offer. Emerging from the desert, this extravagant city has become a destination designed with tourists in mind. You can visit Dubai any number of times and it will never become boring, which is why it’s far beyond anything else on this list. 

Take your children along to the largest waterpark in the world, Aquaventure, which is located at the tip of The Palm. Head out early and experience one of the incredible indoor theme parks including Motiongate, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and Lego Land. 

As well as being packed full of adventure for everyone, Dubai sees stunning weather throughout the entire year, which makes it ideal for an off-season escape. Additionally, your children will get to experience different traditions and cultures, which will make for an unforgettable vacation. 

If you weren’t feeling inspired before reading about the above family-friendly destinations, you should be now. What are you waiting for? It’s time to get planning.