Family holidays to Argentina
From food to urban design and everyday lifestyle, Argentina is a place that often feels tailor-made for children. Not only is the culture welcoming to children, but there’s plenty for kids & teenagers to see and do.
If you are planning unforgettable Family holidays to Argentina, you should include one of the following experiences:
1. Wildlife & Ecotourism
1.1 Whale Watching – Puerto Pirámides – Families with Children of all ages
The village Puerto Piramides has 450 permanent residents and is situated 100 Km/62 miles from Puerto Madryn. As well as guaranteeing outstanding gastronomy and accommodation, Puerto Piramides is the base for whale-watching boat trips to see Southern Right whales. From June through December the whales arrive in the Gulf Nuevo to mate, give birth and raise their calves. It is an unforgettable experience for the whole family to watch them from the boat in their natural habitat.
In the off-whale-season, the best option for a closer look at the local marine wildlife are the boat tours that take you out to observe sea lions, cormorants, and occasionally dolphins.
1.2 Horse-Swimming – Esteros del Iberá – Families with Children over 14 years old
The Esteros del Iberá is one of the hidden secrets of Argentina. It covers over 5,200 square miles (13,700 square kilometers) and comprises a biologically diverse wilderness of still water lakes, marshland, lagoons, and islands. It is also one of the most important freshwater reservoirs in the continent and the second-largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil.
Families in love with nature & adventure will find all sorts of activities, such as horse riding, fishing, jungle walks and kayaking… and one of the top requested, the Horse-Swimming.
Horse-Swimming seeks to connect with Iberian life in the most remote places of the estuaries. It is a journey on horseback of approximately 6 hours that begins in the Felipe Post and ends in Ñu Py, a typical Corrientes place nestled in the middle of the estuary. The experience includes the crossing of two or three swimming steps: they are streams in which the horses are unsaddled, the mounts cross in Iberian canoes and the riders have the option of crossing attached to the horses swimming or in the canoes. The first option is as fun as it is risky and requires average skill.
1.3 Wildlife Watching – Posta Los Toldos (Patagonia) – Families with Children of all ages
La Posta de Los Toldos is a refuge in the steppe deep Patagonian located in Cañadón Pinturas Portal, Parque Patagonia Circuit, 4 km from the entrance on National Route 40. The refuge (only 9 rooms) offers everything you need to rest between the adventures of the portal: cozy common spaces, hot meals, a kitchen, and stoves.
La Posta is also a center for nature tourism activities, with guided outings, trekking and wildlife watching, and stars interpretation. The mission of this unique place is to recover the ecosystems and native fauna and promote nature experiences through active hiking and big mammals sighting. If you’d like to learn more about animals click on our wildlife tours section.
Whale Watching, Peninsula Valdes
1.4 Community-based Tourism – travel with Children of all ages
In community-based tourism, the smallholders are the protagonists of the activity and the traveler becomes a partner who seeks to live a real cultural exchange, being part of them and sharing daily activities and community life of the family. Visitors will really appreciate their customs, identity, productive diversity, gastronomy, and landscape in the context of a friendly relationship of mutual respect and care.
Different communities embraced this new way of doing tourism in Misiones, Mendoza, Salta, Rio Negro, and Jujuy.
1.5 Glamping – travel with children of all ages
For those who are seeking that “middle of nowhere” sensation, Argentina has developed the most bespoke camp experiences by blending style, comfort, and natural beauty in the most seamless fashion. Its true value lies in their isolation, their ability to offer access to untouched and pristine locations, and the capability to make travelers feel like home away from home.
It is the perfect getaway for families who are looking for uncompromising privacy and solitude. Furthermore, if you like exclusive experiences, you can check our Argentina luxury travel section.
We can find this Glamping options in: San Martin de los Andes & Villa La Angostura (Neuquen); Lobos & Tigre (Buenos Aires); El Calafate & el Chalten (Santa Cruz); Torres del Paine (Chile); Capilla del Monte (Córdoba); Esquel (Chubut); and Tolhuin (Tierra del Fuego).
1.6 Dinosaurs – Ischigualasto “Moon Valley” (San Juan) – travel with children over 6 years old
Located in San Juan, is a place where nature has been working for over 220 million years. A landscape that is out of this world, and which has become a World Heritage Site. Visiting Ischigualasto means you will be setting foot on the same areas that dinosaurs stepped on 180 million years ago. The lunar-looking soil and the particular geo forms sculpted by water, sun, and wind over the rocks over millions of years, make this a site from another world. Visiting it allows you to take a look at the evolution of the Earth.
