The Greatest Legacy we can Leave Our Children is Happy Memories!

Far-flung, culturally rich, and outstandingly adventurous, South America is the ultimate family vacation destination. Whether you have small excitable toddlers or hard-to-please teens, this incredible continent will easily satisfy their curiosity.

Defined by the Amazon Jungle and the Andes mountains, South America offers diversity like no other. Everything from its geology and ecosystems to its history and culture promises to give your kids a higher insight and deeper understanding of the world around them. In other words, South America has the power to change your kids’ lives for the better.

Over the past decade, we at Totally Latin America have had many travelers come to us for independent advice on the best family vacations in South America. Now, we are sharing advice on the six best family vacations in South America with you. With several of our luxury tours to choose from, including The Amazon Jungle, Argentina, Patagonia , Chile, The Galapagos Islands, and Machu Picchu, just maybe, it will inspire you to escape from the mundane world and unearth new experiences together as a family.

Let’s explore 6 of the best Family Vacations in South America below:

1. Amazon Jungle Peru

Any family trip to South America must include a visit to the Amazon Jungle, the most abundant place on earth. Not only does it give your family the rare opportunity to get up close to rarely sighted flora and fauna, but it takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you all to experience the wilder side of life.

We recommend heading to “deepest darkest Peru” on a luxury cruise from Iquitos (the country’s most remote city) or in a luxury lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve. A river cruise is ideal for those that want to immerse in the Amazonian elements but retreat to the comfort and luxury of a five-star floating hotel. Each of our Five Best Luxury Amazon River Cruises Peru provides spacious cabins, luxury amenities, fine dining, and a schedule of exciting land and water excursions with a professional explorer.

Meanwhile, the Tambopata National Reserve combines a luxurious stay in a rustic jungle lodge with hands-on dirt-under-your-nails day and night excursions. These experiences delve into the research and conservation of the Amazon which are enlightening topics for adults and children alike. Learn more about staying in Tambopata in this popular Machu Picchu and Amazon 10-Day Tour. Between the sounds, smells, and sights of the wild unruly Amazon, it is the perfect place for kids to fearlessly explore and the perfect place for adults to rekindle their child-like curiosity. To give you a better sense of the magic that a trip to the Amazon can bring to your family’s lives, click here and watch our three-minute video.

2. Iguazú Falls and Patagonia Argentina

Take your family on a trip to the Argentinian extremes for a vacation full of beauty and adventure. Start the trip in northern Argentina at Iguazu Falls, one of the 7 Natural Wonder of the World. Straddling the border of Brazil and Argentina, this mighty force of nature consists of 275 drops across a three-kilometer-long U-shaped cliff along the river making it one of the world’s greatest spectacles of nature. From hiking to the famous Devil’s Throat viewpoint to boat excursions beneath the falls, and helicopter rides above it, there’s so much adventure to be had here. Yet, the region’s glorious resorts provide your family with the perfect place to retreat and balance the adventures with relaxation.

From the lush vegetation of Iguazu Falls, the sparse mountains and tepid climates in south Argentine Patagonia offers an idyllic contrast. The wild majestic landscapes coupled with a host of all-age adventures make Los Glaciares National Park a family favorite. It offers day hikes to the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, 4×4 excursions to the scenic countryside, and boat trips like the Nautical Safari on Lake Rico. One of the most rewarding excursions we offer for families is a boat trip across Lake Argentino to visit a local ranch. It provides a unique opportunity for you and your children to get a hands-on insight into different walks of life. The trip includes ice-glacier treks, sheep-shearing, horse-riding, and a hearty barbecue to finish.

3. Atacama Desert and the Lake District Chile

Our Atacama Desert and Lake District Chile vacation is suited to adventurous families that love to explore the outdoors. Known as the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert‘s otherwordly landscapes will bring your children as close to being outer space as they may ever get! After all, the vast barren chalk-white and mars-red plateaus and surreal rock formations in the Valley of the Moon and Valley of the Dead are unlike anything else on Earth. Coupled with the mystical Tatio geysers, the mirror-like salt lake, and the ice-blue Puritama Hot Springs, Atacama is like a giant natural playground for you and your kids. Hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and 4×4 drives are just some of the adventurous ways your family can explore the desert on these Atacama Desert tours. These can be arranged as part of an all-inclusive package with one of our luxurious family desert retreats.

