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Argentina Information

Overview

If any country deserves the label ’land of extremes’ then Argentina does. This vast country occupying a large chunk of southern South America is topographically diverse and infinitely enchanting. From the snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the Andes to the dusty plains of Patagonia, Argentina never fails to amaze.

Whether exploring the lush rainforest of Missiones, horse riding in the scorched red mountains of Salta, trekking the turquoise lakes and evergreen forests of the Lake District or playing the gaucho in the fertile Pampas, the country is one of ceaseless wonder and boundless adventure.

At the heart of all this is the capital city Buenos Aires. Unfairly described as a grimy Paris, Buenos Aires is a smart, contemporary city that is full of life and bursting with energy. While the spirit of the tango is alive and well and the gaucho heritage is celebrated, modern Argentina is more cosmopolitan in its outlook than many South American countries.

The people of Argentina are warm, friendly and open to visitors. Despite a dark period of military dictatorship and a series of economic crises, the Argentines have a tenacious spirit and lust for life that is infectious. This passion shines through in the nation’s great loves of football, food and partying. There is never a dull moment in Argentina and visitors are beginning to discover the opportunities. The tourism industry is booming and deservedly so: the country begs to be explored and experienced.

Author

Sharon Harris

Top Things To See

Soak up the atmosphere of the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires (website: www.bue.gov.ar), with its many cafes, antique shops, tango night spots and a Sunday flea market on Plaza Dorrego.

Stroll through the capital’s chic Recoleta district, famous for its Cementerio de la Recoleta (where many members of Argentina’s elite are buried) and the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) (website: www.mnba.org.ar).

Marvel at the multi-coloured houses and artistic talent of La Boca, where Italian immigrants settled to work in the shipyards and the tango was supposedly born.

See the top spots of The Pampas and visit the scenic peaks of Sierra de la Ventana (website: www.sierradelaventana.com); note the traces of colonial past in Santa Fe; and glimpse the pink granite rock formations of Lihue Calel National Park.

 Be dazzled by the sheer power of Iguazú Falls (website: www.iguazuargentina.com); view this majestic series of cataracts at Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), which can be approached via a system of catwalks over the thundering water; and take a boat trip through the mist and spray at the base of the falls.
 
Visit one of Argentina’s oldest cities, Corrientes, and see the church of Santísima Cruz de los Milagros and the San Francisco convent. Corrientes is also the land of the chamamé, a characteristic type of rhythmic music derived from the polka (website: www.corrientes.gov.ar/turismo).
 
Gaze at the Andes mountain range topped by Mount Aconcagua (6,995m/22,944ft) (website: www.aconcagua.com.ar), the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located within the Aconcagua National Park. The nearby Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue is a famous monument at almost 4,000m (13,120ft) above sea level, offering magnificent views.

Be struck by nature on the Valdes Peninsula; see herds of seals, sea lions and take a whale watching boat trip. Then visit the penguin colony at Punta Tombo. 

Take in the chocolate box scenery of glacial lakes, mountains and forests of the southern Lake District around Bariloche; then follow ‘the route of the seven lakes’ through spectacular mountain passes to San Martín and on to Lanín National Park, dominated by the extinct, snow-capped Lanín Volcano (3,776m/12,386ft).

Feel the chill in Los Glaciares National Park with the Perito Moreno Glacier as its centerpiece, where huge icebergs calve and topple into Lake Argentino.

Travel to the ‘end of the earth’ at Tierra del Fuego, the gateway to the Antarctic; hop aboard a boat to explore the marine and bird life of the Beagle Channel; and walk through the streets of the world’s southernmost city of Ushuaia, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks (website: www.tierradelfuego.org.ar). 

Discover the architecture of colonial Salta before stopping in on the nearby pre-Incan ruins at Santa Rosa de Tastil; then travel through the arid, stunning red gorge of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, scattered with verdant oases.
 
Wander around the Ischigualasto National Park, a desert valley also referred to as ’the valley of the moon’, owing to its distinctive rock formations and fossils dating back some 180 million years.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Trek Argentina’s vast landscapes, mountains and deserts; stunning scenery is guaranteed in the Lake District around Bariloche and San Martín, the Sierras de Córdoba and around Mount Fitzroy in Los Glaciares National Park.

Dine at a parrilla, or grill room, where a large variety of barbecue-style dishes can be sampled in authentic Argentine fashion.

Ski down the eastern slopes of the Andes: the season is generally from May to September and Bariloche is the oldest, most established and best-equipped ski resort, although purpose-built Las Leñas is becoming the resort of choice for serious skiers (website: www.laslenas.com).

Get into the rhythm of the city and learn how to tango dance at various lively milongas (tango parties) or watch a tango show at venues throughout Buenos Aires.

Raft down wild rapids on the River Manso near Bariloche, the River Atuel near San Rafael or the Juramento Rapids near Salta. 

Shop ‘til you drop in Buenos Aires, with its well-earned reputation as a shopper’s paradise: the elegant and cosmopolitan microcentro (north of Avenida de Mayo) includes the Florida and Lavalle pedestrian malls and the Plaza San Martín.

Head for the hills from Salta on the dizzying Tren a Las Nubes that winds its way over bridges and viaducts, through gorges and deserts, and across shimmering salt flats to an altitude of over 4,000m (over 13,000ft) .

Visit an estancia to witness the workings of an Argentine farm. Estancias often occupy vast tracts of land used for rearing cattle or crops. Some are traditional with strong links with the gaucho heritage. Others are progressive, modern places offering first-class accommodation and agri-tourism options for visitors. 

Saddle up on a horse trek amid the arid, rose-tinted mountains around Salta in Argentina’s far northwest.

Taste some of the New World’s best wines and learn about the region’s winemaking heritage at a traditional bodega in Mendoza.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Argentina boasts an exceptional standard of food and drink and eating out is an experience in itself. But be warned: Argentines tend to dine very late (2100 is considered early). Famed for the quality of its steaks, Argentina is a meat-eater’s dream and a visit to a parrillada restaurant should be on a visitor’s to-do list. Conversely, pure vegetarian food is hard to find but most restaurants have a veggie option and salads are widely available.

The country’s Italian heritage is evident in the popularity of pizza and pasta eateries throughout the country. Japanese, Thai and Asian fusion food is increasingly popular in Buenos Aires, while North American and European style dishes are readily available in large hotels and tourist areas. Argentine wines have flooded the international market in recent years and are famed for their quality and value.

Many international beers are available but local brand Quilmes is eternally popular. All the big brand spirits are found in Argentina, and there are many fine local varieties. Whisky, gin and rum are the most popular and form the basis for some exotic and potent cocktails. Mate is a national institution in Argentina (like tea is to the English). Made from dried yerba leaves, mate is served in a gourd and is shared between friends.

National specialities:
• Charrasco Argentino (a large, juicy gaucho steak).
• Carbonada en Zapallo (squash stuffed with a beef and vegetable stew).
• Empanadas (tasty little pastry pies usually stuffed with meat).
• Ñoquis (gnocchi - potato pasta dumplings usually served with a tomato and herb sauce).
• Alfajores (shortbread-type biscuits sandwiched with dulce de leche - caramelised milk sauce).

National drinks:
• Yerba mate (tea-like drink).
• Quilmes is the national brand of lager.
• Malbec wine.

Legal drinking age: The legal age for drinking alcohol in a bar/cafe is 18.

Tipping: Service charge is sometimes added in hotel restaurants but tipping is largely discretionary. It is normal to leave a 10% tip in restaurants and bars.