Family Vacations to Argentina

Argentina – Family Vacation Guide

The world’s eighth largest country and in South America second only to mighty Brazil, Argentina is a vast outdoor, family-friendly adventure. Wild, remote regions are balanced by historic cities, ancient towns and rich cultural experiences. Visit with kids to ride the plains in the company of gaucho. Head south to the far reaches of Patagonia where the coast almost touches Antarctica and great glaciers rule the land. Spend time on the beach at Costa Verde, climb in the Andes, sail some of the world’s largest waterfalls or explore limitless wetlands teeming with rare wildlife. It’s an extraordinary country and an incredible adventure.

Why Go

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Argentina has 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Los Glaciares and Iguazú National Parks.

Accommodation Choices

There’s a wide choice of hotels in Buenos Aires and the provincial cities. Think about staying in estancias and hosteria in Argentina for a more local and affordable experience.

Beaches

Costa Verde seaside towns like Pinamar, Cariló and Mar de Las Pampas have huge beaches just a three-hour drive from Buenos Aires.

Natural Wonders

Argentina has 10 mountain ranges, including the Frontal Cordillera stretch of the Andes along the country’s western border with Chile. The 150-square-mile Perito Moreno glacier in Southern Patagonia is one of the few glaciers accessible by land.

Buenos Aires

Argentina’s capital is just as colorful, exotic and intriguing as you imagine it would be. What you might not expect is effortlessly cool street style, incredible restaurants, elegant Parisian architecture, gorgeous city parks, the Rio de la Plata waterfront and masses of child-specific entertainment.

Buenos Aires is a big city and always busy. Get a street map, divide into barrio and start exploring at Plaza Italia, right in the center: hub of museums, galleries, shops, restaurants and the city’s transport network.
Palermo is the city’s largest district and good for international hotels, rental apartments and Airbnb.
Don’t miss: Bioparque Temaiken, Museo de los Ninos, Parque Lezama, Bosque de los Rosedales, Delta del Parana boat cruises, Puerto de Frutas Sunday markets and Parque de la Costa, the biggest amusement park in South America.
Buenos Aires has direct flights to La Pampa, north and south Patagonia, Córdoba and Santiago.
Visit during summer (November to March) for temperatures between 75˚F and 85˚F. The city can be very humid in high summer, so during weekends locals head to beach resorts like Mar del Plata, a two-hour drive south on the Atlantic coast.

El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia

Between September and May, the town of El Calafate in Santa Cruz Province becomes one of Argentina’s most popular destinations. It’s the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier: a 150-square-mile ice field and one of the very few glaciers in the world accessible by land.

El Calafate’s almost solely focused on tourism and has a good range of hotels from basic two- and three-stars to luxurious international five-star resorts.
The town has many cozy, local guesthouses that are wonderfully welcoming to families and a good alternative to hotels in this extraordinary part of the world.
The Fitz Roy and Chalténand Torre mountains are also in Los Glaciares. They’re considered to be the country’s most challenging climbs, but guided treks and hikes in the foothills are fun with older kids.
Activities, tours and experiences can all be arranged through registered operators in El Calafate.
El Calafate’s a bustling, modern town with good shops, restaurants and places to stay. The surrounding environment, climate and outdoor activities are most suited to holidays with older kids and teenagers.
Top outdoor activities for families include: trekking on Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy and Chalténand Torre mountain hikes, guided tours of Balcón del Calafate and the Petrified Forest, zip lining, horse riding, sailing, hiking, camping and walking in Los Glaciares.
Closer to Antarctica than Buenos Aires, El Calafate has temperatures between 50˚F and 60˚F from September to March, dropping to daytime lows of 20˚F in June, July and August.

Córdoba, Central Argentina

Córdoba, Argentina’s second city, is at the heart of the country and a good family holiday base for exploring historic Córdoba Province. Considerably more temperate climate-wise than Buenos Aires, summer temperatures seldom rise above 75˚F and winter lows sit at about 50˚F.

Córdoba’s one of the prettiest Colonial cities in South America and is immersed in history thanks to its pole position on the ancient Royal Road. There is a good choice of affordable four-star hotels and apartments in the city center.
Set in a valley surrounded by mountains, Córdoba’s sierras are packed with outdoor activities including trekking, horse riding, mountain biking, climbing and heritage tours – they’re also the best place to see Condors in flight.
Don’t miss: Quebrada del Condorito National Park, the flamingos at Mar Chiquita Lagoon, World Heritage Jesuit Square, Córdoba Cathedral, Córdoba Art Market, January’s Festival of Taming for astounding riding display, and folklore and beaches at Cosquin.
Best time to visit is spring and summer (September to March), weather is warm, sunny but not too hot and low humidity.

Misiones Province, North East Argentina

Tucked between Paraguay and southern Brazil, Misiones is famous for waterfalls, miraculous rivers and rainforest adventures in complete contrast to the glacial wonders of Patagonia’s far south.

Sub-tropical Posadas is a romantic coastal city, capital of the Province and historic gateway to Misiones’ spectacular natural phenomena. Another Jesuit stronghold, it’s awash with historic buildings, museums, galleries and gorgeous squares. Good base for touring the province.
Puerto Iguazú is the closest city to Iguazú National Park for guided tours and a wide range of four-star family hotels.
Don’t miss: Iguazú National Park; Moconá Falls; World Heritage San Ignacio Ruins; Paraná Waterfront; El Soberbio; Route 12 for mission cities like Eldorado, Montecarlo and Jardin América.
Best time to visit is spring (September to December) when temperatures are between 65˚F and 75˚F and humidity’s low.

Educational Value for Kids

Santa Cruz Province is where to see the Hands’ Cave in the Rio de las Pinturas Canyon. The cave’s almost 600m deep and its walls are covered in handprints and paintings dating back as far as 13,000 years BC.

Iconic Route 40 covers over 3,000 miles, from El Calafate in Southern Patagonia along the western Andean ridge to the border of Bolivia. Even the shortest drive is unforgettable.

Argentina’s Estancias (farms and estates) range from working cattle ranches to grand English-style country parks. They’re wonderful places to stay with kids from the awe-inspiring La Pampa grasslands to the outskirts of cities like Buenos Aires and Córdoba, the Andes Mountains and Southern Patagonia.

Argentina is famous for magnificent rail journeys and beautiful steam trains. La Trochita across the Patagonian Steppes from Esquel on the Old Patagonian Express is an amazing adventure with kids.

Getting Around

Route 40 crosses Argentina from end to end and stretches over 3,00 miles, so it is possible to drive around if you have plenty of time to spare. But using the country’s network of trains, buses and planes is a much easier way to get around with kids. Being aware of the distances and relative remoteness of many areas is essential for independent travellers. pay particular attention to weather variations across the country. Temperatures in the south drop dramatically between May and August.

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Argentina – Family Vacation Guide

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Why Go