The phrase “family vacation” may conjure up memories of long road trips and hurried schedules — with only one week of PTO, you’ve got to go, go, go! But remote work is slowly killing the pack-it-all-in highlight tours. By taking a family workation, you can have more flexibility and can afford to stay longer in a destination by working for some or all of the time. This translates to a slower travel style with enough time to soak up the culture, meet locals, and maybe even relax a little bit.
Here are 5 amazing family travel destinations to consider for next year. These destinations were picked for their family friendliness, work friendliness, availability of child care, and affordability. So go ahead, plan a month-long family workation in 2023!
- Montreal, Canada
If you’re looking for some European flair without the jet lag, Montreal is a great family workation option! You can enjoy walking down the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, where you’re sure to find fresh baguettes, amazing wine, and good food on every corner. The kids will enjoy it too — it’s home to the famous Cirque du Soleil! The entire city has a fun, festive atmosphere with plenty of festivals and activities that the whole family can enjoy year round, making it an easy choice for one of the best family travel destinations.
Average Cost of living for a family: On the expensive side at $3,157 / month
Safety: Very safe
Best times to go: Avoid June which is the most expensive month. Shoulder season — April and May as well as August through October will give you good weather and cheaper prices than summer.
Nanny care agency available: Yes
Wifi: Very fast & reliable. The city offers a few co-working spaces. Be sure to check out Crew Cafe and Co-working — a gorgeous space that used to be the Royal Bank of Canada.
- Merida, Mexico
If you’re looking for a family workation south of the border, but without the typical party scene, check out Merida.. It’s got historic charm, colorful architecture, and a vibrant local culture. It’s surrounded by Mayan ruins, nature reserves, and it hosts many amazing art galleries and museums, making it one of the most unique family travel destinations. The city is also ideally located for day trips to other areas of the Yucatán region.
Average Cost of living for a family: On the cheaper side at $1,154/month
Safety: Generally safe; considered one of the safest cities in Mexico
Best times to go: Dry season is December through March, so that’ll give you the best weather but higher prices. You may want to avoid May through September as the temperatures are really hot and the mosquitoes are at their peak!
Nanny care agency available: No, but there are facebook groups that can help you find a reliable sitter
Wifi: Good. Average 6mbs according to Nomadlist. There’s a few good co-working spaces just north of the city and the historic downtown offers plenty of work-friendly cafes.
- Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal is known for its wine, history, and trendy art scene — it’s also surrounded by beautiful scenery which makes it a great place for nearby hiking and surfing . It’s a little smaller and a little cheaper than Lisbon, which makes Porto one of the best family travel destinations to soak up the authentic Portuguese culture.
Average Cost of living for a family: On the expensive side at $4,070/month
Safety: Very safe
Best times to go: May through September
Nanny care agency available: Yes
Wifi: Very fast & reliable. The city plenty of co-working spaces and work-friendly cafes, making this a great family workation destination.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is a major city in South America, so you’ll have all the amenities and convenience you’ll need to pull off a smooth family workation. Most people speak English, there’s plenty of amazing cafes and restaurants with good wifi, and you’ll have no problem getting around the city without a car. It’s also a vibrant, fun city that’s steeped in history and good food at a relatively low cost of living…so, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular family travel destinations!
Average Cost of living for a family: Moderately priced at $3,415/month
Safety: Generally safe; though be on the lookout for petty crime
Best times to go: April – June or September – December
Nanny care agency available: Yes
Wifi: Very fast & reliable, with plenty of co-working options
- Cuenca, Ecuador
This quaint city is the country’s third largest city and is steeped in history, colonial architecture, culture, and art. It’s also surrounded by gorgeous mountains, rivers, and ruins so you’re never far from an adventure!
Average Cost of living for a family: On the cheaper side at $2,653
Safety: Fairly safe; though use common sense and be on the lookout for petty crime
Best times to go: Weather is pretty mild year round. Dry season — and high tourist season — is from June to December.
Nanny care agency available: Yes
Wifi: Very fast & reliable, with plenty of co-working options