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Norte
Cuyo
Litoral
Córdoba
Patagonia
Buenos Aires
www.argentina.travel
In Argentina, contrasting
features undoubtedly abound.
In this country, you are going
to find different colors, weathers,
feelings. You will find beautiful
sceneries and live joyful times
once and again, but there is one
thing that keeps the same —the
way locals are going to be friendly
and warm, and will find that
entertaining you is their pleasure.
WORLD HERITAGES
WORLD HERITAGES 0302 WORLD HERITAGES
The Quebrada de Humahuaca’s multicolored landscapes frame the villages of Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara and Humahuaca. Its adobe houses, historical chapels and Pre-Hispanic ruins provide a stunning view. A monolith marks the Tropic of Capricorn, where each June 21st, the celebration of the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) takes place.
The famous Iguazú Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, are at the heart of this National Park. An impressive amount of water plunges 70m into the abyss below, breaking into 275 inlets and drops. The border between Argentina and Brazil is marked by the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) drop.The surrounding park has over 2000 species of plants and is home to the region’s exotic wildlife, including more that 400 bird species.
Jesuit Missions of the Guaraní Natives San Ignacio Miní, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, Santa Ana and Santa María la Mayor Jesuit Missions constitute a 296 km long tourist itinerary of incredible scenic beauty. These reductions, settled in Argentina in the 17th century, were part of the 33 villages that formed the Ancient Jesuit Province of Paraguay.
The Ischigualasto Provincial Park (San Juan), also known as Moon Valley is one of the greatest paleontological reserves of the world, rich in remains of vertebrates from the Mesozoic Era and early dinosaur footprints, and the Talampaya National Park (La Rioja), with cliffs and reddish rock formations that are the perching place for Andean condors, are situated in a 5,000 sq. km basin. Petroglyphs of uncertain origin and age are one of Talampaya’s astounding features, along with the massive walls -over 150 meters high- of the 3 km long canyon.
World Natural Heritage Site
Quebrada de HumahuacaProvince of Jujuy
Iguazú National ParkProvince of Misiones
Jesuit Missions of the GuaranisProvince of Misiones
Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural ParksProvinces of San Juan and La Rioja
Cueva de las Manos, At the Upper Pinturas RiverProvince of Santa Cruz
Jesuit Block and Estancias of CórdobaProvince of Córdoba
Península ValdésProvince of Chubut
Los Glaciares National ParkProvince of Santa Cruz
World Cultural Heritage Site
World Natural Heritage Site
Located South of the Perito Moreno town, by the Alto Río Pinturas Valley, the Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) contains one of the most significant assemblages of cave art in the Patagonia. Vestiges of a 9,300 year-old culture are foundin the caves and the gully’s rocky sides, which show stenciled outlines of human hands and other rich pre-historic depictions giving testimony to its past.
World Cultural Heritage Site
This magnificent collection of historical buildings include the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, the chapel Capilla Doméstica, the Jesuits Residence and the Rectorate of Córdoba National University, together with the University Council, Conferring Room, the Higher Library and the Monserrat National High School. The Jesuit Estancias Jesús María, Caroya, Santa Catalina, La Candelaria and Alta Gracia are visited in a 250 km itinerary following a hilly landscape.
World Cultural Heritage Site
Two gulfs of Península Valdés, San José and Nuevo, are the meeting points of the Southern Right Whales. They gather here every year between May and December to feed and breed. The fauna concentration in this area is outstanding. Elephant seals, sea lions, and Magellanic penguins, as well as guanacos and maras (Dolychotis patagonum), also known as Patagonian hare. The Isla de los Pájaros reserve protects thousands of bird species.
World Natural Heritage Site
Thirteen glaciers, all of them feeding into the Atlantic basin, break into huge towers of ice over the Viedma and Argentino lakes. The front walls of the Perito Moreno, Mayo, Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers topple into the Argentino lake waters. The glaciers may be visited via a boat trip for a closer view of this breath-taking natural wonder. El Calafate, which has an airport, is the closest urban center.
World Natural Heritage Site
World Cultural Landscape
Pict
ure
: Alfr
edo
O. M
ateo
s
Pict
ure
: Alb
erto
Pat
rian
The Great Gate andthe Domains of Gauchos
Colón Theater Puerto Madero Caminito, La Boca
BUENOS AIRES
BUENOS AIRES / CITY 05
CIT Y OF BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRESObelisco
uenos Aires, the global metropolis and open city lying on the banks of the
Río de la Plata, is a place where tango, literature, the best food, music, films,
theatre, shopping tours, football, and nightlife converge. With its mixture of
European-style appeal and Latin feeling, at the “Star City” on the banks of the Río
de la Plata everything is possible, at all times. You can learn how to dance tango,
which with its close embrace is the purest expression of the melancholy felt by those
immigrants who developed it over a century ago next to the ships that had brought
them from Europe. You can also enjoy its amazing cultural offer in its museums,
public parks, exhibition centers, historical neighborhoods, and great stages. At the
peak of its local fashion and design boom, the city proposes not only a wide variety
of shopping opportunities just as any other large capital does, but also several
itineraries dedicated to antiques and to avant-garde objects, to style as well as state
of the art furniture, to handicrafts and to the creations by young artists. The best
food, led by meat-based dishes but also including cuisines of Italian, Spanish,
Jewish, Eastern roots, or from other ethnic origins, goes hand in hand with other
entertainment which, in Buenos Aires, as a Latin city, includes football as a must which
might even be classified as one of the fine arts.
B
Mall Floralis Genérica, Recoleta
BUENOS AIRES / CITY 07
Polo Match
Accommodation. Over 480 hotels holding 56,400 beds. There are a variety of
categories, from modest bed and breakfasts and hostels to luxurious hotels.
