Take the kids to South America for a family vacation

South America is a continent packed with adventure, making it an exciting choice for families looking to inspire young minds. Traveling through South America with kids offers unforgettable opportunities to visit iconic landmarks like Machu Picchu and Iguazu Falls, both thrilling destinations that spark imaginations with tales of lost civilizations and awe-inspiring natural wonders. While some locations are great for families with younger children, many of the continent’s most dramatic sights are best suited for kids aged eight and up, making it an ideal choice for families with older children or teens.

Where to go in South America for a family vacation

Browse our South America pages and spark your children’s excitement with images of glaciers in Patagonia, the Amazon rainforest, and the incredible wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, then watch their imaginations come to life. Below is our comprehensive guide for anyone planning a trip to South America with kids, offering helpful insights on the best family-friendly destinations across the continent.

Take the kids to Colombia

There’s loads to get excited about in this adventurous destination. It’s a wildlife haven, which gives you the perfect excuse to get your family out into nature and up close with Colombia’s creatures. Our experts have no shortage of exciting ideas for your bespoke Colombian trip – how about a night safari through the Amazon forest, a cable car ride to a peak above the capital, or the opportunity to whale watch from a paddle board?

If that’s not enough to get the adrenaline pumping, try an alligator safari, a jungle walk, ziplining or fishing from a traditional boat. There’s so much packed into this fabulous destination, yet there are plenty of options for down-time and relaxing in beautiful surroundings too.

Get going to the Galapagos Islands

If you haven’t already seen the racing snakes clip from Planet Earth II with David Attenborough, watch it with your children to get them excited about the Galapagos. It’s a remarkable piece of footage that shows just how unique the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands is, and how dramatic survival can be. These islands are an incredible educational tool – they even assisted Darwin on his path to the Theory of Evolution – and there is so much to learn on a trip through the archipelago. One of the things that makes a trip here so special is that much of the animal life has not experienced man as a predator, so creatures are often quite bold and unperturbed in your presence.

Peru is perfect

Enjoy some exciting family time taking in some of Peru’s most famous sights. What would your children think of the dramatic setting of Machu Picchu or the huge blue expanse of Lake Titicaca? Perhaps take some time to explore the Amazon while you are visiting, as many of the most easily accessible tracts of jungle can be found here. Our friendly local experts have lots of tricks up their sleeves to make your itinerary more family-friendly. If your children enjoy traveling by train, they can build this into your bespoke itinerary. You’re not sure your youngest would cope with the trek to Machu Picchu? They can arrange a bus transfer. Peru has a wonderful combination of adventure and culture, and your children will see many different ways of life as you travel around the country. Inspirational.

Family-friendly travels in Bolivia

Bolivia is another big hit for those traveling to South America with kids. It is culturally vibrant with colorful traditional dress visible in the streets and a fun-filled calendar of festivals to get involved in. High-altitude Lake Titicaca stretching between Bolivia and Peru in the otherworldly altiplano offers the chance to delve into the unique way of life of its island people (and their floating islands) and explore some of the myths and legends of the ancient Incas. 

The bizarre landscapes of the Uyuni Salt Flats offer something completely different to the usual, with high-altitude plains striped with dazzling salt flats, brightly-hued lakes and geothermal fields. Here flocks of flamingos gather on the lakes and fun photo opportunities are endless as you play with perspective on the vast blank space of the salt flats. 

For the ultimate adventure in South America with kids, consider combining a trip to Bolivia with neighbouring Peru and/or Chile. Flying in and out of different cities and traveling overland in the region is a great option. Crossing borders from Bolivia into Chile’s Atacama Desert or boating across Lake Titicaca from Peru will be an amazing experience in itself.

Take your crew to Chile

Are you an adventurous family looking for some supersized thrills? Do you love being at one with the elements? Chilean Patagonia could be the destination for you. It’s not for the faint-hearted as it is wild, huge and empty. However, it’s a land of staggering beauty and variety, and as long as your child(ren) have plenty of stamina and enthusiasm, a trip to Patagonia could be an incredible adventure. Horse riding in the Andes, boat tours to see glaciers, incredible views of Torres del Paine; there’s lots to keep young minds interested.

Family-fun in Argentina 

Argentina is full of opportunities for diverse adventures, making it an exciting family travel destination. In the far north, on the borders with Brazil and Paraguay, the incredible Iguazu Falls thunders over a precipice amidst tropical jungle. Seeing and hearing the thundering waterfalls is a mighty experience and is bound to make a big impression on young minds. 

In the far northwest of Argentina, the landscape is completely different, but also impactful. Here, there are arid plains and deep rocky gorges dotted with giant cacti and rainbow mountains to climb and explore. 

Heading south, Buenos Aires is always a fun city for a few days of cultural exploration. But it’s the sights and experiences of Patagonia that will further open their eyes to the wonders of nature. In Puerto Madryn, on the eastern coast, there are colonies of penguins to walk amongst, whales in the bay and dolphins, orcas and seals to spot. The Patagonia Lake District is perfect for families that like to hike, while a boat trip up close to the vast and creaking Perito Moreno Glacier wall will leave everyone in awe.

Brazil for families

If you’ve ever dreamed of venturing deep into the Amazon to experience a different side of Brazil, far from the urban buzz of Rio and the famous Carnival, our local experts are the perfect people to help. They’re highly experienced in planning unforgettable trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations and can create a custom adventure just for you.

Your journey could include several days traveling along the Amazon River by houseboat or taking canoe excursions to spot monkeys, macaws, toucans, and parrots in the rainforest. You might even see caimans along the riverbank, or try your hand at piranha fishing! For the truly adventurous, consider spending a night or two camping in the jungle and learning essential survival skills. With Viare Travel’s expertise, your trip can become the ultimate Amazon experience for your budding explorers.

Make it happen

All the local partners on the TravelLocal platform are experts at creating custom itineraries tailored to your family’s interests. Just let them know what your family enjoys most, and they’ll design a trip centered around your priorities. If you’re ready to start planning your adventure in South America with kids, simply fill out a few details in our inquiry form—it couldn’t be easier.

1. Colombia
2. Galapagos Islands
3. Peru
4. Bolivia
5. Chile
6. Argentina
7. Brazil