Nine Family-Friendly International Destinations with Southwest

It's easy to see why Southwest ranks among TPG's top airlines for families. With flexible change and cancellation policies, using your points is a breeze. Additionally, the airline offers family boarding and allows two free checked bags along with a full-sized carry-on. These perks are invaluable for traveling with larger groups or young children.

Moreover, Southwest boasts an expanding selection of international beach getaways. The airline now serves 10 countries across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. And while not international, don't overlook Puerto Rico and Southwest's five Hawaiian destinations.

Before you finalize your international travel plans, be sure to consult TPG's comprehensive guide to coronavirus recovery by country. It's also essential to stay informed about any vaccination and testing requirements and to complete any necessary paperwork in advance.

A standout feature of Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program, especially appealing to family travelers, is the Companion Pass. This benefit allows you to take a friend or family member on any Southwest flight—domestic or international—without using additional points or cash.

To qualify for the Companion Pass, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points within a calendar year. The good news is that the bonus points from Southwest credit cards count towards this total, making the current welcome offers on their personal cards particularly attractive.

These credit cards include the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. Each card currently offers 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening your account.

Here are nine international destinations where families can travel with Southwest, and having the Companion Pass can help you save on your journey.

Aruba

Aruba is arguably one of my favorite Caribbean islands for families. The waters are calm and crystal clear, the beaches are spacious, and there are numerous hotel options along with kid-friendly activities available across the island. The weather is nearly always ideal, and since Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt, it’s a sought-after summer and fall getaway.

I’ve taken my 8-year-old daughter to Aruba twice: first when she was 18 months old and again at 2 and a half. Among all our beach vacations, my husband and I frequently reminisce about how much we adore Aruba for family trips.

Fly into: Aruba (AUA) with direct flights from Baltimore (BWI).

Bahamas

The Bahamas is a fantastic choice for a family-friendly getaway, especially with the opening of Baha Mar.

Within the complex, you can choose from the Rosewood, SLS, and Grand Hyatt, which is a perfect way to use your World of Hyatt points. Don't forget about Atlantis on Paradise Island, which I dreamed of visiting as a kid. Sliding through a shark tank definitely adds some excitement!

Even better, The Bahamas is conveniently close to the U.S. mainland, making for a quick flight for East Coast travelers. Personally, I prefer to minimize flight time with kids, particularly for a long weekend.

Southwest fares to Nassau are typically quite affordable—an important factor to consider when buying tickets for the whole family. A few years back, I flew my family of four to Nassau for just 18,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points per round-trip ticket from Boston. Since we’re a family of four, I only needed to buy three tickets as my daughter was my Companion Pass guest.

Fly into: Nassau (NAS), with direct flights available from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Baltimore (BWI).

Cayman Islands

When Grand Cayman fully reopens to family visitors, you'll discover soft, white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a wealth of kid-friendly activities all over the island. Don’t miss the chance to visit Stingray City—it's an unforgettable experience where you can swim with stingrays, a rare opportunity indeed!

For those looking to use hotel points for a complimentary stay, Grand Cayman offers a variety of options. You'll find everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxurious resorts. The Westin Grand Cayman is currently on my radar; it's a Marriott Bonvoy Category 7 property requiring 60,000 points on standard dates. Quite reasonable, considering paid rates often exceed $600 per night.

Fly into: Grand Cayman (GCM), with nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Baltimore (BWI). Southwest will restart service to Grand Cayman in March 2022.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is ideal for those looking for a diverse vacation experience. You can begin your adventure at Arenal Volcano, explore the rainforest, and then enjoy surfing on the beach. Be sure to embrace the adrenaline-pumping activities like whitewater rafting and zip-lining along the way. In my view, Costa Rica is better suited for families whose kids are past the baby and toddler phases, but there are still plenty of wonderful resorts for families with younger children to relax in.

The Andaz Costa Rica in Papagayo offers exceptional value. As a Category 5 property, it costs just 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. With a complimentary kids' club for children aged four and up (though some activities may incur additional fees), this hotel is a fantastic deal you won’t want to miss.

Southwest offers flights to two airports in Costa Rica: San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR). You can kick off your vacation in one city, explore the country, and then depart from another location if you choose.

Fly into:

• Liberia (LIR), with direct flights from Baltimore (BWI), Houston (HOU), Denver (DEN), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
• San Jose (SJO), with direct flights from Baltimore (BWI) and Houston (HOU).

Dominican Republic

If you're in search of an all-inclusive resort for your family, the Dominican Republic is the perfect destination.

