Argentina – the travel experience

Argentina – what to see and do

The Iguazu Falls

The world’s largest waterfall system, the Iguazu Falls, is located in the Argentine province of Misiones, alongside Parana, Brazil. The waterfalls divide the Iguazu River into the upper and lower parts of the river, which runs mainly through Brazil; Most of the current waterfalls are in Argentina. The absolutely breathtaking waterfall collection includes 275 drops spread between 197 and 269 feet high, within a radius of three kilometers. Visitors heading to the falls will cross the city of Puerto Iguazu and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iguazu National Park. There are many bridges and boat services that take visitors very close to the falls.

Hill of 7 colors in Purmamarca.

The colors of the mountains and landscapes of northern Argentina look like something from another world, and the “Cerro de Siete Colores” or “Hill of 7 colors” is the perfect example. The north of Argentina is one of the most underrated places of my life and I will shout roofs if I can!

Behind the quaint little town of Purmamarca you’ll find this esteemed hill with stripes of yellow, orange, red, pink, green and other stripes. The colors are due to the different mineral deposits, and it is a superb session of photographic operations. This is one of the things not to be missed in Argentina.

Ischigualasto

The Moon Valley of Argentina is a strange geological formation protected in a national park of the province of San Juan, in the northwestern region of the country, near the border it shared with Chile. Ischigualasto Provincial Park is huge and extends over more than 230 square miles and rises above sea level at more than 4,000 feet.

The park contains all the vegetation that you usually find in this area – some small trees, cacti and shrubs – and is very dry with extreme temperatures. An almost constant wind and little rain (almost all during the summer) make it a difficult environment, easy to visit but difficult to live with.

The park derives its nickname, the Valley of the Moon, because of the robust and supernatural geological structures that dot the landscape. Millions of years ago, this region was a floodplain dominated by strong rivers and rainfall. At the time of the dinosaurs, these rock deposits formed slowly over time and have remained since. Some of these rocks are as round and smooth as marbles because of the constant wind that has shaped them by erosion. Among the rocks, giant petrified tree trunks (some more than 30 meters high) testify to the rich vegetation that once fed the same giant creatures that walked among them.

Today, a region around the Moon Valley is home to some of the oldest dinosaur remains in the world. It is a popular – and important – site for paleontological research.

Palacio Barolo

Built between 1919 and 1923, Palacio Barolo was the largest building in South America during its construction. The iconic office building built by architect Mario Palanti is over 100 meters high. The building, which has since been declared a National Historic Landmark, is a dream to explore for architecture lovers. Each floor has a unique design and decoration, all beautiful in their own way. In the building, visitors will find a collection of offices, shops, artists ‘and architects’ studios, travel agencies and a Spanish school for foreigners. There is a lighthouse at the top of the building that was originally designed to accommodate visitors arriving from the Atlantic Ocean.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Located in Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of Argentina’s most visited tourist attractions. The ice formation is one of 48 glaciers and is nearly 20 miles long. The pack ice is considered the third largest freshwater reserve in the world. The glacier is named after the explorer Francisco Moreno and is considered unique because it is one of the few glaciers that advance rather than retreat, like most other glaciers in the world. Visitors can identify one of the many travel agencies offering day trips to the glacier; there is a large visitor center on the site and a walking tour that takes visitors through the southern flank of the glacier.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

Located in northern Argentina, Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow mountain valley known for its hills, spectacular rock formations and surrounding indigenous villages. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, spanning nearly 160 km, is bordered by valleys, sub-Andean hills and the Altiplano, which extends from Argentina to Bolivia, Peru and Chile. Visitors will discover economic, cultural and social aspects that will show them a side of Argentina that can not be experienced anywhere else. The attractions of Quebrada de Humahuaca not to be missed include the Rio Grande and surrounding localities, more than 10,000 years old.

Go Wine Hopping in Argentina

As one of the largest wine producers in the world, Argentina has more than 800 wineries. Jumping between these wineries and tasting the local juice is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy Argentinean culture and hospitality, and the perfect place to do so is at the heart of Argentina’s wine country: Mendoza. Not far from the city center, you can reach Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley to explore the past, present and future of Argentine wine. Make sure to sign up for at least one successful wine lunch where various dishes are cleverly paired with local wines, including plenty of Malbec, of course. Good places for lunch include Casa El Enemigo in Maipu, the historic Lagarde in Lujan and the futuristic Bodega Monteviejo in the Uco Valley.

Dance the Tango in San Telmo, Buenos Aires

San Telmo is one of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, lined with cobbled streets, antiques and art cafés. But this bohemian neighborhood is also home to several tango lounges (try classics such as El Viejo Almacen, Bar Sur and Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso) and is one of the best places to listen to Argentina’s infamous seductive dance. During the day (especially on Sundays), you will attend outdoor tango shows in the main square, Plaza Dorrego.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier, in the Los Glaciares National Park, just outside the town of El Calafate, in the south-west of the country, is notable for several reasons. One, it’s fascinating. Secondly, it is one of the few glaciers to grow rather than shrink, up to two meters per day. You can even see some of the imposing 60 meter glacier collapse into the water as you stand there. Thirdly, it is also said to hold the third largest freshwater supply in the world.

Cementerio of the Recoleta

Recoleta Cemetery, in the upscale neighborhood of Recoleta Barrio de Buenos Aires, is the resting place of many of Argentina’s richest and most famous families and characters.

The entrance to the cemetery is through neo-classical doors with high Greek columns. The cemetery contains many elaborate marble mausoleums, decorated with statues, in a wide variety of architectural styles. The entire cemetery is divided into sections, like blocks, with wide, tree-lined, main walkways leading to sidewalks filled with mausoleums.

