It’s hard to imagine but spring break is right around the corner. The cool winter days are finally getting farer and few between leading to cool breezes and comfortable temperatures around the Valley. This weeklong break is a perfect time to pack up the family and go on and adventure. Many great spots exist to take the family for spring break this year. Here are three popular areas you may want to consider when planning your next trip.
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Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, otherwise just known as Cabo, has many great activities and places to visit for a spring break excursion with the family. From whale watching to zip-lining and snorkeling the many amazing beaches, Cabo is the perfect place for a family adventure.
Whale watching
Whale watching season falls right in line with spring break in Cabo. Humpback and Gray whales are migrating this time of year through the area to reach feeding grounds. Many tours are available for families to go out on boats to see these majestic creatures while they feed and break the surface. It is a sight to see and an experience your children will never forget.
Zip-lining
For those families looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush consider tackling one of the amazing zip lines in the Baja desert as a day trip. Many areas around Cabo offer guided zip-lining tours, and ATV adventures across the dunes. These activities are perfect for the more adventurous folks looking to get out and feel the need for speed while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Snorkeling
Santa Maria Bay is one of the best places in the world to experience life underwater. As a protected marine sanctuary, it is an untouched by humans allowing wildlife living under the waves to live as they wish. This means it provides beautiful scenery and amazing interactions by snorkelers, young and old, to view the amazing aquatic animals underneath the water. This is the perfect way to show your children the wonders of the ocean and have fun while experiencing it together.
Costa Rica
Springtime is the perfect time of year to visit Costa Rica as the humidity and temperature levels are relatively low during these months. Costa Rica offers many different adventures for families from the jungle to the mountains to the beaches. This small country really has something for any style of family visiting the area.
Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is one of the most iconic spots to visit in Costa Rica. Families and individuals alike can traverse the many trails seeing local wildlife and fauna throughout the area. Travelling along the multitude of trails and hanging bridges you are likely to see indigenous wildlife like howler monkeys swinging through the trees or lazy sloths sleeping on branches. After your long hike you and your family can relax in one of the many hot springs around the area. If you are looking to get a bit more adventurous consider taking a horse guided tour or trek up to two of the areas observation towers so you and your family can get a sky-high look at the vast jungle that surrounds you.
Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife safari
Nature lovers will also enjoy going on a wildlife safari through Manuel Antonio National Park, known by the locals as Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. A guided tour is best to make sure you see the wildlife you want to experience on a trip like this. From monkeys to iguanas to toucans and even sloths, wildlife tours in this area are sure to bring out the wonderment in your children’s eyes as they see these amazing creatures living in their natural habitats. When you get a bit worn out from the day of hiking, Manuel Antonio National Park offers many pristine beaches such as Escondido Beach which is the perfect cooling off spot after a long trek through the wilderness.
Visit a chocolate farm
Costa Rica is known for its amazing coffee and chocolate. Many farms in the country provide tours and interactive experiences for guests to better learn the process of where coffee and chocolate originates. Whether it is bean to coffee or bean to chocolate you have options for yourself as a parent and your children to see how some of your favorite treats are made. Do your best to plan beforehand as farm tours can fill up pretty fast.
San Diego
For families looking for a closer to home adventure, San Diego is a great place to start. With its amazing beaches, awesome restaurants and family friendly fun, San Diego is a great place altogether.
LEGOLAND
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy LEGOLAND. Odds are you played with LEGOs when you were a child. Bring back that nostalgia and introduce or help your kids along their own Lego journeys while visiting this amazing amusement park. From roller coasters to shows and a variety of different attractions, LEGOLAND has something to offer the entire family. Consider staying at the LEGOLAND hotel or if you are only visiting for the day take the factory tour to see how some of your favorite blocks and kits are created. Before leaving don’t forget to pick up a few new LEGO kits to put together as a family once you get home.
San Diego Zoo
The world-famous San Diego Zoo is a must see for any visitor going to San Diego. With over 700,000 exotic plants and over 12,000 rare and endangered animals, the zoo offers a variety of activities for children and adults alike. For the best experience try visiting in the morning when the zookeepers are doing the feedings so you can get a closer look at the many animals the zoo provides. Children will also enjoy the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp where they can learn more about the animals before soaring across the park in the Skyfari aerial tram system. For the parents, if you start getting a bit tired of walking around you can always take a guided bus tour throughout the park to cool off and take a break from all the walking.
La Jolla Cove
For more adventurous outings consider La Jolla Cove. Snorkeling and scuba diving is an excellent activity in this area to see amazing amounts of wildlife from small sharks to exotic fish. You can also take a leisurely walk along the cliff in the late afternoon to catch a beautiful sunset you will never forget. Surrounding La Jolla Cove is the historic La Valencia Hotel that is perfect for an afternoon stroll through. The surrounding areas offer many amazing food opportunities and great nightlife.
You truly can’t choose wrong when it comes to these three destinations for spring break this year. Each of these amazing destinations provides awesome adventures, beautiful sceneries and many activities for the entire family to create lifelong memories.
Author: Tamara Lidbom is the Owner and Travel Advisor at Anytime Travel Agency in Peoria, Arizona. Lidbom specializes in creating bucket list itineraries for families, and couples to experience locations like the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and beyond.
