Last Updated on May 28, 2026 by Ariana Svenson
Planning a family vacation, South America may not be the continent on your mind. However, there are plenty of reasons why planning a family vacation in South America is a great idea.
We have been taking family holidays in South America for many years now. The continent is breathtakingly beautiful and extremely varied. There are plenty of destinations that are ideal for visiting with kids. Every country has its own amazing places to explore, from rainforests and mountain ranges to incredible wildlife, coffee plantations, ancient cities, and golden beaches.
A family vacation in South America will expose every member of the family to intriguing new things – be they flora, landscapes, food, history, fauna, or culture. Holidays here are South American adventure tours – where fun-filled days are packed with new and educational experiences for everyone.
Read on to discover more about this fascinating vacation destination!
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Why Take Our Advice for South America with Kids?
We’ve been traveling in Latin America for over 20 years and have traveled extensively in South America with kids! In making our recommendations for world travel with kids, we are considering that you will be traveling with school-age children (e.g., probably 6 years upward) through to the early teens. Not that we have experienced the teenage years, but we assume that in the teenage years, young people can do much of what their parents do ,and so it is not as necessary to only look at family-friendly options!
Our last trip was with a teenager – aged 13, as well as my other children aged 10 and 4. So I have now got some experience on what it is like to travel with Older Kids and those who might be physically capable of things; but don’t want to. (Eyeroll anyone?)
When you are travelling with teens I think that my standard advice becomes more relevant – involve your children in the planning of the trip and make them active participants in the decision making. Show them photos or Youtube videos, or if they are old enough get them to search “Best things to do in Buenos Aires for teens” (or whatever city you are going to). Get their thoughts and do your best to incorporate them.
We did this as much as was feasible and as a result my kids were happy with our activities, most of the time. While its nice to have activities that are good for the whole family, its sometimes not possible and negotiation works a treat!
If you are traveling with younger kids (eg, younger than 6), we consider Peru and Costa Rica (in Central America) to be the most suitable for those with younger children. Make sure you read our Peru with kids guide for all the info you need.
For countries that we have not yet visited with children, I reached out to a couple of other travel bloggers for their thoughts and advice.
Why is South America a Good Family Vacation Destination?
To travel to South America as a family is to embark on an adventure like no other. There are so many countries to choose from before you even begin. Would you pick Peru, where you can visit Machu Picchu with kids and see the Sacred Valley and Cusco, one of the Oldest cities in South America? Or perhaps you would prefer the Lake District of Chile, or the lively, historic Colombia?
Whether you want to explore the Amazon, marvel at the majestic Iguazu Falls, experience the surreal landscape of the Atacama Desert, take a trip into Patagonia, or party in a Brazilian city, South America will provide plenty of fun, intrigue, and adventure for every member of your family.
Looking for a exotic Costa Rica trip – then consider our family vacation guide to Central America.
The Highlights of a Family Vacation in South America
What makes for the best family vacation South America has to offer really does depend on the family itself. Meaning the individuals who make up that family.
For one person, sampling freshly prepared Peruvian street food might be a particular highlight. For others, their best memory may consist of a day spent on a picture-perfect beach. Will it be jungle trekking in the Amazon for you, that moment you spotted an exotic bird in the trees above, or a visit to a Colombian coffee growing zone?
Will a South America Family Vacation be Safe?
The issue of safety varies by country and region. In some areas, acclimatization will be your biggest concern, while in others, you should consider and minimize the risk of contracting tropical diseases before you travel.
Those trekking the Inca trail with kids or visiting Cusco can take steps to assist with acclimatization. If the Peruvian jungle features on your itinerary, then it’s wise to take precautions against contracting malaria or yellow fever.
We’ve looked at safety in South America extensively based on 2025 US travel advice and the Global Peace Index. Discover the safest countries in South America in our guide. Always check your country’s latest foreign travel advice before traveling, too. You can view the U.S. travel advisories here. You may also find our South America with kids tips guide useful.
The Best Family Destinations in South America (2025)
Exploring the huge continent of South America promises a thrilling adventure that your family will never forget. You could explore the ancient ruins of Peru and the amazing wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. South America has an incredible variety of landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and cuisines to delight all ages.
Here are the BEST places for a family vacation in South America:
1. Peru – The TOP South American Destination for Families
We are very fond of Peru. It is extremely well organized for tourism and is one of the top family vacation spots in South America. With just two weeks, you can truly see some iconic sites, including both Machu Picchu (one of the seven wonders of the world) and the Sacred Valley. Although we are biased (because we lived there for many years)..