Means of transport. There are over 32,000 taxis. The bus (called “colectivo”) is a fast
and economic service and there are over 100 lines running all around the city. Also,
there are 5 lines of subways.
The shopping areas: Florida Street, Santa Fe Avenue, and the following eighborhoods:
Belgrano, Palermo Viejo and Palermo Hollywood. There are 9 malls in the city.
In some areas, the distinguishing feature is the cuisine, such as Puerto Madero,
Recoleta Las Cañitas, and Palermo Viejo. In Buenos Aires, dinner is served late at
night, from 9.30 PM until well past midnight. In general, it is cheaper to eat out at noon.
There are approximately 169 theatres of all sizes and 207 movie theatres including those
that are located in the malls. Along Corrientes Avenue, you will find the main circuit.
The Colón Theatre has proven to be the stage for outstanding opera stars ever since 1908.
On Saturdays, Sundays and Business Holidays, craftsmen display their booths in
parks and squares, one of the most remarkable ones being the San Pedro Telmo Fair.
You can’t miss Caminito Street, the colorful heart of La Boca neighborhood, where
Boca Juniors’ “La Bombonera” football stadium stands out.
NereidasNereidas
CIT Y OF BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES
Atlantic Coast Pato Match Surfing along the Atlantic coastline
BUENOS AIRES / PROVINCE 09
City of Mar del Plata CIT Y OF BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES
n the Province of Buenos Aires , you wi l l be amazed at the horizon of
numberless crops, being the natural habitat of the gaucho and his horse.
There, Creole traditions live side by side with sports, as the remainders from
the past blend along the endless sand dunes reaching out to the sea. This area
provides the tourist with a hard-to-beat cocktail, as rich in winter as in summer. You
can practice, learn, or simply watch amazing sports on horseback, with the best
polo in the world as one very strong appeal, and the pato as the national sport.
Don’t forget the century-old estancias (large estates or cattle ranches), with open
doors that let the traveler in to experience the traditions of the Argentine
countryside. On the seaside, the beach resorts string along the Atlantic coast,
starting from the north of the Patagonia coast up to the Río de la Plata, and
shining with a light of their own from December through March. In the Tigre area,
an array of islands unveils the magic of the Delta of the Paraná River.
I
Estancia house Rural Tourism Lake
BUENOS AIRES / PROVINCE 11
Marina Regatta Club , El Tigre CIT Y OF BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES
The Classical Tours. Don’t miss San Antonio de Areco, a traditional town where you
will find museums such as the Museo Gauchesco (Gaucho Museum) and Luján’s Basilica.
Off the Beaten Track. Do stop by San Miguel del Monte and Chascomús. In the
south, you will find the towns of Balcarce -where the Fangio Museum awaits you-,
Tandil, Sierra de la Ventana and Carmen de Patagones.
Ecotourism. Samborombón’s Bay on the Buenos Aires Atlantic Coast.
Water Sports and Activities. Buenos Aires offers you lakes and countless sand beach
resorts in the Atlantic coastline. Tigre’s islands and waterways make up a water world
you shouldn’t miss, whether you choose a quiet spot or one of the Delta’s popular parks.
The Best Food. You will love Buenos Aires’ traditional beef and offal barbecue, our
famous “asado”. Cold meats and cheese from Tandil, in the province of Buenos Aires,
are superb. Mar del Plata is the right place to find delicious fish and seafood. The best
candy in the region is the “alfajor”, a sort of cookie sandwich filled with our traditional
“dulce de leche” (caramel spread).
The Best Festivities and Events. Every November, the Tradition’s Festival is celebrated in
San Antonio de Areco.
12 BUENOS AIRES / CITY
BUENOS AIRES
La Plata
Sierra de la Ventana
Atlantic Coast
You will find silverwork and knives (mainly in the little towns of Buenos Aires); leather crafts and fine raw leather plaited items; boots, saddles, equipment for polo and other horse sports; and knitted garments (mainly in Mar del Plata).
Handicrafts
It is a mudflow basin over 100,000 years old, extending over 19,000 square kilometers and covering 350 rivers, streams, and canals. A practical
service of taxi and bus boats and catamarans having the Tigre station as their home base make it possible to move around
and enjoy the clubs, recreation areas, hostels, and restaurants.
The Delta
The Pampa plain is the agricultural and cattle-raising area par excellence in the country. It is an ideal grazing ground for several different cattle breeds such as
Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Holando Argentino, and Shorthorn. Also, soy,
peanuts, wheat, corn, sunflower, barley, and rye are grown.
The Countryside
BUENOS AIRES(Province of Buenos Aires)
In Buenos Aires, a mild
climate prevails, which is
a feature of the Pampa region.
Summers are warm,
and winters are mild.
CIT Y OF BUENOS AIRES
EcologicalReserve
MataderosCraft Fair
Caminito
Knives, daggers, “facones” (large knives used by gauchos), “rastras” (decorative buckle of a gaucho’s belt), buckles, mates, spurs, stirrups… Artisans are true masters in the art of working silver, gold and semiprecious stones with a hammer and a chisel, creating truly unique pieces.
Metal Craftsmanship
Renowned around the world, Argentine leather clothes, made out of cow leather and sheepskin, spell quality and
design. The excellent raw material comes to its best in shoes, handbags, jackets, pants and coats, in ever
more original colors and finishing.
Leather for Everyone
In the city of Buenos Aires, those who love architecture may visit countless historical buildings, true architectural
jewels bequested by Gaudí, Le Corbusier, Bustillo, and Pelli, among
others. Sculptures by Lola Mora, Rodin, or Botero stand out in green spaces,
many of which were designed by Thays.
Historical Monuments
BUENOS AIRES(City of Buenos Aires)
The annual average
temperature is 17°C.
In January, the maximum
average is 24°C, and in
July the minimum
average goes down to
10°C. This is rather
a humid city.
