How I Burned Out Planning a Family Trip—And Found the Secret to Stress-Free Travel

How to Plan a Stress-Free Vacation (Without Burning Out)

Planning a vacation should be exciting — not exhausting. But if you’re the default trip planner in your family, you know how quickly “let’s go somewhere fun” turns into dozens of browser tabs, booking stress, and mental fatigue. I learned the hard way on a family trip to Costa Rica. Here’s how I turned chaos into calm — and why I’ll never plan without AAA again.

This article is sponsored by AAA Travel.

The Hidden Stress of Being the Family Trip Planner

When we first started talking about taking a family trip to Costa Rica, I could practically hear the howler monkeys and feel the tropical breeze. I imagined us hiking through rainforests, discovering hidden waterfalls, spotting toucans and sloths in the wild, and ending our days with beachside sunsets and fresh local food. It was going to be the adventure of a lifetime.

And it was. But not in the way I expected.

What Can Go Wrong With DIY Travel Planning

If you’ve ever tried DIY travel planning as a parent, you already know it can spiral quickly. I became the travel agent, the tour guide, and the chauffeur. I booked the flights, chose the accommodations, and created an itinerary so detailed it could rival a tour company packet.

What I didn’t do? Plan to enjoy the vacation myself.

We landed in Costa Rica and I was instantly on high alert. My husband was driving a rental car through unfamiliar roads with spotty GPS, trying to keep our daughter entertained, and constantly reviewing our itinerary in my head.

Pro Tip: If you’re renting a car in Costa Rica, consider renting one with four-wheel drive. 

Our accommodations looked great online, but I hadn’t realized how spread out they were. One night we were in the mountains, the next on the coast. The drives took longer than expected, and what I thought would be scenic turned out to be stressful. I was so focused on keeping the trip moving that I didn’t take the time to slow down and just be there.

And then came the final straw: the night before we flew home, I realized I forgot to book our airport transfer. Cue the scramble.

The Reality of DIY Travel Planning

Don’t get me wrong — there were some incredible moments. We saw monkeys swinging through the treetops, hiked to jaw-dropping waterfalls, and had some truly delicious meals. But the moments leading up to those experiences? Exhausting.

Why AAA Makes Vacation Planning So Much Easier

That’s when I made a promise to myself: Next time, I’m booking with AAA.

AAA offers vacation packages that take the guesswork out of travel. They help you plan a stress-free vacation by bundling your flights, hotels, excursions, and even airport transfers. Their travel advisors provide personalized guidance based on your needs and interests, and they make sure your trip flows smoothly from start to finish.

Customized Itineraries With No Guesswork

AAA helps families avoid the overwhelm by creating tailored itineraries. You don’t have to cross-reference 13 tabs to compare jungle tours or second-guess accommodations.

One-Stop Booking for Flights, Hotels & Excursions

With AAA, it’s all in one place. No juggling confirmation numbers or worrying about mismatched plans.

Emergency Support When You Need It

Things don’t always go according to plan. With AAA, you’re not alone if something comes up during your trip. That kind of backup support is invaluable.

The #1 Travel Mistake I’ll Never Make Again

What I spent weeks researching and coordinating? AAA could have done in a few hours — and probably done better.

Here’s what booking through AAA would have looked like:

• ✔️ A thoughtfully selected hotel close to our activities
• ✔️ Guided tours vetted for families with kids
• ✔️ An easy-to-understand itinerary with everything in one place
• ✔️ Someone to call if things didn’t go as planned

And most importantly? Peace of mind.

Tips for Stress-Free Family Travel You’ll Actually Enjoy

If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by vacation planning, you’re not alone. Family travel burnout is real, and it can take the joy out of even the most beautiful destinations.

Here are a few tips that made all the difference:

• Don’t try to do it all. Pick a few must-do activities and build in downtime.
• Use a travel advisor if planning isn’t your strong suit (or you just want support).
• Bundle your bookings to simplify logistics.
• Choose family-friendly destinations with good infrastructure.
• Let go of perfection. Good trips aren’t flawless; they’re full of connection.

Travel planning doesn’t have to be a full-time job. Let AAA’s expert travel advisors help you build your dream trip without the stress. Because the only thing you should be worrying about is what to pack — not how to get there.

Stress less. Explore more. That’s the AAA way. Ready to plan your next vacation without the stress? Check out AAA’s vacation planning services and travel packages.