ARGENTINA

Argentine Identity

Argentina has many peculiarities that have traveled the world by word of mouth with the people who have visited the country. The outgoing personality of its people, who are friendly, fun and effusive; the typical cuisine which includes asado, mate, regional dishes, and dulce de leche treats; the traditional dances like tango, a couple dance with a 2 x 4 rhythm, which was born in Buenos Aires during the 19th century and today has reached an international level, or folklore, with different choreographic forms, according to each area; the passion for football, and the fanaticism for the major players and clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate being the most popular ones, and the ones that fill their stadiums and cause proliferating displays of excitement every time they play; typical games like truco, a card game in which luck and the ability to trick or deceive the opponent are the most important things, or horse riding games in the outskirts of the city which reveal the powerful Spanish influence and the persistence of old traditions; and, of course, the personality that each special region knows how to maintain and strengthen as time goes by.

Best Time of Year to Visit

The seasons in Argentina are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. The weather in Buenos Aires is ideal in fall (Mar-May) and spring (Sept-Nov). The best travel deals are between April and June. The most beautiful time to visit, however, is in October and November when the jacaranda trees are in bloom.

The best times to visit Argentine Patagonia are October through November (springtime in the southern hemisphere) and December through February (summertime). During these months, the weather is mild, and spectators can view natural attractions in their full splendor.

October through April are considered the best months for visiting Mendoza - from the planting season through harvest. Spring (October, November) and fall (March, April) are warm, crisp and bursting with colors, and around 70ºF. During this time, winery activities are bustling, and outdoor adventures are in peak season.

Key Experiences

Buenos Aires

The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires is undoubtfully one of the most cosmopolitan cities in these days. Its financial center, its architecture, its fancy neighborhoods and its contemporaneous atmosphere in constant movement, are some of the characteristics that contribute to outline the essence of being “porteño” (from the city of Buenos Aires). This huge capital is recognized by its wide cultural and recreational offers, day and night the 365 days of the year: the Colon Theatre and small experimental theatres (most of them located on the Corrientes Avenue), old bookstores and new cultural centers, more than 100 museums and art galleries; big handicraft fairs and modern shopping centers; historical coffee houses; bars featuring tango and milonga shows; discos and pubs with international music; restaurants of different kinds, styles and cuisines; casinos and the most passionate football (soccer) games. Visitors may tour around the city visiting the most traditional neighborhoods like San Telmo, La Boca, Congreso or Abasto, the most sophisticated ones like Recoleta or Belgrano, or the most modern ones: Puerto Madero or Palermo, birthplace of the vanguard design. Tourists are invited to take thematic walks, following the steps of emblematic characters of either tango or Argentine culture, like Gardel, Evita or Borges. For those who enjoy sailing, the Río de la Plata offers many options; while the city streets challenge free-spirits to wander around, moved by the curiosity to discover the endless attractions of this beautiful city. Web: www.turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar

Tierra del Fuego

The province of Tierra del Fuego shares borders with Chile to both the West and the South and with the Atlantic Ocean to the North and to the East. It may be reached by land through the National Road N° 3 or by air, taking a flight to the “Gob. Ramón Trejo Noel” Airport in Río Grande or the Known as the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is 3.171 Kms far from Buenos Aires. Tierra del Fuego - "Fireland" - is an archipelago formed by the Isla Grande and hundreds of minor islands until Cape Horn. It is the last visit before starting navigation towards The Antartida. Catamaran sails through the Beagle Channel, during which there is a chance of seeing the famous Les Éclaireurs lighthouse; an excellent gastronomy based on spider crab, shellfish and lamb; its winter center, Cerro Castor, featuring the most extended snow season (June to October); sport fishing; ecotourism at the parks and rides on the fabulous End of the World Train are just a few of the many options that turn Tierra del Fuego into an unforgettable experience. The whole territory has permanent options to combine active tourism with nature. Tierra del Fuego National Park preserves species of sub-Antarctic forests, where live red foxes, guanacos, rabbits, beavers and condors. The observation of marine birds is another attraction, mainly at LaPataia Bay. Year after year, adventurers, explorers and climbers arrive from different parts of the world and they leave fascinated by the proposals that these lands offer. Web: http://www.tierradelfuego.org.ar.

Mendoza

The Province of Mendoza is 1.031 kms far from Buenos Aires. It is one of the provinces chosen by tourists for recreational activities. With its unmistakable identity related to wine, it is the most important wine producing province and, therefore, concentrates the largest number of wineries and vineyards. Circuits associated to wine-tourism comply with the expectations of those willing to discover the qualities of national wines, mainly Malbec, provided it is the emblematic national strain. Adventure tourism is also an outstanding choice. In winter, ski and snowboard are practiced at two winter centers (Penitentes and Las Leñas); in summer, every kind of mountain activities take place: rafting and kayak take advantage of the maximum flow of rivers. Besides, Mendoza counts with eight water reservoirs fit for boating, windsurf, waterski, diving, yachting, or sport fishing. For those loving altitudes, Andean Climbing is practiced at every level while paragliding and hang gliding are practiced at the mounts closest to the city. For those seeking to enjoy the beautiful landscapes in an absolute relaxed atmosphere, photographic safaris and wild fauna watching are excellent options. Horse Ridings at the Andes Mountain Range (even tours that follow the paths used by the soldiers that crossed The Andes) and the Aconcagua National Park, where the Aconcagua Mount is located, one of the highest peaks in the world (6,949 meters), are other options that tourists loving nature and seeking adventure should not miss!

Things to Do

Trying your hand (or feet) at the tango
Standing in the Playa de Mayo in Buenos Aires
Wandering the cobblestoned streets of San Telmo in Buenos Aires
Seeing the Iguazu Falls
Sampling a local Malbec, perhaps at one of the local parrillas, or steak houses
Sitting in the stands for a futbol match
Driving through the Lake District
Explore Cordova, a university town with Colonial architecture

Practical Information

Geography and Weather

Argentina is usually described as a land of impressive contrasts, product of a varied geography. From the Andes to the west, which stretch along the Argentina-Chile border from north to south, with the highest peak, 6,960,8 meter / 22,831 feet Mount Aconcagua, to the Pampas and the Atlantic Coast, and across hill ranges, numerous forests, rainforests, deserts and fertile valleys, the biodiversity of these ecosystems allow the development of rich flora and fauna. Many natural sites in the country are protected areas like reserves and national parks. Moreover, some of the main natural landmarks have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO.

The main characteristic of Argentina is diversity, and this is also the case with the weather. The country enjoys a very varied climate: it is mild and humid in the Pampas; cold and damp in the western Patagonia; subtropical in the Mesopotamia region; and warm in the Northeast. The highest points at all latitudes are the coldest areas, with dry, snowy, mountain weather, and a wide temperature range.

LOCATION

The Argentine Republic, with an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers (1,468,000 square miles), is located in the Southern Hemisphere of the American continent. Its 3,800 kilometers (2,361 miles) in length stretch from 22º to 55º south latitude. The country borders on Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile, and on the Atlantic Ocean to the East. The country is divided in 6 primary tourist regions, and politically divided in 24 provinces.