BUENOS AIRES / PROVINCE 13
Getting to theHeart of Argentina
Carlos Paz Breakfast at an estancia house Golf in La Cumbre
CÓRDOBA
CÓRDOBA 15
CÓRDOBAJesuit Estancias, Alta Gracia
n the Province of Córdoba, plains turn into hills and fertile valleys, where there
are many creeks and mounts. Indeed, Camino Real is hidden behind these
valleys and you can go back in time visiting chapels and estancias (large estates or
cattle ranches) built by the Jesuits in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is a World
Cultural Heritage Site, as so declared in 2000. Apart from the capital city, La Caroya
is one of the first estancias which guaranteed the Order. Then, Jesús María followed
suit , being perhaps the home to the Latin American version of mass wine,
“Lagrimilla”, having turned into the site of the Jesuit Museum. However, this area is
also famous for its natural landscapes, dams, and outstanding infrastructure for
tourism. In the Calamuchita Valley, that boasts of native chañares and carob trees,
Villa General Belgrano and La Cumbrecita display music of water, greens of pine
trees, and sweetness of brooms, peonies and blackberry bushes. Up there, you can feel
peace is in the air, enjoy trunk cozy inns and taste the typical dishes from central
Europe. The Punilla Valley unfurls in very many opportunities for entertainment
and free time; from Villa Carlos Paz you can set off to tour Cosquín, Los
Gigantes, Uritorco Mount, etc. The Condorito Gully is an ideal spot for condor
watching, mountain biking; and paragliding. Nothing beats taking the
Traslasierra circuit and seeing its crystal clear creeks and waterfalls.
I
Stream in Traslasierra Santa Catalina Jesuit Estancia Ceballos River
CÓRDOBA
CÓRDOBA
Sierra deComechingones
Mar Chiquita
Córdoba
Part of the World Heritage, the rchitectural legacy of the Compañía de Jesús lives on in the historical and cultural journey that includes the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, the National University building, and the Montserrat National School in Córdoba. This proposal is completed by the estancias of Caroya, Jesús María, Santa Catalina, La Candelaria,and Alta Gracia.
Jesuit Squares and Estancias
In Traslasierra, you can enjoy and appreciate nature on display if you walk up and down trails (which are appropriately signaled), crisscrossed by creeks, slope streams and waterfalls, and walk through native woods.
Traslasierra
Another preferred destination for those who love adrenaline-releasing
experiences is climbing the Champaquí Mount, the
highest in the province of Córdoba, located at 2,800
meters above sea level.
Champaquí Mount
Up this trail, the visitor goes through a long, winding concrete road crossing
from east to west over Sierras Grandes. At 2,200 meters above sea level, visitors
will enjoy fresh air of Pampa de Achala, taking turn after turn through a mountain
road, covering sunny as well as rainy,foggy, stormy, snowy areas. This trip
is a destination in itself.
High Summit Trail
CÓRDOBA
In Córdoba, the
average temperature
is 17°C and the
climate is mostly dry, with
summers that are also
warm and mild winters.
CÓRDOBA 17
Accommodation. As regards accommodation, possibilities are endless, ranging from
big, luxurious city hotels to fancy inns and cozy small hostels located in tourist centers.
The Classical Tours. Take the Jesuit Estancias tourist itinerary and visit the Jesuit Square.
Off the Beaten Track. Visit the towns of Ischillín and Tulumba in Sierras Chicas,
and San Javier in Traslasierra, where you can take the Camino de los Artesanos
(Craftmen Path) and visit the Rocsen Museum in Nono.
Ecotourism. Condorito Gully, in Cordoba’s High Summits.
The Best Food. In the hilly area, don’t miss the traditional “chivito” (goat meat). In
the Valley of Calamuchita, German influence is all around —so much so that Oktoberfest
is celebrated in the city of Villa General Belgrano. Do try the cold meats and cheese
of Colonia Caroya.
The Best Festivities and Events. In Jesús María, the Breaking in and Folklore National
Festival takes place in mid-January. At the end of January, in the city of Cosquín, the
National Folklore Festival is held. Each city holds a festival or fair revolving around one
of their essential products.
16 CÓRDOBA
Where Wines are Bornand the Sun Always Shines
Tupungato, Mendoza Sierra de Las Quijadas National Park, San Luis La Mejicana, La Rioja
CUYO
CUYO 19
LA RIOJA SAN JUAN MENDOZA SAN LUISIschigualasto Provincial Park, San Juan
hanks to its weather and the virtues of its soil, Cuyo is a synonym to health,
good living, and better wine. The mountain rivers running down along the
slopes of the snow capped high summits make a sharp contrast and invite
us to enter into the landscape, carr ying skis, oars, climbing gear or simply
backpacks… The journey starts up north, in La Rioja, with its generous offer
including the Tampalaya National Park, and in San Juan, with the Ischigualasto
Provincial Park, with its worldwide-prized paleontological reserves, and home to
many species, among them vicuñas (wild ruminants related to the guanacos but
smaller, and yielding soft wool) and guanacos (lowland relatives of the upper-Andes
llama). The Sierra de las Quijadas National Park, in San Luis, has similar features.
Lying to the west there is the Andes mountain range, a haven for winter sports lovers
and mountain climbers, for whom the Aconcagua is an irresistible lure. From
Chilecito, La Rioja, to San Rafael, Mendoza, going over the Jáchal area and the
Ullum valleys and Calingasta de San Juan, you will find vineyards, and olive- and
fruit-growing farms. Both industrial and boutique wineries, many of them centuries
old, are a must for anyone who is curious and for lovers of good wine interested in
uncovering the secrets of Argentine malbec. This is the king of the many varietals
grown in the area, which make up a rich menu of strains.
