Long Haul family holiday help

[Aliceinwonder1]

Hi,

I am looking at holiday ideas for next year, likely Easter 2026 for me, husband and 2 kids aged 11 and 9. I am contemplating outside of Europe as we haven't done one with the kids yet and feel they are good ages for it however I am not sure where to go as we've only really done standard beach holidays before. Ideally I'd like somewhere that's hot still.
I am looking for somewhere where there's things for the kids to do like animal sanctuary/water parks etc but also beaches, restaurants etc local to where we stay. I am not keen on Florida or America in general right now and we are looking to do Thailand in 2028 so not there either. I have looked at Dubai but I know it's very expensive so am wondering if there are alternatives.
Any advice on where would be ideal places to look into would be appreciated thank you.

Playa del Carmen in Mexico has beaches, restaurants and all the Xcaret adventure parks.

Singapore

I was also going to say Yucatan in Mexico.
What about South Africa for safari and beaches if you are willing to travel? We did this itinerary and loved it: www.stubbornmuletravel.com/south-africa-itineraries/kruger-beach-family-safari/

I agree with Singapore. Even the airport is a day out.

Cape Town.

Another vote for Mexico, we stayed in the Riviera Maya Brady holiday we have had. Lots to do outside the hotel especially the Xcaret parks

Look at Hong Kong .
There's a huge amount to see an do in a smallish space. There's food, history, museums, music, theatre, beaches, pools, hiking, brunching, ocean park has a water park. Macau is a cool ferry ride away and there are lots of out lying islands to visit. Plus big Buddha, gardens... the list is endless.
It's busy but you can find solitude too.

And check everybody's passports and visa requirements now.

South Africa or Costa Rica … although CR is expensive

Thank you for the suggestions so far. I have always liked the look of Bali too, had anyone done there with kids?

We have been to Bali. Pre Covid. Some areas are lovely, but I'd avoid Kuta. It's like the bad side of Magaluf. Do your research before you go if you do go. Also check times of year to go as we went at Christmas and storms had pushed all the flotsam and jetsam onto some of the beaches.

Paddy Doyle did a YouTube revisit which is worth watching.

Mauritius or Costa Rica

Mauritius looks beautiful - do you know what different things are there for kids at all?

where abouts did you go please, and did you do a short layover or stay somewhere for a few days? I love the look of Bali but never done that long a flight before so unsure how it all works.

We did Hong Kong and Vietnam (Hoi Chi Minh City and Hoi An) with a 9 year old and they loved it all! Did cable cars and Ocean Park and fireworks, plus trams and ferries in HK. Loved the beach on the outskirts of Hoi An and loads to do in both there and Ho Chi Minh City. The following year we did Cambodia and Thailand

@Aliceinwonder1
We actually flew in from Hong Kong as we were living there at the time. We stayed in Kuta, which we didn't like . Too busy, dirty, noisy and nasty.
Look at Seminyak or Nusa Dua. Or north of the island for peace and quiet .
When there we spent a day cycling round Bali, we did a day tour of temples, we went to Nusa Dua to see where we would have preferred to stay. Spent a day at WaterBom Bali, a really fun water park.
We were quite busy as we hated the hotel pool area, it was heaving.

You could easily stop in Singapore or Bangkok would be good, too. Singapore probably more relaxed.

It's very popular with Australians. Their "Chavs" are known as Bogans. It's a lovely island but busy during holiday seasons, especially Christmas. Just don't stay in Kuta.

Do your research and spend money to make sure you are far away from the rowdy crowds.

We recently did Vietnam with two kids. Highly recommend it

Singapore, clean, safe and lots to do and see

Singapore is very expensive

How about

Turkey
Egypt
Morocco

Have a look at Goa. Your £ goes a very long way there (beer on the beach £1.50, main dishes in nice safe restaurants £4). Probably over half of the tourists are middle-class Indians, which make for a really interesting atmosphere. A day or two in Delhi or Mumbai (e.g., Gandhi's house) at the start or end would also be an interesting experience for everyone.

I’ve been to Bali with my dcs. We rented a villa in ubud, so not on the coast. If you want a coastal area avoid Kuta. We have friends who lived in sinagapore and they recommend nusa dua. Weather in July and august is hot and dry. Lots to explore in ubud : monkey forest, temples, great restaurants.

Have a look at exodus holidays for ideas and itineraries of what there is to do.

South Africa and Vietnam are economic when you arrive

Thank you. Will take a look at all the suggestions, my husband thinks the kids might be a little young for them and would probably not appreciate it all but I'm leaning towards you don't get many years with them so just do it!

@Aliceinwonder1 kids will 100% remember! DD just turned 21 and was reminding us in great detail about a trip to Kenya aged 11 and Malaysia aged 5.
Go for it!

It's not that we don't think they'll remember, more whether it'll be the right type of holiday. They don't really do the relaxing thing yet as most kids I'm sure lol