Cusco also makes a great child-friendly base. The city was our home for a number of years (make sure you read everything you need to know about visiting Cusco with kids here).As well as the famous sights of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, we recommend Arequipa and Peru’s South Coast with kids.
The main health concern in the Cusco and Machu Picchu region is acclimatization. We have had a lot of experience with this. Read here for our Tips For Acclimatizing To Altitude With Kids.
To discover everything you need to know about visiting Peru with family, make sure you read our Peru family vacation guide and Peru with kids post.
Must See Places for Your Peru Family Vacation – Plus FAQs, Pro Tips & More
Have You Considered a South America Family Tour?
As I mentioned earlier, I lived in Cusco for many years, where I co-founded the adventure trekking agency Apus Peru, a company that grew from a love of the Andes and a belief in responsible travel.
We specialize in trekking and tours in the Andes and Sacred Valley, offering classic routes and off-the-beaten-path options, with an emphasis on more authentic, less crowded experiences and responsible, sustainable tourism. We’ve used our personal experience traveling in Peru with children to craft the ultimate itineraries. You can discover the family tours Apus offers here.
To explore all the highlights of Peru, the ‘Best of Peru’ tour (12 days/11 nights) is the BEST family Peru tour out there. Includes Lima, Chichubamba, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and much more! View the full itinerary here.
With tours running in a huge range of destinations from Cusco to Lima and even Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon, and Arequipa, we can tailor the ideal trip to Peru for your family. Contact us for more info!
2. The Amazon
The Amazon rainforest spreads through Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Typically, you will need from 3 days to a week to make the most of the Amazon – surely the mightiest of jungles and home to the breathtakingly awe-inspiring Amazon River!
Most Amazon trips can be added to other holidays mentioned here (especially Machu Picchu!) and typically last from 3 to 7 days. The more time you can spend, the more you will get out of the trip.
For all Amazon jungle holidays with children, you should consider the Malaria considerations – take a look at our Traveling and the Risk Of Malaria in Kids. We can personally recommend the Tambopata region in Peru, which is easily accessible from Cusco. The journey to Iquitos is also a fascinating one and will require a fair amount of river travel along the way, should that be appealing to you. (Better for Older Kids)
We highly recommend you base yourself at Refugio Amazonas! It is ideal for families, with a dedicated children’s area and hands-on activities through the Wired Amazon citizen science program.
Tambopata & the Madre de Dios Region
What we like about the Tambopata region of the Amazon is that it can easily be combined with a trip to Cusco, with nearly all flights making a stopover in Cusco before flying onto Puerto Maldonado.
There are also a number of lodges that have programs specially designed for children Posada Amazonas is also a great option for a stay with kids. Alternatively, reach out to me on socials or email as Posada Amazonas has three different lodges. I can recommend which suits your kids best, depending on their age. We recently returned from a visit to one of the Posada Amazonas lodges so I can give great recs.
The Peruvian Amazon with Apus Peru – Get Help Planning your trip
Whether you’d like to visit the biodiverse Tambopata Reserve near Puerto Maldonado, the remote Manu National Park, or the riverfront lodges near Iquitos, we can help you plan the ideal itinerary for your time, budget, and interests. Discover more here.
Iquitos
Iquitos is most certainly a romantic-sounding place, landlocked, in the heart of the Amazon. Many jungle tours (especially those in the more pristine jungle) require a decent amount of river travel to arrive at the lodge. We also recommend spending at least one night in Iquitos if you can. It’s got a unique frontier feel, and the river port is not only vibrant but eye-opening!
For families, we have been recommended the Tahuayo Lodge and their Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center. To give the kids a bit of a buzz, they also have the longest zip line in the Amazon.
3. Argentina with Kids
South America family holidays are best begun in Buenos Aires. There’s a lot to keep everyone busy for a few days, including plenty of educational and interactive experiences at the city’s children’s museums and parks. Argentina is a huge country with so much to see and do! For a first-time family visit, we’d focus on Buenos Aire,s which has enough to captivate for more than a few days.
A visit to colorful Caminito in La Boca, with its brightly colored buildings, and enjoying the tango is a must. You can even take tango classes! Also, for any aspiring Maradonas, a visit to the Boca Juniors stadium is essential. Alternatively, you could head to the River Plate stadium.
