Family-Friendly Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Iguazú Falls - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Tour 

Welcome to Argentina! You and your family will land in Buenos Aires, the nation's vibrant capital. Initially founded in the 1500s, the city has a rich history and culture and is considered a major epicenter for commerce, industry, politics, and technology. After your driver collects you from the airport, you'll have had a chance to settle at your hotel before you head out on a guided tour of some of the city's most popular barrios (neighborhoods)

Meet your guide at the hotel and then visit Plaza de Mayo, home to the National Government Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. Learn about the history of these important landmarks before moving on to San Telmo, one of the city's oldest districts. If you happen to be here on a Sunday, stop at their weekly antique market in Plaza Dorrego, where you'll find antiques, souvenirs, food stalls, and street performers to entertain the kids.

Next, stroll past the brightly-painted houses of La Boca. Soccer fans in the family will be thrilled to know that this is home to the legendary Boca Juniors Football Club, where the great Diego Maradona played. You'll also see Puerto Madero, formerly an industrial area that's now full of elegant bars and restaurants, and Palermo, a sprawling district with incredible street art. End the tour in Recoleta, an upmarket area with restaurants, boutiques, and hotels. Visit the cemetery there and see where some of Argentina's most famous residents are buried, including actress and former first lady Eva "Evita" Perón.

Day 2: Paraná River Delta Cruise

Get your family out of the city today with a private cruise around the Paraná River Delta, a waterway formed by several islands known as the Islas del Paraná. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning, and you'll set out from San Fernando Port on a typical delta flatboat, refurbished with modern amenities while maintaining its original spirit. Depending on weather and water levels, your captain will either sail toward the Río de la Plata or the Río Luján and Vinculación Canal.

Cruise the rivers and streams of the Delta, taking in the peaceful greenery and natural surroundings while the kids keep their eyes peeled for some of the hundreds of different bird species that live here. At lunchtime, the boat will drop anchor. This is when you'll be served a delicious meal on board, with time set aside to swim in the river, listen to music, or just relax and enjoy the views. Head back to the port this afternoon and then transfer to your hotel.

Day 3: Explore Gaucho Life in the Argentine Countryside

Explore the Argentine countryside today with a visit to the traditional town of San Antonio de Areco. Your guide will first pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive you inland as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Pampas regions while you discuss the history of Argentina's gauchos (horsemen) and their lives.

Upon arrival in San Antonio de Areco, you and the kids will get a chance to stretch your legs with a guided tour around the main plaza, Ruiz de Arellano. Here you'll find beautiful colonial architecture and historic buildings like the parish of San Antonio de Padua, as well as museums that include Las Lilas, which has a selection of original paintings by Argentine illustrator and painter Florencio Molina Campos.

Afterward, continue to Estancia El Ombú de Areco. This gorgeous estancia (ranch) encompasses almost 750 acres (300 ha), and guests can choose between horseback tours or a ride in a sulky (horse-drawn cart) around the property. You'll also enjoy a delicious asado (barbecue) lunch with traditional Argentine foods, accompanied by a folklore show, where the kids can see live demonstrations of gaucho skills and horsemanship. 

Day 4: Fly to Bariloche, Explore

It's time to depart to the Patagonian town of San Carlos de Bariloche—or just Bariloche to the locals. Your private transfer will collect you from your hotel in the morning and take you to the airport for the two-hour flight. Once you arrive and get settled at your hotel, spend the rest of your afternoon exploring this charming town with the kids.

Day 5: Guided Hike in Bariloche, Storytelling & Magic Performance 

See Patagonia's natural beauty on a guided walk through the forest today. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the trailhead, where you'll embark on a gently sloped pathway into the wooded areas, eventually making your way to a viewpoint over Nahuel Huapi, which offers stunning views of the countryside. Once you reach the shores of the lake, you can relax for a bit, letting the kids splash around while you sample some maté, a traditional South American drink that is considered part of the culture and traditions here. Afterward, hike back to the vehicle and return to town. 

Day 6: Kayak Tour of Lago Gutiérrez

Discover more of Patagonia's lakes region with a family kayak tour of Lago Gutiérrez. Your tour guide will transport you from your hotel to a campsite on the lake, where, after a safety briefing and equipment overview, you'll hop in your kayaks and set off. This easy paddle tour is accessible for all ages, and the appropriate gear will be provided. Travel along the clear and peaceful waters, passing snow-capped mountains and quiet beaches while catching glimpses of birds and other wildlife. Break for a snack on a beach, and then paddle back to camp for your transfer into town. 

Day 7: Fly to Ushuaia, Self-Guided Tour

You're off to the quaint town of Ushuaia today! In the morning, a driver will transport you to the airport for your departure flight. The Yamanas people originally settled this small town, and they are the ones who named it Ushuaia, which means "protected bay." The town sits on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the "End of the World" because of its remote location on the tip of South America. 

After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours. If you want to explore at your own pace, the kids might enjoy a visit to the Thematic Gallery of the Historia Fueguina, where more than 120 character life-size figures take you through the history of the region. Or you can unearth the story of the scariest and most dangerous criminals at the Prison Museum. And you won't want to forget the local gastronomy, as Ushuaia is known for its fresh seafood.

You can also take a guided walking tour to see some of the most important landmarks, such as the End of the World Museum and the town's waterfront promenade. Walk the historic streets and listen to the captivating stories about the region's first inhabitants and how the city once held the region's most dangerous criminals! 

