Travelling over Christmas has become one of our favourite family traditions! Over the years, we’ve discovered that some of the best Christmas vacations for families involve trading the usual holiday routine for an exciting adventure somewhere new. If you’re looking for Christmas family vacation ideas, we’re excited to share the destinations we’ve visited with our kids during the holiday season.
Since our very first Christmas trip to Mexico when our kids were just 4 and 2 years old, we’ve made it a priority to travel together over the Christmas holidays whenever possible. We’ve spent Christmas Day swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, searching for sloths in Costa Rica and spotting wild elephants in Thailand. These unique experiences have given us some of our most treasured family travel memories.
Living in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, we love escaping the cold winter weather for a warm Christmas vacation. Most of our Christmas trips have included time at some of our favourite beach destinations for families. However, we rarely spend an entire vacation relaxing on the beach. We love combining beach time with hiking, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences and other fun family adventures.
In this article, we’re sharing our favourite places to travel over Christmas with kids, based entirely on our family’s firsthand experiences. We’ll share what made each destination special, how we celebrated Christmas when we were away and what we’d recommend to families planning their own Christmas holiday. We’ll also share a few practical tips we’ve learned along the way to help you plan a memorable Christmas trip with your own kids.
This post contains compensated links.
Christmas Vacation Destinations Compared
Each of our Christmas trips has offered something different. Here’s a quick comparison of our Christmas trip ideas for families to help you decide which destination is right for you.
- Mexico: Best for families looking for warm weather, beautiful beaches, delicious food and a wide variety of activities. From the Riviera Maya to Oaxaca and Baja California Sur, we’ve enjoyed everything from relaxing all-inclusive resorts to swimming with whale sharks on Christmas Day.
- Thailand: Best for families seeking an exciting tropical Christmas holiday with beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and unique adventures. We’ve celebrated Christmas on the beaches of Phuket and at a floating resort in Khao Sok National Park, where we spotted wild elephants.
- Colombia: Best for adventurous families who enjoy combining tropical Caribbean beaches, colourful colonial cities, jungle hikes and wildlife encounters.
- Costa Rica: Best for nature-loving families who want incredible wildlife experiences, outdoor adventures and beautiful beaches. Spending Christmas Day looking for sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park was one of our favourite family Christmas memories.
7 Christmas Vacation Destinations for Families
We’ve ranked our Christmas family trips based on how much we enjoyed the overall trip, including the destinations, activities and family experiences along the way. While we’ve had some incredible Christmas Days abroad, our rankings reflect the entire vacation, not just how we spent December 25.
Thailand at Christmas With Kids: Our First Trip
The first time we spent Christmas in Thailand was an unforgettable experience for our family! We spent 31 days exploring Thailand with our kids, who were just 5 and 3 years old at the time. It was an incredible mix of cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and beautiful tropical beaches.
We travelled throughout Thailand, visiting ancient temples in Ayutthaya, exploring Erawan National Park, feeding elephants in Chiang Mai and enjoying the beaches around Ao Nang and Phuket. One of our favourite memories was taking the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai, which was a huge hit with our kids!
For Christmas Day, we kept things simple and spent the day having fun on a beach in Phuket. Instead of traditional Christmas presents, we took the kids shopping for special Thai souvenirs, followed by a delicious ice cream treat. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas somewhere completely different from home.
December is an excellent time for a family vacation in Thailand. The weather is generally warm and dry, making it ideal for exploring temples, enjoying outdoor activities and relaxing on the beach. We especially loved the beautiful beaches around Ao Nang, where our kids could play in the shallow water beneath the towering limestone cliffs.
Thailand is one of our favourite countries for family travel in Asia, and we highly recommend it for a Christmas trip with kids. The friendly people, fascinating culture and amazing Thai food make it well worth the long journey.
For more inspiration, read our guide to travelling in Thailand with kids and our recommendations for the best family-friendly beaches in Thailand.
Packing for a Beach Vacation? If you’re planning a warm-weather Christmas getaway, be sure to check out our family beach vacation packing list. We’ve included our favourite beach essentials and practical tips to make packing for a trip with kids easier.
Costa Rica at Christmas with Kids
If your family loves wildlife and outdoor adventures, Costa Rica is one of the best Christmas vacation destinations we can recommend! We spent three weeks exploring this beautiful Central American country when our kids were 9 and 7 years old, and it was one of our best family Christmas trips.
