Argentina
Family travel to Argentina combines adventure, culture and fun. And thanks to the country's recent economic woes, a trip to Argentina is also a steal. Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Argentina stretches 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) from its border with Bolivia to Antarctica occupying almost the entire southern portion of South America. From mountains to plains, subtropical forests to glaciers, natural wonders to World Heritage sites and gauchos to tango, the country's diversity is a lesson in contrasts and ensures families have a great deal to discover. And with an exchange rate of roughly 3 Argentine pesos to 1 U.S. dollar, your biggest expense is likely to be getting there.... Read More
Argentina has emerged from the political and economic collapse of 2001 and while demonstrations can still occur in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, social unrest has abated and the city is relatively safe. Travel throughout the remainder of the country is safe by any standard.
Whether you are attracted to the country's “wild west” or the capital's cosmopolitan air, Argentina's diversity is also reflected in the great number of activities to be had. Patagonia is a top destination for families in search of the great outdoors. Visit an archaeology site or take part in a dig. Observe sea life from shore or take a whale watching tour. And depending on the season, hike, bike, fish, snorkel or ski. The truly adventurous may wish to test their mountaineering skills in the province of Mendoza even if they do not intend to scale Aconcagua, which at 6,959 meters (22,841 feet) is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere.
Looking for a different kind of an adventure? Travel to Salta and take a trip on the Train to the Clouds. Explore one of the world's natural wonders at Iguazu Falls in the far north and Perito Moreno in the country's extreme south. Visit an Estancia, a traditional Argentine cattle ranch, and learn to be a gaucho on the Pampean plains. Head to Buenos Aires for museums, theatres, historical monuments and much, much more. And don't leave without experiencing the tango. With the revival of tourism, the tango is also returning to its cultural glory.
Whether you tour the country independently or in the company of others, a family vacation in Argentina is an enriching experience for all.
Argentina has emerged from the political and economic collapse of 2001 and while demonstrations can still occur in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, social unrest has abated and the city is relatively safe. Travel throughout the remainder of the country is safe by any standard.
Whether you are attracted to the country's “wild west” or the capital's cosmopolitan air, Argentina's diversity is also reflected in the great number of activities to be had. Patagonia is a top destination for families in search of the great outdoors. Visit an archaeology site or take part in a dig. Observe sea life from shore or take a whale watching tour. And depending on the season, hike, bike, fish, snorkel or ski. The truly adventurous may wish to test their mountaineering skills in the province of Mendoza even if they do not intend to scale Aconcagua, which at 6,959 meters (22,841 feet) is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere.
Looking for a different kind of an adventure? Travel to Salta and take a trip on the Train to the Clouds. Explore one of the world's natural wonders at Iguazu Falls in the far north and Perito Moreno in the country's extreme south. Visit an Estancia, a traditional Argentine cattle ranch, and learn to be a gaucho on the Pampean plains. Head to Buenos Aires for museums, theatres, historical monuments and much, much more. And don't leave without experiencing the tango. With the revival of tourism, the tango is also returning to its cultural glory.
Whether you tour the country independently or in the company of others, a family vacation in Argentina is an enriching experience for all.
Tanguero
Elephant Seals
Perito Moreno Glacier
Robert Wright courtesy Recoleta Cemetery Blog
Argentine Pampa
Robert Wright courtesy Recoleta Cemetery Blog
Argentina tours, guides and outfitters
Bottazzi (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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Martín Fierro N° 85
9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 474110
Bottazzi offers organized tours from Puerto Madryn to Peninsula Valdes, Punta Tombo and Gaiman. Tours vary in nature from jeep safaris to whale watching trips. Pick up and drop off is available from all area hotels. Guides are bilingual; English and Spanish. None of the tours are family departures but all are kid-friendly.
Snorkeling, Peninsula Valdes
Goos (Outfitter)
Travel Reviews
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Segunda Bajada al Mar
9121 Puerto Pirámides, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 495061
Goos offers scuba trips from Puerto Piramides, Argentina. Trips include coastal dives, photographic dives, sea lion dives and night dives. Goos also rents sand boards and offers sandboarding instruction.
