Argentina, the country with thousands of secrets hidden in the southernmost part of America, with the world-famous tango, excellent wines, and picturesque landscapes. It’s a perfect place to visit, whether you want to explore the nature or the culture of Latin America. Here’s a list of 9 vacation spots in Argentina you should consider, each one offering a variety of attractions, from the pristine nature and mysterious, old villages to the dancing cities with a vibrant night-life and crowded golden beaches.
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Buenos Aires
If you choose to visit Buenos Aires, you’ll have a fascinating time, full of music, experiences, colors and flavors. It’ll be busy since there are so many things to do in the marvelous capital of Argentina. The European architecture with a little bit of Latin American style added to it makes the city stylish and elegant. The beautiful tango danced all around, in cafés, bars, shows and milongas (a place where tango events take place) makes it sensual and alluring. Finally, the excellent cuisine with a juicy steak being the most popular part of it makes it flavorful and tempting. Through all of that, plus countless shops of all kinds, the never-ending party (not even when the sun comes up in the morning), excellent wines and noisy street life, Buenos Aires speaks to all the senses. It’s charming and addictive. A month after the date of your planned flight back home, you can find yourself in a milonga, still dancing the tango as if the world outside of the dance floor didn’t exist.
El Calafate
El Calafate hosts plenty of tourists, most of which are heading to the nearby Los Glaciares National Park. The park, with its large Glaciar Perito Moreno (one of the most dynamic and the biggest accessible ice caps), is breath taking natural wonder that you simply can’t miss on your trip to Argentina. The town of El Calafate, located so close to Los Glaciares National Park, between Torres del Paine in Chile and the village of El Chaltén, is a place where everyone who’s on their way to some place stops for a moment. Hence it’s a lively and fun place to be, where you can not only start your adventure of discovering Patagonia but also have a short break and meet other travelers.
Iguazu Falls
Do you want to see something which would just make your jaw drop with its magnificent scenery? Then Iguazu falls are going to be perfect for you on your holiday in Argentina!
Hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Iguazu Falls is without a doubt one of the most spectacular falls not only in Argentina but all over the world! These falls are usually compared to the Niagara Falls and the Victoria Falls regarding its width, height and water flow. But when it comes to the “Wow Factor” upon seeing its view, Iguazu Falls surely surpasses the other two! Sure there may be taller falls than Iguazu, but only the latter’s physical features can offer many breathtaking sights at different angles. And guess what? Iguazu also has walkways and bridges which do not only let you have a closer view of the falls but also gives you the chance to get slightly sprayed with the falls’ gushing waters!
Located in the Province of Misiones, Iguazu Falls separates Argentina and Brazil’s state named Paraña. The beautiful Iguazu Falls are also a part of the Iguazu National Park, which has a vast rainforest filled with more than 2000 different species of plants surrounding it. So after taking tons of pictures of the falls, you can just relax and feel the cold air enveloping the rainforest. Not only that – Iguazu National Park also serves as a natural habitat for Argentina’s wildlife; monkeys, jaguars, reptiles, fishes, anteaters, etc. All of the said things you can experience while rowing boats or riding engine rafts.
Going to the Iguazu falls on your holiday in Argentina is a total must!
Mendoza
Mendoza is known for two reasons mainly: it’s located nearby Aconcagua (the highest mountain in both Americas, actually, the highest mountain in general, outside of Himalayas) and its elegant, irresistible wines. This scenic town and its surroundings offer a variety of activities, such as river rafting, skiing or horse riding. Mendoza is located in a desert, but it seems to be more watery than most cities – irrigation ditches run beside the main roads while gorgeous fountains decorate all the major squares. Mendoza is a center of Argentinian wine production, so you should try some delights while you’re there. Because of the wine, the laid-back vibe, and beautiful sceneries, Mendoza is one of the most relaxing Argentina’s vacation spots.
Tierra del Fuego
The end of the world, the southernmost extreme of Americas, Tierra del Fuego is a mysterious archipelago, a place adventurers and explorers head to. The tourist center of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, is a lovely town and it serves as a starting point for Antarctica cruises. There’s a strange feeling to the whole archipelago; it’s one of the unique places in Argentina. Vacation spots are usually loud and lively, but Tierra del Fuego feels remote and strange, quiet and magical. Ferdinand Magellan passed the archipelago in the 16th century and named it Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), because he saw fires burning on the coastline, probably made by the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands. The intriguing history, the culture of its native peoples, the shipwrecks, the stories of missionaries and explorers, all of that still fascinates and surprises the travelers visiting Tierra del Fuego.
Bariloche
Bariloche, situated in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by pristine lakes, is as scenic as a town can be. Bariloche offers not only breathtaking views but also a wide range of activities. During the summer you can hike, ride a bicycle, go fishing or climbing. In the winter Bariloche looks as if it was brought straight from a fairy-tale, it turns into a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, white, snowy and enchanting. There’s one thing that should and can be tried in Bariloche no matter the season – chocolate, sold in fabulous boutiques and breweries.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is known as a gateway to Península Valdés, but even though numerous tourists stop there, it remains a small, cozy town. It’s warm in the summer, so hiking and trekking are enjoyable, as well as water sports. From June to December you can catch a boat from Puerto Pyramides and go whale-watching. For some time, in July and September, the whales come so close to the coast they can even be seen from the shore. 180 kilometers south from Puerto Madryn, in the Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area, there’s the Magellanic penguin colony.
Mar del Plata
It’s worth to wake up in the morning in Mar del Plata and go straight to the beach before the crowd gets there. Luckily, you can count on mate (a bitter but intriguing beverage with caffeine) to take all your sleepiness away. Mar del Plata is located 400 kilometers from the capital of Argentina. Vacation spots for beach-lovers can be found in many places on the Argentinian coast, but Mar del Plata is the most popular one and not without reason. The town is extremely crowded during the summer, but once you get used to it, you don’t mind anymore that someone’s always crashing into you while swimming or that you can’t take more than a towel-size piece of the beach. Perhaps it’s because this crowd is so friendly, cheerful and enthusiastic. In the winter months through Mar del Plata gets quiet and calm, so if you prefer a bit of seclusion, it’s better to go there after the season ends.
El Chaltén
Mountaineers, trekkers, and climbers fall in love with this place in a blink of an eye. One look at the mountains is enough. El Chaltén is located in the Patagonian region of Argentina. Vacation spots around the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares are usually stunning, and so is El Chaltén. Many popular trails start in this colorful, enchanting village (such as the one leading to the blue Laguna de Los Tres situated on the foothills of the Cerro Fitz Roy making mountain), so it’s a beloved hikers destination. You can also taste some good beers in El Chaltén, take short, relaxing strolls and enjoy therapeutic massages in the local spa (very nice after long trekking).
Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a ravine in the province of Jujuy in northwest Argentina, close to the border with Bolivia. The Quebrada de Humahuaca’s spectacular landscape is made of colorful hills and particularly-shaped rock formations. The picturesque valley is dotted with charming small towns and villages, full of various accommodation options and interesting sites. Don’t forget to take a look at the rainbow-hued Cerro de Los Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors) and to visit lovely, historic churches in the villages of Uquía and Yavi.
What else are you waiting for? Plan your next vacation in Argentina right now!
