The Best Spring Break Destinations for Families in 2027
I know. The holidays haven't even happened yet.
You may currently be figuring out who's hosting what and wondering how it's almost the end of the year.
So naturally, I'm here to talk about... spring break.
March and April feel very far away right now, but here's the problem with spring break: everyone has the same week off.
And everyone wants the same great hotels, villas, flights, guides and beaches.
So instead of waiting until February and asking me, "Where can we still go?" let's figure out where you actually WANT to go while we still have options.
And I've got a few ideas.
When to Book Spring Break 2027
Spring break dates aren't exactly known for their flexibility, so waiting doesn't magically create more great options.
Easter falls on March 28 in 2027, so check your school calendar early. If you're thinking about traveling in March or April, now is when I'd start.
Spring Break in Ireland: For the Family That Doesn't Need a Beach
Hear me out. Everyone immediately thinks sunshine for spring break, but I actually love the idea of doing something completely different.
Ireland in March isn't going to give you swimsuit weather. Pack a rain jacket, embrace the possibility of four seasons in one day, and go anyway.
Spend a few nights in Dublin, head west through the countryside, stay in an incredible castle or country estate, stop at tiny pubs, drive the coast, and come home with approximately 4,000 photos of sheep.
And if you have enough time, you could even combine Ireland and Scotland for a bigger adventure.
Spring Break in the Riviera Maya: For Easy Sunshine
Okay, okay. You want sunshine. Mexico makes spring break EASY. And there are so many ways to do it.
Want a beautiful all-inclusive where everyone can disappear to their preferred pool and meet back up for dinner? Done. Want something smaller, quieter and more luxurious? We can do that too.
And when you've had enough pool time, you can add cenotes, snorkeling, ruins, boating or a day trip.
It's one of my favorite options when the assignment is basically: please give us a really good vacation without making this complicated.
Spring Break in New Zealand: For the BIG Adventure
Now we're talking. I've been to New Zealand twice, and I would go back tomorrow.
March is actually early autumn there, which means you can still have beautiful weather while moving out of the peak summer season.
This isn't really a sit-by-the-pool spring break. You're road-tripping through ridiculous scenery, hiking, drinking wine, taking boats through fjords, and potentially throwing yourself off something in Queenstown if that's your idea of fun.
My only caveat? You need time. I wouldn't fly all the way to New Zealand for a five-night spring break. But if you have 10 days or can stretch your school calendar a little, now we're having a different conversation.
Spring Break in Hawaii: No Passport Required
Sometimes easy wins. No passport. Beautiful resorts. Beaches. Hiking. Snorkeling. Great restaurants. And several islands that can give you completely different vacations.
I love Hawaii for families because you can make the trip as active or as lazy as you want. Spend the morning hiking and the afternoon at the pool. Take a helicopter ride one day and do absolutely nothing the next.
And if you have enough time, split the trip between two islands.
Spring Break in South Africa: Where I'm Going
And then there's the trip I'm apparently incapable of staying away from.
I'm going back to South Africa for spring break. Yes, again.
After taking Charlie to Africa, I'm even more convinced that safari can be an incredible family trip. You can spend a few days in Cape Town exploring, eating extremely well, visiting the coast and wine country, and then completely change gears and head into the bush.
City, wine, penguins and lions? I don't know what else you need.
And if you're wondering whether I'm really taking Charlie back to Africa this soon... Yes. She loved it that much, and so did we.
So... Where Should You Go for Spring Break?
This is the part where I give you my favorite travel-advisor answer: it depends.
Want easy sunshine? Mexico or Hawaii.
Want cozy pubs, castles and something different? Ireland.
Want a BIG adventure? New Zealand.
Want wildlife, incredible hotels, great food and a trip your family will probably talk about forever? South Africa.
Thinking About Spring Break?
You don't have to come to me knowing the answer. Tell me who is going, how much time you have, what you want to spend, and what you want the trip to feel like. That's where we start.
Beach, Europe or BIG adventure? Tell me what you're feeling and I'll tell you where I'd send you.