Patagonia Explorers (Outfitter)
Travel Reviews
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Av. de las Ballenas s/n
9121 Puerto Pirámides, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 15416843
Puerto Piramides based Patagonia Explorers offers day trips and multi-day kayaking expeditions in Pensinsula Valdes, Argentina's premier whale watching region. All trips are moderately demanding and kayaking experience is required on all excursions. Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate in multi-day trips. Among the best choices for families with kayakers ... Read More
Puerto Piramides based Patagonia Explorers offers day trips and multi-day kayaking expeditions in Pensinsula Valdes, Argentina's premier whale watching region. All trips are moderately demanding and kayaking experience is required on all excursions. Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate in multi-day trips. Among the best choices for families with kayakers aged 10 and up are the half-day Gulfo Nuevo and Gulfo San Jose paddles. Both trips - roughly 6 hours in length - are easy paddles and include some hiking. Of note, accommodation on multi-day trips is tented camps.
Kayakers Peninsula Valdes
Whales Argentina (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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Primera Bajada al Mar
9121 Puerto Pirámides, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 495015
Whales Argentina offers whale watching adventures from Puerto Piramides in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes. These 90 minute boat trips provide an opportunity to view Southern Right Whales in their natural habitat. The ample deck space on the Plinino VII, an open catamaran, ensures all passengers have a chance of spotting sea life. While none of the voyages are family departure ... Read More
Whales Argentina offers whale watching adventures from Puerto Piramides in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes. These 90 minute boat trips provide an opportunity to view Southern Right Whales in their natural habitat. The ample deck space on the Plinino VII, an open catamaran, ensures all passengers have a chance of spotting sea life. While none of the voyages are family departures all are kid-friendly.
Punta Ballenas (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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Segunda Bajada al Mar
9121 Puerto Pirámides, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 495112
Punta Ballenas has been leading whale watching and marine mammal tours in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes for more 30 years. Southern Right Whales, the main attraction on all boat-based trips, frequent area waters from May through December; the peak whale watching season is September and October. Whale watching trips, roughly 75 minutes long, depart from the small village of P ... Read More
Punta Ballenas has been leading whale watching and marine mammal tours in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes for more 30 years. Southern Right Whales, the main attraction on all boat-based trips, frequent area waters from May through December; the peak whale watching season is September and October. Whale watching trips, roughly 75 minutes long, depart from the small village of Puerto Piramides. Punta Ballenas also offers scuba diving trips, marine life viewing excursions, and deep-sea fishing trips.
Buceo Aventura (Outfitter)
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Primera Bajada
9121 Puerto Pirámides, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 495031
Buceo Aventura, located in Puerto Piramides, was the first dive school in South America to offer scuba courses for children. And while none of their dives are specifically geared to families they are experts in diving with kids. In addition to scuba courses, Buceo Aventura offers coastal dives, boat dives, night dives, deep-water dives and nitrox dives in Peninsula Valdes, Arge ... Read More
Buceo Aventura, located in Puerto Piramides, was the first dive school in South America to offer scuba courses for children. And while none of their dives are specifically geared to families they are experts in diving with kids. In addition to scuba courses, Buceo Aventura offers coastal dives, boat dives, night dives, deep-water dives and nitrox dives in Peninsula Valdes, Argentina's top diving destination.
H&C Patagonia (Outfitter)
Travel Reviews
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2584 Perito Moreno St.