T
Rafting San Juan
CUYO 21
Puente del Inca, Mendoza LA RIOJA SAN JUAN MENDOZA SAN LUIS
Caverna de las Brujas Cerro de la Gloria, Mendoza
Accommodation. In the large cities, you will be absolutely comfortable in any hotel.
Tourist centers and towns offer a variety of small hotels and a large number of cabins.
The Classics.Don’t miss San Agustín del Valle Fértil, 74 km away from Ischigualasto
(or Valle de la Luna), being its nearest city. In La Rioja: Tampalaya National Park,
72 km away from Villa Unión. In San Luis: the Sierra de Las Quijadas National
Park is 122 km away from the capital city. In Mendoza: Puente del Inca, with its
amazing natural stone bridge, 70 km away from Uspallata.
Off the Beaten Track. Thanks to its features, the Cuyo region has roads that are
famous for their landscapes: Cuesta de Miranda in La Rioja; Los Caracoles, the
road leading to Villavicencio, Mendoza; and the road from Jáchal to Huaco, in San
Juan. Some of these are part of the Route Number 40.
Itineraries for 4WD Vehicles and an Expert Guide: The Laguna Brava Provincial
Reserve (in La Rioja) and the San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve (in San Juan),
where large flocks of vicuñas (wild ruminants related to the guanacos but smaller,
and yielding soft wool) can be seen. Also, El Sosneado and the Cueva de las Brujas
(Cave of the Witches), in Mendoza and Bajo de Véliz, in San Luis.
Summer Oases. The largest center in San Luis lies in Merlo, at the foot of
Los Penitentes, San Juan Cacheuta Thermal Baths, Mendoza
of the Comechingones hills. In San Juan, you can practice water sports in Rodeo, in
the Cuesta del Viento dam. Also, in the San Rafael area (in Mendoza), the Valle
Grande and El Nihuil dams are worth visiting, as the Olta dam in La Rioja.
The Best Festivals and Events. Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (National Grape
Harvesting Festival) in Mendoza, and other national festivals such as Fiesta de la
Chaya (Carnival) in La Rioja, Sol (Sun) in San Juan and Valle del Sol in San Luis.
The Best Food. This is the land of the wine par excellence, but it is also the home
of the best olive plantations. In La Rioja you will find delicious nuts, whereas in the
Calingasta valley, San Juan, aromatic herbs abound. There is an important
production of dried fruit and cider.
Handicrafts. Craft workshops specialized in onyx-green marble manufacture a
variety of objects in La Toma, San Luis. You will also find loom-woven cloths of
Iglesia and handicrafts in wood from Baldecitos (in San Juan) and pottery from La Rioja.
22 CUYO
Ischigualasto, San Juan
LA RIOJA SAN JUAN MENDOZA SAN LUIS
LA RIOJASAN JUAN
SAN LUIS
MENDOZA
La Rioja
San Juan
Merlo
Mendoza
Aconcagua Mount6,959 m
San Luis
Sierra de Las QuijadasNational Park
Chilecito
The visitor may practice kayaking, canoeing, rafting, water motorbike riding, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and diving, among others. Water sports can be practiced along the Atuel and Diamante rivers, Mendoza; in the San Juan River, and in the Ullum and the El Viento Dams, San Juan; in the Los Sauces dam, La Rioja; and Potrero de los Funes, San Luis.
Water Sports
These thousand year old expressions may be found in: Valle del Indio,
Caucete, San Juan; Talampaya, La Rioja; Cautana Gully, San Luis and
Uspallata, Mendoza.
Petroglyphs
Thanks to its weather conditions, the features of its soil, the
upland and the newtechnologies, the Cuyo region
is the main wine producer in the country.
Vineyards
The Andes mountain range has its highest peaks in this region. The
most outstanding are Aconcagua –the highest in the Western
hemisphere–, which is 6,959 m high, and Tupungato, 6,600 m high, in Mendoza; Pissis, 6,872
m high and Bonete, 6,759 m high, in La Rioja; Mercedario,
6,770 m high, in San Juan
High Summits
In the Province of San
Luis there are two quite
distinct climatic areas:
the East, humid and mild, and the
West, dry, with warm summers
and cold winters. The Provinces
of San Juan, Mendoza, and
La Rioja make up a semi-arid
zone, with very hot summers
and cold winters. There
blows the “zonda” or foehn
wind, a strong, dry, and
warm wind. In Mendoza,
more than enough
snow falls in winter to render
the place ideal for winter sports.
CUYOPi
ctu
re: N
ildo
Vig
no
lda
The Land of Great Rivers
Esteros del Iberá, Corrientes Jesuit Ruins, Misiones Uruguay River, Entre Ríos
LITORAL
LITORAL 25
MISIONES CORRIENTES ENTRE RÍOS FORMOSA CHACO SANTA FEIguazú Falls, Misiones
ome to generous and tameless fauna and flora, the Argentine Mesopotamia
(i.e. “land between rivers”) stretches from the Iguazú Falls to the very
doorstep of Buenos Aires. To the east, in Santa Fe, its undulating plains
hold a powerful industrial and commercial zone, with an agricultural and
cattle-raising profile. Right next to it, between the large rivers in which the most
famous and enormous native fish live, a lure for fishermen from all over the world,
the Chaco-Formosa jungle springs forward, an always-lush garden sheltering the
industrious indigenous tribes. The fertile soil of Entre Ríos favors agriculture and
cattle-raising. It is the land of the carnival, with its colorful “comparsas” (costumed
groups) parading, that heathen ritual which is also celebrated more to the north, in
Corrientes. In the Iberá area lies a natural reserve with over a million hectares,
which alternates marshlands and swamplands, and which stands as the perfect place
for bird-watching, amphibian-watching, sport fishing, and ecotourism. If you move
into Misiones from the south, you will come across a line of Jesuit town ruins, the
ultimate expression of which is the San Ignacio Miní complex. Near the borders
of the country, close to the triple border with Brazil and Paraguay, the
renowned Iguazú Falls stand out, a world class tourist attraction and an
experience that can’t be missed.
