Argentina is the perfect South America destination for a family trip as it’s a country packed with opportunities to make memories with your children that you’ll bond over forever. Not only does it boast one of the world’s most captivating capital cities, but it also boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultures. In the south, Patagonia awaits to take your family on epic adventures around steppes and across glaciers to the world’s most picturesque mountain peaks. The cities of the central regions await to introduce your kids to Argentina’s proudly progressive and creative modern culture while the heartlands offer your family a warm welcome to rural life at a relaxed Argentinian estancia. And finally, the indigenous communities of northern Argentina await to share an insight into their simple but freeing lives in the adobe villages of Salta’s desert.

Few places in the world will you find such a variety of experiences to suit the whole family. While some experiences allow for some relaxed family bonding, others will encourage family members of every age to find their adventurous side and even challenge their limits. At the least, the experiences will give you something to fondly reminisce about over the dinner table for years to come. Most likely, however, they will give you all (particularly your children) a proud sense of achievement. In this article, we cover some of the exceptionally exciting experiences you could have on an Argentina family trip in our suggested itineraries. We take you glamping in Patagonia, horseback riding in Cordoba, kayaking in Iguazu Falls, and much more. Read on to see where your Argentina family trip could take you.

Argentinian City and Country: Buenos Aires and Nahuel Huapi

Enjoy the contrasts of Argentina by combining your busy city escapades in Buenos Aires with some quality time spent as a family in the great outdoors in Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche. Like any city stay, Buenos Aires should be all about seeing the city’s famous sights and soaking up its unique culture. Your kids will be bedazzled by the bright colors of Boca, charmed by the tango dancers on the streets of San Telmo, and inspired by the architecture in Recoleta. Exploring cities can get pretty tiring though, which is why we recommend staying at the palatial Four Seasons Hotel bordering Retiro and Recoleta. With luxurious spacious suites and a rooftop pool, it offers a wonderful place of respite for all ages within this non-stop city.

After ticking off your Buenos Aires bucket list, swap the city for the great outdoors at Lake Nahuel Huapi in western central Argentina. Surrounded by conifer-covered mountains, Nahuel Huapi is Argentina’s idea of an Alpine escape. It offers an array of exciting family outdoor pursuits like mountain biking, kayaking, ziplining, and rock climbing which allow your kids to find their confidence and tap into their wild side. Plus, nothing encourages a bit of family bonding more than a group rapelling experience! Sometimes, however, there’s nothing more rewarding than simply hanging by the pool, eating a sublime meal, or playing a round of cards together at a luxurious lakeside retreat like the Villa Beluno Hotel.

Northern Argentina: Cultural Salta and Iguazu Falls

While cities can be exciting and mountainous landscapes can be awe-inspiring, there’s nothing more intriguing to kids than exploring cultures vastly different from their own. That’s why we recommend a road trip through the cacti-sprinkled lunar landscapes of the Salta province to visit its adorable adobe villages like Purmamarca, Tilcara, and Humahuaca. Watch your kids’ eyes widen and their knowledge grow as they explore local markets filled with colorful handicrafts, visit local farms, try indigenous dishes, and observe the unique aspects of indigenous Argentina. Combine your cultural excursions with a bit of adventure by visiting some of Salta’s incredible landscapes like the Argentinian Salt Flats, Hill of Seven Colours, and Quebrada de las Conchas along the way.

Continue your tour of northern Argentina by heading to the Iguazu Falls rainforest, which provides a complete change of pace and change of scenery for your family trip. As the largest system of waterfalls in the world, it’s no wonder this unfathomable sight is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. To see it in person is one thing, but to see it in person with your family is an experience you’ll all treasure forever. During your stay, your family can enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits like hiking, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. For times of much-needed rest, there are plenty of luxury accommodations waiting to offer respite. We recommend staying in a private cabin complete with an infinity pool hidden within the canopies at the gorgeous Awasi Lodge at Puerto Iguazú.

Adventure and relaxation in Rural Argentina: Cordoba and Patagonia

If your family’s in the mood to unwind and reconnect with a getaway to the great outdoors, consider staying in the rural regions of Argentina. Begin your vacation with an adventurous week of outdoor pursuits in El Chaltén, Los Glaciares National Park. Home to some of the world’s most recognizable mountain peaks and greatest glaciers, your family will cherish the memories you make together here forever. With hiking routes for all ability levels as well as other exciting activities like ice trekking, kayaking, and sailing to the Upsala Glacier, the park offers something for all ages. To make the experience that bit more memorable, we recommend staying in Chaltén Camp’s luxury glamping pods.

After an action-packed week of adventure in Chaltén Camp, it’s time to wind down and enjoy life in the slow lane at an estancia in the Sierras de Cordoba. While it has been an idyllic setting for countryside retreats amongst Argentinian families for years, it is still very much under the radar for international travelers. From skydiving to horseback riding, there’s many an adventure to be had in the sierras. However, you can wind down instead and simply immerse in the roots of the region. We recommend staying with your family at the rustic Estancia Los Potreros a luxury family-owned and run boutique hotel and ranch complete with its own farm and spa. Nothing beats an afternoon at the pool followed by a traditional asado after a busy day mountain biking and feeding the animals at the farm with the family.

Ultimate Argentinian Family Trip: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and Patagonia

Take your family on the ultimate Argentinian adventure with an itinerary that includes the country’s three most coveted destinations: Patagonia, Buenos Aires, and Iguazu Falls. We recommend starting the trip in Los Glaciares National Park which has the most diverse landscapes and range of activities of any park in Argentinian Patagonia. Stay at the Eolo Patagonia Spirit which stands in solitude on the vast Patagonian steppes just a few miles from El Calafate. While the traditional estancia-style luxury hotel offers a quiet place of rest and relaxation, its menu of activities ensures your family will never feel restless. Enjoy ziplining, 4×4 rides, and mountain biking with Eolo, or venture out into the national park to visit its expansive glaciers.

Then, spend a few days soaking up modern Argentinian culture in the nation’s beautiful capital, Buenos Aires, a city that is truly enriching for all ages. As you introduce your kids to Argentina’s delicious cuisine, immerse them in its history, and indulge them in its exceptional art scene, you’ll get to see their world expand before your eyes. 

There’s no better way to complete an unforgettable family trip than by visiting Iguazu Falls together. Family vacations are all about making memories that will bond you forever, and there’s no doubt that witnessing the pure power and beauty of the world’s largest waterfall system (and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) will be one of the most treasured. While there are plenty of adventurous activities to embark on in the Iguazu jungles, from hiking and cycling to kayaking and whitewater rafting, it can also be a tranquil stop for families that want to wind down. A luxury oasis hidden amongst the canopies, the Awasi Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy quality family time in a laid-back jungle setting.

Plan Your Family Trip to Argentina Now

Whether you go horseriding in the steppes of Patagonia, sauntering through the city of Buenos Aires, or kayaking beneath Iguazu Falls, your family will create unforgettable memories on your Argentina family trip. There are so many ways to experience this vast country, it’s easy to tailor a trip to perfectly suit your family’s vacation preferences with the help of our expert knowledge. Perhaps you’d like two weeks of action-packed adventure. Maybe you’d prefer to encourage your family to immerse in a new culture. Or you might like a vacation that provides the best of both worlds. Speak to our destination experts today to start planning your dream Argentina family trip today so that you can look forward to the memories you’ll make tomorrow by calling toll-free on +1 855 217 9045 (USA/Canada) or by filling in our online contact form.