9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut
Argentina
+54 (0) 2965 470143
+54 (0) 2965 15637826
H&C Patagonia (formerly Huellas y Costas) offers kayaking trips in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes. All trips are moderately demanding and kayaking experience is required on all multi-day excursions. Multi-day trips are limited to 10 participants and include a fair bit of hiking. Accommodation is tented camps. CSKG qualified sea kayak guides lead all excursions. While H&C Patagonia doesn't offer specific trips for families, kids aged 12 ... Read More
H&C Patagonia (formerly Huellas y Costas) offers kayaking trips in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes. All trips are moderately demanding and kayaking experience is required on all multi-day excursions. Multi-day trips are limited to 10 participants and include a fair bit of hiking. Accommodation is tented camps. CSKG qualified sea kayak guides lead all excursions. While H&C Patagonia doesn't offer specific trips for families, kids aged 12 and up are welcome on all excursions.
Kayaking
Sturla & Cia (Professional Guide)
Travel Reviews
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Sturla & Cia offers 1-hour boat tours and half-day river cruises on the Paraná River Delta as well as boat trips from Tigre to Buenos Aires along the Rio de la Plata's Canal Costanera. All trips depart daily from the Estación Fluvial Domingo Faustino Sarmiento near the Tigre train station.
Catamaranes Interisleña (Professional Guide)
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Catamaranes Interisleña offers boat tours of the Paraná River Delta. One-hour tours navigate the Rio Sarmiento. Longer, 1 hour 50 minute, river cruises circle nearby Delta islands. All trips depart from Estación Fluvial Sarmiento near the main train station in Tigre. Reduced rates for kids under 8.
Buenos Aires Boats (Professional Guide)
Travel Reviews
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Buenos Aires Boats offers 8 boat trips daily. The shorter 45-minute tours travel along Canal Sur to Rio de la Plata. The longer 1.5 hour river cruises include a trip down Darsena Sur. All trips depart from Pedro de Mendoza 1900, at the base of Caminito Street, in the La Boca district of Buenos Aires.
Vuelta de Rocha
Robert Wright courtesy Recoleta Cemetery Blog
Urban Biking (Professional Guide)
Travel Reviews
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Moliere 2801, Villa Devoto
Buenos Aires 1005
Argentina
+54 (11) 4568 4321
Urban Biking offers 8 guided bike tours of Buenos Aires as well as 2-day cycling trips on routes less worn. City tours, all graded easy, depart daily from the Monumental Tower (English Tower) in Retiro. Bikes, helmets, beverages and lunch are included. All tours have English and Spanish speaking guides. The minimum age is 12. Rentals available.
Puente de la Mujer
Lan & Kramer Bike Tours (Professional Guide)
Travel Reviews
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Florida 868 piso 14 of H Cap
Buenos Aires 1005
Argentina
+54 (11) 4568 4321
Lan & Kramer offer 3 half-day guided bike tours of Buenos Aires. Tours, all graded easy, depart daily at 09:30 and 14:00 from Plaza San Martin. Bikes, helmets, child seats, rain gear and water are included. All tours have English and Spanish speaking guides. Children 12 & up ride solo. Kids under 4 ride in a child seat. Children 4-12 ride tandem. Rentals available.
Proyecto Dino (Non-profit Organization)
Travel Reviews
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Av Megaraptor 1450
Lago Barreales, Neuquén
Argentina
+54 (0) 299 154182295
Proyecto Dino is the only dinosaur dig program in Argentina. At this paleontology center, located in the heart of the Argentine badlands, children aged 8 and up learn by doing. Dig for dinosaurs. Learn to clean fossils. Find out about one or more of the over 400 fossils - sauropods, theropods, ornithopods, pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, fish and dinosaur eggs - uncovered ... Read More
Proyecto Dino is the only dinosaur dig program in Argentina. At this paleontology center, located in the heart of the Argentine badlands, children aged 8 and up learn by doing. Dig for dinosaurs. Learn to clean fossils. Find out about one or more of the over 400 fossils - sauropods, theropods, ornithopods, pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, fish and dinosaur eggs - uncovered at Futalognko, as the center is formally known. Dig for a day. Spend the night and dig for two. Sign up for a multi-day tour and, in addition to digging for fossils at Lago Barreales Paleontology Center, tour nearby natural history museums and paleontology sites. But make no mistake; digging for dinosaurs is both work and fun.
