Yes, mama! You’ve made one of the hardest mom decisions!

You’ve decided you’ll be traveling with your kids but now you’re faced with what it seems like another hard decision: “Where in the world should you go?”

The simple answer is, anywhere you’d like really. But, how about we make it extraordinary? What if you chose one of these 3 incredible family travel destinations, I bet you didn’t think of before?

Let’s dive in.

All of these destinations are not ordinary destinations that the average mom would think of. When we think about family travel, most times, our brains go straight to Disney, a cruise or an all-inclusive resort with beach access or a pool. And although all of these are fabulous options to enjoy with our kids, travel is also about exploring and immersing ourselves in new environments, stretching our comfort zones and having wild adventures as a family.

These three destinations include incredible wildlife and nature, wonderful learning experiences, great spots for outdoor exploring and yes, a little bit of magic. Some of these you may have thought of visiting before kids, but not only will you still be able to do it as a family, you’re gonna be so glad you did.

Destination # 1: Galapagos Islands

A literal paradise on earth located approximately 2 hrs from mainland Ecuador. I don’t think there is a travel lover who doesn’t have The Galapagos Islands in their bucket list and now you get to add it to your family travel list.

Why you should go?

To enjoy one of the most unique places in the world! You’ll get to walk next to giant tortoises, snorkel with sea lions and see some species that only exist in this magical part of the world, like marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.

Other reasons why you should visit the enchanted islands:

Contrary to common belief, it’s quite simple to self plan a trip to Galapagos. There are plenty of Airbnb locations and you can book all tours while on the islands. No need to book a cruise to enjoy them.
Read my article on how to self-plan a trip to The Galapagos Islands right here.

It’s not as expensive as you may think. Once in the islands, there are a lot of activities you can do for free. Beach access, snorkeling spots and tortoise reservoirs are all incredible activities and 100% free.

Places you can’t miss

There are two main islands in Galapagos, both with airports you can fly into, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. It’s possible to move between these and other islands by boat. If you’re traveling to The Galapagos Islands for the first time, I suggest spending some time in each of the main islands and visiting these places:

San Cristobal

• La Galapaguera
• Puerto Chino
• La Lobería
• Playa Mann
• Cerro Tijeretas
• Kicker Rock

Santa Cruz

• Tortuga Bay
• Las Grietas
• Lava Tunnels
• Rancho Primicias
• Garrapatero Beach

Optional:

• Taking a boat tour to Isabela Island from Santa Cruz.
• Taking a boat tour to Española Island from San Cristobal.

Must do activities

These are some of the activities you must try with your kids while visiting The Galapagos Islands. Keep in mind that your kid’s ages may require some flexibility but they are definitely all kid-friendly options.

• Spend an afternoon at Playa Mann in San Cristobal Island: Not only will you see an incredible amount of sea lions, you’ll get to sunbathe and swim with them too. *It is forbidden to touch animals at The Galapagos and although they’re all used to human presence, always keep your distance (6-7ft is the safe zone)
• Take a boat tour to Kicker Rock from San Cristobal: This is the ultimate snorkeling experience while visiting the islands. If you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll be able to take turns going in the water and if you’re traveling with older kids, they can go in the water with you. It’s very safe and all needed gear will be provided.

When to go and how long to stay?

You can visit the islands year-round! Each season will allow you to see different wildlife and experience the changing ecosystem.

Plan to stay at least 5 days if you’re visiting one island only but if you’d love to do multiple islands, 7-10 days is a good number.

Destination # 2: Brazilian Northeast

One of the most beautiful regions of Brazil, loved by foreigners and locals! If you’ve thought about visiting Brazil before, you probably had places like Rio de Janeiro in mind, but the Northeast? That is a true treasure.

Why should you go?

To enjoy delicious warm weather, dance with the locals, witness incredible landscapes, learn about Afro-Brazilian culture and visit some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil.

Other reasons to visit:

• It’s the least expensive region in the country and also one of the least visited by tourists. You’ll find mostly locals in many areas and you’ll enjoy local prices as well.
• To have some pretty fun adventures with your kids! Think sand dunes, zip-lining and turquoise natural pools.
• Did I mention the beaches already? Well, now imagine yourself eating fresh fish with delicious ocean water touching your feet. You’re welcome =)

Places you can’t miss

• Salvador, Bahía: One of the most vibrant and colorful cities in Brazil!
• Chapada Diamantina, Bahía: A National Park where you’ll find beautiful natural pools, caves and incredible landscapes.
• Canoa Quebrada, Ceará: One of Brazil’s hidden gems. This cute fisherman’s village is gonna make you wish you could stay forever.
• Jericoacoara, Ceará: A unique beach town surrounded by sand dunes and ocean. The fact that it is only accessible by 4×4 definitely adds to the uniqueness of it.
• Lencois Maranhenses, Maranhao: A sand dune paradise! During the rainy season, more specifically in July and August, the sand dunes fill with rain water, creating the most incredible turquoise pools. There is no place quite like it.