On full moon nights, in San Juan’s darkness, the light from the terrestrial satellite makes Ischigualasto even more strange and dazzling. Touring Valle Pintado watching the whimsical forms (El Submarino, La Esfinge, Las Bandejas, El Hongo), and walking this ancient land of dinosaurs in the silence of the night is a unique and unforgettable experience, for the eyes… and for the spirit.
Additionally, if you or your children like animals, don’t miss our Argentina Wildlife tours section!
2. Trekking & Adventure – Family holidays to Argentina
2.1 Ice Trekking – Calafate – Families with young adults over 18 years old
The Big Ice on Perito Moreno is a physically demanding tour, differing from Minitrekking by including a 4 hours walk on the ice. The tour allows you to get to the center of the Perito Moreno Glacier while appreciating unique ice formations, besides doing a 3-hours trek through the forest next to the glacier.
During the Big Ice you can see incredible blue lagoons, deep cracks, eternal drains and surprising ice caves.
You will enjoy a picnic surrounded by unparalleled beauty, finishing the experience with a measure of whisky with ice from the glacier while doing the boat tour.
Furthermore, and besides the experiences shown on this post, if you like trekking you should check our Patagonia trekking tours page. There are trekking tours including El Chalten and Torres del Paine!
2.3 Patagonian Forest Trekking – El Calafate – Families with Children over 12 years old
Glaciar Sur Aventura is a true trekking tour in remote places of Los Glaciares National Park. We traveled the route, we navigated in two different boats, we walked through Patagonian forests and glacial valleys, to reach the end of the route in front of an incredible lake covered with icebergs, with a view of the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers.
The National Park is full of places difficult to access to: places unique in their beauty that still preserve nature in its purest form. Glaciar Sur Aventura is an experience designed for those in good physical condition, people trained for long treks determined to challenge the changing climate and live nature to the highest extent.
2.4 4×4 Excursion – Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) – Families with children of all ages
“Lagos Off-Road” is a unique and intense way of knowing the secrets hidden behind the Southern Andes. Ideal for families seeking for adrenaline!
Expert drivers in off-road driving propose an authentic 4×4 crossing. Onboard a 4WD vehicle you will cross the forest and rivers through impossible mud roads, between disused trees and roads, along the edge of a lake with unique views.
This is an adventure suitable for all types of travelers! The company of nature guides, the food in their refuge on Lake Fagnano and the Argentine Malbec shared in a friendly atmosphere will be memorable.
All those who want to live a more intimate excursion can have their own guide and their own truck. There, young children can also join (without age restrictions) and the whole family can build their own path.
2.5 Trekking – Estancia La Constancia (San Javier, Cordoba) – Families with Children over 12 years old
La Constancia is situated in an ideal place for trekking and horseback riding in the sierras while enjoying the outstanding views. There are several circuits which take between 20 minutes to 2 hours which can be done independently and others, longer and more physically demanding of between 3 and 10 hours, for which guides are provided.
During the treks, be it on foot or on horseback, there are lovely views of the mountain and the infinite horizon towards the west. You cross rivers, valleys and small grasslands, giving you the opportunity to recognize the flora and fauna which abound on the mountain slope.
Glacier Perito Moreno
2.6 Rafting – Jachal River Gorge (San Juan) – travel with Children over 14 years old
This river has created some amazing natural formations along its path, including deep crevices and canyons. This long stretch of water passes through the Cuesta del Viento dam and lagoon, through the settlement of San Jose de Jachal, and through some other towns before emptying into the Desaguadero River.
Feel the adrenaline in the waters of the Jachal River offering the most beautiful and impressive landscape in a challenging route with rapids at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. Only 190km north of the city of San Juan.
2.7 Trekking – Salta to Jujuy – Families with young adults over 18 years old
This seven-day journey takes place in the Sierras del Chañi, these mountains largely serve as the boundary between the provinces of Salta and Jujuy. It is a region of singular beauty, where the colorful hills present beautiful formations product of erosion.
The trekking begins in the Quebrada del Toro and ends in the town of León in the temperate valleys of the province of Jujuy. It demands a large physical requirement and presents a medium risk level since it combines demanding activities in moderate irregular environments.
Last but not least, if you like trekking you should also explore our Patagonia trekking tours
2.8 Andes Crossing Horse-back Ride – Bariloche (Rio Negro) – travel with Children over 14 years old
A fascinating adventure to have a different vision of the mountain range, in Argentine Patagonia. Getting closer to its people, living in their traditions enjoying their charms. Knowing the privilege of silence in an immensity of indescribable natural power. The Creole Horses show their skills on the trails, crossing infinite plains, forests and crystalline rivers with trout, with the possibility of spotting condors, guanacos, and with some luck the red deer.
The paths across the Andes mountains, the Patagonian steppe as well as the old, noble beech trees forests offer a wide range of possibilities regarding the nature character and give the rider, his horse as well as himself the chance of try-out their own fitness.