H
Itatí Basilica, Corrientes Gaucho from Corrientes El Palmar National Park
LITORAL 27
MISIONES CORRIENTES ENTRE RÍOS FORMOSA CHACO SANTA FECarnival Costumed Groups
Iguazú Falls. They are located in the 67,000 hectare National Park Iguazú, in the
northern part of the province of Misiones. Don’t miss Macuco trail, Garganta del
Diablo, Dos Hermanas Waterfall and San Martín island.
Esteros del Iberá, Corrientes. This ecosystem is made up by lagoons, marshlands and
swamps. The area is home to monkeys, stags of the swamps, capybaras, caymans, a rich
and varied flora and over 400 species of birds. Boats leave from Colonia C. Pellegrini.
El Palmar, Entre Ríos. This is an 8,500 hectare National Park exhibiting a stunning
concentration of yatay palms, many of them being 8 centuries old.
Off the Beaten Track. Moconá Waterfalls, Misiones: a 3-km long, 5 to 12 meter high
gorge in the bed of the Uruguay River has shaped this amazing waterfall. You get
here by boat from El Soberbio. Campo del Cielo, Chaco: this stretch of land is
scattered with meteorites fallen around 6,000 years ago, the largest weighting 33.4 tons.
El Impenetrable, Chaco: this is a dense vegetation area, a paradise for ecotourists.
Bañado La Estrella, Formosa: this vast fauna reservation is only accessible by canoe.
Flag Monument, Santa Fe Iguazú National Park, Misiones San José Palace, Entre Ríos
MISIONES CORRIENTES ENTRE RÍOS FORMOSA CHACO SANTA FE
City Itineraries. In Santa Fe, you must see the Church and Convent of San Francisco
and the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, both from the 17th century. In Rosario, don’t
miss the Flag Monument and the Promenade. In Entre Ríos, the San José Palace and
the Museo del Inmigrante (Immigrant Museum) await you at Colonia San José.
The Best Food. In the north, cookery has been influenced by the Guaraní culture,
where tapioca is an essential ingredient, used both in chipá (cheese rolls), “mbeyu” (a
fried pastry) or as a side dish of meat. Throughout the entire Littoral Region, local
fish varieties such as dorado, surubí or pacú are the basis of several specialties.
Misiones and Corrientes are the largest producers of yerba mate and tea. Chaco’s
main output is cotton. Farming and cattle raising are Santa Fe and Entre Ríos key
business activities.
Rosario is a remarkable convention and conference center.
Shopping: As for semiprecious stones, to find geodes, amethyst and quartz stones,
you can visit the largest stone center in the area, located in Wanda, Misiones.
The Best Festivals and Events. Besides the Carnival in Entre Ríos and Corrientes, a
very interesting International Sculpture Biennial Exhibition is held in Resistencia,
Chaco, by mid-July. In August, the popular Dorado National Festival is celebrated in
Paso de la Patria, Corrientes.
28 LITORAL
FORMOSA
MISIONES
CORRIENTES
ENTRE RÍOS
SANTA FE
CHACO Formosa
Resistencia
Corrientes Itatí
Esteros del Iberá
El PalmarNational Park
Paraná
Santa Fe
Flag Monument
Posadas
Jesuit Ruins
Iguazú Falls
Sailing downPilcomayo River
In Rosario, Province of Santa Fe, right where our independence advocate Manuel Belgrano raised our national flag for the first time on February 27, 1812, lies the National Flag Monument, built by architects Alejandro Bustillo and Ángel Guido, and by sculptors José Fioravanti and Alfredo Bigatti.
The Flag Monument
The Paraná, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bermejo, and Pilcomayo rivers offer the experienced fishermen, both Argentine and foreign, the possibility to get pieces such as dorados, lisas, manduvíes, pacúes, surubíes, and patíes.
Sportfishing
Many endangered species, such as the yaguareté or jaguar, the tatú carreta or giant armadillo, the aguará guazú or maned
wolf, and the anteater, live in this area. You can also see Chacoan and collared peccaries,
deer, gray foxes, pumas, capybaras, carayá monkeys, caymans, curiyú snakes,
and toucans.
Native Species
An imposing 2,700 meter wide, 70 meter high fall, comprising 275 inlets and drops.
Enjoy this dazzling panorama from footbridges sheltered by the subtropical jungle. Don’t miss the thrill of viewing the falls from a rubber-boat or take
a romantic walk under a full moon.
Iguazú Falls
The weather in
Santa Fe and
Entre Ríos is mild,
whereas to the north, in
Corrientes, Formosa and
Chaco, a warm, rainy
climate prevails.
Misiones, with its
subtropical climate,
is one of the most humid
provinces in the country.
LITORAL
A Shelter for Traditionand Pre-Colombian Art
Shincal Ruins, Catamarca Church Close-up Molinos, Salta
NORTE
NORTE 31
JUJUY SALTA CATAMARCA TUCUMÁN SANTIAGO DEL ES TEROLos Colorados, Jujuy
Among high summits and arid or subtropical valleys, the Northern Region
invites you to delve into history, to uncover regional art and to take the
challenge of adventure. Surrounded by luxurious natural beauty, the old
colonial towns, still intact, hold out their attractiveness, as well as the popular
celebrations and the rustic delights of the regional cuisine, a close friend of those
elements offered by Earth. Enjoy Jujuy, with its pre-Colombian and colonial cultural
legacy, and its red-tinted towns. Don’t miss Salta and its hills, churches, and “postas”
(regularly-spaced stations where messengers could change horses when riding long
distances), all of which were the backdrop in the struggle for Independence. Visit
Catamarca, with its breath-taking landscapes, and Tucumán, our historical garden,
the cradle of freedom. And go to Santiago del Estero, home of true wooden art.