Day 8: Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park

Experience the stunning beauty of Tierra del Fuego National Park today. The park encompasses more than 240 square miles (629 sq km) and was nicknamed the "Land of Fires" by early explorers. Here you'll find stunning natural landscapes that include Andean-Patagonian forests, mountains that rise from the sea, and lakes that seem to go on forever. The park also makes the end of the Pan-American route that begins in Alaska and stretches more than 9,000 miles (15,000 km) before ending in the park.

Start with a hike along the Coastal Path, an undulating 5-mile (8 km) trail that offers views of the Beagle Channel, Lapataia Bay, and Laguna Verde. The hike is considered medium difficulty, and while not overly challenging, those with smaller children may opt to take some of the smaller, shorter trails in the area. After exercising your legs and stopping for photo ops, head to the End of the World Train Station, where you'll take a 60-minute steam engine ride into the park, traveling past rivers, bogs, and the impressive Macarena Waterfall.

Next, visit Ensenada Bay, where you can see views of Redonda and Estorbo islands and the mountains of the Sampaio Chain. Walk along Lago Roca and the Río Lapataia, where you'll see the Chilean border, then finish at the glacier lake of Acigami and Lapataia Bay, the end of the Pan-American route. The park also has what is known as the last post office in the Americas, where the kids can send postcards to family and friends from the end of the world! 

Day 9: Cruise the Beagle Channel with Islands & Wildlife 

Get up close and personal with local wildlife as you tour the Beagle Channel and its islands via yacht. Your ship departs from the local pier and heads toward Isla Alicia, home to a large colony of South American sea lions. The kids can wave hello to the lounging lions before heading to Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), where you'll find nesting birds such as the black-browed albatross, steam duck, and gray gull. You'll also pass by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the site of the SS Monte Cervantes, where your guide will share stories. 

Day 10: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Free Afternoon

Your next destination is Puerto Iguazú, home to Iguazú Falls National Park and the largest waterfall system in the world. The park spans both Argentina and Brazil, and you'll get the opportunity to visit both. At the appointed time, your driver will collect you from your Ushuaia hotel and transport you to the airport for your flight. Upon arrival, take a private transfer to your hotel, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore some of the activities and excursions around Puerto Iguazú.

One option is to visit three countries at once at the Triple Frontier landmark—a tri-border area for Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The three countries all meet at the mouth of the Río Iguazú, with a walkway and views over the river, as well as information on each country's proximity. There's also a family-friendly restaurant here and a children's play area. 

If the kids are interested in seeing some of Argentina's most beloved creatures, you can visit Güirá Oga, a wildlife rehabilitation center. The center conducts ongoing research on forest preservation and has a breeding program for endangered species. And for any birders in the family, a visit to the hummingbird aviary, El Jardin de los Picaflores, should not be missed! This small garden area is home to several varieties of hummingbirds and other local birds, with feeding areas and benches. 

Day 11: Tour Iguazú Falls (Brazil Side), Visit a Bird Sanctuary 

Explore the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls today, starting at the visitor's center, where you'll board a bus into the park. You'll disembark at a footbridge and continue on foot through a magical subtropical rainforest while the kids keep their eyes peeled for wildlife, such as toucans or even jaguars, eventually arriving at the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) waterfall. This is the perfect place for photos, as the Brazilian side showcases a constant rainbow that floats above the water. Afterward, stop at the shopping and restaurant area upstairs, then board your bus back to the park entrance.

On the way back to your hotel, make a stop at Parque das Aves, a 40-acre (16 ha) bird sanctuary in Brazil's Paraná province. The sanctuary provides care to more than 143 different species, with five immersive aviaries that house a total of more than 1,000 birds. See toucans and curassows up close, visit the parakeet nursery, and let the kids experience a flock of 100 macaws flying directly over their heads! The park also has resident butterflies, caimans, anacondas, and alligators.

Day 12: Tour Iguazú Falls (Argentina Side) 

Today's tour takes you to the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls. Gather up the family's rain gear, then meet up with your guide and start in the park's lower falls circuit. This route takes you below the falls—a wet adventure that the kids will find entertaining and fun! You'll pass by several waterfalls, including Two Sisters Falls, Bossetti Falls, and Hidden Falls. 

Afterward, you'll walk to the upper circuit, traversing the catwalks past several other cascades, such as San Martin, ending at a different view of the Devil's Throat. The Argentina side allows you to see the immense cascade from above, providing a unique vantage point to watch the water rush beneath you and disappear over the fall's edge.

Day 13: Native Guarani Community Tour, Fly to Buenos Aires

Head deep into the jungle today on a cultural excursion that takes you to the Iryapú Forest and the villages of the Guarani people. Along with your local guide, you and the family will learn about the history and culture of this region. Walk the trails that take you to the villages while your guide discusses the customs of the Guarani, as well as the ancient hunting and fishing techniques that they still use today. The kids can even meet some of the children of the community and perhaps try their hand at fishing!

End the tour by sampling traditional dishes as you sit back and listen to music and storytelling. Afterward, head back to your hotel to catch a private transfer to the airport. Board your flight to Buenos Aires, and then relax at your hotel for the evening or see more of the city at your leisure. 

Day 14: Depart Buenos Aires

It's time for you and the family to say goodbye to Argentina! Enjoy any extra free time this morning to take a walk in Buenos Aires, relax at a café, or do some last-minute souvenir shopping with your kids. At the appointed hour, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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