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Argentina Destination Guide

Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, has held a favourable position on the South American continent for hundreds of years. As long ago as 1776 the Spanish decreed that it should be a capital city of the viceroyalty, acknowledging the importance of its position, geographically speaking. Since then it has been on a rollercoaster ride which has only settled down in the last few years and may not yet have come to a complete stop.

Having been a central arrival point for immigrants, both rich and poor, Buenos Aires combines many things – great wealth and great poverty, a rich variety of colonial architecture, as well as other styles, and both European and Latin American influences and ways of life. With all of these elements present in one city, you could well believe that Buenos Aires represents the best and the worst of Latin America, all crammed into a city with a population of over thirteen million people. When it comes to sightseeing you may find yourself spoilt for choice, but in a city this old which has had so much money come and go through its various inhabitants, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you are into sports, dancing, art, architecture, theatre, food and drink, or just want to go shopping, you can find something to keep yourself amused in Buenos Aires at almost any hour of the day or night.

The centre of Buenos Aires, referred to as the microcentro, is where any architecture buff should go to have a look around. The style is often in keeping with 19th century Europe, particularly demonstrating French architectural styles, and you will be surprised in general at how unlike other Latin American countries Buenos Aires feels. The huge influx over the years of foreign immigrants and the money that the country’s natural resources has provided the wealthy meant that many could afford to emulate home and did so, preferring to remember where they came from, than where they had gone to. A citizen of Buenos Aires is known within Argentina as a porteño and is referred to as “an Italian who speaks Spanish, lives in a French house and thinks he is English”thereby demonstrating various European influences on the city and the country as a whole.

History and architecture combine here to give you an intense feeling of Latin American history in the making. The Museo del Cabildo is an 18th century building and includes the only remains of the colonial arches that used to surround the Plaza de Mayo. The Catedral Metropolitana is home to the remains of José de San Martín, one of the famed liberators of Latin America. Any fan of Evita will want to see the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, where the lady herself used to speak to the crowds in the 1940s. There is also a museum attached to the palace on its southern side where you can take tours of the catacombs of a ruined colonial building which originally stood on the site. The Teatro Colon is one of the world´s greatest opera houses built in 1908 and a testament to the city´s former wealth with sumptuous decoration throughout.

Of course, you cannot come to Buenos Aires and not experience the world-famous tango. Classes are easily found, but to see the dance itself you don’t have to wait until nighttime when the clubs open. Strolling around the streets of San Telmo, where the dance originated and the tango centre of the city, you will no doubt find various couples entertaining passing tourists with their skills in the dance. One theory concerning the tango is that it developed in the brothels of the city – since the sailors and the “ladies” didn’t necessarily speak the same language, the lady in question would dance what was on offer. Anyone who has ever seen a tango demonstration will admit that while this story may not necessarily be true, you can understand how it might be.

Something a little out of the ordinary in Buenos Aires, and something it has in common with Paris – a very famous cemetery. The Cementerio de la Recoleta houses generation after generation of the city’s most well-heeled inhabitants in an impressive collection of tombs and sarcophagi. You only have to follow everyone else in order to find Evita’s last resting-place.

This cosmopolitan city has something for every type of tourist, from free entertainment found while you walk the streets, to world-class cultural offerings in theatre, opera and music. As with any large city, you can also find a huge variety of food here, although be aware that the emphasis lies heavily on steak, fitting in with Argentina’s reputation for producing beef which is among the best on the planet. That said, it is entirely possible to find vegetarian food, you just have to look around for it. The internet is a good source of such information and you can easily find a few vegetarian or other options that way.

If you came to Buenos Aires with shopping in mind, don’t worry. As one of the richest cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires has everything from Armani to $1 street stalls. Old Palermo can offer you anything in the really up-market category, but if you want to get in touch with something a little more local, try the Feria de Mataderos. It will take you quite a while to get there as it is nowhere near the centre, but you can get a flavor of the country through the traditional dances and the gauchos, riding through the streets as though they were back on the pampas, herding cattle instead of people.

In addition to the many sites within the city itself, birdwatchers and those simply wanting a stroll will love the nature reserve by the old docks. A popular day trip out of town is to take the train from Retiro station to the pleasant town of Tigre on the Parana delta, from where you can take a boat trip through the tributaries where many porteños have second homes on the numerous islets.
Buenos Aires is a huge city and can offer something for everyone and every budget, due to its enormously varied influences and traditions. In order to do this city justice you should really aim to spend at least a couple of free days here and give yourself time to explore, or just wander around aimlessly and experience sights you will find nowhere else in the world.

