Where The Wild Things Are: Latin American Summer Family Adventures

1. Swim with turtles and sea lions in the Galapagos

Nowhere brings children closer to wildlife than the Galápagos Islands. Giant tortoises lumber through the highlands, sea lions sprawl across the sand, and blue-footed boobies strut and dance. From the volcanic peaks of Isabela to the white sand beaches of Española, every island has its own character, and exploring by boat is the best way to take it all in. We especially love the small-scale expedition yachts Origin, Theory & Evolve; during major school holidays, at least one of these three sister yachts is exclusively designated for families. Aboard, snorkel with sea turtles and sea lions, hike to the rim of Sierra Negra and watch marine iguanas slip into the waves; keen little conservationists can even visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to meet the people who are working behind the scenes to protect the islands’ remarkable biodiversity.  Those looking for an ultra-luxe private experience can opt instead for the Aqua Mare, the Galápagos’ first true super yacht.

For those with small children, Galápagos Safari Camp offers a land-based alternative. Set on a private reserve on the island of Santa Cruz, this tented camp allows families to explore at their own pace – visiting tortoise sanctuaries, kayaking through quiet bays, or watching Darwin’s famous finches flit through the trees.

3. Take an off-road expedition from Atacama Desert to the Uyuni Salt Flats

For families with older children, driving from Chile’s Atacama Desert to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats makes for a serious frontier adventure.

The trip begins at Explora Atacama with canyon hikes, volcanic bike rides and hot spring soaks beneath desert skies. Here, flamingos wade through high-altitude lagoons, geysers bubble at sunrise, and the silence of the desert is unlike anywhere else on earth. From Atacama, set off with your guide in a 4×4 to head into Bolivia, travelling through some of South America’s most remote and dramatic landscapes: rust-red lakes, steaming fumaroles, rock formations polished by centuries of wind, and the dazzling white expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats. While the mirror effect is only visible after the rainy season (January and February), this time of year offers blazing sunsets and impossibly-clear nights.

This is a truly legendary trip, with scenery that feels straight from another planet – the sort of thing you’ll be talking about for years to come.

5. Explore the mountains, hills, and jungles of Colombia

Adventures here range from the velvety-green hills of the Coffee Triangle to the wild depths of the Amazon. Hacienda Bambusa is a family favourite – an Eden-like retreat set among cacao and bamboo groves where you can ride on horseback through emerald-green valleys, spot hummingbirds flitting through the gardens and float along rivers lined by wax palms. Further north, the colonial town of Barichara shows another side of Colombia entirely. Spend your days here exploring the old Camino Real trail, hiking to miradors and waterfalls, or taking to the skies in a paraglider over the vast Chichamocha Canyon; between adventures, kick back by the bougainvillea-framed pool at Casa Yahri.

For those happy to forsake a few creature comforts, the Colombian Amazon beckons. Children will revel in spotting pink and grey river dolphins and monkeys from skiffs, swimming in bathwater-warm lakes and clambering up trees in its sunken forests. With the help of Indigenous guides, discover the hidden life of the rainforest as they point out medicinal plants, hidden trails, and wildlife that would otherwise go unnoticed. Nomad Lodges is our top pick here – cocooned in the middle of the jungle, they heartily welcome travellers of any age who’re willing to brave the wilderness.