Best Autism Friendly Destinations in South America

There are so many natural wonders to see while traveling in South America. If you are finally ready to explore Amazonian rainforests, Incan ruins, and Andean peaks, you won’t find a better place than South America. However, as a parent of an autistic child, you may be wondering how you can do this. I completely understand! As a certified autism travel advisor, who has an autistic son, I know the challenges that come with travel. But I can tell you that it is possible to travel to South America with your autistic child and have a wonderful time! I would love to chat more with you about the possibilities, so contact me today.

Best Autism Friendly Destinations in South America

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is quite a large city. Yet, amongst the crowds is amazing architecture, delicious foods, and lots of open space at the local playgrounds. This is a city where it is important to plan your days carefully. I always stress that one or two activities a day are best for most autistic children.

In Buenos Aires, one of your first planned activities might include a stop at the Buenos Aires Children’s Museum. This interactive museum will allow your children to have puppet shows, pretend to be a television anchor, and shop at a replica grocery store. To avoid the crowds, and have the best experience, I recommend arriving at this museum earlier in the day. Other places you may want to visit include the Bioparque Temaiken, Mercado de San Telmo, and Plaza de Mayo.

Outside the city, you can explore nature by hiking to Iguazu Falls. There are more than two hundred waterfalls in that area. So, even if you can only walk for a few minutes, you will see a couple of different waterfalls.

Quito, Ecuador

Culture is everywhere in the country of Ecuador. Add in the diverse landscape and you will find your autistic child learning about so many new things during your visit. The best part about this destination is the locals love children. So, do not be surprised to find your children receiving free admission at many attractions. A favorite place to spend time is the Parque Metropolitano. This park offers a lot of space for playing and running around. An excellent location for getting the wiggles out at any time! Outside the city, your autistic child can explore nature over at Podocarpus National Park. And swimming is a must at the beaches within Machalilla National Park.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Uruguay is one of the forgotten countries in South America. This country borders both Argentina and Brazil. This is definitely the most autism-friendly destination in South America if you are looking for a beach vacation. When you are not at the local beaches swimming, you will find yourselves exploring the vibrant city. La Rambla is currently the longest sidewalk in the world. If your autistic child does not like to walk long distances, you may want to do different sections of this walk throughout your family vacation. Other things to add to your itinerary in Montevideo include Tres Cruces, Plaza Independecia, and Parque Batlle. Machu Picchu, Peru. You have probably heard incredible stories about people who have taken long journeys to reach Machu Picchu.

Which is why you are probably wondering why I would include it on a list of autistic-friendly destinations in South America. I haven’t lost my mind! I just happen to know that you don’t need to hike for miles to reach this wonderful destination. As a parent of an autistic child, I know you want your child to experience anything and everything. So, why not take advantage of the bus ride that takes you directly to the entrance of Machu Picchu?

Yes, it will still take a while to take the train from Cusco to the Urubamba Valley. And then there is the bus ride. I can help plan it all though, so you have time to regroup and take a break in between. There are three different areas to see when you arrive at Machu Picchu.

Those areas include the citadel ruins, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain. The citadel ruins are the most autism-friendly. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot see the other two areas if you think your child is up to the adventure. It is important to note that even though you are taken directly to the entrance by bus, there is still quite a bit of walking to do when you are at Machu Picchu. I believe it is best to keep your child’s capabilities in mind when planning for this trip.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is another bustling city. However, there are numerous sections where you can escape the noise. One of those areas would be almost any of the local beaches. Leblon Beach is considered the most child-friendly beach in the city. When your autistic child is tired of the sand and water, you can head over to the play area called Baixo Baby. A train ride around Corcovado Mountain to the Christ the Redeemer statue is an option for your autistic family. You may even want to consider riding the Sugarloaf Mountain cable car.

Other potential adventures in Rio for autistic families can include visiting AquaRio, Zoological Gardens, and the Botanical Gardens.

These are some of the best autism-friendly destinations in South America. I would love to plan an amazing family vacation for you in any of these destinations. I can even suggest other destinations if these are simply not exactly what you were looking for. Contact me and let’s schedule a time to chat.