Travel Information

With a population of 40 million (one-third of whom live in and around the capital Buenos Aires) and an area of 2.8 million km² (1/3 the size of the US), it is hard to describe all that Argentina has to offer. It contains a vast range of beauty from mountains to river, coast to cities, a fantastic array of flora and fauna and a climate to fall in love with.

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, winter hits in June, July and August, spring in September, October and November, summer in December, January and February and autumn in March, April and May. It is worth remembering that January, February and July are often the most expensive months to travel as they are the Argentine holiday months.

If you’re thinking of hitting Buenos Aires, spring and autumn are the best months to visit. In the summer the weather hits 30/35°C most days and is very humid which is made worse by the fact you’re in a big often-claustrophobic city. A lot of porteños (Buenos Aires residents) also leave the city in the summer months to head to the beach so many places shut down for holidays at this point. That said, the city by no means stops and there is still plenty to do, just make sure you drink a couple of extra licuados, find the city’s pools and parks and you’ll pull through.

It can reach 5°C in winter which isn’t unbearable by most people’s standards, but be prepared for the moaning from the locals. The humidity acts to make the cold feel worse, and it can be biting at times.

So winter is a good time to go to the north of the country, as the heat sometimes reaches 40°C in the summer and can also be very wet and humid. In spring the countryside is lush and green and in autumn the fiery reds and oranges of autumn will astound you.

Summer is the time for Patagonia and further south. It can get extremely cold in winter making transport tricky in some places, although if you’re into winter sports, resorts further south with cater for your needs. In summer the south is a comfortable temperature most of the time and there’s enough sunlight to let you enjoy your travels.

REGIONS

Córdoba and Central Sierras

The historic city of Córdoba was born from the desire to link Upper Peru and the Río de la Plata through what is known as the Camino Real.
Córdoba is the second largest city of Argentina and the principal at Midwest. Although located in a vast valley, gaining the high mountains surrounding it give this city its own microclimate. It has an average temperature of 24ºC and the minimum is 11ºC during winter.

The city of Córdoba has hundreds of activities for visitors to feel welcome. Take a tour around the city by walking through Plaza San Martín, then admire the landmarks surrounding it: the centuries-old Cathedral, the historic Cabildo, the Casa de Trejo and several museums.
After sunset, the city has an active nightlife and culture in bars and museums that boast high-quality art entertainment.
By plane, you can go directly to the White Pajas International Airport, but most visitors decide to travel to Córdoba by bus.
In its streets and promenades are traces of the old colonial architecture mixed with modern buildings. Everything, interspersed with parks and green spaces like Parque Sarmiento, designed in the late nineteenth century, which succeeded in giving remarkably fresh air to this great city and its inhabitants.

Step out of the city, and the possibilities grow. Among some of the more adventurous activities that Córdoba provides are mackerel and trout fishing in its dams, mountain biking, paragliding and trekking in one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina.

Located in the heart of Argentina, the Central Sierras show the unique natural beauty of the country. The seductive landscapes of mountains, the path of the High Peaks, unforgettable climbing excursions and the magnificent reservoirs ideal for fishing and water sports are the main attractions that drive the flow of tourism throughout the year.
And if you are in Argentina in October, don’t miss the famous ‘Oktoberfest’, the beer festival of Argentina held in the town of Villa General de Belgrano.

Litoral

Lying up-river from Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, this region includes the provinces of Corrientes and Entre Ríos, and part of the plain of the Chaco and Santa Fe.
Three major rivers embrace this vast region: the Iguazú, Paraná and Uruguay.
The ruins of San Ignacio, the thermal baths of Roque Sáenz Peña, the National Monument to the Flag and the many spas are among the attractions that invite visitors to discover the region.

Visitors can enjoy excellent agrotourism, with this regions numerous yerba mate plantations and cotton and citrus fruit farms surrounded by the bountiful wild vegetation of subtropical forests. The days of sport fishing in the rivers are among the most fascinating features of the area.
With an important tourism infrastructure, cities like Rosario, Santa Fe and Paraná scenic beauty combine with historical, architectural and cultural vitality, providing multiple activities for both day and night.

In February, the Carnival of Gualeguaychú and the Gualeguay, visitor can feel the influence of neighbouring Brazil through the ubiquitous music and dance.