We planned our Costa Rica road trip around the country’s incredible national parks, combining wildlife experiences with exciting activities and plenty of beach time. Some of our highlights included ziplining and waterfall rappelling in La Fortuna, exploring the remote Corcovado National Park and relaxing on Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific beaches.
For families looking for a relaxing all-inclusive beach vacation in Costa Rica, we really enjoyed our pre-Christmas stay at the Riu Guanacaste Resort on the Pacific coast. Our kids loved playing on the black sand of Playa Matapalo, swimming in the resort’s pools and dancing at the fun family-friendly foam party.
Our Christmas Day was especially memorable. We booked a private guided wildlife tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, where we were rewarded with sightings of sloths, monkeys, colourful birds and plenty of other fascinating creatures. Our guide was excellent with our kids, helping them spot animals through his telescope and keeping them interested throughout the tour.
After our morning wildlife adventure, we spent Christmas afternoon playing in the sand at Playa Manuel Antonio. With its soft sand, beautiful turquoise water and surrounding tropical jungle, it’s one of the nicest beaches we’ve visited in Costa Rica. Spending Christmas Day looking for sloths and playing on a tropical beach was pretty hard to beat!
Costa Rica is a wonderful choice for families who want something more adventurous than a traditional Christmas beach vacation. December is the beginning of the dry season along much of the Pacific coast, making it a great time for hiking, wildlife watching and outdoor activities.
For more inspiration, read our Costa Rica family travel itinerary and our guide to visiting Manuel Antonio National Park with kids.
Colombia at Christmas with Kids
Of all the places we’ve celebrated Christmas with our kids, Colombia was certainly one of the most unique! We spent four weeks exploring Colombia’s Caribbean coast when our kids were 6 and 4 years old, enjoying everything from colourful colonial cities to adventurous jungle hikes and beautiful tropical beaches.
Our Christmas celebrations took place on Isla Múcura, a small Caribbean island off the coast of Cartagena. We stayed at Dahlandia, a quirky, rustic beachfront resort. We spent Christmas Day building sandcastles on the white sand, relaxing in hammocks and looking for wildlife. Our kids especially loved the friendly goats that wandered around the property and searching for the large iguanas that lived on the island.
It was a very different Christmas from what we were used to in Canada, but we loved the simplicity of spending the day together in such a beautiful setting. Our beachfront hut was just steps from the warm Caribbean Sea, and the kids were perfectly happy playing in the sand and exploring their surroundings.
While we loved our Christmas experience on Isla Múcura, Dahlandia isn’t a resort we’d recommend to every family. The accommodations were very basic, and there were a few inconveniences that made our stay less comfortable than we’d hoped. That said, it’s one of the places we’ve stayed that we still talk about a lot today. You can read all about our memorable experience in our honest Dahlandia hotel review.
We would, however, happily recommend Colombia as a Christmas vacation destination for adventurous families. December is an excellent time to visit the Caribbean coast, with warm weather that’s ideal for exploring Cartagena, visiting Tayrona National Park or enjoying the beaches near Santa Marta.
Families looking for a bigger adventure could even consider hiking to Colombia’s Lost City, which we successfully completed with our young kids! It’s one of our favourite family hiking destinations.
For more inspiration, see our Colombia family travel itinerary, featuring our destinations and experiences along the Caribbean coast.
Riviera Maya, Mexico, at Christmas With Kids
Our very first family holiday during the Christmas season was a four-week trip to Playa del Carmen in Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya. Our kids were just 4 and 2 years old at the time, and we couldn’t have picked a better destination for an extended family getaway in December.
Although we returned to Canada on December 19, we still enjoyed plenty of Christmas spirit during our stay. The hotels and many restaurants were decorated for Christmas, which was a fun contrast to the warm weather and tropical surroundings. We loved being able to enjoy the festive atmosphere while spending our days swimming and exploring in the sunshine.
We rented a condo in Playa del Carmen, which made travelling with two young kids much easier. Having a kitchen, laundry facilities and a swimming pool gave us the flexibility to enjoy some downtime between adventures. We also rented a car, allowing us to explore the Riviera Maya at our own pace.
Some of our favourite family experiences included swimming in cenotes, visiting the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá and Cobá, and exploring the incredible Xcaret and Xel-Ha parks. Our kids especially loved playing at Xpu-Ha Beach and seeing tropical wildlife.
