We are in the beginning stages of planning a twelve-day trip to Argentina in December with our two young children in tow (3 and 5). I'm thinking about spending 3 days in BA, 3 days in Ushuaia, 3 days in El Calafate and 3 days in Puerto Madryn. Sound about right? Is there something else we should do (maybe also try to get in a trip to Mendoza?)?

Any hotel suggestions for these places or tour operator suggestions? We are looking for moderate options, but can probably splurge in one of the places if it's worth it.

Thanks!

Since you'll be in the South, you might want to squeeze in Bariloche. Another good idea (with kids) is to hit the beach... Mar del Plata is only a few hours away from BA.

Although it's out of the way from your other destinations, you may want to consider a trip to Iguazu Falls... the falls are spectacular and your kids will love it. Mendoza is certainly a great city too, but might not be as appealing to the little ones.

Buen Viaje!

I gree with msteacher, also mendoza is way far south, better to stay longer in BS / Mar del plata or Bariloche.

Are your dates before Xmas or including Xmas and the New Year?

It could make a big difference, as no Argentines will be holidaying before Xmas. I would vote for Mar del Plata, Bariloche (splurge on the Llao-Llao resort) and Calafate.

Further to my previous post, I feel four places in 12 days are too much, particularly with young children in tow.

I would suggest BA, Mar del Plata and Bariloche.

I would definitely add Iguazú Falls to the itinerary. Also, since you'll be in the south you might want to visit Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, beautiful towns. Mendoza is pretty nice too and so is Córdoba and the beaches if you have enough time. But please don't miss Iguazú Falls, the are amazing.
I would recommend you to contact Verónica Spina ([email protected]), she has great promotions for trips in Argentina. I would also recommend these websites www.buenosaires.gov.ar - www.alojargentina.com - www.turismo.gov.ar -

Please, take Mar del Plata out of your mind. Not worth going, at all. All the other destinations are worth it. Iguazu, Bariloche, Mendoza.....please do not go to Mar del Plata. It is an ugly city by the beach......and it is far from Buenos Aires.

Iguazu is breathtaking. There is nothing that compares to Iguazu in the United States.

Bariloche is very nice as well... the Rockies and Cascades are similar in the U.S.

Mendoza...like the California Wine country before Californians discovered they could make a bundle off tourists who wanted to visit their wineries and started to add gourmet restaurants, b&Bs, etc.....Mendoza is maybe 50 years behind in terms of infrastructure for tourism...which makes it an interesting destination imo....

Mar del Plata...I agree with Graziella...There are beaches on both the East and West coast of the United States that are far, far superior to Mar del Plata. Visit only if you never make it to the beach in California, Florida or the Texas coast.....Your time in Argentina is better spent in the mountains, in the far south of Patagonia and especially at Iguazu and BsAs.....

As an Argentine, I object!!!

Mar del Plata is a beautiful town and any of the beaches in that general area is much better that the beaches I have been to in Miami (of course there may be better beaches in the US than Miami Beach). By the way, Miami is a horrible town.

Anyway, I asked txtree about her dates of travel and she never answered.

If I were an Argentine person looking for a summer vacation spot, I might go to Mar del Plata if I couldn't afford Punta del Este...

...but with so many world class sites in your country, I would recommend spending time in Argentina in Buenos Aires (which I prefer to virtually all U.S. cities, including Miami), Iguazu, Patagonia, Mendoza or the Northwest and saving a beach experience for Destin, Florida, Padre Island, Texas or Zuma, California.....

Hi, avrooster, do you really know Miami ¿? Because I believe that Miami has beautiful beaches. Many.
Mar del Plata beaches are so crowded during the beach season that you sit in the sand elbow to elbow....if you can stand that I have nothing to say. This does not happen in Miami. On top Mar del Plata is just a city with beaches that to me is not attractive at all.
If I flew from US to Argentina and ended up in Mar del Plata I would die of sadness.....give me a brake...
Anyway what has Miami to do with the question asked by txtree?
To taxtree my advice is visit the places that everybody loves in Argentina, like Iguazu, Bariloche, Mendoza, and El Calfafate. If you really must go to
Ushuaia. ....and of course Buenos Aires a fantastic city with many things to offer for adults and children alike.

Hi, Graziella5b!

This is all a matter of taste. You like Miami, great! I do not like it.

For some reason, you do not like Mar del Plata, fine. I like it.

Of course, if I did not know my way around Mar del Plata, I might wind up in Playa Bristol in January, sitting in the sand elbow to elbow, like some foreign tourists do, thinking that is the only beach in Mar del Plata.

That is why I asked txtree about the dates of her stay in Argentina, a question she never answered.

You also said Mar del Plata is far from Buenos Aires, but suggest places which are much more distant. Give me a BREAK!

Hi avrooster, Yes you are right it is a question of taste. If you like Mar del Plata, it is oK.
Regarding distances I meant that Mar del Plata is far from Bs As , thinking it is a city with a beach and closer to Bs As there are better beaches in my opinion.The other destinations I mentioned they are unique in a way , for instance Iguazu is unique and in my opinion justifies a visit even if it is far.

Hi avrooster, Yes you are right it is a question of taste. If you like Mar del Plata, it is oK.
Regarding distances I meant that Mar del Plata is far from Bs As , thinking it is a city with a beach and closer to Bs As there are better beaches in my opinion.The other destinations I mentioned each are unique in a way , for instance Iguazu is unique and in my opinion justifies a visit even if it is far from Bs As.

I DO agree that there may better beaches along the Buenos Aires coastline than Mar del Plata, for instance Cariló, but it is really a matter of taste.

I hope you enjoyed your trip.
We are planning a similar one for october, with our two girls (2.5 and 6.5 years old).We want to go to El Calafate - Perito Moreno, and to Iguazu.
I would appreciate it very much any recommendations, as well as knowing your experiences with the kids.
Thanks.
Leonardo.

Leonardo:

For Kids I´m quite sure Iguazu will be the top. Don´t miss the motor oat to the Devil´s throat ( Garganta del Diablo )