Mendoza and Central Andes

The city of Mendoza is the most important of the Cuyo region and capital of the province. Famous for its Cerro Aconcagua, its Malbec wines and the saga of the Liberator General San Martín, known as the Father of the Nation, Mendoza is one of the most beautiful cities of the country.
Located at the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is an incredible man-made oasis thanks to a vast irrigation network that gives life to everything it touches.

Mendoza’s climate is mild-tempered, though their mountains provide a certain degree of dryness. Summer temperatures range between 18 and 33ºC, with the days being warm and nights cool. In winter, ski season, the minimum is 3ºC while the maximum observed is 16ºC. The city of Mendoza can be reached by plane via the International Airport Francisco Gabrielli or by bus or car through the national highways No. 7 and 40. When doing a city tour you can discover the history and culture of its inhabitants, illustrated by its museums cafes, plazas, public buildings and institutions. As a part of historical tradition, Mendoza keeps many memories of the era of General San Martín through the Hill of the Gloria, San Martin Park and the variety of museums that document this region’s hero.

But nature reigns in this city that acts as a starting point for all kinds of adventure activities and mountain sports such as mountaineering, rock climbing and skiing. Visitors of the Mendoza River can choose to go whitewater rafting, but with caution. At some sections of the river only expert rafters dare to venture further.

El Camino de Vino is one of the most exciting old routes in the city. Visitors can tour wineries tasting all the wines produced there, made famous by this region in the world.
One thing is certain, Mendoza’s old slogan: “the land of good sun and good wine” does not lie.

San Juan, La Rioja. Talampaya, Valle de la Luna.

North East

Red land area of virgin forests, the coast of Argentina presents scenes of lush beauty, like the Iguazu Falls, the Falls of Moconá, Palmares of Columbus and the Esteros del Ibera.

North West

This corridor includes the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero and west of Chaco and Formosa. It displays the great diversity that envelops the north of Argentina: forests, Yungas, valleys, canyons and the puna, the mythical high plateau, all interspersed with pre-Columbian cultures that characterize the region.
Known worldwide for its magnificent scenery and the settlements that seem frozen in time, these places give travellers the chance to go back to the era of Spanish colonization. The architecture of those times is still preserved in the buildings of several of its cities, such as Salta or San Miguel de Tucumán.

Excursions such as the Train to the Clouds present the Puna with strong contrast against the eternal snows of the Andes. La Quebrada de Humahuaca, surrounded by multicoloured mountains and cactus-covered slopes, offers visitors unforgettable moments of contemplation.
Tapestries, woven in fine linen, wool ponchos sheep, llama or alpaca, jewellery and basketry items from plant fibres are some of the typical crafts can be purchased in the area.

Another attraction of extraordinary beuaty and color are the popular festivals that are performed to Pacha Mama – the goddess of Mother Earth – celebrated with delicious regional dishes.
The thermal waters of Rio Hondo, with its healing powers of international fame, complete the tourist offer in the region.

Salta wine district. Quilmes ruins.

Pampas and Buenos Aires Province

A relatively small but geographically very diverse area with distinct regions. The wet pampas on the coastal side is around 25°C in the summer and around 12°C in the winter, with up to 1000mm/yr rainfall. In the summer the coastline is full of holidaying porteños particularly Mar del Plata (for happening nightlife), Pinamar (more upmarket and family orientated) and Villa Gesell (small and relaxed). To the west are rolling green grasslands and the fertile rounded hills (all under 500m high) of Sierra de Tandil which are great to explore and to relax. Tandil itself is the heart of this cheese producing region and Sierra de la Ventana has rivers to cool off by, and hills to hike, climb and horseride through. Further west are deserts home to flamingo dotted lakes. Just north of Buenos Aires you will also find the land of the Gaucho (see below) particularly in the relaxed town of San Antonio de Areco.

*The Gaucho*

An almost accidental icon now shot to celebrity as equivalent cinematically and heroically as the North American cowboy, the common image is dressed in bombachos (baggy trousers), a leather rastra (silver studded belt) and facón (long bladed knife). Originally a mix of Indian and Spanish descent (mestizo) the gaucho would herd cattle taking advantage of the high commercial value of beef and hides. Large landowners then came into the pampas in the late 19th century and squeezed the men into fringes or onto ranches. Now less free-living and more of a hired hand, (and a desirable one with their extensive horseman skills), their independence and lawlessnessness became admirable and their image reigned on as a remembrance of a time before economic modernisation. If you’re interested in knowing more, read José Hernández’s emotional poem Martín Fierro.

