There’s a special kind of magic in family travel. It’s not just the places you’re discovering together for the first time – vast, empty beaches or the jungles thick with birdsong – it’s the feeling of being untethered, of setting out together with nothing but time and curiosity.
Over years exploring these corners, we have distilled a list of first-rate family hideaways in South and Central America. These are places that offer the best of both worlds: adventure on a grand scale, with just enough comfort to keep the peace. For families, we always make sure to balance days of discovery with plenty of downtime, in places where you can stay longer, relax and explore at your own pace.
From jungle lodges to Pacific hideaways, mountain retreats to remote archipelagos, these destinations bring together the best of Latin America for families looking to trade routine for something extraordinary.
1. Hacienda Montezuma, Costa Rica
For a taste of traditional Costa Rican country living, few places rival Hacienda Montezuma. Besides the Tenorio Volcano in the Guanacaste province, this working cattle farm is run by the most attentive team imaginable.
Ignite a lifelong passion for the natural world with fascinating conservation programmes. Jaguars, sloths, monkeys & toucans live on the private reserve, where youngsters can release rescued ocelots, set up cameras & hone their tracking skills.
While seasoned riders help sabanero cowboys muster cattle on horseback, keen gardeners can harvest fresh vegetables & young swimmers will be enthralled by sparkling rivers, waterfalls and natural pools. Al fresco dining is a must, from sunny lakeside picnics to firepit feasts under the stars.
Conveniently for those constricted by school breaks, the hacienda has five-to-seven-night family holiday experiences, although longer stays will allow you to settle into the invigorating pura vida lifestyle.
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2. Ibiti Project, Brazil
Set amongst the green hills of Minas Gerais, the Ibiti Project is a serene oasis and one of the world’s great hideaways. The eighteenth-century farmhouse is comfortable and rustic, impeccably decorated with colourful Brazilian art and furniture.
Whether riding Mangalara horses, spotting wildlife in the Atlantic Forest or scrambling through caves, the 1,500-hectare reserve is the ultimate playground. Venture into the Ibitipoca State Park and you’ll be rewarded with dramatic waterfalls & spectacular rock formations. Afterwards, unwind with yoga classes & spoiling treatments at the barn spa, and tuck into picnics made with fresh produce from the land at secluded spots around the reserve. After each day, watch the sun set over vast sculptures of figures that tower over the rainforest.
With its tropical climate, Ibiti Project can be visited year-round, but is at its best from April to September. A favourite with locals, we recommend booking well in advance for buyouts.
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3. Galapagos Safari Camp, Ecuador
What better way to get the younger members of the family excited about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution than surrounding them with dragon-like reptiles and giant tortoises? A family holiday to the Galapagos brings school science textbooks magically to life.
On this archipelago, home to the most diverse ecosystem on the planet, budding scientists can snorkel with turtles & sea lions & witness marine iguanas sneezing in saltwater. Up-close encounters with the inhabitants of these enchanted isles are sure to inspire inquisitive young minds.
Up in the wild highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the luxury tented family suites at Galapagos Safari Camp are wonderfully spacious. As well as an infinity pool, you’ll enjoy ocean views from your veranda & guided activities from scuba diving to surfing.
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4. Casa Yahri, Colombia
The magic of Casa Yahri lies not just in its charming colonial facade, but in the opportunities it provides to nurture creativity. The elegant villa is tucked away in Barichara, a storybook village in Colombia’s Andean heartland. Here, workshops with local artisans will tap into children’s artistic side through ceramics, clay painting & weaving. They’ll create homespun handicrafts as well as vivid family memories.
Get the whole family cooking with masterclasses in regional cuisine, before discovering the coffee-making process at a nearby finca. Adventures abound, from horse riding & paragliding in the Chicamoya Canyon to waterfall rappelling along the Fonce River. Should you wish, you can rent out the entire villa to enjoy the leafy terraces and spacious suites all to yourself.
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5. Pata Lodge, Chile
At family-run Pata Lodge, the Patagonian wilderness is a precious tool for learning. As well as cosy cabins, there’s an on-site school teaching everything from beekeeping & sheep breeding to yoga practice & astronomy workshops.
Guests come here to walk, fly fish, and raft and kayak the Futaleufú River. In the Futaleufú National Reserve, deep ravines make for excellent canyoning. Delve deeper into the Andean scenery on horseback or mountain bikes, spotting Huemul deer grazing peacefully among the trees.
Young pirates can hop aboard Pata’s sailboat, which navigates through shadowy fjords and towering glaciers off the Pacific coast. Keep an eye on the waves; these waters shelter whales, dolphins, penguins & sea lions.
After each action-packed day, tuck into home-cooked dinners at the organic farm-to-table restaurant.
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6. Estancia El Bordo, Argentina
Argentina’s estancias – traditional working ranches and estates – lend themselves perfectly to family vacations and are suitable for longer stays of 7-14 nights. Typically set in breathtaking scenery, they offer warm, authentic, relaxed hospitality, and a privileged window onto life on a working farm.
In Salta, Estancia El Bordo is one of the oldest estancias in the country and one of our favourite gaucho outposts. Guests will feast on mighty asados (Argentine barbecues), and explore the estate on foot and on Peruvian Paso horses. In the evenings, dance & cookery classes are immensely entertaining for all ages. Under-threes stay for free & babysitters can be arranged for parents wanting to slip off for a massage.
Discover Estancia El BordoConsidering a family adventure to Latin America? Simply reach out to start a conversation with our travel designers about creating your own bespoke journey.
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