For those more inspired by Eva Peron and famous historical figures, a visit to the Casa Rosada and Recoleta cemetery is a ‘must’. High on our bucket list is also taking a Gaucho (Argentinian) cowboy tour to learn more about this unique Argentinian subculture.
We are already in the process of planning our 2026 trip to South America and Argentina is VERY high on our bucket list, with my daughter (who will be 16) putting the Gaucho cowboy high on her wish list.
Here is a great list of parks in Buenos Aires for those with smaller children. If you had more time for South America family holidays in Argentina, we’d also explore Salta and Mendoza. We are totally inspired to visit Argentine Patagonia after hearing from fellow travel blogger Melissa of The Family Voyage.
Argentine Patagonia
Patagonia is one of those bucket list destinations. However, most families assume it’s not an accessible vacation for them to take with young children. The great news is that Argentine Patagonia is very manageable – if expensive – with kids.
We visited when our kids were 3.5 and 6. I would not recommend taking kids younger than that. Patagonia is enormous, so there’s a lot of travel involved, plus long days of hiking trails and other excursions – see a sample itinerary for Patagonia with kids.
Bus travel in the region is very affordable and high-quality, but some rides can last up to 24 hours. For those long distances, we opted for flights despite the relatively high cost. We saved by only renting a car for one of our three stops in Patagonia.
Our favorite experience in Patagonia, and maybe the world, was trekking in El Chalten. It’s a unique little village nestled in the mountains of southern Argentina, and it’s truly a hiker’s paradise. There’s no cell service, and many businesses only take cash. It’s a great place to disconnect from the outside world.
The bus route to El Chalten from the larger city of El Calafate drops you right in the village, where you can walk to all of the accommodations, restaurants, gear shops, and trailheads. Most of the trails are pretty rugged, but there are many options that offer a good stopping point part of the way up and are reasonable for our active 6-year-old to tackle while his younger sister rides in a backpack carrier.
Some kids may not be willing or able to handle that intensity of hiking until closer to 8+. Be sure to know your kids’ limits before embarking on the trip.
For kids who aren’t up for miles and miles of daily hiking, they’ll definitely enjoy an up-close visit to the penguins of Peninsula Valdes. This area is near Puerto Madryn, on the Atlantic coast in northern Patagonia. It has a completely different feel than the rest of the region!
If you are adventurous, we truly believe it makes for one of the best family vacations South America has to offer.
4. Chile With Kids
Of all the Latin American countries we have visited, Chile would have to be one of the most kid-friendly destinations to explore. Chileans love children, and little ones are treasured. You will find the staff at hotels, restaurants, and attractions keen to help with anything you need.
Chile is a safe country in Latin America and has diverse regions with attractions suitable for kids of different ages.
If you are visiting with kids for the first time, you could find plenty of Things to do in Santiago to fill up a week or more. Santiago has lots of attractions designed for kids, such as Fantasilandia amusement park for adrenaline rides and a Kids’ Zone for younger children, and Mirador Interactive Museum, which has science displays and exhibits to keep young minds occupied.
If your kids are artistic, be sure to visit Artequin so they can participate in creative, hands-on arts and crafts activities.
Another activity the kids will love is riding the funicular in Santiago Metropolitan Park. There is also an adventure park with a climbing wall, suspension bridges, and a zip line. Then there’s the Santiago Planetarium, which also has an excellent astronomical park. If your kids are older, perhaps they will enjoy going horse riding in the Andes.
Santiago is also a fantastic place to go with kids in winter. There are many ski resorts you can visit as a day trip. The largest ski resort in South America (Valle Nevado) and the continent’s oldest (Portillo) are good spots for a family skiing or snowboarding vacation.
Keep an eye out for free or significantly reduced admission rates to events and performances. The downside of traveling with kids in Chile is that public toilets are not always clean. It pays to carry toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitizer. With a little preparation, Chile can be one of the best family vacations in South America.
Christina Travel2next.com
4. Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands with Kids
Ecuador and the Galapagos are some of the best places to visit in South America with kids. This can be one of those bucket list, once-in-a-lifetime holidays. So, we’d recommend this for when the children reach double figures or beyond.
Ecuador offers one of the crown jewels of incredible wildlife experiences, in our experience. A trip to the Galapagos is truly a trip of a lifetime and will make a wonderful family vacation in South America.
