9 Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations in Latin America for 2022
Discover the ultimate spring break destinations perfect for a family trip!
Did you know that 100 million people from the U.S. will take a vacation this year with their loved ones? Almost half of the people between the ages of 18 and 35 take their children with them—and 62% take kids under five years old.
It’s challenging to plan a trip to another country. That’s why, in an attempt to simplify this task for you, I’ve curated this list of the ideal places for families to go for spring break 2022.
Keep reading to find the best spring break destinations in Latin America so you can choose the magical spot where you’ll make lifelong family memories!
Let’s dive into nine family-friendly spring break destinations.
Table of Contents:
- 9 Spring Break Destinations and Getaways
- Add More Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations to Your Bucket List
9 Spring Break Destinations and Getaways
Stop wondering where to go and dive into these spring break destinations! Amazing and unique adventures await in the hidden paradises of Latin America. Get ready for an incredible journey!
1. Mérida, Mexico
The magical city of Merida on the Yucatan peninsula in southern Mexico is sure to captivate your family.
Explore the Mayan World Museum with interactive exhibits for kids to learn about history and geology. Did you know that the Yucatan received the impact of a meteor that ended the dinosaur era? Get ready for tons of information about these prehistoric creatures.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. If you go on March 21, you’ll see the shadow of Quetzalcóatl, the feathered serpent descending from the pyramid. No wonder it’s one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Take half-day excursions to places like Progreso beach, the famous cenotes, or the pueblos mágicos (magical towns) of Yucatán: charming Valladolid and Izamal, “the yellow city.”
Mérida is one of the least-expensive trips on this spring break destination list. It’s also the safest city of all Mexico.
On TripAdvisor, Mérida has five out of five stars. Reviewers love the theaters, museums, ruins, restaurants, shops, and outdoor shows and activities and call this place a gem of spring break destinations.
See also: 13 Must-See Wonders of Mexico
2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Las Islas Encantadas (the Enchanted Islands), the Galapagos Islands are a supreme spring break destination. Go on a cruise to visit many of the islands in five days.
Your kids will have an amazing time playing at the paradise beaches, snorkeling, trekking, and swimming. This is a perfect travel spot to see penguins, sea lions, colorful birds, and giant, mythical Galapagos turtles, as well as Charles Darwin’s research station.
Don’t miss the Cloud Forest where clouds descend over the trees. It’s misty and magical—and you can fly though it on a sky bike!
This travel adventure has also earned five out of five stars on TripAdvisor. Travelers say the sights and experiences exceeded their expectations.
Recommended reading: What to Expect When You Travel to the Galapagos
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
This is a trip for older kids and for adults who like ziplining, climbing, and trekking. Other options include glamping in the Sacred Inca Valley, taking cooking classes, and visiting the ancient city of Cusco.
Many options exist if you choose to climb Machu Picchu. There are longer and shorter paths with shortcuts, and you don’t need to go all the way up to admire this world-famous place.
This is one of the top spring break destinations in South America. The rating for this paradise is five out of five stars, of course. It’s the second of the New 7 Wonders of the World on this list of spring break destinations.
Recommended reading: 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Peru
4. Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
Puerto Limón is on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Visiting this paradise means witnessing wildlife and jungles and exploring a lifestyle that has the utmost respect for nature. This is a great vacation for families with loads of learning opportunities in terms of values and humanity.
This region features virgin beaches like Punta Uva and untouched paths. Practice diving and snorkeling and admire the coastal line full of palm trees. See turtles spawn in the mangroves of the National Park and meet sloths at their sanctuary. Hike the great green mountains of Costa Rica and explore the banana plantations.
Costa Rica is known for its kind, calm people and unparalleled eco-tourism. Internet reviews offer incredible detail about the amazing tours. It’s an ideal spot for a fun and memorable vacation!
Recommended reading: 10 Most Beautiful Museums in Costa Rica
5. Patagonia, Argentina
Spring break destinations like Patagonia are well worth visiting. Get on a boat trip like the nautical safari with your kids and visit the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier on Lake Rico next to El Calafate town.
Visit local ranches and go on ice treks. Learn all about local wildlife through bird watching, horse riding, and sheep shearing. Discover the Iguazú waterfalls, which are much taller and wider than Niagara falls.
People recommend this trip on the internet because it has something for everyone, regardless of you and your kids’ ages or physical condition.