Must do activities

• Take a buggy car ride in the sand dunes. You can do this in a couple of places around the Northeast. We tried it in Canoa Quebrada as part of a tour that included zip-lining over the dunes, beach views and natural pool swimming. This activity is ideal for toddlers and older kids, since you’ll need to hang on to the buggy cars as you ride, and the dunes can be quite bumpy.
• Watch a live Capoeira show. You’ll see tons of Capoeira (a Brazilian martial arts dance) in the Northeast, with a big concentration in the state of Bahía. We saw a kid’s Capoeira performance while in Canoa Quebrada which was a very cool experience to have as a family and quite fun for the kids. The dance has a lot of percussion and it is very contagious. I think you won’t be able to resist the beat.
• Enjoy live music on the beach. Although there are many beach towns where you can do this in Brazil, doing it in Jericoacoara definitely adds magic to it. Enjoy the sun setting in the ocean (unlike many other places in Brazil), and stay for the live party, yes! even with kids.

When to go and how long to stay?

The great thing about the Brazilian Northeast is that, since it’s very close to the Equator, it has the same weather pretty much year-round. The higher up North you go, the warmer it’ll be throughout the year. If you don’t wanna miss the rain water pools, definitely plan your visit around June and August.

This region of Brazil is pretty big, and there is only so much you’ll be able to see in one visit. If you’re interested in multiple destinations, plan at least a 10-day stay.

Destination # 3: Morocco

Ohh the colorful and mysterious Morocco. A magnetic country to get lost in and live deeply with your kids. Also one of the most family-friendly places we’ve visited in almost 5 years of family travel! Not only is it a very affordable destination, it is surprisingly easy to move around with kids and to see plenty, even if you don’t have a lot of time.

Why should you go?

Since you probably already have Morocco in your bucket list, this question should be more like, why should you go with your kids? Here are some reasons for you:

• Moroccans love kids! They honor them and treat them like the pure light that they are. When you travel to Morocco with kids, you’ll experience unexpected gifts, unexpected invitations to stores and a lot of love. My baby boy Luka was the crush of every Moroccan girl and my daughter Nala was always receiving little gifts like apples in the market and free rides by the Medina luggage carriers.
• It’s a place where a deep cultural immersion is possible, and exposing your kids to this will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. You’ll try new foods, hear a completely different language, and witness life around different habits and different religions.

Places you can’t miss

• Essaouira: A true pearl on the Moroccan coast. When you think about busy Moroccan Medinas, Essaouira breaks the mold a little bit. Although you’ll still notice plenty of people in the markets, there is a sense of wonder when you walk through these alleys. Let yourself get lost in the colors and the ocean breeze of this magical city.
• Merzouga Desert: The ultimate Moroccan experience! Bring your kids to Merzouga on a multi-day tour from Fes or Marrakech. While in Merzouga, not only will you be able to sleep in the desert, you’ll also learn a lot about the Berber culture, and visit a nearby African village.
• Rabat: Morocco’s capital will actually quite surprise you! It is a gorgeous city with a beautiful beach across from The Medina. If you have extra days, head to Salé, a city across the river from Rabat.
• Chefchaouen: What can I say about the blue city? You cannot have a full visit to Morocco, without visiting Chefchaouen. It is a lot smaller than other cities, which makes it very easy to see in a couple of days.
• Marrakech and Fes: Although these were our least favorite stops, they are definitely part of the Moroccan experience. There are far more people, sellers and tourists in these two cities so expect a lot of movement.

Must do activities

• Spend a night sleeping in the Merzouga desert. Book a tour from Fes or Marrakech with an agency or your Airbnb/hotel host. Make sure to book a 2 nights/3 days tour because it’ll take you approximately 7-8 hrs to get there. Out of the two nights, only one will be spent at a camp in the desert. The second night will be in a hotel. Expect camel riding, delicious Berber food, incredible sunsets and an overall out of this world experience.
• Go treasure hunting in a Medina. Do it as little or as often as you’d like. We visited every Medina in every city we went to, but we only bought some things in Essaouira and Rabat. If you’re up for it, give your negotiating skills a try 😉 Moroccans love negotiating; they actually expect you to do it. As a rule of thumb (suggested by our hotel host), always offer a third of the price you’re asked, and negotiate from there.

When to go and how long to stay?

If possible avoid summer (June to August) since it gets unbearably hot, especially in the desert. We went in September and the weather was pretty comfortable.

For trip duration, staying for at least 15 days will allow you to move around cities by bus, and visit 3-4 destinations.

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About the author, Ana Ruiz