We’ve researched such a trip thoroughly and decided to wait until our kids are about 10-12 years old. Our reasons are eminently practical: we want them to be safe and responsible on board a boat and have great swimming skills. Finally, we want the kids to fully appreciate what they are seeing. Galapagos cruises (at least those that are responsible, ethical, and environmentally conscientious) don’t come cheaply!
However, more recently, we’ve read that if you don’t want to take kids on a cruise, you can base yourself on one of the islands, such as Santa Cruz Island, and make day trips.
This sounds like a much better option and is explained comprehensively in Galapagos Islands with Kids.
In addition, Quito is a charming capital city. It is also a great base for exploring nearby indigenous markets, hiking, or even volcano climbing. We can’t wait to explore the lush green mountains of Ecuador with the children, especially the gorgeous town of Banos, famous for its hot baths. Another beautiful and educational destination in Ecuador is the city of Cuenca, in the Southern Highlands.
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are definitely a great destination for a family adventure holiday. However, we would opt for our kids being slightly older.
5. Brazil
When people think of Brazil, they imagine a party destination with lots of carnival and samba. However, Brazil is a fascinating and family-friendly vacation destination.
For one, the wildlife is diverse. Children can have the time of their lives spotting wild animals in their natural habitat. At Praia do Forno, one of the prettiest Brazilian beaches, you can go on a fun boat trip to spot whales and sea turtles in the region. The bird species that dive for food are also incredible.
For two, the flora is impressively majestic and unique. Most major cities have botanical gardens with towering trees and interesting, colorful plant species your kids have probably never seen before.
The Rio de Janeiro and the Curitiba Botanical Gardens are two lovely green areas where children can learn and see so much! While the Curitiba Garden is more about plants, the Rio de Janeiro Garden is a great place to spot marmosets, turtles, toucans, and small parrots. My niece and nephew, 5 and 3, we ecstatic from seeing those animals.
Last but not least. Brazil has an incredible “collection” of kid-friendly museums that most tourists are not aware of. South American, African, European, and Brazilian art and culture are showcased in many institutions around the country.
From Brazil’s history to soccer and more, children can learn a lot on this vacation.
Bruna from I Heart Brazil
6. Uruguay
Uruguay is the perfect destination to visit in South America with kids. Not only is Uruguay the 2nd safest country in South America to visit, according to the World Peace Index 2025, but it’s also the perfect place for a family vacation.
Or, you can do a day or overnight trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires and get another stamp in their passports! (That’s what we are intending to do in 2026)
A must-visit Colonia del Sacramento. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its cobblestone streets, quaint old buildings, and vintage cars, is like stepping back in time. Make sure you visit the lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the town and the river.
If your family loves wildlife, consider heading to Punta Del Este for a boat trip to see the playful sea lions on Isla de Lobos. The town is also known for its beautiful beaches, such as Playa Mansa and Playa Brava, and the fascinating sculpture of La Mano (The Hand).
For a real off-the-beaten-path experience, venture inland to the gaucho (Uruguayan cowboy) country. In towns like Tacuarembó and Durazno, you can visit estancias (ranches), where your family can learn about the gaucho lifestyle and even try horse-riding.
From historical sites to natural wonders and lively towns to tranquil countryside, Uruguay is a family-friendly destination that caters to all tastes and ages.
7. Colombia with Kids
Bogota is the ideal place to start a Colombian adventure. Cable cars and colonial architecture are among its charms. Other musts include the Medellin coffee-growing zone, Cartagena, and the beaches of Santa Marta, Taganga or Playa Blanca on Colombia’s Caribbean sea.
Sure, Colombia was once the home of narcos, the FARC, and all kinds of kidnappings. However, it is also the home of some of the warm-hearted and lively people in the Americas. Also, not to mention, beautiful landscapes and rich history. Colombia is definitely a place to add to your South America for kids bucket list.
Mumma traveler made several trips to Colombia during the 2000s, where she was privileged to explore various parts of this stunning country. That is why she is adding it to this list of family adventure holidays. Without a doubt, Colombia is a place that will inspire the adventurous travel family’s wanderlust.
If you are looking at travel warnings issued by your country for Colombia, it looks a bit alarming with large amounts of area listed as “Reconsider your need to travel.” However if you read the detail, areas commonly visited by tourists are “safe” with a exercise caution at all times, eg. These beautiful places are all in red zones, but the cities are considered safe.
