Planning a Year of Family Travel: Our Step-by-Step Guide
Long-term travel as a family is exciting, but also overwhelming! With our year-long adventure in Latin America approaching, we’re figuring out everything from decluttering our home to budgeting, packing, and learning Spanish.
This guide will walk you through exactly how we’re preparing for this journey. It’s a living guide, meaning we’ll be updating this page as we go—so bookmark it and check back for new insights!
How We’re Preparing for a Year of Travel
Here is everything we are doing to get ready for South and Central America. Click each section to read more.
Researching Destinations and Best Travel Times
We started by researching the most family-friendly places in South and Central America, considering weather and the best seasons to visit. This helped us choose the following countries:
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Bolivia
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Argentina
Booking Our Flights
In December, we booked our long-haul flights with KLM Airways to kick off our adventure. We’ll share how we found the best deals, what to consider when flying with kids, and our exact itinerary.
Decluttering Before Travel
We’ve started the huge task of decluttering, sorting through years of stuff to clear space, rent out our home, and simplify before we go.
Budgeting & Saving for a Year Abroad
How much does a year in Latin America cost? We’re breaking down our budget, saving strategies, and how we’re making this trip financially possible.
(Coming Soon)
What We’re Packing for a Year of Travel
Packing for a family of four is no small task. We’re focusing on minimalist packing, must-have travel gear, and kid-friendly essentials.
(Coming Soon)
Learning Spanish as a Family
We’re learning Spanish together before we go to connect more deeply with locals and make travel easier. Here’s how we’re doing it!
Renting Out Our House While We Travel
To fund part of our trip, we’re preparing to rent out our home while we’re gone. We’ll share the steps we’re taking to make it hassle-free.
(Coming Soon)
Healthcare, Insurance & Vaccinations for Latin America
From travel insurance to vaccines and staying healthy on the road, we’re covering everything families need to know.
(Coming Soon)
Why Follow This Guide?
We’re sharing our real process in real-time—from the challenges to the wins. Whether you’re dreaming of long-term travel or actively planning, this guide will help you see what it takes and how to make it happen.
- First-hand experience: We’re figuring it out as we go, so you get real, honest advice.
- Family-focused: This isn’t just about backpacking solo—it’s about making travel work with kids.
- Practical & actionable: We’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and the exact steps we’re taking.
Follow along as we prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! We’ll be updating this page with each step, so check back for new insights as we get closer to departure.