The outdoor fun continues in the Chilean Lake District which is known for its picturesque scenes of vast lakes overlooked by densely forested mountains. As a result, it’s the kind of place you will never hear the words “I’m bored!” Our superb knowledgeable and engaging lake district guides will accompany you on horseback riding, snowboarding, volcano trekking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing, biking, and even scenic helicopter excursions. Complete the vacation with a couple of days spent relaxing at the beaches of Algarrobo with the family to wind down before your journey home from Santiago. Whisking you from the desert to the lakes, mountains, and even beaches, there’s something for everyone on this vacation.

4. The Galapagos and Cloud Forest Ecuador

As the most wildlife-rich and diverse place on Earth, Ecuador is the ideal destination to bring your kids closer to nature and inspire a great appreciation for it. Known as ‘Las Islas Encantadas’ (The Enchanted Isles), the Galapagos is teeming with weird and wonderful endemic wildlife that will captivate you and your family. Set sail on a 4-5 day voyage of discovery with one of the Galapagos’ most luxurious family-friendly yachts such as the 16-passenger Infinity Galapagos which takes you to some of the archipelago’s most remote destinations. From snorkeling, swimming, and trekking to conservation and research, the yacht provides daily age-oriented Galapagos excursions with an experienced naturalist guide. In moments of rest, you get to enjoy quality family time on the yacht’s sundeck, swimming pool, jacuzzi, and top deck.

Follow the cruise with a slower-paced stay in the canopies of the Ecuadorian cloud forest where some of the world’s rarest and most unique flora and fauna can be found. Arguably the most luxurious treehouse in the world, Mashpi Lodge in the protected Mashpi Reserve is the perfect exploration base for big kids and small. It hosts engaging educational talks, research initiatives, and forest walks with naturalist guides where guests learn all about conservation and environmentalism in a fun and memorable way. These are balanced with exciting waterfall excursions, lagoon swims, spa sessions, and even a bike ride across the forest canopy! If you like the sound of this Ecuadorean nature exploration vacation, be sure to check out our fantastic Natural Wonders of Ecuador Tour which includes a visit to the Galapagos Islands and Mashpi Lodge.

5. Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Peru

Family vacations are all about sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and Peru’s Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley are the best places to find them. As one of 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the iconic Inca citadel in the sky is a bucket-list destination for intrepid explorers young and old. However, the journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu itself can be just as rewarding. We recommend breaking the journey up with a night suspended from the floor of the Sacred Valley in the Skylodge glass pods. Perched on the valley’s cliffside 365 meters from the ground, the pods are only reachable by climbing via ferrata up the cliff face.

After ziplining down, visit local farms and markets to give your kids insight into life in the Andean foothills. Then, join the last leg of the Inka Trail for a one-day hike that follows the Royal Inca footsteps to Machu Picchu’s breathtaking Sun Gate entrance. Of course, more experienced hiking families can multi-day Inka Trail hikes while those with less desire to walk can simply take a private shuttle for the next leg of the trip. Finish the sojourn with a few fun days in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where you and your kids can explore the city streets, take a Peruvian cooking class, and browse the handicraft stores.

6. South America’s Wonders of the World

Treat your family to the vacation of a lifetime with a trip that ticks off all of South America’s Wonders of the World. After all, there’s no better way to see them than with those that mean the most to you. Begin in Rio de Janeiro, South America’s most vibrant and vivacious city sandwiched by long beaches and lush green mountains where the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer proudly stands.

After spending a few days exploring the neighborhoods and relaxing on the beaches of this incomparable city, head to the Brazilian-Argentine border to visit the second-world wonder on your trip, the mighty Iguazu Falls. With hikes, boat trips, and zip lines, this is the perfect place to have some outdoor adventure playtime with your family. Opt for an extended stay here to take advantage of the swimming pools and spas of Iguazu’s tropical retreats. Finish your family vacation with the best of all world wonders (in our opinion), the marvelous Machu Picchu. Combining the city, beach, forests, cultural attractions, and natural spectacles, this idea encompasses every kind of interest to suit all the family.

Contact Us

For the very best honest independent advice on creating your very own unforgettable family vacation in South America, contact the experts at Totally Latin America here.