SuY

Hi!
My husband, 2 kids (2 and 5 yrs) and I are planning a trip to Argentina/Uruguay in March for 9 days. My husband and I went to BA and NW (Salta etc) 5 yrs ago and are looking forward to be back! It's great seeing that avrooster is still on! Anyhow, we were planning to spend 4 days at the Four Seasons in Uruguay and I am now (somewhat belatedly) trying to sort out the rest of the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought of doing Bariloche but I just read that it is quite touristy and we are also worried about the ash/airport closure. Iguazu Falls sounds lovely but am not sure my husband and I would enjoy it for that many days. We both love to eat and drink but also recognize we are now traveling with children - would Mendoza be appropriate? We had been to Patagonia on the Chile side about 10 years ago but should I think about El Calafate? Or should I explore Uruguay? Any help would be greatly appreciated! (as you can see - I am quite confused!)

francisc0

You'd have 5 days in Argentina, is that correct? Are you looking for just one destination, or would you move around? If you wanted to move around, 5 days isn't much, but --of the places you mentioned-- Mendoza+Bariloche might be doable (or Mendoza+Neuquén, which are neighboring provinces -- Neuquén is like a "gateway" to Patagonia).

What kind of destination are you looking for? Nature? Culture?

clove7524

Traveling to Mendoza would not be fun for the kids. They are too little. Yes, if it were just the adults, YES!!!!! Iguazu Falls is amazing but a lot of walking. We were there 2 years ago in Feb and it was hot . The boat ride is fun but again , they are little. I would hold off on that aaas well til they get older frankly. The hotel is very costly and aside from the pool, there is little for them to do.

francisc0

I've been thinking a bit more about which places would be best for families with small children; here are a couple of options:

--San Juan is the province immediately North of Mendoza and it's also famous for its wineries. I agree that a tour of wineries would bore the kids, but San Juan has a national park called Ischigualasto or Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) with outlandish landscapes and dinosaur fossils. I think you tour the park with a vehicle, so you wouldn't have to walk much. I don't know if the kids would appreciate this, though; but if they like this kind of thing, San Juan could be a place with something for all of you.
More info: The Route of Wine in San Juan -- http://www.welcomeargentina.com/pase.../index_i.html; Moon Valley -- http://www.welcomeargentina.com/sanjuan/valle_moon.html and http://www.kuriositas.com/2010/11/is...y-of-moon.html

--El Calafate: I think this is the best bet out of the places you mentioned because many of the outings are by boat, and most kids love boats.

I like Bariloche --I love walking through its forests and mountains-- but your kids are probably too young to be able to walk much. However, they'd probably love the handmade chocolate factories!

portlanderic

We're headed to Argentina in March as well with 3 kids 5 and under. We had some of the same dilemmas about Bariloche which we saw the airport closed again today due to ash.

We're thinking of BA for a week or so, then head south to El Calafate and staying in Patagonia.

Not finding many tips for seeing Argentina with kids though. Did you decide where you are going?

MarnieWDC

Portlanderic and SuY:

Here is a good Trip Report for traveling to BsAs and Iguazu with young children:

BsAs with KIDS
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...s-Buenos_Aires

And to repeat the above: Bariloche is still, from time to time, troubled by the ash from the Chilean volcano eruption of June. Bariloche airport is not functioning fully, even at this time.




Please do read about Bariloche

SuY

Thanks for everyone's input, and the TA link! I am sadly still struggling to find a place to go to. I went to Argentina 5 yrs ago and loved being in BA and Salta and am now hoping to find somewhere different. Flights to El Calafate are somewhat insane in pricing and based on what I've read, Mendoza may not make sense. We are now thinking we'll go to Uruguay for a few days and chill out at the Four Seasons there. Maybe go to a really nice estancia near BA? We don't ride (husband is allergic - I know we are so problematic!) but I thought it would be great to see something out of the city. Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

susanrford

I'd think about adding Uruguay. It's so chill and the people are super friendly.

We hung out in the Pocitos neighorhood of Montevideo and enjoyed the rambla and the beach right in the city. Our kids are a little older, and wished for more waves and deeper water, but still enjoyed it every day we were there. In Montevideo, be sure to eat at the Mercado del Puerto. We also enjoyed La Otra in Pocitos. You might also consider the beaches further north of Punta del Este.

We loved the thermal pools in Dayman - and spent a day at Aquamania (a water park) that we all enjoyed. Would be great for a few days/weekend and it's easily accessible by bus or car from Montevideo.

We skipped the estancias for the same reason.

If you're US citizens, Argentina charges a hefty reciprocity fee if you enter at Ezieza (around $140 per person); Uruguay does not and it's airport is very easy to navigate. We flew into Uruguay and then later crossed into Argentina by bus(you could also do hydrofoil/ferry).

Graziella5b

March can be the most fantastic beach season in Punta del Este, lost of prople have left because os schools schedules and the water turns into a favinating blugreen with ideal temperatures.

Graziella5b

i mesnt lots of ...alsobwater turns into a fascinating nblue green color....