- Medellin and its Valle de Aburrá metropolitan region; the south-eastern Oriente subregion; and the towns around Medellin of Santa Fé de Antioquia, Jericó and Jardín
- Cali, Buga and Palmira
- Pasto, the border crossing of Ipiales and the Santuario de las Lajas.
I actually travelled by bus between many of these areas back in 2004 and had no issues, but in 2026, when we visit with my kids, I will be flying between cities.
Bogota, with its truly amazing Gold Museum, cable car, and colonial architecture, is a good place to start your exploration. We were super excited to have visited in 2023 with kids aged 4, 9, and 13.
As a result of that 2023 trip and how much the kids felt comfortable in Bogota, we have all put a 2026 Colombia trip on our South America bucket list. (likely alongside Argentina, and of course Peru!)
Assuming that you only have 2 or 3 weeks, after Bogotá, we’d explore the coffee-growing zone around Medellín. We loved visiting Salento and Manizales and used Medellin as a gateway. While in Medellin, don’t miss the Botero Artworks or the Pablo Escobar Museum.
In the north of Colombia, Cartagena is a must for a few days for its old-world charm – without a doubt one of my favorite cities in the world. Take a look at this great guide of Where to Stay in Cartagena. From there, you can either head to the beautiful beaches of Playa Blanca or across to Taganga.
Interested in Central America with Kids?
Central America has incredible natural beauty, including child-friendly Costa Rica, a compact country full of gorgeous beaches, jungle, and wildlife. We’ll be spending some time there this year and literally can’t wait!
There’s Mexico, which we once visited with a 4-month-old; the underwater cenotes are not to be missed.
We also know Nicaragua well! The highlights include the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, the unspoiled coast of San Juan del Sur, and the volcanic island of Ometepe.
For full details of Central America with Kids, please check out our companion post detailing the best Central American family vacation destinations.
The Verdict – The Top South America Destinations for Family Vacations
Use the interactive map below to explore our recommended destinations for family trips to South America:
So, it might not be your first thought for a successful family vacation. However, for those adventurous families that take on South America with kids, they will be amply rewarded with amazing insight into a range of Latin cultures, history, and some really amazing food. South America really has it all and is an amazing adventure family travel destination.
If you’d like help crafting a kid-friendly itinerary for Peru, APUS can tailor your itinerary depending on your kids ages, energy levels and budget.
FAQs: Family Vacations in South America
If you’re traveling with little ones, we highly recommend Peru. Other countries highly recommended include Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, among others. The Amazon, which covers multiple South American countries, is also a must-visit.
South America is a HUGE continent, and each country has its own time to visit. For example, Peru’s dry season (May–Sept) is popular; Patagonia is best Dec–Feb; Amazon is year-round with seasonal differences.
Peru is by far the best country in South America to visit with kids, and it’s perfect for first-time visitors too. Explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, discover the Peruvian Amazon, and spend time in cities like Cusco and Lima. There’s so much history, culture, and wildlife to explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Two weeks is enough to see the highlights of one country, but South America also has many other safe countries you could add to your itinerary. You could spend years exploring this diverse continent. If you stay three weeks, you could add a second destination like the Amazon or the Galápagos.
Generally, Peru, Argentina, and parts of Colombia are the best value. You’ll find most countries/destinations in South America are cheaper than those in the US/Western countries, although you may find parts of Uruguay and the Galápagos a splurge!
Like It> Pin It> A Guide To The Best Family Vacation South America – With Kids
You are a font of information on South American travel with kids and I love how you’ve compacted it all in to this resourceful guide. One day we will make it there with our boys! #fearlessfamtrav
This is such a useful guide! We’ll be heading to Central and South America next year as part of a six-month trip from Alaska to Argentina. I’ve pinned your post for later so that I can really take the time to work through it and check out your other related posts. Thank you. #fearlessfamtrav
You really are the font of all knowledge on travelling South America with kids. Will definitely be coming your way when we plan our South American adventure. Thanks for joining #fearlessfamtrav this time around.
I think latin america has more beautiful destinations in terms of natural beauty rather than north or south. You can see more open spaces and national parks in latin america. There are quiet peaceful countries out there. Thanks mate for this great post, I really appreciate.
[…] If you plan on heading on to South America, or just want more information read our A Guide To The Best Family Vacation South America – With Kids. […]