We highly recommend the Riviera Maya for families considering a Christmas vacation in Mexico. With warm weather, friendly people, delicious food and plenty of family-friendly activities, the Riviera Maya is an excellent choice for a Christmas trip with younger kids. There are plenty of family-friendly resorts if you prefer a relaxing beach holiday, but adventurous families will also find lots to keep them busy.
If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Mexico, be sure to read our complete guide to visiting the Riviera Maya with kids for our favourite activities, beaches, accommodations and practical family travel tips.
Read More
As you can see, we love our family vacations to Mexico. For more inspiration, don’t miss our list of our favourite places to travel in Mexico with kids.
Thailand at Christmas With Kids: Our Second Trip
When we returned to Thailand for another family Christmas holiday five years later, we wanted to find somewhere extra special to spend Christmas Day. We certainly succeeded! Our four-night stay at the 500 Rai Floating Resort in Khao Sok National Park remains one of our most cherished Christmas experiences anywhere in the world.
With our kids now 10 and 8 years old, we were excited to experience a different side of Thailand. The resort’s beautiful floating bungalows sit on Cheow Lan Lake, surrounded by towering limestone mountains and lush tropical jungle. We splurged on a family villa, where we could step outside and jump directly into the warm lake water.
Christmas morning began with a boat adventure to explore a cave deep within Khao Sok National Park. The jungle hike was memorable for all the wrong reasons, thanks to an abundance of leeches!
Thankfully, the day ended on an incredible high note. On our boat ride back, we spotted three wild elephants, including a baby, feeding along the shoreline. Seeing wild elephants in their natural habitat was an experience our family will never forget.
We spent the rest of Christmas Day enjoying our floating bungalow, swimming in the lake and playing on the water. Our kids loved jumping off our private dock, kayaking and paddleboarding, while we enjoyed the beautiful scenery surrounding us.
For adventurous families looking for unique Christmas vacation ideas, we can’t recommend Khao Sok National Park highly enough. The 500 Rai Floating Resort is expensive and takes some effort to reach, but we felt the experience was well worth it.
Our second family trip to Thailand also included time exploring Bangkok, relaxing on the beaches of Koh Lanta and returning to our favourite beaches around Ao Nang. We ranked our second Thailand trip lower because we enjoyed the overall itinerary of our first trip more. Both trips were excellent, and Thailand continues to be one of our favourite countries to visit with kids, especially over Christmas!
Huatulco and Oaxaca, Mexico, at Christmas
For our second Christmas family vacation in Mexico, we decided to explore the beautiful Pacific coast of Oaxaca. With our kids now 11 and 9 years old, we were looking for a combination of beach time, outdoor adventures and opportunities to experience more of Mexico’s incredible culture.
We started our trip with a relaxing pre-Christmas stay at the Barceló Huatulco all-inclusive resort. Located on beautiful Tangolunda Bay, we loved the resort’s beachfront setting, swimming pools and excellent food. It’s a great option for families who want an easy beach holiday over Christmas.
We also spent time exploring the smaller coastal towns around Mazunte and San Agustinillo, where we found some amazing family-friendly beaches along the Oaxaca coast.
Christmas Day itself was spent in Puerto Escondido. In the days leading up to Christmas, we enjoyed some exciting family adventures, including surfing lessons, dolphin watching and a mangrove kayaking tour. After all that excitement, we decided to keep Christmas Day simple, spending time on a nearby beach before returning to our condo for an afternoon by the pool.
While we really enjoyed our adventures around Puerto Escondido, it wasn’t our favourite place to spend Christmas. The popular beaches in Puerto Escondido were extremely busy during the holidays, and the city wasn’t as memorable as other destinations in Mexico.
Another highlight of our trip was visiting Oaxaca City, where we explored the ancient ruins of Monte Albán, sampled delicious local food and enjoyed the region’s fascinating culture. If you’re considering a Christmas trip to Mexico, don’t overlook Oaxaca! There are so many fun things to do in Oaxaca with kids, both along the coast and inland.
Although Puerto Escondido wasn’t our favourite stop, we would happily recommend the Oaxaca coast for a family Christmas vacation, especially if you enjoy combining beach time with outdoor adventures.
La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at Christmas
Swimming with whale sharks had been on our family travel bucket list for years, so when we started planning our Christmas trip, we knew exactly where we wanted to go! With our kids now 12 and 10 years old, we headed to Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula for a mix of exciting wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures and beach time.