Family vacations here are a breeze, as it's one of those places where you can simply stay at the resort. Just unwind by the pool or on the beach and soak up the sun. There are plenty of kids' club activities and usually nightly entertainment. My family enjoyed a fantastic trip a few years back at The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

If you're interested in using World of Hyatt points, consider the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana. Additionally, with Marriott's newly added all-inclusive properties, there are ample chances to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points.

Keep in mind that Southwest only services Punta Cana within the Dominican Republic. As a large country with various resort regions, make sure to plan your accommodations accordingly.

Fly into: Punta Cana (PUJ), with direct flights available from Baltimore (BWI) and Chicago (MDW). Nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) will begin on February 17, 2022.

Mexico

Southwest offers flights to four destinations in Mexico—Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Cozumel. The airline provides nonstop service from many of its major cities, making it a convenient choice for families who prefer to avoid connecting flights.

Traveling to Mexico can be more cost-effective than the Caribbean options mentioned earlier. There are plenty of all-inclusive resorts available, which means you won't have to continuously spend money on meals or kids' club activities. Many of these resorts offer great points deals, such as the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, which requires 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night, plus an additional 12,500 points for each extra guest. While these costs can add up, you'll save on daily expenses.

Fly into:

• Los Cabos (SJD), with direct flights available from Houston (HOU); Austin, Texas (AUS); Baltimore (BWI); Chicago (MDW); Denver (DEN); Sacramento (SMF); Oakland, California (OAK); Phoenix (PHX); and San Diego (SAN).
• Puerto Vallarta (PVR), with nonstop flights from Austin (AUS) starting March 12, 2022; Houston (HOU); Denver (DEN); Orange County/Santa Ana, California (SNA); Phoenix (PHX); and San Diego (SAN).
• Cancun (CUN), with direct flights from Fort Lauderdale (FLL); Baltimore (BWI); Pittsburgh (PIT); Columbus, Ohio (CMH); Milwaukee (MKE); Chicago (MDW and ORD); Kansas City, Missouri (MCI); Indianapolis (IND); Nashville (BNA); St. Louis (STL); New Orleans (MSY); Denver (DEN); Austin (AUS); Houston (HOU); Phoenix (PHX); and San Antonio (SAT).
• Cozumel (CZM), with nonstop flights from Houston (HOU) and Denver (DEN) beginning March 12, 2022.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos is a destination that truly offers everything—white sandy beaches, exquisite dining, abundant adventure, and vibrant nightlife. While it may be a top choice for a relaxing beach escape, one reason you might hesitate to visit is the steep cost!

The island boasts numerous luxurious and family-friendly hotels, with nightly rates that can soar depending on the property. Fortunately, Hyatt's collaboration with Small Luxury Hotels of the World provides two options for redeeming your World of Hyatt points, and the Andaz Turks and Caicos is set to open in 2023.

Additionally, there's the brand-new Ritz Carlton in Turks & Caicos, where families can use Marriott Bonvoy points for an award stay. If you prefer to book non-points properties, consider charging the stay to a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and using your Capital One miles to cover the expense.

Fly into: Providenciales (PLS), with direct flights from Baltimore (BWI) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Grace Bay Beach. (Photo by minimum/Getty Images)

Belize

If Central America is on your family's travel list, you can fly to Belize with Southwest Airlines. Belize has plenty to offer families of all ages, including rainforests, top-notch scuba diving, and stunning beaches.

For accommodations, you can accumulate your Hilton Honors points to stay at the Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton, which costs between 45,000 and 75,000 points per night. (Note that you'll need to take a 15-minute flight or water taxi to reach the resort.) Additionally, if you hold Hilton elite status, you can enjoy your fifth night free.

Fly into: Belize City (BZE), with direct flights available from Denver (DEN) and Houston (HOU). Southwest's service to Belize City resumes on Nov. 7, 2021.

Jamaica

Like Mexico, Jamaica features numerous all-inclusive options for families. While the country has several international airports, Southwest only services Montego Bay. Therefore, it's advisable to choose a hotel located on the western side of the island if you're flying with Southwest.

Luckily, there are several great options available, including the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall (or the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall), the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, and the Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay. If you stay at the Holiday Inn, you can enjoy a fourth night free just for having the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Fly into: Montego Bay (MBJ), with direct flights available from Baltimore (BWI), Chicago (MDW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (HOU), and St. Louis (STL).

Bottom line

While Southwest's international route map may not be the most extensive, it includes many convenient destinations that are perfect for families. The Southwest Companion Pass makes it easy for your family to explore fantastic international locations at a significant discount. Coupled with a robust Rapid Rewards balance, this has enabled my family to embark on trips we otherwise couldn't afford.