Besides history and nature, the region has its own itineraries, which are ideal for
adventure tourism, sport fishing, tours, and thermal baths. You can travel from
Santiago del Estero to Tucumán, passing by the thermal baths in Río Hondo, San
Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, San Miguel de Tucumán, and the Quilmes Indian
ruins. Take the long way from Salta to Quebrada de Humahuaca, going through the
Calchaquí valleys, the Tren de las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), Purmamarca, Iruya, and
La Quiaca … The Northern Region has everything it takes to get a restless traveler going.
Purmamarca, Jujuy Traditional Festival, Salta Quilmes Ruins, Tucumán
NORTE 33
Juramento River, Salta JUJUY SALTA CATAMARCA TUCUMÁN SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO
Accommodation. There is a wide variety of options, from 5 star hotels to cozy cabins
and hostels. Staying at an estancia (large estate or cattle ranch) is the rule, although
there are also wineries that offer accommodation.
Festivals and Events. In August, Carnival, Easter and Pachamama (Mother Earth) are
the most remarkable and colorful ones. Güemes Gauchos remember national hero
Martín Miguel de Güemes the big way on July 16 and 17 in the capital city of Salta.
All throughout the year, towns celebrate their Patron Saint’s Days leading misachicos
(processions), performing ceremonies, and holding traditional celebrations.
From Tafí del Valle, in Tucumán, to Quebrada de Humahuaca, in Jujuy, you get a
million chances to go horse-riding, all of them being really attractive.
Inca Ruins. Don’t miss the ruins of the Pucará Indians in Quebrada de Humahuaca,
the Quilmes Indians in Tucumán, and Shincal ruins in Catamarca.
There are hundreds of churches and chapels scattered through
this region: each and every one of them treasures some art expression that
calls for a visit. There, you will be amazed at the golden sheet pulpits and
altars, carvings and paintings of sacred images, confessional boxes, and
thistle wood ceilings. Local rural chapels are often closed, but there is
always someone around who keeps the key.
Horseback Riding, Catamarca Chilly Peppers, Valles Calchaquíes
Off the Beaten Track. Even if you have mapped out a different route, don’t miss
Antofagasta de la Sierra and Salar del Hombre Muerto in Catamarca, Salinas Grandes
in Santiago in Jujuy, or the little towns of Iruya and Santa Victoria, in Salta. In Simoca,
Tucumán, there is a sulky parade in the Sunday fair.
Siesta. The nap is a typically northern habit. Stores, churches and museums close
from 1PM to 5 PM.
The Best Food. Local cuisine is highly seasoned but delicious, with a strong personality,
as is the case of “locro”, tamales, “humitas” (corn in a sauce made of flour, milk, butter
and nutmeg in a ground corn shell) and “empanadas”. The most common ingredients,
just to name a few, are corn, chilly pepper, Andes potato, and “quinua” (a type of seed).
Try llama meat and other types of meat that are served once they have been dried by
the sunrays (charqui). It is worth mentioning how delicious the cheese from Tafí del
Valle is. Wines are mainly produced in the Calchaquíes valleys, in Cafayate and
Cachi, Salta; and in the northern area of Catamarca near Santa María.
Handicrafts. Do have a look at the silverwork in Salta, the weaving loom cloth in
Catamarca and Santiago del Estero, the rhodochrosite (the official Argentine stone) in
Catamarca, the traditional and artistic pottery, the carved ornaments made with holy
wood or thistle wood from Jujuy, and bombos legüeros (drums) from Santiago del Estero.
34 NORTE
JUJUY SALTA CATAMARCA TUCUMÁN SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO
Susques Church, Jujuy
JUJUYSan Salvador de Jujuy
SALTA
TUCUMÁN
CATAMARCA
SANTIAGODEL ESTERO
Salta
Santiago del Estero
San F. del Valle deCatamarca
San Migueldel Tucumán
In the gullies and
sub-Andes hills, the
weather is mild and
temperatures usually reach
38° C in the summertime.
The Northern Region shows
great weather contrasts.
Santiago del Estero
is warm and dry,
with extremely hot
Summers and short,
mild Winters. On
the other hand,
Tucumán has a
subtropical weather
with a dry season.
In the Puna, the
climate is cold
and dry, and
in the valleys
it turns tropical
and warm.
NORTE
Empanadas are turnover pastries but they are not always prepared the same way, depending on the area. In the North, they are filled with knife-diced meat which, according to the experts, is the secret for it to be juicy. In Catamarca, empanadas are stuffed with barely-boiled meat, in Tucumán, raisins and olives are added, and in Salta they are preferred juicy and spicy. In Jujuy, empanadas are usually fried, unlike in the rest of the provinces, where they tend to be baked in an earth oven.
“Empanadas”
Visiting Quebrada de Humahuaca is enough to
attempt to reconstruct the Omaguaca Indians’ daily life. The whole region is
extremely rich in archeological sites, such as the Quilmes
Indian sites and La Ciudacita, Tucumán; Pucará de
Aconquija and El Shincal, Catamarca; Pucará de
Tilcara, Jujuy, etc.
Archeology
In the northern region, being the Easter
celebrations as the most relevant ones, local
inhabitants pay homage to their saints, whose
images are brought from different locations in colorful processions,
preceded by huge banners made of dried flowers and
fruit. Locals also make flowers out of colored
paper to give as an offering to their
dead and their saints.
