Argentina is one of those countries that manages to tick the right boxes for all kinds of travelers. It presents a plethora of sights of attractions that cater to every whim and fancy and introduces its visitors to some of the most enchanting sights and locales on the planet.
The best adventures can always be found in its wine valleys, mountains, skiing adventures, architecture and nightlife, but don’t forget to reserve some time for that flavored beef, sultry tango, jaw-dropping treks, cloudless skies and unspoiled beaches. These attractions are sure to rank among your favorite travel experiences, but it is always the culture and the people who make your journeys special. The locals have managed to nurture their creativity and lifestyle without compromising on their traditions and pride, and this is what makes Argentinian adventures a real privilege. Here are some of the best things to do in Argentina.
The Andes (above image)
No trip to Argentina is ever complete without visiting the Andes. The ideal time to explore these world-famous mountains is between the months of May to September. Stretching throughout the country’s western edge, this beautiful mountain range presents a number of scenic lakes, vast deserts, outstanding hiking adventures and the highest peak of South America. Explore remote ski destinations that are known for their amazing skiing slopes and beautiful villages such as Las Lenas or check out the harsh and vivid landscapes of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases breathtaking landscapes in a spectrum of colors.
Bike Tour in Buenos Aires
Why walk around the city when you have an option to ride a bike? Buenos Aires is huge and flat, and is full of bike trails that are way too beautiful to pass up on. A bike tour of Buenos Aires can cover some of the best parts of the city, take you along beautifully constructed bike paths or lets you explore your favorite attractions on foot. Spend your time clicking photos and sample the delicious cuisine. Try out traditional refreshments and witness historical moments as they are brought to life by skilled guides. Pedal your way through beautiful neighborhoods and discover why Buenos Aires is called the “Paris of Latin America”.
Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls got their name from a Guarani Indian word that translates to “great waters”. The falls are located in the Iguazu National Park, home to more than 2000 species of flora, 400 types of bird and 275 unique falls. The highest falls in the park is Devil’s Throat, or Garganta del Diabolo, which spectacularly rises to a height of 70m (1.5 times the height of the Niagara Falls). There is nothing that comes close to this majestic mass of spraying water and gurgling sounds which means that a trip to the Iguazu Falls finds a place in most bucket lists.
Stargazing in Barreal
Far away from human settlements amid unspoiled natural beauty lies one of the most important astronomical observatories in South America. Barreal, an incredible stargazing destination that is located in the Parque Nacional El Leoncito against a backdrop of the majestic Andes, is famous for staying cloudless for close to 300 nights each year, making it the perfect year-round destination to visit while in Argentina. Choose a nocturnal tour that lets you make use of that 40-ton telescope and see those far-away stars in an entirely new light.
Meet the Penguins in Punta Tombo
Punta Tombo may be desolate in terms of human settlements, but this 3km long sand-and-gravel extravaganza is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins on the planet. It attracts more than half a million penguins each year between the months of September and March and presents some of the most spectacular penguin watching experiences that the world has to offer. The reserve is also home to seabirds such as petrels and cormorants, choiques and guanacos.
Sightseeing Tour of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is a rich cosmopolitan city that warrants much more exploration than most travelers tend to offer. This year-round destination is particularly famous for its delicious cuisines, exotic wildlife, sensational shopping and sizzling neighborhoods. It was Buenos Aires that gave birth to the sultry tango, so you can imagine how special its culture must be. An ideal way of exploring this vibrant city is through a sightseeing tour that introduces you to its star attractions, best districts and most beautiful architecture. Traditional highlights include the Plaza de Mayo, Teatro Colon, La Boca, La Recoleta Cemetery and Puerto Madero.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Los Glaciares National Park is one of those destinations that you simply cannot miss out on while visiting Argentina. It is characterized by its clear lakes and rugged mountains and is home to the world-famous Moreno glacier where humongous chunks of ice break off and fall into the largest lake of Argentina to transform into icebergs. The glacier hosts the third-largest store of fresh water on the planet and covers an area of 97 sq. miles. Considered to be one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders, Los Glaciares forms the largest ice cap outside Antarctica and Greenland. The national park also presents an extensive system of catwalks that let travelers get up close to these rivers of ice and capture their true beauty in their cameras. There’s nothing else to do in Perito Moreno Glacier tour except walk around and look at the glaciers from different angles, but it is such an impressive sight that you could easily spend an entire day here.
Lake District
Argentina’s Lake District is one of its most prominent natural wonders. Full of looming mountains, dense forests and glacial lakes, this is an ideal escape for those wanting to enjoy adrenaline-pumping activities as well as those wanting to get away from the hustle-bustle of city life. Continue your journey to the Lanín National Park to take a look at the extinct snow-capped Lanín Volcano.
Mendoza Valley
Mendoza is one of the main wine regions of Argentina and close to two-thirds of the country’s wine is produced here. A trip to Mendoza is a must-do for all wine lovers as it offers great insights into New World wines and helps visitors learn more about the art of winemaking. Mendoza is full of world-famous wineries that produce Malbec, Semillon, Torrontes, Tempranillo and Syrah wines.
Tierra del Fuego
How about traveling to the “end of the earth”? Take a trip to Tierra del Fuego, the gateway to the Antarctic. This beautiful archipelago is famous for its spectacular bird and marine life and is best explored via a boat trip from Ushuaia, the most southerly city on the planet.
Bariloche
Bariloche presents a fusion of traditional chocolate shops, pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains and Swiss-styled architecture. In fact, you’d be forgiven for believing that you’ve suddenly transported to Switzerland. Baroloche also serves as a popular gateway to some of the best outdoor adventures and landscapes in the country. The surrounding mountains attract ski lovers with their snow skiing retreats.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
You often hear about Argentinian wonders such as Mendoza, Andes and Iguazu Falls, but you don’t come across Quebrada de Humahuaca often. Located in the province of Jujuy, this off-the-beaten-path wonder is a ravine that is located at a height of 2000 meters above sea level and stretches over 150 kms. It presents spectacular rock formations and breathtaking multi-colored hills which need to be seen to actually be believed. Make sure that you visit Cerro de los Siete Colores, the Hill of the Seven Colors, which acts as the backdrop for the Purmamarca village. This beautiful hill boasts of seven different colors – light orange, brown, red, violet, purple, green and white.
A trip to Argentina is an adventure of a lifetime. So make sure that you try and cover as many sights as possible during your holidays. Bookmundi recommends you to ensure that you don’t hurry up your itineraries, but we also suggest that you don’t lose yourself in its cosmopolitan delights. Places like Buenos Aires are incredibly exciting, but the true Argentinian experience is always found in those national parks, glaciers, old-world villages and vineyards.