Travelling with children

Argentines love children and you will generally find them helpful and understanding if you’re travelling as a family. In terms of accommodation, most hotels have triple rooms or suites with connecting rooms to accommodate families. Apartment hotels and cabañas, which also contain small kitchens, are particularly good. Many hotels will be able to provide a cot if you have a small child (ask when you reserve), but be aware that though perfectly adequate these may be pretty old and are unlikely to conform to European or US safety standards. Top hotels will often provide babysitting services. On the other hand, some boutique and upmarket hotels have a no-child rule; these are fairly few and far between, but check when you reserve.

When it comes to eating out, only the very snotty top-of-the-range restaurants will turn children away or look pained when you walk in; the vast majority will do their best to make sure you and your offspring are comfortable and entertained. Highchairs are sometimes, but not always, provided. It is quite normal to see children out with their parents until late – you may well see families strolling home at 1 or 2 am, especially in summer.

Argentina’s natural attractions may be your best bet for entertaining your kids – the country has little in the way of amusement parks or specific family destinations, and the ones that do exist are generally rather poor. Consider the waterfalls and jungle critters at Iguazú, the boat rides and glaciers of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares or the whales and penguins near Península Valdés. Buenos Aires’ somewhat sophisticated attractions will mostly appeal more to adults, but there is enough to keep younger ones amused for a couple of days, including a zoo, a planetarium and a natural history museum. Rosario is unusual among Argentine cities for the amount of child-centred attractions it has – and it’s fun for their parents too. Wherever you go, remember the distances in Argentina are vast and travel times can be lengthy – do not be too ambitious in planning your itinerary. Avoid the summer heat unless you will be spending most of your time in Patagonia.

International brands of nappies (diapers), wipes and baby milk are widely available, as are dummies (pacifiers). Bring any children’s medicine with you that you are likely to need, as it can be difficult to work out what the local equivalent is. Many people who work in pharmacies have little medical training so if your child does get sick, go to a private hospital, preferably in one of the larger cities, where you will be attended by a paediatrician rapidly and professionally. Baby food is usually only sold in large supermarkets, and the range is very limited, but waiters will usually be happy to provide mashed potatoes, pumpkin and so on. Discreet breastfeeding in public is fine. Changing facilities are practically non-existent (large city malls being the only exception), so you will have to get used to changing on the move.