Mendoza grapes in full fall harvest.
♦ Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Mendoza & Bariloche
Whether you’ve got high schoolers eager to hike, college kids ready to fall in love with good wine, or someone who just wants to watch the leaves change, touring Argentina in autumn is the answer. As the balmy weather turns crisp, there’s no better time to discover the magic of an afternoon maté and medialuna.
After the sweltering Buenos Aires summers, the city picks up its feet with a smooth breeze and slides into a beautiful fall. Mild weather and a cultural calendar bursting with activity make it an exciting time to enjoy the area’s tree-lined boulevards.
Adventure-seeking families are in for a treat; this time of year is a shoulder season for Argentina’s National Parks, so you’ll see friendly temperatures and less foot traffic while touring Patagonia’s iconic glaciers. With thinner crowds and clearer skies, your family can get a perfect view of some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.
If you’ve convinced a college kid to come along, they won’t be disappointed by a chance to develop their palate with Mendoza’s finest wine harvest. But Mendoza’s not just for those of legal age, a dip in the region’s natural hot springs or a zip line through its colored canyons are sure to have the whole family remembering this trip with a smile.
However you chose to visit Argentina, don’t miss Bariloche’s breath-taking lake district, where skiers, fisherman, and general leisure enthusiasts of all kinds gather for South America’s most impressive foliage. Seeing the magical leaves will send you back to the office feeling full of color and life.
El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina.
♦ Brazil: Rio de Janeiro & Iguazu Falls
Though there’s never really a “bad” time to visit Brazil, fall is a sweet spot because it’s emblematic beaches and waterfalls are free of their infamous crowds.
If getting an early start on your tan with a coconut in hand sounds right up your alley, Rio de Janeiro is the place to be. After summer vacationers and Carnaval crows have gone back home, Rio’s warm autumn weather and affordable accommodations await travelers who want a glimpse of the next Olympic city. Spend your family spring vacation exploring the Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and botanical gardens at your own pace, all while reveling in the reinvigorating energy Rio has all year long.
Iguazu Falls is a site to marvel at and arguably one of the best places to visit to in Brazil. With heights over 80m and an average flow of over 60,000 cubic feet per second, the falls are some of the grandest in the world. Though Iguazu spans the borders of Argentina and Brazil, the Brazilian side’s special treat is the massive Devil’s Throat Gorge – a paradisiacal fall with a sinister name sure to empower you with its roaring sounds.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
♦ Ecuador: Galapagos Islands
For animal lovers and nature fanatics, the pristine Galapagos Islands are one of the best places to visit in Ecuador and really, in the world. Because of their remote location along the equator, the 18 volcanic islands always enjoy have bright blue skies and sunshine ready for visitors. The real draw during the fall is the incredible wildlife you’ll see in this season. Think courting penguin couples, unforgivably cute sea lion pups, and fuzzy blue-footed booby chicks all out and about waiting for the whole family to play.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
♦ Peru: Machu Picchu
Because of its insane popularity, Peru’s Inca trail and Machu Picchu are often booked and brimming with tourists. The shoulder months of April, May, and June (between the dry and wet seasons), are the best time to visit Machu Picchu and get the entire family on the trail. We can guarantee you won’t regret making memories along the path leading to the world’s most wonder-filled ancient citadel.
Machu Picchu, Peru.
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