Ofrendas florales
Pict
ure
: Car
o A
ldao
Pict
ure
: Pit
i May
ans
Between the Andes and theAtlantic Ocean, the Mythical Patagonia
Limay River, Neuquén Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Tierra del Fuego Corcovado River, Chubut
PATAGONIA
PATAGONIA 37
LA PAMPA NEUQUÉN RÍO NEGRO CHUBUT SANTA CRUZ TIERRA DEL FUEGOFitz Roy, Santa Cruz
atagonia is an open adventure for everybody: intense in its natural features,
both archetypical and appealing, this region abounds in reasons to become a
myth. Its northern borders run along the last green fields from the pampas
and the fertile Río Negro valley. Between the Andes mountain range, showered with
forests, lakes, and glaciers, and the sea, with its extremely rich fauna, lies the arid
Patagonia plateau or steppe, the last home of dinosaurs. To the west, at the foot of
hills and volcanoes and among an idyllic landscape, winter sports and sport fishing
reign supreme, in an awesome, ever-growing offer for the tourist, ranging from
five-star hotels to estancias (large estates or cattle ranches), including cabins, shelters,
and hostels. To the east, the coast on the Atlantic reaches its glorious peak at the
Península Valdés, a sort of huge natural zoo where elephant seals, penguins, sea
lions, and, in particular, Southern right whales, come to mate or to give birth. In
the southernmost corner, almost at the end of the world and detached from the
continent, the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego stands out, with its ski centers and its
National Park. And there is one more reason for amazement: the white continent,
Antarctica, a snapshot of ice in the South Pole.
P
Picture: Luciano Bacchi
Los Antiguos, Santa Cruz Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz
PATAGONIA 39
Catedral Mount, Río Negro
Estancia house, La Pampa
LA PAMPA NEUQUÉN RÍO NEGRO CHUBUT SANTA CRUZ TIERRA DEL FUEGO
Spend the night at the comfortable Patagonia estancias and imagine the life of the
pioneers who used to live there.
To Learn and Understand. Don’t miss the Eco Center, Puerto Madryn; the Egidio
Feruglio Museum of Paleontology, Trelew; the Salesian Mission Museum, Río
Grande or the Prison Museum, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.
The Classics. Just to mention a few: the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Cave of the Hands,
Santa Cruz. The Península Valdés and the Magellanic penguin colony in Punta
Tombo, Chubut. The Arrayanes Forest, the Llao Llao Hotel, and El Bolsón, Río
Negro. The Road of the Seven Lakes, in Neuquén. Sailing across the Beagle Canal,
Tierra del Fuego.
Off the Beaten Track: You won’t regret passing by Lihué Calel National Park, La
Pampa; the petrified forests in Sarmiento, Chubut; the Chaltén with the Torre and
Fitz Roy Mounts, Santa Cruz, a goal for mountain climbers; and the caves with
ancient art paintings in the La María estancia (large estate or cattle ranch).
In Neuquén, enjoy the therapeutic, sulphurous waters of the
Copahue thermal baths. This area, up to the Aluminé lake, holds a large
number of monkey puzzle trees and pehuenes. Visit the native settlements of
the Mapuche, most of which are located on the banks of the Rucachoroi lake.
Tierra del Fuego National Park Bariloche, Rio Negro Antártida
Native Trees. In this mountain range are the tall deciduous beech or lenga, the coihue,
the ñire, the millennium-old larches, the maitén, the monkey puzzle tree or araucaria
and the colihue cane. In the fall, the pellín oak and the deciduous beech cover the
mountains with a red tint; in January, the north and the center of the Andes region
bloom with yellow amancay flowers.
The Best Food. In the Andes region, many local dishes contain mushrooms, venison,
wild boar, and monkey puzzle tree pine seed. Some specialties are trout and farmed
salmon, as well as smoked foods, beer, fine fruit, sweets, and chocolate. Treat yourself
with a Welsh tea in Gaiman or Trevelín. Some must-eats: Patagonia roasted lamb,
codfish, or black hake off the Atlantic coast, and spider crab from Tierra del Fuego.
A way to enjoy nature and the environment is by camping in permitted areas inside
National Parks. Among the wildest spots, the Perito Moreno National Park, Santa
Cruz, is worth mentioning.
Sail the Andes lakes by catamaran or by boat, in order to enjoy a close-up of their
banks and the glaciers.
By Car. Take the challenge of the mythical Route 40, which just as many others is a
gravel road. It is in fairly good condition, but drive at less than 70 km an hour, and
always bring two spare wheels.
40 PATAGONIA
LA PAMPA NEUQUÉN RÍO NEGRO CHUBUT SANTA CRUZ TIERRA DEL FUEGO
NEUQUÉN
NeuquénLA PAMPA
RÍO NEGRO
CHUBUT
SANTA CRUZ
TIERRA DEL FUEGOANTÁRTIDA ARGENTINA
Santa Rosa
Viedma
Rawson
Río Gallegos
Glaciar Perito Moreno
Cave of the Hands,Alto Río Pinturas
Península Valdés
Ushuaia
Islas Malvinas
Patagonia is the ideal place for those who like to ski in landscapes as if taken right out of a dream. This area has everything, from winter resorts with state-of-the-art technology, to small centers called “snow parks”. Apart from skiing and all its alternatives, it is also possible to ride sleighs pulled by dogs.
Skiing
In several places in this region, it is amazing to see the footprints and the
fossil remains of the dinosaurs that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.
Petrified forests in the plains and fossilized bivalves along the coast bear
testimony to our planet’s evolution.
Dinosaurs and Petrified Forests
In Península Valdés, a “sanctuary” to nature, colonies of elephant seals and elephant seals, sea lions,
penguins, killer whales, and the mythical Southern Right Whales spend most of the year. In the continental
area, black-neck swans can be found, together with flamingos, guanacos, pumas, vizcachas (close relatives
of chinchillas), Creole hares, skunks, and exotic species, such as wild boars, hares, and red deer.
Native Fauna
The Argentine South offers a variety of alternatives for those who love this sport. A
fishing permit is required, which can be obtained at the National Park offices and some provincial offices. The high season starts in the
middle of November, and it ends in April.