2.9 Iguazu Adventure – Iguazu Falls (Misiones) – travel with Children over 12 years old
This is a specialized program aimed at discovering a new concept of ecotourism and tourism of adventure.
It includes the following activities:
Canopying: a person moves on the platforms placed on the trees. The height of the canopy varies from 15 to 25 meters with a distance of 800 meters long.
Walk in the jungle: it’s organized inside the jungle which allows exploring different types of flora (“strangler trees”, parasite plants, orchids, Palmas) and native fauna. The walk is 900 meters long.
Wet Rappelling: this activity is permanently supervised by the instructors. You will do the wet rappelling in waterfalls of 14 meters of height or in alternative the dry rappelling in dry falls of 20 meters of height.
2.10 4WD + Biking – Salinas Grandes (Salta) & Humahuaca Gorge (Jujuy) – travel with children over 14 years old
Leaving the city of Salta in a 4×4 pick-up truck, you will head north to the province of Jujuy. After passing Jujuy’s capital city, you will arrive at the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will stop off for a visit at the beautiful village of Purmamarca, where you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the ‘Cerro de Siete Colores’ (Hill of Seven Colours). Afterward you will climb the Lipan Slope, arriving at the Puna region. Once you reach the Salinas Grandes, a huge salt desert, you will assemble the equipment and bikes ready for a cycle through the majestic landscapes, all the way to the Salta border.
2.11 Landyatching – Pampa El Leoncito (San Juan) – travel with children over 12 years old
Pampa del Leoncito or the Barreal Blanco is located in the town of Barreal in Calingasta. It is a 12 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide plain that captivates with the immensity of the Andes Mountain Range.
The characteristics of the terrain and the almost constant wind make it a unique place. Landyatching is the favorite sport in this place, reaching a speed of up to 120km/h by the force of the winds and the proximity to the ground.
During the night, the place is covered by a starry sky, perfect to engage a good conversation with family and friends.
3. Luxury – Family Holidays to Argentina
3.1 Estancia – La Bamba de Areco (San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires) – Families with children over 12 years old
Located at the end of an avenue lined with century-old plane trees, the master house at La Bamba is built around the main courtyard, with a well-endowed library in the guard tower and a panoramic gallery opening onto the park. The cottage, the house sheltered by a vine arbour, the stables, the summer dining room and the former inn make up the majority of the buildings that surround the casco.
Nestling in the midst of a magnificent park, this typical colonial-style ensemble houses rooms and suites spread over three buildings, with several reception rooms, a billiard room, a bar, a massage room and a boutique. A regional and refined culinary tradition, outstanding service, charm and character make La Bamba de Areco an essential stopping place in the province of Buenos Aires.
Excursions on horseback, by carriage, or mountain bike, Argentinian bowls game, hot stone massages, the large swimming pool and the numerous relaxation areas offer the traveller an unforgettable restful experience and an incomparable way to restore energy.
3.2 Educational Program – Yacutinga Lodge (Iguazu, Misiones) – Families with children over 6 years old
Special for parents who wants the new generations to have a more intimate contact with Nature, know how to understand and therefore respect. This program has been specially designed to make children between 6 and 15 years of age discover the jungle in a dynamic, didactic and entertaining way.
It can be applied to families interested in Ecology and the conservation of Nature as well as to small groups of students who wish to explore this type of ecosystem guided by experts, thus achieving an understanding of natural processes and their importance. It is 5 days and 4 nights in close contact with the Fauna and Flora of the Yacutinga Reserve.
3.3 Adventure Tours – Cavas Wine Lodge (Mendoza) – Families with young adults over 18 years old
Nestled in a 55 acre vineyard, Cavas Wine Lodge is an 18 room boutique property strategically located between the best known wineries and the magnificent Andes Mountain range. Only half hour drive south of Mendoza city.
Over 900 wineries stand up in this vast region at the foothills of the Andes. Fabulous landscapes for outdoor activities, great weather -over 320 days of sun a year- and very friendly people are some of the irresistible aspects of the region.
Apart from wine safaris, you could enjoy Horseback riding between vineyards right from your room door and adventure activities just half hour from the hotel such as zip lining, hikes, bike rides and white water rafting.
Each region has developed a wide range of activities for families to try and keep everyone happy; activities for the active, rest and relaxation for the weary and peaceful, and so on. This is where Argentina comes into its own. If you’d like to see more luxury tours please click on our Argentina luxury travel section.
Yacutinga
We know that there are many options and different ways to discover Argentina (and Chile). In Beyond BA Latam, we offer tailor-made trips in Argentina and Chile, and we would love to help you design the right trip for you. Don’t hesitate in contacting us to get a trip proposition, and to start planning your next family trip!
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