Argentina
Located at the southern tip of South America, Argentina is a geographically diverse country with pampas glasslands, glaciers, coastal regions and towering mountains. While cosmopolitan Buenos Aires has architecture that rivals Paris. Home to a people with strong European cultural ties, Argentina has become a country with its own distinct personality—a country all its own.
Getting to Know Argentina
Comprising most of the southern tip of South America, Argentina is a geographically diverse country.
Creating a natural border with Chile on the western edge of Argentina, the Andes mountain peaks reach nearly 23,000 feet. In the foothills of the Andes, directly east of Buenos Aires, Mendoza creates its internationally recognized wines.
The lush pampas grasslands dominate the central-eastern portion nurturing cattle that become the world famous Argentine beef—asado.
Untamed Argentine Patagonia in the south is a reminder that mother nature is alive and well. Natural forces beyond our control of wind, rain and snow create majestical sites, some of the most spectacular in the world.
The capital city of Buenos Aires to the east on the South Atlantic Ocean has architecture that resembles and rivals that of Paris. It’s a distinct reminder that Argentina is a country that welcomed millions of European immigrants from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. For a people with strong European cultural ties, Argentina has become a country with its own distinct personality. It is a country all its own.
Continue reading below for highlights of what Argentina has to offer.
Destinations
Getting Around South America
Buenos Aires
Eastern Argentina on the Atlantic Coast
82 ft / 25 m
Spanish permanent colony: 1580
Declared Independence from Spain: July 9, 1816
Historic and Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires
At every turn in Buenos Aires you’re greeted by phenomenal architecture reminding you of Argentina’s rich history. Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the widest avenues in the world with up to seven lanes on each side, is a major artery in the heart of Buenos Aires. It intersects with Avenida de Mayo, whose bookends are Congreso de la Nación Argentina and La Casa Rosada (the pink house and the president’s office) in Plaza de Mayo.
Popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires include La Boca, home to local fútbol club the Boca Juniors who play at the stadium La Bombonera. The Caminito, with their colorful buildings, were originally built by European immigrants. You’ll find artists, musicians, and tango dancers entertaining tourists throughout the neighborhood.
With cobblestone streets, San Telmo is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Known for Feria de San Telmo (Sunday street fair) and Mercado de San Telmo, an indoor market opened in 1897. Cementerio de la Recoleta, in Recoleta, is one of the neighborhood’s biggest draws and home of Eva Perón’s (Evita’s) final resting place in the Duerte Family tomb. Palermo, a high-end neighborhood with tree-lined streets and lush parks, is a popular place to stay. Trendy Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho attract a younger crowd especially for nightlife.
It would be easy to spend months exploring this fascinating city. These are just a few of the highlights that Buenos Aires has to offer.
Videos on Buenos Aires
Avenida de Mayo Bus Ride – Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo
We’ll travel long seeing sights of Casa Rosada with Evita’s balcony, Plaza de Mayo, Café Tortoni, and cross the widest street in the world – Avenida 9 de Julio.
Buenos Aires Subway Line A (old carriages)
Buenos Aires Metro – Take a ride on the historic old wooden carriages that ran under Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1913 – 2013. The old carriages were replaced with new cars in March 2013.
Av Saenz Pena (Diagonal Norte) y Florida Street – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Get a view of the busy pedestrian intersection of Florida Street and Av Roque Saenz Pena (Diagonal Norte) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Plaza de Mayo – 360° Panorama – Buenos Aires, Argentina
La Casa Rosada, Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Piramide de Mayo, Buenos Aires Cabildo, Avenida de Mayo and Diagonal Sur.
Patagonia
Southern Argentina
Argentine Patagonia
Encompassing about 730,000 square miles, Patagonia is the southernmost portion of South America. Shared between Argentina and Chile, the countries generally agree on their natural border of the towering Andes Mountains, with the majority of Patagonia being in Argentina.
The main highway running north and south in the region is Ruta 40 (Route 40). It actually runs the entire length of Argentina and is one of the longest in the world at 3,200 miles / 5,200 kilometers.
Note: Though you could drive it, you’ll probably want to hop a flight from Bariloche to El Calafate given that they’re about an 18-hour drive apart.
From north to south, Ruta 40 connects the main tourist destinations of:
- San Carlos de Bariloche (or just Bariloche) – the lake district in northern Patagonia which offers hiking, skiing, boating, and much more;
- climb Fitz Roy peak (or just hike the surrounding area) near El Chaltén;
- the town of El Calafate is a jumping off point to view Perito Moreno Glacier (Glaciar Perito Moreno) from the wooden walkways on land, get a bit closer by taking a boat tour, or take a walking tour on the glacier itself;
You’ll need to head south on Routes 3 and 257 to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in South America. Be sure to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park – go for penguins, windswept vistas of mountains and sea, hiking and kayaking.
It’s also good to note that the very popular Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is just over a three hour drive from El Calafate. Just take Ruta 40 from El Calafate, Argentina to Puerto Natalies, Chile and head north on Rute 9.
