Where to Travel with Teenagers

For strong-minded teens craving adventure and excitement, these thrill-filled destinations provide the perfect antidote to your regular routine. Extreme sports, varied climates and fascinating wildlife come together to create an adventure itinerary you’ll never forget.

Striking the perfect balance between nature and adventure, Costa Rica invites teenagers to reconnect with nature through outdoor activities and adrenaline-charged excursions. Go white water rafting on rushing rapids in the Pacuare Reserve or zip-line through the dense forest canopy in Arenal. Surfing lessons invite you to dive into the country’s refreshing beaches, and scenic jungle hikes are plentiful.

There are also ample opportunities to engage with the country’s wildlife, ecosystems, sustainability projects and rainforests. Naturalist guides will help you to spot one of the country’s most emblematic animals; the sloth, while watching sea turtles nesting on the beaches of Tortuguero creates a meaningful memory you’ll never forget.

Known as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland’s extreme climate makes for some equally thrilling adventure travel opportunities. Take stunning hikes through lava fields and volcanic landscapes, soak in geothermal pools, venture into ice caves and kayak across glacial lagoons. Thrill-seeking teens will love zooming across winter wonderland panoramas on snowmobiles, or snorkelling at the Silfra fissure, a crack between the North American and Eurasian continents.

Arguably Iceland’s most coveted experience, chasing the Northern Lights makes the ultimate Icelandic adventure. Race across icy landscapes on a private Northern Lights tour in search of the elusive aurora. The captivating sight of greens and purples shifting across the sky makes for an unforgettable family memory.

Home to the landscapes of one of the most epic film franchises of all time, New Zealand is not just an incredible active and adventure destination, but a cultural phenomenon. Any young fan of the Lord of the Rings films will be in awe of New Zealand’s countryside. Be transported into the wilds of Middle Earth as you explore Hobbiton near Matamata, see Mount Ruapehu, which stood in for Mount Doom, and visit Dart River and Paradise Forest where Isengard and Lothlorien scenes were filmed.

With such blockbuster landscapes come adventure sports to match. Fling yourself into the air on a bungee jump, hike through volcanic landscapes and bubbling hot springs in Rotorua, explore ice caves and glaciers, or spot sperm whales in Kaikoura, one of our favourite places for whale watching.

Stretching over 2,600 miles from the lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert down to the isolated wilderness of Patagonia, the final frontier before Antarctica, Chile is truly nature’s own adventure playground. 

In Torres del Paine, expert guides will help you navigate dramatic hikes, ready to be rewarded with spellbinding views of glacial lakes and jagged peaks, with puma tracking adding an extra thrill for older teenagers. Kayak or raft through waters that glimmer all hues of blue in the Lake District, or gaze at infinite starry skies after days spent exploring geysers and salt flats in Atacama.

Few experiences suggest adventure like witnessing some of the world’s most awesome predators in their natural habitat. Make incredible family memories on a private game drive in some of Southern Africa’s most exclusive conservancies, spotting the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes in the wilds of the savannah.

Beyond wildlife experiences, Southern Africa boasts plenty of activities for adventure-loving young travellers. At Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can go bungee jumping, zip lining, river rafting and even take a dip in the Devil’s Swimming Pool, right on the edge of the thundering falls themselves.

Dynamic and exciting, our pick of cultural hotspots prove that history and culture are anything but boring. Handpicked activities showcasing the best of cuisine, pop culture and hands-on traditional heritage will entertain families of any age. Yes, even teenagers.

In Japan, ancient traditions harmonise with modern technology, creating a captivating blend of culture that will entice your teen to explore more. Tokyo’s sci-fi cityscape dazzles with neon lights, karaoke bars and pop culture. Take an art class to learn the techniques behind anime and manga or tour the enchanting Ghibli Museum. Sampling the cuisine here is also a must. Families of all ages will enjoy getting stuck into sushi making or a guided family street food tour.

Delve back into tradition in Kyoto, discovering the city’s geisha heritage through a tea ceremony with a maiko, or masterclass in the skills behind samurai swordsmanship. The city is home to thousands of shrines and temples, including the striking vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha – a firm favourite photo-spot.

Home to some of the world’s most famous historical monuments, Italy is the birthplace of word-shaping civilisations and cultural movements, and visiting its cities brings them to life in front of your very eyes. In Rome, step into the arena of the Colosseum, where curious teenagers will be captivated by tales of gladiators. Engaging guides will tailor tours to all ages and interests – head to Florence for an introduction to the Renaissance and the artworks of the great masters, including da Vinci.

Fuel your discoveries with Italy’s other greatest export: its cuisine. Zip through the streets of Rome on a street food tour by vintage Vespa, or try your hand at a pizza making workshop, topped off with a gelato tasting.

Charismatic and energetic, Spain’s sun-soaked cities hold universal appeal. Blending historical sites and Spanish heritage with immersive food markets and buzzing nightlife, both Barcelona and Madrid are excellent choices for a family trip with teenagers.

Scattered throughout the city of Barcelona, Gaudi’s incredible works, including Park Güell and the majestic Sagrada Familia, are truly astounding. Recreate Park Güell’s distinct tiled design at a mosaic making workshop, or tour the city’s historic streets by segway. In Madrid, sample the city’s best bite-sized dishes on a tapas walking tour, or recreate regional dishes in a cooking class. For sports-mad teens, a guided tour of either city’s hallowed football stadiums is a must.

