mmd

We have two boys ages 5 and 9. They have travelled extensively with us. We went to Panama 2 years ago on our own and had a wonderful time. Last year we were in Lima and Chile(Santiago, Patagonia Cruise, Estancia Rio Verde, Vina). My husband and I visited Costa Rica many years ago.

We have just found out that we will be returning to Panama for three days in October (visiting Gamboa and the Embera village again) and then want to explore another country. We never went to Bocas del Torro but I don't want to go anywhere with the children that is prone to Malaria.

We need to go somewhere on Copa Airlines.
I am having trouble deciding where we should go...Argentina or Brazil? We love animals, nature, and quaint cities with a touch of the big cities, too.

Has anyone travelled to these areas with children and do you have any suggestions. We will have about 5 to 7 days once we leave Panama.

Thanks so much!

santiagov

mmd:

I have travelled with my 2 kids ( almost same ages as yours ), to Iguazú Falls .
Its an unforgetable 3/4 days trip.
Stay at the Sheraton ,although other nice and cheaper Hotels are in the sorroundings.
If you enjoy staying longer in the sorroundings ( Not more than 200 KMS) there are off the beaten track spots that justify an extension in days ..but thats another subject.
The tour can be based both on the Argentinian or Brazilian border of the falls, but w / kids think it definitly safer the Argentinian .

mmd

Thanks so much for your comments! With the 3/4 day trip to the falls, is there somewhere interesting to stop along the way to break up the trip?
Also, since you went with your two kids, besides the falls, is there something else that should not be missed?

santiagov

Sorry for my English , i meant staying in the falls and at the Sheraton for 3/ 4 days. Activities in the Falls :
Donīt miss the boat tour to the heart of the falls , kids might get a little scared..mine almost cried !!..thereīs a kind of roar from water hitting rocks and water and a spray that will wet everybody ...part of the fun !.

Walks also are 1/2 day activitys, thereīs a Jungle guided saffari :
A truck that drives you through Jungle roads.
If possible cross the border for a 1/2 or full day , stoping at the Colonial Hotel for lunch .....If hiring a taxi cab from the Sheraton you might skeep the Visa thing...but just do it is Sheraton staff recomends you a driver for that..
Visit the Brazilian zoo ( very small one)
Enjoy the pool at the Sheraton with an excellent view to the falls.

If hiring a car or taxi cab , maybe a bus too , you may visit San Ignacio Jesuit ruins ( highly recomended, specially if you stay for the show represented at noon . Try to get a guide specialized in Jesuit History ...remember Robert De Niroīs film The Mission, about Jesuits ? It was filmed in the area ( Iguazu falls).

There are other Jungle spots with excellent Hostelrys, haventīn been but
know friends that have and were very excited ...belive is more for adults alone, no attractions for kids.Just for a 1 night 2 days relaxing spot.

Iberá Marshes : Although far away from the falls aprox. 300 Kms its a natural paradise filled with extraorinary species ...but i would skip it for another more in depth trip to Argentina.

santiagov

mmd

This link provides good info +pics.about
Iguazu

http://welcomeargentina.com.ar/puert...u/index_i.html

hobbes

I also feel with kids a combo of Buenos Aires and Iguazu could work well. Iguazu IMO 2 nights is enough - unless you split your time between the Sheraton to see the falls and something like Yacutinga Eco Lodge to be in the wild.

mmd

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I checked into Yacutinga and they don't allow children under the age of 10. We have a 5 year old and a 9 year old. Any other suggestions for a lodge similar to this? Also, the boat tour sounds amazing but will our children be too young to go in the boat by the falls or walk around? (They did go in small boats by the icebergs last year in Chile but the water certainly was not rough.)

I still have a few months to finalize the details so any other suggestions would be appreciated...

kdov

is malaria really a concern in Bocas del Toro? We went there five years ago with four kids ages 5-14 .. we never noticed any bugs or problems and it was beautiful!

santiagov

mmd

Regarding the boat tour to the fallīs "mouth" ...I belive depends on each kid...mine got a little scared , she was by that time 5 or 6 years...But the "scary" part is just short enough ...For the nine years old it was just absolute fun . As for walking around w / the younger ( 5) in some areas you will need to grab her hand.
We loved the Ruinas de San Ignacio area...., not breathtaking but filled with history. Its a small spot that can be visited in 1/2 day.
Surely there are other lodges but w / similar profiles ...just for adults.
Have you gathered info on the Ibera marshes in Corrientes province ? , thats breathtaking too in terms of Real wildlife not zoo like.
If in your plans to arrive southern , BA
has many proposal for kids ...Tigre Delta ( Kind of Jungle area crossed by 200 rivers ) ..but not sure if you are thinking in BA..

Good luck !

santiagov

mmd

This link is about a lodge in Ibera , there are a few more
http://www.iberaesteros.com.ar/reserve.htm