The 4 Surprising Cities We Chose for Slow Travel With a Toddler

When we first decided to take our family on the road full-time and slow travel with a toddler, we were staring at a world map with equal parts excitement and uncertainty. The freedom was intoxicating but so was the responsibility. With a toddler in tow and a remote job on East Coast hours, we weren’t just chasing beautiful destinations, we were searching for rhythm, resilience, and the right kind of chaos to help us build a new life.

Planning our travel adventure. Ready to explore new destinations.

That’s how we landed on four Latin American cities that might not seem like the most obvious choices for a toddler’s first grand adventure: Panama City, Medellín, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. But to us, they feel like the perfect springboard into slow family travel and global living. Here’s why each one made the cut.

Panama City, Panama: Our Soft Landing

We’re starting in Panama City for a reason: ease. It’s a major international hub with direct flights from the US, no visa requirements for Americans, and an efficient airport that makes arrival with a toddler a little less daunting. English is widely spoken, the infrastructure is solid, and you can drink the tap water-a rare and glorious perk in Central America for traveling families. But it’s not just about convenience. This city is full of contrasts. Skyscrapers and rainforests. Rooftop brunches and canal boat rides. Urban parks and indigenous markets. It gives us the modern comforts while we slow travel with a toddler. We need to get our bearings-gyms, swim lessons, groceries that make sense-while still offering a rich cultural lens for Emily to peer through.

Striking panoramic view of Panama City, showcasing its striking skyline against the backdrop of lush greenery and its serene bay.

Why it works for us:

Panama City feels like a transitional place, one foot in the familiar and one in the unknown. It’s a soft landing for new digital nomad families like us, and after two and a half years of parenting in one place, that’s exactly what we need.

Medellín, Colombia: The City of Eternal Spring (and Endless Playgrounds)

From the start, Medellín called to us with its nickname alone: La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera-The City of Eternal Spring. With its consistent 70s°F (low 20s°C) weather year-round, it’s an outdoor-loving toddler’s dream. But Medellín offers more than sunshine. It has completely transformed over the last two decades, becoming a hub of innovation, creativity, and resilience. From our research we found that there are stunning public parks, playgrounds with mountain views, and even cable cars as part of its public transit. The public libraries and community spaces are supposedly some of the most beautiful. It’s also the perfect place for us to dive deeper into Spanish. I learned it the old-school way: by growing up on telenovelas. Andrew is learning through Duolingo and working with a private tutor. We both love the language and believe there’s no better way to learn than by living it. We’re also hoping Emily will pick up her fourth language by being surrounded by Spanish daily. No pressure, right? For Emily, Medellín will be a wonderland. For us, it’s a place to feel energized and connected. We plan to sign her up for swim lessons, spend afternoons at local cafés, and maybe even learn a few salsa steps ourselves.

Orquideorama, located in Medellín, Colombia, features striking hexagonal structures resembling giant wooden flowers. This architectural marvel serves as a botanical garden, seamlessly blending with the surrounding natural landscape.

Why it works for us: Medellín gives us access to the amenities we need, the outdoor lifestyle we crave, and the cultural depth we want to immerse ourselves in while we slow travel with a toddler. It’s also close enough in time zone to maintain our work-life rhythm as a remote family.

Montevideo, Uruguay: The Underdog with Heart

Montevideo might not be the top Google search for family travel destinations in South America, but that’s exactly what we love about it. It’s relaxed, artsy, and beautifully underrated. This charming coastal capital offers a slower pace of life, seaside promenades, and one of the most family-friendly cultures in Latin America. We’re looking forward to stroller walks along the beach, exploring artisan markets, and slow afternoons in the park with mate in one hand and a juice box in the other. It will likely be our calmest stop- a pause between two more energetic cities- and we welcome that balance. If Medellín is about momentum, Montevideo is our exhale. It also gives us room to keep practicing Spanish in a more low-key environment. The pace is slower, the conversations longer, and we’re looking forward to learning through daily life.

A stunning view of the iconic Palacio Salvo in Montevideo, Uruguay, standing proudly amidst the vibrant cityscape with palm trees lining the plaza below, under a partly cloudy sky.

Why it works for us: We chose Montevideo because it offers all the benefits of city life without the intensity. It invites you to stay longer, talk slower, and settle into something real.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Where Our Dream Meets the Holidays

Buenos Aires has always had a seat on our travel bucket list. It just always felt a little too far, too ambitious, too someday. Until now. We’ll be ending this first leg of our slow travel journey here, and the timing couldn’t be better. December in Buenos Aires is summer. It’s vibrant, musical, alive. And best of all, we’ll be celebrating the holidays with friends. We may be far from our old home, but we’ll be exactly where we’re meant to be. From our research we learned that Buenos Aires is bursting with life, expansive green parks, plazas with street performers and outdoor cafés that welcome kids with open arms. It’s a city where children are seen, heard, and celebrated. We’re planning on soaking it all in: the tango, the parrillas, the playgrounds buzzing with joy. And of course, speaking Spanish wherever we go. Whether we’re ordering helado, chatting in the park, or sharing stories with local families, we hope Emily will feel right at home. This is immersion, and it’s one of the reasons we travel.

Christmas Parade celebration in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Why it works for us: Buenos Aires isn’t just a destination, its a place weve been meaning to visit for a long time. Now we get to live that dream-with friends, with celebration, with full hearts.

Why Big Cities, Not Beach Towns? We hear this one a lot. Why not start somewhere quiet? Wouldn’t that be easier with a toddler? The truth is, we love cities. We miss the rhythm, the energy, the early-morning mercados and late-night strolls. We want our toddler to experience that energy too. Big cities offer diversity, movement, and stories layered into every block. They also help with routine. Cities come with swim schools, daycare options, playgrounds, grocery stores that make sense, and great coffee for tired parents. We didn’t want this next chapter to feel like one long vacation. We wanted it to feel like life, just lived somewhere else. The beach towns will come. So will the jungles, the villages, the off-the-grid adventures. But first, we’re starting where structure meets magic.

Our family enjoying a sunny day in front of the majestic Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

What This Chapter Means for Us This journey isn’t just about seeing the world. It’s about raising a daughter who embraces it. It’s about becoming a family that learns, adapts, and connects, wherever we are. By starting with these four incredible cities, we’re setting the foundation for an intentional, adventurous lifestyle. One month at a time. One playground at a time. One open heart at a time. And we can’t wait to share the ride and what it is like to slow travel with a toddler.

Thinking of a bright future while enjoying a sunny day by the harbor.