Traveling in South America with kids
South America is a magical lab able to conjure up any child's dream
Traveling in South America with kids will make lifelong memories. Animal lovers will adore a startling menagerie: penguins, pumas and pygmy deer; whales and condors; soft-furred alpaca and giant flightless rhea; jaguars and marine iguanas. Fit kids will jump at wilderness hikes, kayaking fjords, rafting wild rivers, or surfing on golden beaches. Horse-mad types have trail rides with the cowboys of Chile and Argentina or splashing canters through Brazil's Pantanal. Let them discover wondrous cultures older than Egypt, from the Andes to the Amazon, and learn about the earth and sky amid smoking volcanoes beneath remote starry skies lit by the Milky Way.
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Things to do in South America
Strange beasts
South America is home to a plethora of quirky but enchanting animals. Marvel at giant flightless rheas, adorable pygmy deer and cute soft-furred llama-like guanacos. Smile at waddling penguins and blubbery elephant seals. And be very glad your hamster isn't as big as a capybara!
Get active!
Burn youthful energy on land and water. Kayak around fjords and glaciers, thrill with whitewater rafting or canoe through flooded Amazon jungle. Scale Andean peaks on ancient trails or cross vast plains. Horse-ride through a wetland nirvana. Or wander amid jetting geysers and smoking volcanoes.
Chile and Argentina have fascinating - but distinctive - cowboy cultures, without any Wild West bad guys! riding with Argentinian gauchos across the grass sea of the Pampas is fantastic even without the stupendous barbecues!
Our South America family Vacations
Peru Amazon Rainforest family adventure
Amazon family adventure vacation, for children aged 4-10
From
US $844
4 days
ex flights
Exciting family vacation in Peru
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Peru
From
US $2900 to US $3700
15 days
ex flights
Family volunteering in Peru
Experience sensational Peru with family volunteering
From
£649
14 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Peru, Machu Picchu & the Amazon
Experience Peru's top sights as a family
From
£3619
19 days
ex flights
Galapagos family adventure vacation
Family activity vacation on the beautiful Galapagos Islands
From
£2845
7 days
ex flights
Peru family adventure tour
A vacation with a bit more adventure for all the family
From
£2735
17 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
Explore exotic Ecuador on this fun family trip
From
£5485
13 days
ex flights
Peru Amazon family adventure with teenagers
Energetic Amazon adventure vacation for teenagers and parents
From
US $844
4 days
ex flights
Galapagos Islands adventure tour
The original Galapagos Land Based Tour
From
US $4599
9 days
ex flights
Family vacation in Peru
Amazon rainforest and Peruvian culture family adventure
From
US $2750 to US $2970
10 days
ex flights
Chile activity tour
Active adventure vacation in Chile's Lake District
From
US $1310
4 days
ex flights
Family teenager vacation in Peru
An active itinerary in Peru’s varied terrain
From
US $3005
14 days
ex flights
Peru family adventure vacation
Peru Family Adventure activity vacation
From
US $2400
8 days
ex flights
Galapagos family vacation
Follow in the footsteps of Darwin on this family vacation
From
US $2680 to US $2835
8 days
ex flights
Family adventure vacation in Peru, Inca & Amazon
Pretty Sherpa villages and spectacular mountains
From
US $2975 to US $3095
13 days
ex flights
Galapagos & Ecuador vacation for families
Active family vacation in Ecuador and Galapagos
From
US $3800
15 days
ex flights
Ecuador and Galapagos family activity vacation
View world famous wildlife in award winning National Parks
From
£4995
15 days
ex flights
Patagonia family vacation, glacial lakes and mountains
Discover true wilderness on this adventurous family vacation
From
£6085
16 days
ex flights
Galapagos family vacation, hotel based
Fantastic Galapagos Islands Family Adventure Vacation
From
US $1360
6 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Peru, wildlife & Incan culture
11-night family trip - the people, culture & scenery of Peru
From
£3295
12 days
ex flights
Flexible Galapagos Islands tailor made tour
Your choice of four to eight-day land-based adventure
From
US $2125 to US $4385
5 days
ex flights
Tips for families
Alan Lyall from our supplier Andean Trails reels off some Patagonian pleasures for traveling in South America with kids:
“Walking trails in the Torres del Paine National park. Seeing if you can spot a fox, pudu (miniature deer) or ñandu (rhea). Zip lining in cold rain forest, floating on emerald coloured rivers, exploring volcanic caves, picking shellfish and crabs on rocky beaches. Spotting shooting stars in immaculate clear desert skies, horse riding and so much more. Active kids = happy kids.”
Our top South America family Vacation
Galapagos adventure vacation
An active island adventure
From
US $4599
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2018: 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 23 Dec, 29 Dec
2018: 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 23 Dec, 29 Dec
Tim Winkworth from our supplier The Family Adventure Company highlights Andean culture in his tips for traveling in South America with kids:
“The Inca culture is not as prevalent in Ecuador as it is in Peru as it doesn't have the ruins - but there are traditional communities, and where you really get that feel is in the markets and in the highlands. You have farmers working in a traditional way, and it's great to show children what's outside of the technological world they live in. The colourfully dressed children are happy to see people, you can kick a football around with them; it's a wonderful opportunity. It's great to take the kids to the markets too. They can have a look at the different trinkets and see all the people.”
More about South America
The best time to visit South America, particularly Peru, is any time outside of the rainy season which takes place between January and March.
Our South America travel guide takes you trekking, bushwhacking, rafting, climbing and salsa-ing your way across this thrilling continent, from the depths of the Amazon up to the high peaks of the Andes, the icy reaches of Patagonia to the astonishing ruins of Machu Picchu.
This beguiling continent is made up of 12 countries, each with their own unique quirks, culture, landscapes and history.
There is such a range of things to do in South America that planning a vacation there can be a daunting task.
The best way to explore Patagonia, the Amazon vs the Pantanal, what to do in the Lake District and where to find the best street food - our destination specialists from our partner vacation companies share their top South America travel tips to help you plan your vacation of a lifetime.
The continent has done well for itself in terms of responsible tourism in South America - there are vast wildlife reserves, endless opportunities for cultural interaction, superb mountain and naturalist guides and a celebration of traditions from food to dance.
Find all of our South America guides in one place, for particular places in South America such as Bolivia, the Galapagos or Peru.
Anna Scrivens from our supplier Audley Travel explains why Brazil is a good choice for traveling in South America with kids:
“I think Brazil works well for families – as long as they’re aware of all the traveling involved. Children would love the wildlife in the Pantanal or the jungle in the Amazon or the waterfalls, it’s all very visual. In Rio there are some really good family tours. You can do cycling trips around the beaches, walking, kayaking... It’s a very active country, so even if you just go to the beach, there are kayaks you can hire or boat trips you can take.”
