A Luxury Chile Family Travel Guide

Chile is among the best destinations in Latin America for family travel, with a wide array of destinations that are as diverse as they are captivating. Defined by an abundance of space and silence, this country feels tailor-made for restorative family journeys, balancing active adventures with seamless service. 

Throughout your family trip to Chile you’ll experience the country’s spectacular nature and multifaceted culture through the eyes of excellent guides. Families with young children and teenagers will find plenty of age-appropriate experiences, while multi-generational groups can enjoy private accommodation and bespoke itineraries.

We’ve compiled this luxury Chile family travel guide to highlight our favourite destinations, hotels and experiences across the country.

Destination highlights: otherworldly deserts and glacial frontiers

When it comes to geography and natural landscapes, Chile is nothing short of spellbinding. These are our top destinations for families in search of epic adventures and incredible views.

The Atacama Desert

Desert plains and private stargazing

The Atacama Desert is an exceptionally arid region full of volcanoes, sand dunes, geysers and sepcially-adapted animals like flamingos and vicuñas. You and your family can go hiking, cycling, quad biking or horse riding to discover all of its otherworldly attractions.

The Atacama is also a prime destination for private astronomy tours in Chile. World-class observatories and expert guides will bring the night sky to life through private stargazing experiences adapted for all ages.

The Lake District and Chiloé

Showstopping scenery and cultural heritage

The Lake District is located in central Chile, with the archipelago of Chiloé just a bit farther south. This is a wonderful area to embark on a family road trip, boasting all sorts of ancient forests, thermal springs, snowy peaks and small villages to discover.

Chiloé offers an especially interesting combination of nature and culture. Here family-friendly hikes, boat trips and wildlife excursions are complemented by immersive experiences involving traditional crafts, architectural heritage, distinctive cuisine and local mythology.

• Explore the highlights of Chile15 Day trip

Patagonia

Glittering glaciers and sweeping fjords

Patagonia is the southernmost region of South America, stretching across both Chile and Argentina. On this side of the border, highlights include the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park and the remote Aysén region.

Here families can enjoy expert-led wildlife tracking in Torres del Paine, hiking trails suitable for all levels of fitness, guided kayaking tours and scenic drives on the Carretera Austral. Both North Aysén and South Aysén are especially ideal for active families with older children.

Where to stay: exclusive accommodation and impact-led hotels

Accommodation is a key element of sustainable luxury family travel in Chile. With this in mind, we’ve selected a handful of our favourite hotels.

EcoCamp Patagonia

EcoCamp Patagonia offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience in Torres del Paine. Here you can stay in a stylish and functional geodesic dome inspired by Indigenous architectural traditions; the two-level Suite Dome Loft is ideal for families of up to four people.

Head out on hikes of varying difficulty levels during the day, then recharge with a delicious dinner and evening cocktails for the adults while the kids curl up in the library with a good book.

Singular Patagonia

The Singular Patagonia is set inside a historic factory that’s been transformed into a chic and comfortable hotel, directly beside the Señoret Channel in Chilean Patagonia.

The highlight here is an array of family-oriented, guided excursions through nearby Torres del Paine and the surrounding area. Imagine exploring the Milodon Cave, snapping photos of wild pumas or e-biking around picturesque estancias.

Refugia Chiloé

Located on the main island of Chiloé, Refugia Chiloé is a luxurious lodge with panoramic ocean views and plenty of family-friendly activities. Swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, go horse riding and experience the weekly curanto: a culinary tradition involving underground cooking.

Refugia Chiloé welcomes children of all ages and offers interconnecting rooms for groups of four to six people.

Nayara Alto Atacama

When it comes to luxury family hotels in the Atacama, Nayara Alto Atacama is hard to beat. This desert resort is fully integrated into its environment and perfectly suited to families, with six swimming pools, resident llamas and fun excursions to salt flats, lagoons, rock art sites and more.

It’s also one of our favourite hotels for stargazing, boasting its own open-air observatory on a nearby hill.

PATA Lodge

PATA Lodge is a wonderfully rustic and authentic option for families travelling through North Aysén. Each of its seven wooden houses and cabins has space for four to six guests, and most have a fireplace for cosy nights in.

Activities include trekking, zip lining, kayaking, canyoning and farm visits. White water rafting is available for ages 16 and up, while younger kids can enjoy a gentle float down the river.

Hotel AWA

As part of our Positive Impact Collection, Hotel AWA is firmly committed to protecting the environment around it. Its location in the Lake District offers opportunities for family-friendly guided hikes, lakeside cycling and hands-on workshops with local artisans.

The hotel’s private villa is perfect for larger families, with four bedrooms and panoramic terraces overlooking Lake Llanquihue.

Rio Palena Lodge

Rio Palena Lodge is our top recommendation for multi-generational groups in North Aysén. Its seven suites can be booked individually or on an exclusive-use basis, providing space for up to 16 people.

Your family can go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rafting or stand-up paddleboarding during the day before returning to the lodge for a delicious asado (barbecue) prepared by the lodge’s chef.

Explora Rapa Nui

For a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure, head to Easter Island for an unforgettable stay at Explora Rapa Nui. You and your family will get to see the ancient moai statues alongside local guides who will explain their history and cultural significance.

This is also a fantastic destination for outdoor activities like hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and diving. Teenagers can even borrow bikes to explore the island on their own.

Seamless logistics: exploring Chile the Jacada way

Our team of travel designers and concierges have years of experience crafting bespoke family trips to Chile. We’re here to help you design an itinerary full of exclusive activities, seamless transfers and exceptional accommodation to exceed the expectations of every family member.