We spent Christmas Day in La Paz, where we finally had the opportunity to swim alongside whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez. We joined a small-group snorkelling tour and were amazed by the enormous size of these gentle creatures. Our kids were strong swimmers, but still needed some help keeping up with the whale sharks. Sharing this incredible wildlife experience as a family was a Christmas memory we’ll always treasure.
La Paz turned out to be one of the best stops on this trip. Beyond the whale sharks, we enjoyed kayaking through the mangroves at Playa Balandra, snorkelling with colourful tropical fish and exploring the beautiful coastline. Read our guide to the best things to do in La Paz with kids for more family adventure ideas.
We also enjoyed some relaxing beach time at the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas all-inclusive resort, our favourite family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Mexico. After La Paz, we visited San José del Cabo with kids, where we enjoyed exploring the colourful historic centre and its festive Christmas decorations. The cool, windy weather put a damper on our time here.
While we enjoyed our Christmas vacation in Baja California Sur, we preferred several of our other Christmas destinations. The region can be expensive during the holidays, and many of the beaches also have dangerous swimming conditions.
That said, for families who love marine wildlife and outdoor adventures, La Paz is a great Christmas destination option. Swimming with whale sharks on Christmas Day was well worth the trip!
Why We Love Travelling Over Christmas as a Family
Travelling over Christmas has become one of our favourite family traditions. Instead of getting caught up in the busyness of the holiday season, we get to spend quality time together, exploring new destinations and enjoying experiences we might never have at home.
Some of our most memorable family adventures have happened on Christmas Day. We’ve searched for sloths in Costa Rica, swum alongside whale sharks in Mexico and spotted wild elephants in Thailand. We hope these are experiences our kids will remember long after they’ve forgotten what presents they received that year.
We also love the opportunity to experience different cultures during the Christmas holidays. Whether we’re enjoying delicious Thai food, exploring colourful Mexican towns decorated for Christmas or spending the day on a quiet Caribbean island, every destination offers something different.
Most importantly, travelling at Christmas gives us uninterrupted time together as a family. As our kids get older, we appreciate these shared adventures more than ever. Looking back at all our Christmas family vacations, it’s the special moments we’ve experienced together that make this tradition so worthwhile.
How We Celebrate Christmas While Travelling With Kids
Christmas Presents While Travelling
When travelling over Christmas, our kids still get presents, but we keep things simple while we’re away, bringing along a few small gifts or something digital that’s easy to pack.
The rest of their presents are waiting under the Christmas tree when we get home. It’s a tradition that works really well for our family. We get to enjoy an incredible family adventure over Christmas, and the kids have something exciting to look forward to when our vacation is over!
Keeping Our Favourite Christmas Traditions
We’ve learned to be flexible with our Christmas traditions while travelling. Instead of trying to recreate Christmas at home, we embrace the opportunity to celebrate somewhere new.
One tradition we’ve come to love is taking a family Christmas photo in each destination with our Santa hats. Whether we’re on a tropical beach or surrounded by jungle, it’s a fun way to mark the occasion and remember where we spent each Christmas.
Making Christmas Day Special Wherever We Are
When planning our family Christmas vacations, we always try to choose something fun to do on Christmas Day. Some years it’s a bucket-list adventure, like swimming with whale sharks in Mexico. Other years, we’re perfectly happy enjoying a beautiful beach together. We’ve learned that Christmas Day doesn’t need to be filled with activities to feel special. In fact, some of our best Christmas memories have come from slowing down and enjoying wherever we happen to be.
We recommend planning one special activity that suits your family’s interests, while leaving plenty of time to relax. If you’re booking a tour or visiting a popular attraction, be sure to confirm it’s operating on Christmas Day and reserve well in advance. Most importantly, don’t put too much pressure on making the day perfect. Travelling somewhere new is already an exciting way to celebrate Christmas with kids!
Our Final Thoughts on Christmas Family Vacations
We hope our favourite Christmas family holiday ideas have inspired you to consider spending the holidays somewhere new with your kids! Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing tropical beach vacation or an adventurous family trip filled with wildlife and outdoor activities, there are so many wonderful places to spend Christmas together.
Some of our most cherished family memories have come from our Christmas trips, and we hope your family will have the chance to create some equally special ones. Wherever your Christmas travels take you, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and an amazing family adventure!
Our Travel Journal for Kids
Based on our family travels, our kids helped us design this Travel Journal for Active Kids! This engaging travel journal encourages kids to document their adventures, spark creativity, and stay entertained on the go – grab yours now on Amazon!
