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Hi,
I’m planning a 3-week trip around Christmas 2025 with my family. We’ve 2 kids who would be close to 7 and 4 at the time. This would be our 1st trip to South America for all of us. I’ve already booked the Outbound and return flights but looking for advice and recommendation of planning within Argentina. Having read through various threads on Argentina, so far, I’m thinking of itinerary something like this:
13th December – 17:30 – Arrival EZE – Iberia already booked.
18th December – EZE to El Calafate
23rd December – El Calafate to Bariloche (BRC)
28th December: Bariloche (BRC) to IGR (arrival in the evening)
31st Dec – IGU to RIO (morning or afternoon departure)
5th January – GIG (20:15) to MAD – Iberia already booked.The reason for Rio towards the end was for a short beach break for the kids at the end of the trip. Does the number of days at each place sound reasonable with the kids? Also, any kids’ friendly recommendation on things to do or activities are welcome.
Thanks
@shub – I think that sounds fairly reasonable although it depends a bit what your children like and how active they are. Is your flight to Calafate actually from EZE, as AEP is a whole lot easier? I think four whole days in Calafate might be quite a lot as some of the activities might not be suitable for younger children. There’s more to see/do around Bariloche (and should a fair bit warmer) which should be amazing in December.
@shub – I think that sounds fairly reasonable although it depends a bit what your children like and how active they are. Is your flight to Calafate actually from EZE, as AEP is a whole lot easier? I think four whole days in Calafate might be quite a lot as some of the activities might not be suitable for younger children. There’s more to see/do around Bariloche (and should a fair bit warmer) which should be amazing in December.
Thanks @JDB , I’ve to book flights for Calafate, I see that flights should be available from both EZE and AEP for my dates. Will try to book from AEP when it’s open.
Yes, was wondering how many activities would be possible in Calafate with the kids. Kids are fairly active when they are not asked to do anything and very TIRED if we want them to walk a bit more, usual kids 🙂 Hiking won’t be an option I think. Currently I would have 4-5 days in Bariloche, If I take 1 more day from Calafate to Bariloche, would it be not too much? Or Shall I look for another side trip? I don’t want to add another flight as already there will be 4-5 internal flights.@shub – my feeling is that with small children, three days is probably enough because, as you have identified hiking will not be on the cards, particularly as it might be snowy/icy although the children might mind less than the adults. It does all depend on the weather – hopefully it will be blue skies and Perito Moreno will sparkle and offer some spectacular calving! However, if it’s a bit grey and snowy the children’s enthusiasm may wane and they may say they are cold! I can’t recall the minimum age for hiking on the glacier which we really enjoyed, but you might need to do that in relay. It’s worth it!
I think you will find there’s plenty to do in Bariloche and it will also be fairly Christmassy. The first time we went there in December it was actually snowing but that was freak weather and in subsequent years it has been ideal in the low 20s and clear skies with the snow capped Andes in the background against the black lake and there will be lots of flowers out. You can go out on the lake – near Llao Llao is nice either for kayaking or motorised boats, you can visit Victoria island and the whole circuit around Llao Llao is pretty spectacular. Lots of really easy short trails with great views. There’s also the wonderful ski area nearby which has easy trails at the top accessed by ski lifts. You probably know that Bariloche was colonised by many Swiss so chocolate making opportunities for children after all that exercise. There are lots of other activities like riding, zip line etc not all of which will work for your youngest, but some might. We first went with a seven year old and he was very keen to go back!
I agree with @JBD – lots to do in Bariloche. Out of season the ski lift has reduced schedules so keep an eye on that and the weather. Are you hiring a car – the 7 lakes drive is lovely.
They’ll love the chocolate. Lots of deals on bundles which I thought I might find when we got back to Buenos Aires but only limited chocolate available and no deals.
I agree with what others have said. We spent 6 nights in Bariloche at the end of last year. We really enjoyed our stay and would love to go back as there are still things we’d like to do that we didn’t have time for. It’s a good place to hire a car but beware that there is a rush hour and can take over an hour at busy times to get back to the centre. We were there end of November/early December. We were unable to hike at Llao Llao as park was closed because of strong winds. There was light snow a couple of days, but much more on the mountains. Some days warm, but never hot.
We only stayed a couple of nights in El Calafate before moving to El Chalten to hike. Perito Moreno and other glaciers were spectacular, but it snowed heavily and was cold when we were there towards the end of November.
You will have a great time. It was our first trip to Argentina and we can’t wait to return.
And as @qc says. Buy all your chocolate in Bariloche.
This sounds like a fantastic itinerary that I may copy in years/decades to come.
Thank you very much @LD27
Feeling more confident with the itinerary now. A day reduced from El Chalten and moved to Bariloche. We all love chocolates:)
Any recommendations for children friendly activities in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro?
Any recommendation for accommodations also very welcome.
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