The city is the gateway to Argentina with international flights arriving from all over the world and of course the country´s principal domestic flight hub. Argentina is a vast country so internal flights are necessary to get around. From Buenos Aires you can reach all the principal destinations such as the amazing Iguassu Falls, Mendoza and the wine country, Peninsular Valdes, Calafate in Patagonia and Ushuaia at the end of the earth in Tierra Del Fuego

Mendoza:

The city of Mendoza lies at the heart of Argentina´s wine producing region where snow-capped Andes Mountains surround magnificent, prize-winning vineyards. The area´s sun-filled days, cool nights and crystal clear air provide the perfect conditions for both the growing of grapes and a week of rest and relaxation.  The city itself, situated at the foot of the Andes, boasts an array of fine dining restaurants and wine bars which are perfectly suited to the immaculate, tree-lined avenues and beautiful central plazas. While the area is best known for its biking tours of the surrounding vineyards, Mendoza is also a great area for outdoor enthusiasts who can enjoy a selection of activities such as rafting, sky diving and trekking. Make sure you work up a hearty appetite as Mendoza´s fine olive oil, excellent seafood and fresh produce are sure to tempt the taste buds and whet the appetite of any visitor to the fantastic northwestern region of Mendoza.

Iguazu:

The Iguazu Falls are situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina and are steeped in ancient history. It is believed that the beautiful aborigine Naipi, who was meant to marry a god, eloped with her lover Taroba. In a rage, the god is said to have sliced the river and created the waterfalls so that the lovers were doomed to an enternal fall. The waterfall system, which consists of 275 falls, was shortlisted by The New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Interestingly, one of the last remnants of the Atlantic Forest is situated around the falls and native birds such as toucans and hummingbirds can be witnessed in the area. The quaint town of Puerto Iguazu is fed by the Iguazú and Paraná rivers and overlooks the borders of Brazil as well as the Paraguay River in the Alto Parana area. The town offers some outstanding natural scenery and the area is an exceptional choice for vacationers looking to discover a unique and matchless experience.

Cordoba:

Cordoba, located near the geographical center of Argentina, is the second largest city in the country, after the capital Buenos Aires. Interestingly, Cordoba was one of the first colonial capitals of the Spanish and the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba is the oldest in the country. As a result of its long colonial history, the town is filled with historical monuments, particularly those belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Most notably is the Jesuit Block, a collection of buildings from the 17th century, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Cordoba is the perfect destination for vacationers seeking an interesting and exciting destination filled with local and colonial history. It can be said that Cordoba is easily Argentina´s second most important city and the largest of the central region. The city´s incredible scenery and fascinating history make it a firm favorite among travelers who have been visiting the area for years.

Ushuaia:

Ushuaia is often regarded as the southernmost city in the world and is also the capital if the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina. The city is situated on the southern coast of the Tierra del Fuego Island and is surrounded by the Martial mountain range and the Beagle Channel to the south. Originally named by British missionaries, the city was originally built around a prison and has often been compared to the French´s Devil Island and the example of the British in Tasmania. The prison population built a railway to the settlement and today tourists are able to take the ¨Tren del Fin del Mundo¨ (End of the World Train) which makes use of the southernmost railway in the world. For those adventurers out there, the city´s main attractions are the Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Lapataia Bay where local wildlife such as penguins, seals, orcas and local birds can be viewed. There are also many ski areas which surround the area and hiking trails which lead one up the base of the Glaciar Martial.

Salta:

Salta is Argentina´s eighth largest city and is situated in the northwestern region of the country. Enjoy warm, dry weather in this fabulous colonial town which is often referred to as ¨Salta la Linda¨ (Salta the Fair) as a result of the many old, colonial buildings which inhabit the area. Tourists flock to the city to visit the 18th century Cabildo – a neo-classical style cathedral, as well as the city´s wide selection of museums which feature artifacts from what was the southernmost region of the Inca Empire. Salta is also known for being the province of gauchos, poets, guitars and incredibly friendly people. The city itself is spread out across the valley of Lerma at 1200 meters above sea level which means its weather is great all year round. Mountains, fertile valleys, rivers and jungle in the lowlands make the region of Salta an incredibly varied and interesting place to visit.

Bariloche:

The city of Bariloche is situated in the Rio Negro province in Argentina. The area is surrounded by snow-capped Andes Mountains and magnificent, aquamarine lakes which include the well known Nahuel Huapi. The city boasts a series of excellent ski slopes, but is also known for its excellent sight seeing opportunities, water sports, climbing and trekking. The city thrives on the tourists which flock the area famous for decadent chocolate shops and the Saint Bernard dogs on show. During the summer months vacationers can enjoy the exquisite beaches of Playa Bonita and Villa Tacul where some brave swimmers may even take a dip in the icy lakes. Bariloche is also the biggest city in the Lake District region and many tours leave from the bustling metropolitan area. Whether is trekking in the wild and untamed mountains, fishing in the lakes or sampling the area´s fine chocolates, Bariloche is awe-inspiring and charming city to visit.

Peninsula Valdes:

The Peninsula Valdes is located on the Atlantic Coast in the Chubut Province of Argentina. The region´s capital city – Puerto Madryn – is considered the best for shopping, eating, business and a bustling nightlife, as well as being considered one of the fastest growing city´s in Patagonia. The PeninsulaValdes was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 as its coastline is inhabited by an array of marine animals which include sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Tourists can also view the Southern right whale as its makes its way between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. Baleen whales also frequent the area during the May and December periods where they mate and give birth in the warm, quiet waters. The peninsula is perfect for wildlife lovers as the inner region is populated with rheas, guanacos and maras, as well as a diverse range of birds who call the peninsula home.