Hi- My husband and I have traveled a lot but this is the first time we'll be traveling for an extended trip with small children (22 months) and (3 months). We plan to stay in Argentina for a month or so- early December through early January. We are used to traveling around when we go somewhere- but know we will be limited w/the kids. Since we are going an extended period of time- we were thinking of basically staying in Buenos Aires & going out each day for a few hours in the morning and later in the day (allowing for a long mid afternoon nap for the kids). I'm not used to traveling this way- we usually run around all day to see as much as I can- doing a lot of outdoorsy/adventure travel - but - but I think this would be a great way to experience a city. We live in NYC now- and do well w/getting around the city with two.

I would like to get to Iguaza Falls and Mendoza. I would love to go to Patagonia- but I'm thinking that's not very realistic. We are concerned about spending too many flights and traveling w/the kids.

I'm trying to decide if we are best off renting an apartment for a month- or doing an extended stay hotel for 3 weeks and planning to travel round for the last week or so. We are trying to do this economically- and would want a suite or 1/2 br apartment. I have looked at Art Suites and apartments through homeaway- any other suggestions on places to stay in BA?

How child friendly is it to go to the falls (for my 2 year old) the baby would be in a carrier. How many days would likely be needed- assuming we would only go out for a few hours at a time - should we plan on having to hire a sitter while we see the falls. Is it safe to do so.

I would like to do some wine tours & a rafting day in Mendoza. Are children going to be welcome at the wineries- how many days would be recommended there.

I would like to hit the beach as well on the vacation- on the Atlantic coast. What town would be recommended as child friendly as opposed to jet-setting crowd- Villa Gesell? Pinamar?

Any recommendations on traveling w/young kids, places to stay, etc., would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Julie

Hi, julieod!

Are you coming in early Dec. 2009? In less than a month?

If so, I would suggest flying to Bariloche, renting a car to tour the area and staying in "cabañas" (cabins).

You could also go to Pinamar or Villa Gesell, to hit the beach.

All those places will be mostly empty of local tourists until at least Xmas time.

I definitely think you should rent an apt for the whole time.

ArtSuites is nice but for a whole month ?
In an apt, you have maid service once a week, privacy, and room to spread out. ArtSuites is still a hotel and not huge rooms, they are roomy but with 2 little ones, you might get cramped after a while.
And an apartment is definitely much more economical .. groceries here cost very little..and with 2 babies, you won't want to eat out Every meal.

Most people without children stay a night or 2 at the most at Iguazu.
I don't have friends with babies : - ( but I imagine you will want to hang on very tight to them .. there are boardwalks and all sorts of little creatures etc not to mention the falls ..

I am one of those people that would never use a sitter in a strange city/ let along country ..

Our family here has a house in Pinamar, they were just talking about hating it in the summer, you cannot walk on the beach for all the bodies lying there, how crowded everything is ..
Have you read about Tigre ? It is a day trip from BA, or an overnight if you wish.
On the Delta with boats and an amusement park for little ones and all sorts of activities.
You can stay there overnight or just do it as a day trip.
Have you thought about taking the ferry to Colonia and wandering around there for a day?
A day trip or an overnight..

Would an estancia appeal to you? There are all sorts for all budgets and tastes. And some quite close to the city.

Have you looked at apartments yet? Here are some sites for you to browse.
www.apartmentsba.com

www.buenosaireshabitat.com

www.bastay.com

Thanks Scarlett & avrooster- we are coming around December 5th- booking airfare today- though it is outrageously expensive! Thanks for the apartment websites- just what I was looking for. We are probably going to have problems w/Xmas and New Year's but I will keep searching.

We may have to leave on the 31st of December now to head home as it gets much more expensive to return in January. If we are going to go to the falls, possibly mendoza or excursions to the beach- are we best off doing them earlier in december- cost-wise and crowdedness. Are we best off being in BA at xmas and possibly new year's- if we manage to get better airfare? Do tourist sites close for days?

Thanks Scarlett- I hadn't heard about Tigre. That will be a nice excursion. Thankfully, my oldest isn't 2 yet and is happy going on a slide or swings so we won't have to spend the day at the amusement park- but it will be fun to walk around. I did plan on going to Colonia & to an estancia- probably as a day trip. Any estancia you would recommend. We probably won't get to ride being that we have the kids- but maybe to see a show, walk around and see the animals and have a meal...

I had hoped for the beach- but i'm thinking that will probably be hard. I heard the beaches in Uruguay are nice too- but we are trying to limit flights and travel- that will be hard w/the kids.

I am worried about finding a babysitter- but hoping to find a service that is reputable - just to use for when they are sleeping.

For the falls- would I be able to bring a stroller on the catwalks, boats, etc. Otherwise we may get a backpack carrier for my older son so we can get around easier.

Thanks!

julieod:

The locals mostly leave for their summer holidays after the New Year. So, it should be easy to obtain accomodations at any of our beaches any time before Xmas. In about 5 hours by bus you'd be in Pinamar or Villa Gesell. I don't see why you are "thinking that will probably be hard."

For your Buenos Aires stay, I can recommend a baby sitter who recently helped a couple from California I met years ago in the TA Argentina forum. Write to me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com and I'll give you her e-mail. She is a close friend of one of my daughters.