Patagonia North and Lake District

Patagoia North includes the beaches of Patagonia and offers an excellent tourism, where travellers can find kilometres of beaches with warm water and a range of landscapes with the stunning Patagonian cliffs, dunes, sandbanks and countless fishing opportunities and sports and recreational activities.
The coastal terrain offers extraordinary diversity, alternating sandy or muddy, with accumulations of boulders, with massive quartz rock or steep cliffs.
With 4500km long, the waters that run along the coast is composed of a cold current called the Falkland Current, which flows northward, and mixes with the Brazil Current (warm).

Through the National Road No. 3, visitors can weave through several cities, including Puerto Madryn, known worldwide as a starting point for whale watching excursions.

Combined with other provincial roads and highways one can reach all the beaches in this vast region. In north-western Patagonia, Argentina, the Lakes District dazzles with its extraordinary landscapes, where one can discover majestic lakes, imposing mountains, rivers, waterfalls and ancient forests.
Natural vantage points for ecstasy in contemplation, walks through forests and placid shores of lakes, up the offer of this land, due to its geographical features, ideal for adventure travel, exploration and discovery. National Parks Lanín and Nahuel Huapi attract by their imperturbable and incredible beauty.

From November to April, the characters are lovers of sport fishing, found in many rivers, streams and lakes, true havens. 

The blanket of white in winter, the explosion of colours in autumn, and the mild summer all make the region a hotspot throughout the year. 

Its cities combine the warmth and charm of the typical mountain village with a modern infrastructure, Among the most prominent tourist resorts are Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes and Villa La Angostura.

The numerous and varied ski resorts and snow parks are a great attraction during the winter. Caviahue, Chapelco, Catedral, Bayo, La Hoya Batea Mahuida all boast resorts for skiing and snowboarding, as these towns enjoy the best snow in Patagonia

Patagonia South and Tierra del Fuego

The southernmost region of the country includes the provinces of Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego.
From glaciers to beaches of the Argentine Sea, this region contains the last stretch of the seemingly endless Andes.
Many of this region’s rivers and streams, large lakes and lagoons, forests, massive, hills and beaches provide refuge to several wildlife reserves, and are part of the National Parks of Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and Tierra del Fuego.

Once a source of inspiration for explorers of the past, this area is now a tourist destination. Its infrastructure includes the world-class ski resort Cerro Castor in Ushuaia. At this resort, you are invited to relax in a rural setting or practice activities such as fly fishing in the magnificent waterways that flow through these areas.
The majestic world of glaciers and the Andes begins in the town of El Calafate, from where one can access the famous Perito Moreno Glacier lookout or set forth on bold excursions into these amazing ice fields.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

There are many sports and extreme sports that you can find in Argentina and will often be a lot cheaper than you can find at home with outstanding scenery to go with it. Once you are in a hotspot just ask where you are staying or at a local travel agency for advice.

Ski: The ski season runs from mid June- mid October with the most crowded months being July and August. Argentina is a very popular destination in South America, though not commonly known of worldwide, as it has good powder, good cover and lots of sunny days.

• Mendoza: Las Leñas (best snow and largest runs in the country) and Los Molles
• Bariloche: Cerro Catedral is worth visiting during the start of August, as the dates with overlap with Bariloche’s annual Snow Festival and the crowing of the ‘Snow Queen’
• Ushuaia: Cerro Castor is the southernmost ski resort in the world and also has the longest season in Argentina

White water rafting:

• Mendoza: Río Mendoza and Río Diamante (Class III)
• San Martín de los Andes: Río Hua Hum and Rio Meliquina
• Bariloche: Río Limay and Río Manso (Class II)

Hiking and trekking:

The most scenic places to walk with water and vegetation are the Southern Andes National Parks along the Chilean Border…

• Parque Nacional Lanín in the north of the Lake District, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in the south
• Tierra Del Fuego
• West of Mendoza in the Andean peaks
• Córdoba’s sierras

Mountaineering:

• Cerro Aconcagua west of Mendoza on the Chilean border. At 6962m it is the highest peak in the Americas
• Near Borreal in San Juan Province, Cordon de la Rameda boasts 5 peaks up to 6000m high

Wind sports:

• Paragliding in Bariloche and La Cumbre in Cordoba’s Central Sierras
• Wind and kite surfing in Dique Cuesta del Viento in San Juan province from October- early May

Skydiving:

• Buenos Aires (drops are 35km out of the city)
• Mendoza