Often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Guatemala is nonetheless a hub of Maya culture, and an excellent destination to travel to with teenagers. In the tropical rainforests in the north of the country, you can delve deep into the jungle to discover the ancient city of Tikal, one of the largest archeological sites of Maya civilisation. Once home to over 100,000 people, you can climb atop towering pyramids to fully appreciate the scale of the site.

Beyond interactive cultural immersions, you can enjoy chocolate making workshops, cycle to Lake Atitlan or ascend Acatenango volcano on a hike like no other, taking in dramatic views and possible eruptions of the active Fuego volcano nearby.

Sometimes, nothing beats some beach-side relaxation, but it can be hard to keep teenagers entertained. Our expert travel designers can curate a seaside itinerary that allows you to plunge headfirst into a coastal destination, curating a perfect balance of downtime and fun.

With around 6,000 islands to choose from, it’s no surprise that Greece is one of our favourite beach destinations to travel with teenagers. Charter a yacht and island hop between impossibly pretty beaches and quiet coves, where the refreshing turquoise waters of the Aegean will be enough to tempt any teenager away from their screens.

We especially recommend Crete and Corfu for families, where you can alternate beach time with watersports and exploring ancient ruins. Thought to be the oldest city in Europe, Crete’s sprawling Knossos Palace complex, home to the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, will intrigue all ages. Cool off by heading back to the waves for a go at kite surfing, paddle boarding, scuba diving and snorkelling.

Indonesia is famous for its beautiful, palm-fringed beaches, and the island of Bali is no exception. A surfer’s paradise, the beaches of Canggu and Seminyak are ideal for teens of all abilities to enjoy private surfing lessons. Meanwhile, a private boat trip can transport you to the best spots for snorkelling, with the chance to see graceful manta rays around Nusa Penida, or dolphins off the black sand beaches of Lovina.

Explore across the archipelago by combining Bali with hiking in Java, where you can also marvel at sunrise over the 9th century Buddhist monument of Borobudur, cycle through expansive rice fields and explore lush rainforests. Or, for a quieter, more culturally-centered experience, a stay at Kap Caroso in Sumba offers a relaxed retreat.

With the world’s second largest barrier reef and the UNESCO World Heritage Great Blue Hole, Belize is just as striking beneath the waves as above. Adults can kick back on the palm-lined Caribbean beaches of Placencia while teens cool off with incredible snorkelling and diving. 

A short boat ride takes you to Belize Barrier Reef, where manta rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks and over 500 species of fish glide beneath the shimmering waters. Intrepid teens will love exploring the underwater world, while witnessing the Great Blue Hole either on a dive or from the skies makes it a truly one-of-a-kind beach vacation.

Teenagers can be notoriously hard to please, but these wow-factor destinations will impress even the most discerning young traveller. Each of these destinations is set apart by its exceptional nature, culture and wildlife, offering a transformational trip you won’t find anywhere else.

With the Dune trilogy, adapted from Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novels, sweeping cinemas over the last few years, Morocco’s Sahara desert evokes the feeling of being on the planet Arrakis. Enjoy a private sleep out under the stars in a traditional Berber camp. Spend days racing up and down the dunes on an ATV or dune buggy, then sit by the camp fire as darkness falls, an astronomer on hand to help you identify the myriad constellations that pepper the inky sky.

Back in the city, experience the spectrum of multifaceted Marrakesh on an intoxicating immersion for the senses. Get lost in the weaving maze of souks, inhaling the rich scents of spices and leather as you browse artisanal goods, try your hand at a cooking class or enjoy the peaceful oasis of Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle.

Few destinations have the ability to captivate like Peru. With spellbinding natural scenery, incredible history and fascinating culture, each aspect of a trip to Peru will blow you away. There’s no better way to engage teenagers with the destination than on an immersive private Inca Trail trek. Over the course of several days, your guide will bring the dramatic valleys and forests to life, weaving in aspects of history and culture that perfectly set the scene for your unforgettable arrival at Machu Picchu.

Discovery beckons throughout the country. Journey deep into the Amazon on an expedition cruise, go sand-boarding down the dunes at the desert oasis of Huacachina, or share a traditional pachamanca lunch with an indigenous community in the Sacred Valley.

For wildlife loving teenagers, there’s no better destination than the Galápagos. This isolated and highly protected volcanic archipelago was the inspiration behind Darwin’s theory of evolution, and is home to an unparalleled array of species. Kayak around small islets in search of marine iguanas and blue footed boobies, snorkel in shallows filled with playful sea lions and marvel at giant tortoises as they slope past the window of your lodge.

While land-based stays suit families of all ages, teenagers will especially love a luxury Galápagos cruise, which allows you to discover more of both land and sea. Spend your days hopping between islands on guided excursions, while onboard naturalists deepen your understanding of the wonders you’ve witnessed.

With K-Pop artists storming the global charts, it’s no wonder South Korea has come to the forefront of teenagers’ travel wishlists. Live out your K-Pop dreams with a private dance class led by real K-Pop backing dancers, complete with a video of you performing your polished routine. 

In the megacity of Seoul, the interactive Robot & AI Museum demonstrates South Korea’s technical prowess, while renting a hanbok – Korea’s traditional dress, to tour the royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty puts you equally in touch with the country’s history. Round off your experience with food tours, markets and shopping for a true taste of South Korea.