This couple has a flat in the Recoleta they rent through http://www.reynoldspropiedades.com/temporary_rentals/

Have a great time in our country with your husband and your kids.

Hello julieod,

We travelled to different continents with two children 19 months apart - often when they were babies. But, oh my, your itinerary sounds so very difficult with a baby and a toddler. I give you a lot of credit for considering this trip under these circumstances.

Perhaps you might trim the plans a bit ? I agree that having an apartment, or apart-hotel would be wise.

I recommend that you reconsider going to Iguazzu Falls with children the age of yours, unless you plan to leave them in the Sheraton - or with a babysitter who comes with you from BsAs or is recommended with confidence - (you can trust any recommendation from avrooster). We used baby-sitters in large hotels around the world with no hesitation - but parents were a bit less cautious then. Maybe dumber ?

Please post your experiences of BsAs and Argentina with the kiddies on this forum. Best wishes for a good trip,
~MarnieWDC

Marnie says I am trustworthy!!

I must have done something right! LOL!!!

julieod, I give you credit for traveling with 2 little ones ( I did it but so long ago, it is all a blur ) and for thinking of using a babysitter in a foreign country. So far, living here in Buenos Aires, I have worried too much about leaving our dog with a sitter, much less a child lol....
I know of no services in the city for babysitting.
Christmas and NYE are dead here.. everyone leaves town, who can and it is very warm .. a lot of stores close especially Christmas Day and NYE and NY Day .. so you would want to have groceries in the apt for that ..
We stayed here last year over the holidays and it was just nice, quiet and peaceful and hot. If I were on my holiday, it might put a crimp into my plans, but then if it is a long holiday, you can plan those days ahead for a quiet time in an otherwise busy stay.
Best of luck in the planning..

Ok- we just booked our trip to Argentina- Dec 6th- January 9th- very excited for this extended trip. I know we are a bit insane traveling with little ones- hopefully it will work out well. Living in Manhattan, they are used to a city and running around - so hopefully it won't be too crazy.

Our plan is to fly in to BA- i'm too nervous about a 3 1/2 hour connection to leave for Punta del Este from AEP so we will just stay in a hotel for the night and then fly out early the next morning. Any recommendations for an inexpensive hotel (close to the airport is fine since our flight is at 7 a.m.)

We are going to do our traveling around first- (Punta Del Este, Mendoza & maybe Iguaza) before the season gets too crazy and then settle in an apartment in BA for a few weeks.

We are planning to stay at casapueblo for four nights- i fell in love with the hotel. I know it got some negative reviews on tripadvisor- i didn't see anything on it here- any thoughts?

As to babysitters- I was hoping to find a reputable agency in BA that I could use and if i went to the falls- staying at the sheraton and their babysitters.

I hadn't heard anything about yellow fever before - until I saw a posting on here. Should I be worried about this traveling to the Iguaza w/a 3 month old. I hadn't read anything else about this in other places. I'm assuming if I just traveled to BA and left the next morning (not going to the north) I shouldn't have a problem with getting into Uruguay right?

Thanks for all of the apartment sites- they are great- I'll probably post w/some location options just to make sure they are in Recoleta and not just the area.
Thanks so much! Julie

Oh good ! congrats
Actually, I preferred taking my small ones with me, I felt more relaxed when I was so far away, when I had them with me.
The best close to AEP hotel would be in Palermo I think.
I know of no babysitting agencies here.. You need to talk to the doctor at home about that . It is a real issue in Iguazu, I believe..remember, visas are required if you go from Iguazu Argentina to the Brazil side..as well as Uruguay.
I would try to book the apartment as soon as possible. We have friends who were surprised by how many apts they liked that were booked already for December.. We have family coming in Feb, I am making them book now :- )

http://www.batravelguide.com/2008/02...-visitors.html

This is my favorite and a great website to enjoy looking at and reading and for answering some questions you might have. The person who does this lives here in town and has children of her own and is very up-to-date on everything going on here as well as techinical issues like visas etc.

Thanks Scarlett for the site. I checked w/the US Department of State and no visa is needed for Uruguay unless you are staying for three months. We are going to skip Iguaza- I'm bummed b/c I was very excited to go but it's not worth the risk. Working on apartments right now- availability seems to be limited w/the holidays and booking at this late date!

For apartments.. also look at VRBO .. my son rented a place last year, it was a wonderful little apt in Palermo Chico that belonged to a fashion photographer.. the next door neighbor was an opera singer :- )
This place had a manager so all the dealings with renting were easy and professional.
I know a few people who use VRBO and have good experiences.

I don't like this company personally but they do have a huge inventory -

www.byTargentina.com.ar

www.shortstayinBA.com

I am trying to think of all the companies I know
Look at TripAdvisor too .. post on the Buenos Aires forums, there are so many more people posting there, you can perhaps get more apt rental help.

Hey Julie -

my wife and i are hoping to travel to BA this january, 2011 with our then-to-be 2.5 month old.
any info, help, advice, or whatever you can pass along would be great!
we live in NYC too, so if you have some stuff that would be helpful or whatever, we could always pick it up...

thanks!

zack

Zack: JulieOD is a remarkable poster who wrote A LOT about her trip to BA.

Why don't you click on her screen name and read all her posts about BA?

You may even find yours truly somewhere out there. LOL!!

Further questions are obviously welcome.

Have a great time in our town with your DW and your child.