5 Great Destinations for Holidays with Teenagers

By Jolene Ejmont @Wanderluststory

Travelling with teenagers does not need to be a daunting task. Just make sure to keep them busy at all times, who knows, if you go somewhere really interesting they may even forget to check their phones!

With our eldest heading into the teenage years, we really find that it is important to find destinations that she personally has an interest in. We also try to incorporate various activities, sights and tours that we know that she would love!! A happy teenager sure makes for a better travel companion in contrast to a grumpy one!

Here are 5 great destinations to take your teenager on holiday.

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Cuba is often recognised for two prominent characters Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. This country has a rich history of French colonial architecture and is also world famous for its Cuban cigars.

Teenagers will love to take a tour around Havana in a vintage car and see the old styled beautiful architecture of the city.

You can spend your day on the beaches of Playa Blanca and Playa Lindarena and visit Playa Tortugato to see the sea turtle conservation farm which is also a popular sea turtle nesting site. You can also trek through the stunning Escambray Mountains in the reserve site of Topes de Collantes.

After something more for yourself? You can visit the Viñales Valley and try cigar tasting and trek through the large tobacco fields.

2. California, USA

California is a US state which lies on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and is popular for Los Angeles, the hub of Hollywood movie industry. California is a great place for people of all ages but there are lots of different attractions that teenagers will love.

You can visit the Yosemite National Park which offers hiking trails and river rafting. You can visit Lake Tahoe which is popular for its ski resorts and stunning beaches.

Take a trip around the Universal Studios Hollywood to experience the thrill of making Hollywood movies.

You can camp, hike or mountain bike in the Death Valley National Park. A few other locations to visit are Palm Springs, San Diego, Griffith Park and Knott's Berry Farm.

3. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great place to take your restless teenagers. You can join guided treks through the rainforest where you are either walking through the canopy on wooden planks or wandering along trails.

You can expect to see monkeys, sloths, brightly coloured frogs, large arachnids, reptiles, insects and hundreds of different kinds of birds.

Costa Rica has beautiful beaches and you can give surfing, snorkelling, or scuba diving a try.

4. Marrakech, Morocco

Take your teenagers to the walled city of Marrakech and rent a traditional Riad to stay in. This traditional home has an interior courtyard or garden in the centre of it that is great for relaxing at the end of a long day. Spend your day exploring the exciting markets Marrakesh where you can wander through a labyrinth of streets and see wares for sale like pottery, jewellery, and brightly coloured materials and rugs. You will also get to see exciting sights like snake charmers, entertainers, and fortunetellers.

For the ultimate family bonding experience, why not take a day trip out to the desert and you can try camel riding or trekking in the Atlas Mountains.

Sri Lanka offers a variety of experiences for teenagers with various outdoor activities. Sri Lanka also has a lot of historic sites to visit. Be sure to visit Dambulla Cave Temple where you can see relics and art. Explore Temple of the Tooth which houses the tooth of Buddha.

A visit to Sigiriya, a rock fortress that is accessible by steep stairs will tire your teenagers out.

You can also visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to feed and clean up after the elephants or hop on one of the many safaris to see what wildlife you can spot.

Be sure to visit Arugam Bay where you can relax on the pristine beach or give surfing a try.

Over to You:
  • Which destinations have you found to be a hit with your teenager?
  • Which of these destinations do you think your teenager would love?

Originally from South Africa, now living in Australia, Jolene is a wife and a mother to three beautiful daughters. Together with her family, she is embarking on a journey towards changing her current stress-filled life to one focusing on her dreams and her passion for travel. She wants to share her stories in the hope to inspire you to chase your own dreams!