Southwest as non stops from BWI to Belize now, unsure of the days of the week.

Love St John, but before booking see if you can find a car rental first.

Anonymous wrote:PS st John poster here. door to door it took us 12 hours from DMV.

That might still be a bit much for a Thanksgiving Break.

-family of three who went to St John for a week (seven nights) three times 10+ years ago. YMMV.

I'd do Costa Rica with teens, as there is so much more to do than St. John. Belize seems too difficult to get to.

Another option could be Guatemala. We went for 5 days - there are direct flights from IAD, and it was amazing. We squeezed in a lot of fun activities - climbing volcano and staying overnight to watch the eruptions all night, zip lining and water activities on Lake Atitlan, jade carving, etc. It was inexpensive and fun!

I’ve been to St John, Costa Rica, and Turks and Caicos. My sister and two of my good friends have been to Belize.

My order would be: Costa Rica, St John, and way way behind Turks and Caicos. My kids favorites trip ever was Costa Rica. We also loved St John. The beaches at Turks and Caicos are gorgeous besides that we weren’t feeling it.

I’ve heard mixed things about Belize. Two of my three LOVED it. A friend went recently and didn’t like it but it may have been the weather.

PS st John poster here. door to door it took us 12 hours from DMV.

Love StJ but it takes all day to get there from here. Have to fly to St Thomas, drive across the island and then take the ferry to St John. Too much for such a short trip!

Anonymous wrote:These are all tough for Thanksgiving because of flights. I wouldn't put any of my list for Thanksgiving (but have been to all and love Costa Rica and Belize for teens!). Maybe St. John's, but that's if your boys are good with low key and not much to do. I'd do Turks or Aruba.

Please elaborate as to why Turks with teens might be a good option. I do recall someone telling me it was a good place for kite surfing. Never done it but sounds fun.

Just FYI it’s St John, and it’s lovely, but if I were going with teens, I would choose Costa Rica or Belize.

I vote Belize given the shorter time frame.

We just spent winter break in CR and loved it. That said, traveling takes a long time to go from place to place and each environment is totally different. We spent 10 days there and hit three different areas.

That is the end of rainy season for CR- just something to think about.

These are all tough for Thanksgiving because of flights. I wouldn't put any of my list for Thanksgiving (but have been to all and love Costa Rica and Belize for teens!). Maybe St. John's, but that's if your boys are good with low key and not much to do. I'd do Turks or Aruba.

I would do Belize. It is more compact and as you say, has beaches and adventure. Also history, in the form of the ruins (maybe that's what you meant by adventure?)

There are direct flights from Dulles to st Thomas (which is where you fly to get the ferry to St. John. St. John has no airport.)

I am partial to St. John and would choose it any day of the week. But teenage boys- if they wouldn’t be content with hiking, snorkeling, and reading on the beach for a week- might prefer Costa Rica if they want lots of activities? Don’t know much about Belize.

Early in the process of looking into three destinations for 5-6 days over Thanksgiving. Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenage boys). Considering the time of year, the amount of time we have, weather and flights which would you choose? All look amazing. Is 5-6 days enough time for Costa Rica. Thinking we would have to stick to one region considering travel in between. Belize seems like it could be doable with this time frame..being more compact. Belize also seems like it might be a mix of the other two (adventure and beaches). Not seeing any direct flights to Belize from the DMV but there are 1 stop options, same for Costa and STJ. I think Costa Rice will be in transition form rainy to dry season, STJ and Belize weather seems pleasant. Seems like and ideal time for all three?