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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
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.
Duration: 4-6 hours
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.
Duration: 3-4 hours
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.
Duration: 4-5 hours
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.
Duration: 3-4 hours
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.
Duration: 4-5 hours (including boat ride)
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.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
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.
Family features: Kids' club (3-12 years), outdoor pools, beach access, family suites with bunk beds, children's menu
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.
Family features: Heated indoor pool, family suites, lake views, children's play area, concierge for family excursions
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.
Family features: Family dome suites, guided family treks, naturalist educators, all meals included, sustainable design
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
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
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
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.