“The most fun I’ve ever had’, is how one SMT employee described her two weeks in Brazil, a glowing testimonial that is far from unique. With the buzzing streets of Rio, home to the world’s biggest party (Carnival!) as a fitting introduction to the vibrancy of Latin America’s largest country, what follows just gets better and better.

There are beaches galore (we particularly love those in the south along the Emerald Coast); more wildlife than seems fair in the Pantanal Wetlands as well as the Amazon jungle; and adventure galore in places like Bonito, the eco-adrenaline capital of Brazil. It’s not all landscapes and wildlife, though. Families love wandering the colonial streets of Paraty or the thrumming Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador. Whatever and wherever you choose to experience, don’t miss a visit to Iguazu Falls! As one of the best countries to visit in Latin America for family travel, here’s what else you could be doing.

It may be a cliché, but to say that Peru has it all for family travel in Latin America is also a truism. From exploring the Amazon jungle by foot and boat, visiting reed islands on Lake Titicaca, and spotting condors in the Colca Canyon to biking, zip-lining, or white-water rafting in the adventure capital that is the Sacred Valley, Peru just delivers something different every day. Where else can you enjoy a scenic train ride across the high altiplano to over 4,000m?!

Of course, no visit to Peru would be complete without a visit to the awe-inspiring Incan mountaintop city of Machu Picchu (see our Peru with Kids Top 10 for more information), whether by train or the iconic Inca Trail. Staggering landscapes aren’t Peru’s only appeal, though. Did you know there are 13 UNESCO sites here alone? You’ll also be immersed in local culture, from meeting rural communities to wandering colonial streets and, of course, bartering in colourful markets. The cuisine, such as delicious fresh ceviche, is also a real highlight. Guinea pig optional.

When it comes to family travel in Latin America, it’s not every country where the underwater wildlife and activities are on an equal footing with those on land, but this is Belize’s greatest drawcard. Boasting a vast barrier reef, just ten minutes from shore and second only in size to that in Australia, the country’s warm Caribbean waters teem with sea-life, making it a diver’s or snorkeller’s dream. Swim in Shark Ray Alley, float alongside stingrays and turtles, then chill on hammocks on one of the hundreds of low-lying islands called ‘cayes’

Inland, there are jungles boasting not just colourful birds and wildlife, where howler monkeys shriek from the trees and manatees and caiman swim in rivers, but also spectacular Mayan ruins, cocoa farms, and even sacred skeleton caves. A very easy country to explore, with short distances and where English is the native language – you’d better ‘Belize’ it! See our Belize with Kids Top 10 for more.

If you are looking for a ‘fly and flop’ at one of the thronging, all-inclusive resorts of Cancun, you’ve come to the wrong place. However, if you’d like to discover the authentic side of Mexico, a place where you’ll experience the cultural sites of Chichen Itza and less-visited ruins at Uxmal, visit lively markets, colonial towns, and swim in the natural swimming pools of Mexico’s cenotes, we’ve got you!

Focussing on the natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula (which also makes for a fabulous self-drive destination – handy!), our itineraries are packed with a range of adventurous activities such as wildlife spotting in the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, with unforgettable opportunities for family R&R, whether that’s floating through mangroves or chilling on Caribbean beaches. Want to know why Mexico is one of the best places for family travel in Latin America? See our Mexico with Kids feature for more.

Gin and tonic. Peaches and cream. Ant & Dec (!). Some things just go together, and nowhere is this truer than the dual destinations of Ecuador and the Galapagos. Lying some 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast, one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth, the Galapagos Islands, gets all the glory – and when you’re swimming alongside sea-lions, frolicking with marine iguanas and spotting, er, blue-footed boobies, you can understand why. Not so of its Ecuadorean twin – and we think this is grossly unfair.

Overlooked it may be, but this is Ecuador’s secret power: be wowed by the unbelievably dramatic Avenue of Volcanoes, hike on the slopes of the (live) Cotopaxi, see the real, authentic South America, and take a scenic overland journey into the Amazon without the tourists! Our advice when it comes to family travel in Latin America? Do both! Read our Ecuador with Kids feature and see if you agree!

If you’re wanting to explore a land of hugely contrasting landscapes, from the deserts and salt flats of the north, the Pampas grasslands and wineries in the centre, to the soaring peaks of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the south, Argentina is all over it!

Given its huge size (taking up most of the southern portion of the continent, the second largest South American country after Brazil), there’s just SO much for adventurous families to see and do. The thundering, awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls? The cosmopolitan, cultural hotspot of capital Buenos Aires? Wildlife safari in the wetlands? Make like a cowboy in a working estancia? Ice-trek glaciers? Go wild with the Malbec and steak? Learn to tango?! Undoubtedly one of the best countries to visit in Latin America, come to Argentina and see almost the world in one country! Check out our Patagonia with Kids Top 10 feature and Places to Visit for more!

In a continent seemingly packed with colourful and characterful culture, Colombia, a relative newcomer to the adventure family holiday scene, is now right up there as one of the best countries to visit in Latin America. Leaving its seedy cartel culture far behind (although teens will still get excited about Pablo Escobar’s escapades during a graffiti street tour in Medellin), Colombia has Caribbean beaches to rival those in Brazil and stunning colonial towns to explore – Cartagena is an absolute must.

It also has wildlife in bucketfuls (spot armadillos, crocodiles, and howler monkeys in Los Llanos), and what can only be described as a tropical paradise in Tayrona National Park. Those up for a real challenge could tackle the Lost City Trek – think Inca Trail without the crowds. Families are also fascinated by the fincas and plantations in the famous Coffee Zone, where they can also enjoy a chocolate tour. Check out our Colombia with Kids feature for further inspiration!

A land of volcanoes and lakes, Nicaragua may not be the first place you’d think of visiting when it comes to family travel in Latin America, but we think that’s absolutely part of its appeal. Instead, it’s the off-the-beaten-track nature of this fascinating – and safe – country, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and the largest in Central America, which packs a big punch with the more adventurous family.

Does sandboarding down the black ash of an active volcano sound like fun? Or enjoying unspoilt paradise Caribbean beaches without the crowds and the price tag of other places? Maybe surfing on the northern Pacific coasts or diving in thermal lagoons would float your teen’s boats (boards?). The beautiful colonial cities of Leon and Granada offer a cultural fix, as do exploring coffee plantations and local cookery classes. Intrigued? We hope so!

You might find it surprising that, given that Guatemala is home to one of South America’s most iconic Mayan archaeological and cultural sites, Tikal,  this Central American country isn’t higher on the family radar. It’s true, though, that its larger northern neighbour (who boasts the far more famous and visited Chichen Itza) somewhat overshadows what is actually an authentic and relatively undiscovered gem.

It’s here in Guatemala that you can visit the exquisite colonial city of Antigua, climb volcanoes, go kayaking, and SUP’ing or cliff jumping in Lake Atitlan. Kids also love haggling for souvenirs in colourful markets, soaking up the Caribbean vibe of Livingston, floating down the serene Rio Dulce and spotting howler monkeys on jungle walks, quite unspoilt by mainstream tourism. Many families also pair their adventure here with a trip to Belize. Take a look at where you could visit!