The cemetery includes the graves of some of the most influential and important Argentineans, including several presidents, scientists and wealthy individuals. Eva Perón is the most famous person buried in this cemetery. There is also the tomb of Rufina Cambaceres who was buried alive.

Pucara de Tilcara

Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification that was originally built by the Omaguaca tribe around the 12th century. The national monument has traces of human habitation that date back more than 10,000 years ago. It is the only archaeological site in the Quebrada de Humahuaca that is accessible to the public. Visitors can go to the museum to see more than 5,000 valuable pieces in the permanent exhibition; One of the most prominent artifacts is a perfectly preserved mummified body that was fully dressed. Visitors to Pucara de Tilcara can also explore the small botanical garden located there.

La Boca

Visitors who wish to take a look at the Argentine culture can go directly to La Boca. With its colorful houses and streets full of pedestrians, the neighborhood brings its surroundings to life day or night. Visitors will surely meet tango artists who perform in the streets, and can buy many souvenirs and gifts in the area to take away from their vacations. Sports fans do not need a presentation of La Boca, as it is home to the world-renowned soccer club, Boca Juniors. The few blocks full of tourists also house other attractions such as tango clubs, Italian taverns and the La Ribera theater.

Fitz Roy Hill

Also known as Monte Fitz Roy, this impressive mountain is located between Argentina and Chile in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Patagonia. Francisco Moreno saw the mountain for the first time in 1877, and named it after Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle, who, along with Charles Darwin, mapped much of the Patagonian coast in the 1830s. Fitz Roy Hill is now part from Los Glaciares National Park, and it is a great attraction for visitors from all over the world.

The mountain can be seen from the small nearby town of El Chaltén, but the most spectacular views can only be reached on foot by walking along the many trails that surround the peak. Hikers can go on day trips, or they can rent camping equipment and spend days exploring the area and meeting people along the way. The trails meander through incredibly diverse landscapes of beautifully wooded areas, open fields and large rocks. These roads lead to a series of pristine lakes with glaciers and the Fitz Roy peaks that serve as a backdrop. The glacial water in the streams and lakes along the walks is drinkable. One thing to make sure you don’t miss out is a walk at dawn to the Lake of Three to see Fitz Roy lit in the color of pink roses.

Nahuel Huapi National Park

Nahuel Huapi National Park is a huge protected area in the Bariloche area of Patagonia, full of lakes, wildlife and an inactive volcano, Mount Tronador. The extensive reserve is a refuge for hikers and nature lovers. There are a number of mountain shelters, or rustic cabins, used by hikers during the night; here is a guide. After a few days in nature, head to the bustling city of Bariloche to enjoy a dose of civilization. The city is famous for its chocolate, craft beer, and excellent skiing.

Wading in the wetlands

The new national park in Argentina, the wetlands of Iberá, has some of the most diverse species of flora and fauna in the country along with an exciting reintroduction program for jaguars, tapirs and green-winged macaws. Whether you explore this fresh water reserve on horseback, by motorboat or canoe, be sure to get into the wetlands from the edge of the water where the alligators float, the capybaras bathe. Visitors will surely meet one of the many wetland residents; There are more than 85 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, 45 species of amphibians and 300 species of birds.

Where to stay in Argentina

Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta

Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta is located in the heart of the elegant Recoleta district. Located a short walk from the Bellas Artes Museum, MALBA, the Recoleta Cemetery and other major tourist attractions. The hotel is surrounded by elegant restaurants, traditional cafes, art galleries and shops. Patio Bullrich -Deluxe Shopping Mall- is on the street. The rooms offer magnificent views of the Rio de la Plata and the lovely, tranquil views of the hotel’s garden.

For your relaxation, the hotel offers a complete fitness center, an indoor heated pool, a sauna and a relaxation room. A full breakfast buffet is offered at The Brick Kitchen. The on-site restaurant serves contemporary Argentinean cuisine and at The Brick Bar you can enjoy excellent cocktails.

Ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco Hotel

The Ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco hotel is located 40 minutes from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) and 25 minutes from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport. It is the ideal place to discover the Argentine capital. The hotel offers soundproofed rooms with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a safe. Free WIFI throughout the hotel, bar open 24/24, parking, bilingual team and much more.

Alvear Art Hotel

The Alvear Art Hotel is an innovative proposal in Buenos Aires, backed by the tradition of the Alvear Palace Hotel. Nestled among impressive trees, this new sample of the Alvear experience opens the doors of its modern building located in the heart of the city’s financial, commercial and cultural district. It offers excellent service, warm hospitality, sophisticated comfort of its most advanced technology. Alvear Art Hotel is located in a traditional district of Buenos Aires, declared a historic site – San Martín Square, a few steps from the elegant Santa Fe Avenue and the famous Florida Street with its countless shops. It is strategically located a few blocks from the financial district and just five minutes from Puerto Madero’s new business district.

Hotel Faena

The Argentinean fashion impresario Alan Faena and the famous French architect Philippe Starck decided to create a “universe” in itself with this hotel. They succeeded: the rooms are perfect in feng-shui, with rich reds and bright whites, velvet curtains and blinds opening electronically overlooking the river and the city. Marble floors fill large bathrooms; Leather armchairs, flat-screen TVs and surround sound soundtracks offer more luxury. “Experienced Managers” are essentially personal assistants, making reservations and taking care of all your whims. Other highlights include two excellent restaurants and an elaborate spa with Turkish bath. In El Cabaret, a bloody red music box dotted with red leather sofas, you can sip champagne and watch Rojo Tango’s sensual and contemporary show. Right next door, in the library lounge, you never know who might be: Coldplay and local rock legend Charly Garcia have already organized an improvised session around the piano, playing Beatles songs to the small morning.