Recommended reading: A Guide to Argentina’s Meat Cuts and How to Order Steak
6. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Are you ready to have your mind blown? Of all the spring break destinations, this one tops the list for many people.
The Salar de Uyuni is a mirror-like salt pan you step on as it reflects the sky and clouds. It seems you are flying and offers epic photo ops. Your kids will make special memories here. This effect only happens after rain, but even without the reflection, the place takes your breath away.
You will also find the pink Colored Lakes and the quaint town of Uyuni nearby with small churches and markets. According to online reviews, the local food is delicious and the experience is magical. It has five out of five stars.
Recommended reading: 10 Entertaining Things to Do While Visiting La Paz, Bolivia
7. Cajón del Maipo, Chile
Ice trek or go sightseeing in El Yeso valley with the Andes mountains as a backdrop. Give your kids their first hot springs experience. Sanctuaries and national reserves are everywhere, and the local vibe will make you feel like you’re on a true vacation.
If you’re from a part of the world where it doesn’t snow, this is one of the most unique spring break destinations—remember it is fall in the Southern hemisphere.
This site is close to the capital of Chile, Santiago. Travel to the immense, beautiful city and add a day or two for an excursion to Cajon del Maipo. This paradise has five out of five stars.
Recommended reading: A Traveler’s Guide to Santiago, Chile
8. Antigua, Guatemala
Surrounded by volcanoes, this is a stunning World Heritage sit. It’s perfect to pueblear (walk around a town or city, taking your time, trying diverse food, and buying souvenirs)—as we say in Mexico.
Visit the main square and the colonial building known as the Noble Palace, take a picture beneath the Santa Catalina Arch. If you’re a bookworm, there is a first edition of El Quixote at the Old Book Museum. Don’t miss the cathedral or the Cerro de la Cruz lookout. Try artisanal food and beverages and buy Guatemalan handicrafts.
Check out the nearby climbable volcanoes for an adventure. Reviews show high ratings for overall experiences and touristic spots.
Recommended reading: 5 Beautiful Places to Visit in Antigua, Guatemala
9. Oaxaca City, México
Oaxaca is known for the hospitality of its people, Frida Kahlo paintings, and excellent cuisine. Oaxaca and Yucatán offer two of the richest culinary experiences in all Mexico. It’s one of the main reasons they are on this list of spring break destinations.
Oaxaca is popular for their traditional and magical festivities such as the Guelaguetza and Las Velas. Many consider it as the best—and one of the most budget-friendly—ways of truly getting to know Mexico.
The cathedral is astonishing and the ethno botanic garden is unparalleled. Visit the pyramids and temples of Monte Albán the capital of the Zapotec civilization and el árbol del tule (the tule tree) that is over 3,000 years old.
There are many local activities for kids, like the making of alebrijes or prehispanic stone soup. If they like this kind of experience, you can enroll them in cooking classes to make mole and know the art of mixing chili with chocolate, both foods native to Mexico. Let them try new flavors and candies—and delicious fried grasshoppers!
Near majestic Oaxaca City, the Hierve el Agua (boiling water) is one of the most impressive natural sites in Mexico. This natural spa is on top of petrified waterfalls that are 164 ft (50 m) high. There are little holes everywhere and warm water pours out forming ponds and small pools.
Positive ratings are through the roof on the internet. People “can’t think of a better vacation” and say that Oaxaca blew them away. It truly has it all.
See also: Fiesta de las Velas: A Colorful Oaxacan Tradition
Add More Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations to Your Bucket List
The best way to travel to these spring break destinations in Latin America is by learning Spanish first.
Did you know there are around 580 million Spanish speakers in the world? There are 53 million in the U.S. alone. Imagine traveling easier to Spanish-speaking countries, talking to locals in their language, asking for tips, directions, opinions, and making friends.
Let Homeschool Spanish Academy help you out. Your family can become part of our more than 24,000 monthly enrolled students community that have trusted our expertise.
We’ll tailor Spanish packages for you and your children according to your needs and interests. Benefit from our individualized, flexible, online sessions and prepare your family for your trip to Latin America starting today. Check our affordable pricing and flexible programs and sign your child up for a free Spanish class!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. I have appreciated the one on one interaction and teaching that my son gets from his teachers. He has gotten to know his teachers, which has increased his confidence in speaking Spanish. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Maple, Parent of 3
“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”
– Karie Ann, Parent of 3
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