We are now thinking of heading to SA for a December trip - probably 21st through 31st. We would like to go to Buenos Aires and add something else to the trip - Iguazu? Uruguay? Balioche? I dont want to make my life super complicated, maybe one place via air and one place via train or car or ferry. Not sure. Kids are 10 and 7. Our espanol is pretty rusty! We rae traveling from Miami.
Gracias!

It is summer in Patagonia in December, the days are warm and long. Would be a great place for kids, lots to do and see. Some examples here, http://livinginpatagonia.com/?page_id=1001

Hello,

Yeh I agree with soulskier, Patagonia is beautiful and full of outdoor activities for your children! If you're looking for a boat trip you could take a day tour from BA to Montevideo or Uruguay, the ferry takes 3 hours or theres a more expensive express boat which takes 1.5hrs, then you take a guided tour of the city (or go alone if you prefer), have lunch, do some more exploring and come back the same evening. Its a really popular and reasonably priced trip. Another thing you could do to etnterain your children could be a trip to Tigre, which is an hour's train ride from BA and its a huge ecological reserve where you can go horse riding, trekking, boating, mountain biking, bird watching or just float along the delta! Iguazu is very impressive, but most people only stay a night and come back the following day as once youve seen the falls theres not much else to do, that could be a short trip to add to your plan!

Fly to Iguazu get a falls view room at the Sheraton.

Memories fora lifetime...

I want to book my plane tickets. But I still am not sure exactly what we are doing. Should I just book the Miami - BA round trip and then book the domestic tickets later. I should I try to book it all at the same time? We will probably save Patagonia for another time and go to Iguazu and somewhere else.
I found air on Avianca for $782US pp. How is that airline?

NW of Argentina is also a great option, it is wamr and cool at night, the jacarandas are all blooming and the landascape is very varied. Great for touring and enjoying. Cafayate is a great place for kids to play and cycle, take an icecream and swim in a pool. The whole are is fantastic. Do not miss Purmamarca and the salt Flats. It looks unreal!
Mountains are perfect for kids to spend some energy!
Flintstones

Hi
My opinion> Right now, just book the airfare to BA. No point in missing out on a good airfare while deciding, and the fares will be going up.
My suggestion... using BA as your base, stay in an apartment, there are great rental agencies here, and while here, do day trips and maybe fly to Iguazu for a night or 2.. that is the one out of BA trip that I think would have the most impact for all of you.
You can take the high speed ferry to Colonia, for a day, you can go to an estancia for a day, complete with gauchos ( kids will love that ! ) and you can go to the Tigre Delta for a day.. boats, amusement park etc..
Here is town there are many things to amuse kids and keep you all busy, plus there is the Ecological Reserve right on Puerto Madero for picnics, wandering etc..

www.apartmentsba.cin
www.buenosaireshabitat.com
www.shortstayinba.com

http://www.batravelguide.com/

You can get free ( Tips but no charge) guided tours according to your interests..
http://www.cicerones.org.ar/index_spa.php

Hope this helps :- )

www.apartmentsba.com

Hello again,

Definitely book your tickets to BA! the domestic flights dont vary that much but they will go up slightly as it gets closer to the time... so keep that in mind!

Enjoy your trip!

I booked our tickets last night for MIA to BA and back. It was about 2800 USD for the 4 of us. Now I have to figure out my itinerary. I think we are going to Iguazu and Uruguay and Tigre. We will be there 8 full days taking out the 2 days for travel there and back. Is that enough time or is that too ambitious?

If I were you, I would acknowledge the suggestions which Scarlett made. Tigre for a day (Include a picnic while you're there.) should definitely be a must..

Colonia would provide a different and varied culture for your family; include it, too, if it would easily fit into your itinerary. Plus, the travel would be an easy one!

I have been looking at hotels and notice that most only can hold 2 in a room. We need 4. I love the idea of staying in a boutique type hotel. Any suggestions on hotels that have room for 4 in one room?

Scarlett -
Wow, thanks for posting the rental agencies. The properties are gorgeous! I am not sure whether we should stay in Recoleta or Palermo Soho. We want easy access to public transportation. The apartments look so wonderful. Do you know anyone who has stayed in a particular property?

I know people who have stayed in a couple of the ApartmentsBA properties in Recoleta and in Palermo Botanico. I have no idea which ones ..
The Collectivo/buses are easy to get everywhere, I think. I never take them so I can't really help with that .. but getting around town is not a problem.

Just my opinion:

I would go to Tigre for a day by train and to an Estancia for a day or an overnight (or 2). The kids will love both.

Adding a flight to Iguazu, which is one of my all time favorites, is probably too much in the time you have.

Or, fly to Iguazzu and skip one of the above suggestions.

Buenos Aires itself holds a lot for you and for the kids. Don't overload yourselves with side-trips.

And consider the Opera Pampa for an evening show - a bit late for the 7 year old, but with a siesta, they would both likely enjoy it a lot. If you do go to the Opera Pampa, be sure to get the libretto in English and read it to them, or summarize it for them, before the show.

http://www.operapampa.com.ar/

Have a wonderful trip, MiamiBeachMomma, ~Marnie

Puerto Madryn.
Should we go for it?
4 days in BA
4 days in PM
or some other split?
Anyoen have any info on Puerto Madryn.
We love nature,the outdoors, wildlife, etc.
Not sure if we will see whales in late December. But I think the penguins are in season then.