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Family Travel

Families will love these 8 tropical destinations, perfect for escaping winter

Meagan Wristen
Special to USA TODAY 10Best
Sometimes you just need to get away, and this can be especially true during harsh winters. Many long to escape to somewhere tropical. Whether you ' re looking for total relaxation, an epic adventure or something in between, we ' ve got the perfect destination for your family.
Sometimes you just need to get away, and this can be especially true during harsh winters. Many long to escape to somewhere tropical. Whether you're looking for total relaxation, an epic adventure or something in between, we've got the perfect destination for your family.
Meagan Wristen
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is a wonderful country for families to visit as they can enjoy an array of activities while visiting the island. For an educational experience, tour a tea factory surrounded by sweeping tea plantations in every direction, or visit one of the many temples to learn a bit of local religion. For adventure, head to a wildlife sanctuary and observe the mass gathering of Asian elephants, or scale the heights of the Sigiriya rock fortress. For relaxation, make sure to plan time at one of the many magnificent beaches found throughout the country, or visit the spice gardens.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a wonderful country for families to visit as they can enjoy an array of activities while visiting the island. For an educational experience, tour a tea factory surrounded by sweeping tea plantations in every direction, or visit one of the many temples to learn a bit of local religion.

For adventure, head to a wildlife sanctuary and observe the mass gathering of Asian elephants, or scale the heights of the Sigiriya rock fortress. For relaxation, make sure to plan time at one of the many magnificent beaches found throughout the country, or visit the spice gardens.
Meagan Wristen
Cozumel, Mexico Taking a family vacation to Cozumel is absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere is laid-back with the right amount of fun mixed in. The island is very low-key, and you can do as much or as little you want to. They ’ ve got adventure activities like an ATV tour through the jungle or a submarine excursion past their reefs to ensure you are never bored. However, the beaches are so beautiful you may not want to leave them.
Cozumel, Mexico
Taking a family vacation to Cozumel is absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere is laid-back with the right amount of fun mixed in. The island is very low-key, and you can do as much or as little you want to. They’ve got adventure activities like an ATV tour through the jungle or a submarine excursion past their reefs to ensure you are never bored.

However, the beaches are so beautiful you may not want to leave them.
Meagan Wristen
Phuket, Thailand Phuket is one of Thailand ’ s most popular islands, and it ’ s extremely kid-friendly. You can enjoy many wonderful beaches, interesting wildlife and unique markets and food. Take a Thai cooking class where you first gather your ingredients at a local wet market. Visit an elephant sanctuary where your family can help care for an elephant and be sure to take a day trip out to Phi Phi island.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular islands, and it’s extremely kid-friendly. You can enjoy many wonderful beaches, interesting wildlife and unique markets and food. 

Take a Thai cooking class where you first gather your ingredients at a local wet market. Visit an elephant sanctuary where your family can help care for an elephant and be sure to take a day trip out to Phi Phi island.
Meagan Wristen
Costa Rica Costa Rica is not only a breathtaking place to see with extreme vegetation everywhere, it ’ s also full of adventure, delicious food and fascinating animals, like sloths, monkeys and iguanas. Up in the volcano area, families can go white water rafting or rappel down into canyons. Along the coast, families can enjoy the national park, beautiful beaches and learn to surf.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is not only a breathtaking place to see with extreme vegetation everywhere, it’s also full of adventure, delicious food and fascinating animals, like sloths, monkeys and iguanas. Up in the volcano area, families can go white water rafting or rappel down into canyons. Along the coast, families can enjoy the national park, beautiful beaches and learn to surf.
Meagan Wristen
Kauai There ' s no wrong choice when choosing a Hawaiian island, but Kauai is truly spectacular. Take time to visit some of the safer beaches like Poipu Beach and Lydgate Beach. Go for a scenic drive up to the " Grand Canyon of Hawaii, " Waimea Canyon, for incredible views. Then keep going up to Kalalau Lookout where you can see the Na Pali Coast. Don ' t leave without trying shaved ice!
Kauai
There's no wrong choice when choosing a Hawaiian island, but Kauai is truly spectacular. Take time to visit some of the safer beaches like Poipu Beach and Lydgate Beach. Go for a scenic drive up to the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii," Waimea Canyon, for incredible views. Then keep going up to Kalalau Lookout where you can see the Na Pali Coast.

Don't leave without trying shaved ice!
Meagan Wristen
Turks and Caicos Turks and Caicos is gorgeous and is home to one of the world ’ s best beaches, Grace Bay Beach. Families will enjoy spending time together playing in the crystal clear water, snorkeling, parasailing, paddle boarding and basically any other type of water activity. Kids will get a delight from riding horses in the water or visiting the flamingos at Flamingo Pond Overlook.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is gorgeous and is home to one of the world’s best beaches, Grace Bay Beach. Families will enjoy spending time together playing in the crystal clear water, snorkeling, parasailing, paddle boarding and basically any other type of water activity. Kids will get a delight from riding horses in the water or visiting the flamingos at Flamingo Pond Overlook.
Meagan Wristen
Jamaica Jamaica has an abundance of golden sand beaches for an authentic Caribbean getaway, including the famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril. Further inland, you ’ ll find dramatic Blue Mountains landscapes, draped in lush vegetation and hiding a wealth of beautiful waterfalls like Dunn ’ s River Falls. Float a river, climb a waterfall or just enjoy the beach. We recommend staying at Beaches Negril. This is an all-inclusive resort geared specifically towards families.
Jamaica
Jamaica has an abundance of golden sand beaches for an authentic Caribbean getaway, including the famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril. Further inland, you’ll find dramatic Blue Mountains landscapes, draped in lush vegetation and hiding a wealth of beautiful waterfalls like Dunn’s River Falls. Float a river, climb a waterfall or just enjoy the beach. 

We recommend staying at Beaches Negril. This is an all-inclusive resort geared specifically towards families.
Meagan Wristen
Roatan, Honduras Roatan is one of the Bay Islands situated along the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. The reef is near the gleaming white beach shoreline, making it extremely easy for kids to snorkel. Also fun for families are ziplining and paddle boarding. Regardless of how you spend your time, know that the pace is slow in Roatan, allowing you to fully relax.
Roatan, Honduras
Roatan is one of the Bay Islands situated along the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. The reef is near the gleaming white beach shoreline, making it extremely easy for kids to snorkel. Also fun for families are ziplining and paddle boarding. Regardless of how you spend your time, know that the pace is slow in Roatan, allowing you to fully relax.
Meagan Wristen
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