Chile Family Travel Guide 2025
Everything families need to know for a successful trip to Chile with kids.
Chile stretches 4,300 km along South America's Pacific coast, offering stunning diversity from the Atacama Desert in the north to Patagonian glaciers in the south. Experience world-class wine regions, vibrant cities like Santiago and Valparaíso, and breathtaking natural wonders including Torres del Paine National Park.
Top Family Activities
The best experiences for families in Chile.
Fantasilandia Amusement Park, Santiago
Chile's largest amusement park in Parque O'Higgins has over 30 rides from gentle carousels for toddlers to the La Loca roller coaster for teens. Excellent facilities including restaurants, accessible paths, and shaded rest areas.
Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM)
South America's largest interactive science museum with 350+ hands-on exhibits covering robotics, physics, biology, and technology. Kids can control robots, experience simulated earthquakes, and explore a butterfly garden. Located in La Granja, Santiago.
KidZania Santiago
A miniature interactive city where children aged 2-16 role-play as doctors, firefighters, pilots, and chefs in realistic child-sized buildings. Located in Mall Costanera Center — one of the world's most popular KidZania franchises.
Buin Zoo, Santiago
30 km south of Santiago, Buin Zoo is one of the best in South America with 175 species in well-designed naturalistic habitats. Highlights include pumas, spectacled bears, Andean condors, and a petting farm for young children. Clean, well-maintained facilities.
Penguin Colony at Isla Magdalena (Punta Arenas)
Boat trips from Punta Arenas to Isla Magdalena bring families within metres of 60,000+ nesting Magellanic penguins each November-March. The penguins walk freely around visitors on marked paths — one of the most magical wildlife experiences in South America.
Valle de la Luna (Atacama Desert)
The extraordinary salt and clay formations of Valle de la Luna, 15 km from San Pedro de Atacama, are accessible by bicycle or tour van. Children are captivated by the alien moonscape, salt caves, and the dramatic colours at sunset over the desert.
Activities by Age Group
Find activities suited to your children's ages.
👶 Toddlers (0-3)
- Parks with shaded play areas
- Short, stroller-friendly walks
- Swimming pools at family hotels
- Animal encounters
🧒 Young Kids (4-7)
- Interactive museums
- Easy outdoor adventures
- Cultural shows and performances
- Market explorations
🧑 Older Kids (8-12)
- Historical site tours
- Adventure activities
- Cooking classes for kids
- Nature excursions
👦 Teens (13+)
- Adventure sports
- Photography walks
- Cultural immersion experiences
- Food tours
Complete Family Travel Guide
Family itineraries, packing checklists, and activity planning tips.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Where to stay with kids.
Hotel Enjoy Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar's leading family resort with direct beach access, multiple pools, a kids' club, and spacious family rooms accommodating 4-6 people. Connected to the Enjoy casino complex but family areas are completely separate.
Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas
Spectacular Lake District hotel overlooking Lago Llanquihue with Osorno volcano views. Heated indoor pool, family suites with lake views, and excellent breakfast buffet. An ideal base for family nature activities in the Lake District.
EcoCamp Patagonia (Torres del Paine)
Geodesic dome accommodation within Torres del Paine National Park — a unique family adventure for children aged 8+. All-inclusive with guided family treks, wildlife spotting, and educational naturalist programmes.
What to Look For
- Family rooms or connecting rooms
- Swimming pool (supervised)
- Restaurant with kids' menu
- Babysitting/kids' club services
- Safe, enclosed outdoor spaces
- Proximity to attractions
Kid-Friendly Dining
Where to eat with children.
Chilean restaurants are very child-welcoming — most large family-style restaurants like Fuente Alemana and Liguria automatically offer simpler pasta or chicken dishes for children without a formal kids' menu.
The 'menú del día' (fixed lunch menu, $6-10 USD) at traditional Chilean restaurants is excellent for families — usually soup, main, and drink at a price that makes feeding several children manageable.
Most Chilean shopping malls (Costanera Center, Parque Arauco) have large food courts with familiar options (pizza, burgers, sandwiches) alongside local restaurants — useful when travelling with picky eaters.
Family Travel Tips
Make traveling with kids easier.
Chile's tap water is safe to drink in Santiago and major cities — no need to buy bottled water for children in urban areas, saving significant cost over a family trip.
Chile's public transport (especially Santiago Metro) is clean, safe, and efficient — children under 6 travel free on the metro, and the Bip! card system is simple to use.
The Atacama Desert altitude (San Pedro is at 2,400m) can cause mild altitude sickness in young children — plan at least one full rest day on arrival, keep children hydrated, and consult a doctor before travel if children have heart or respiratory conditions.
Pack high-SPF sunscreen (50+) for the entire family — UV radiation is extremely intense in the Atacama and at high Patagonian latitudes. Reapply every 2 hours outdoors.
Health & Safety
- Check recommended vaccinations for children
- Pack enough prescription medications
- Bring sun protection and stay hydrated
- Research nearest hospitals/clinics
- Get travel insurance covering the whole family
Plan Your Family Adventure
Get our complete family travel guide with kid-friendly itineraries, packing lists, and activity recommendations.
Download Family Guide