South America is an enchanting and exciting continent, home to vast landscapes of glaciers, desert, rainforest and coastline, and some pretty famous cities.

When travelling to South America with a family, you’ll want to make sure your itinerary is accommodating for all age ranges. And with a few helpful tips on where to go from yours truly, you’ll be well on your way!

Rio de Janeiro

The absolute pinnacle of South America travel – Rio is a must-see for adults and kids alike.

For the younger ones, there’s plenty of daytime activities to keep them entertained. For starters, take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer. Wander around at the top, soak up the incredible views and take plenty of pictures.

In the hub of the city, there’s a fantastic restaurant scene which is all mostly child-friendly (the Brazilians love kids), as well as museums and shops.

Home of the samba, Rio is a fairground for adults, too. The city knows how to party, something which is never more apparent than during carnival time. Shake your tailfeather until dawn during this almighty party. I recommend taking the kids (if they’re old enough) for a full cultural experience.

The Amazon

Mythical and wild, the Amazon is the place to see the incredible natural beauty the world has to offer.

Tall trees fringe the main river, as does a host of exotic wildlife, which keep the jungle anything but quiet.

When travelling with the family, take a tour down the river and stop off at various points to relax in a hammock and listen to the birds. When travelling with guides, they’ll explain plenty about the rainforest’s creatures, its past, and how we can do our bit to help preserve it. It’s an educational and eye-opening experience for the kids.

You can also visit one of the reserves, such as the Mamirauá Reserve near the city of Tefé, where you’ll be able to go on a boat tour to take in the sights and sounds of the rainforest in full.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one place you don’t want to miss.

Swathed in mystery and high in the Andes mountains, this Incan citadel is just as amazing in real life as it is in the pictures. Travel up to the top, explore the site, and get the younger ones excited about its magnetism and history with the assistance of the tour guides. You could also make your own little tour by conducting some prior research. There are even hidden gems, such as a secret museum, which not many know about.

Lake Titicaca

Surrounded by quaint villages and striking glacier-topped mountains, Lake Titicaca, on the border of Bolivia and Peru, is said to be the birthplace of the Incan civilisation, and is the largest lake on the continent.

Due to its size, there are tons of activities you can enjoy with all the family here. First off, it’s great for exploring the villages and taking some much needed time-out as an adult. Sample local wine, discover new foods, and people-watch outside a café all afternoon.

For the younger ones (especially teenagers), there are hikes to coves and floating islands to be discovered – plenty of fresh air to wear them out after a long day!

Elqui Valley

Nestled in the heart of the Chilean desert, the Elqui Valley is the perfect place for avid stargazers and wine-lovers alike.

A trip to nearby capital Santiago is never complete without heading out to this intriguing valley. It enjoys over 360 clear nights a year, making it ideal for seeing the universe up close and personal. With a total solar eclipse coming up on 2nd July 2019, you can enjoy viewing this unique event and even sample some of the best wines the nearby vineyards have to offer.

Thank you to Olivia Brown Media for this guest post. Olivia can be reached at oliviabrownmedia@gmail.com.