Sportfishing
On the Patagonia
plateau, the climate
is cold and dry, its
short summers having very long
days, followed by long winters.
In the strip running along the
mountain range, temperatures
decrease, and the climate
becomes more humid. At
the southernmost end of the
country, in Tierra del Fuego,
the cold is intense in winter;
wind and rainfall are frequent
throughout the year.
PATAGONIAPi
ctu
re: N
ildo
Vig
no
lda
Pict
ure
: Osv
ald
o P
eral
ta
Iguazú National Park, Misiones
Talampaya National Park, La Rioja
NATIONAL PARKS
NATIONAL PARKS 43
Nahuel Huapi National Park, Victoria Island, Río Negro
Parque Nacional Calilegua, Jujuy
Nowadays, in Argentina there are 3,603,068 hectares in
34 protected areas, National Parks and monuments,
with 4 native animal species. They can be found all
throughout the country, from the Puna in Jujuy to Tierra del
Fuego’s far lands, and they offer contrasting settings such as
deserts, forests, woods, mountains, plains, rivers, lakes and
beaches. The native ecosystems take up huge areas where flora
and fauna are amazingly plentiful, varied and well preserved. In
these privileged areas, a large amount of endangered species can
be observed, without disturbing the environment. Discovering,
learning and enjoying are some of the multiple choices for
those visiting natural parks and reserves, which have their own
information offices, authorized guides and an appropriate
infrastructure: paths, viewpoints, signs, and bibliography, as
well as good interpretation centers where needed, as tourists
keep coming. Argentine National Parks, with the comfort they
offer tourists and the quality of the sites, are natural classrooms,
so to speak, where children and adults can learn about the
increasingly necessary environmental issues.
Los Arrayanes National Park, Neuquén
Los Cardones National Park, Salta
ECOTOURISM
ECOTOURISM 45
Southern Right Whale, Península Valdés, Chubut
Quebrada del Río Las Conchas, Salta
The real basis of ecotourism is traveling across free from
environmental contamination areas in order to analyze,
study, interpret and enjoy unique ecosystems. There is
nothing as exciting as being close to the fauna in any of the
many protected areas in Argentina. There are more than a
thousand identified species of birds and a large variety of
mammals in the ecosystems that go from the Puna to the
Yungas, from the Patagonia Andes forest to the sea coast,
including incredible pampas, deserts, steppes, lakes and
lagoons. Discovering the fauna and f lora, listening to birds
singing and identifying them is a revealing exercise. Don’t miss
some remarkable places: Esteros del Iberá, the Andes forest,
the Patagonia coast and national parks such as Iguazú, El Rey,
Cali legua, San Guillermo and Laguna Blanca Reser ve.
Walking along the paths that run through the reserves is a real
adventure. Natural histor y trips are an ideal chance for
travelers who are determined to film or take pictures of the
wild life secrets. Also, there is a large variety of estancias (large
estates or cattle ranches) and small hotels close
to the natural attractive areas that make out this
environmental proposal.
Antártida Argentina
Chaco National Park, Chaco
Cave art in Las Marías, Santa Cruz
Condón del Tigre, San Juan
Pict
ure
: Osv
ald
o P
eral
ta
Corona del Inca, La Rioja
ADVENTURE TOURISM
ADVENTURE TOURISM 47
Cuchi Corral, Córdoba
Argentina offers multiple possibilities to enjoy its
most important heritage: Nature. It provides all the
possible options for adventurers and courageous
travelers —mountain climbing, trekking, horseback riding,
hang gliding, f lying planes or gliders, hot air balloons…
rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and scuba diving. In
the south, classical activities include ascents of the Tronador
and Lanín hills, and climbing the vertical faces of Torre and
Fitz Roy hills, posing a formidable challenge for the most
experienced climbers. Going further to the south, in Tierra
del Fuego, dog sledding excursions with Siberian Huskies are
traditional activities. Furthermore, boats and cruises set sail
from the Tierra del Fuego coast and travel the Beagle Channel
towards the Isla de los Estados, Cabo de Hornos and to
Antarctica. Offering amazing contrasts, the center and
northern region of Argentina provides activities such as
bird-watching, off-road vehicles expeditions, horseback riding
and ascents of the central mountain range, featuring the
brightest star, i.e. the Aconcagua, which is 6,959 meters high.
Cycling, horseback riding and trekking are becoming
popular in the Yungas , where nature has
witnessed to the traces of
thousand-year-old cultures.
Trekking, Glaciar Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz
Rafting, Mendoza
Horseback riding, San Juan
Pict
ure
: Mar
ía M
erce
des
Ro
dri
gu
ez G
oñ
i
Alta Gracia, Córdoba
GOLF
GOLF 49
Miramar, Buenos Aires
Greens and fairways located amongst mountains and
woods, at the seaside or in the midst of forests, in
the countryside or in the town attract golfers. From
Ushuaia, in the southern end, to Palpalá, in the northern
end, Argentina offers more than 240 golf courses, providing
distinct choices according to the players’ tastes and levels. The
courses, designed by renowned architects such as Allister
Mackenzie, Von Hagge, Dentone, Caprile, Serra and Marcó
del Pont, display different styles, such as Scottish, American,
links, and English. Many of them are so competitive that major
championships such as the Professional World Championship is
held there. Travel agencies offer accommodation with amateur
and professional tournaments according to the schedule of
local and international matches. The green fee in Argentina
ranges from US$ 15 to US$ 50. Some courses offer electric
carts, but it is common to hire caddies, whose service costs
between US$ 10 and US$ 15. Some of the courses that can be
visited are Jockey Club, Olivos Golf Club, Mar del Plata and
Sierra de la Ventana in Buenos Aires, Llao Llao and Arelauquen
in Río Negro, Villa Allende and La
Cumbre in Córdoba and Jockey
Club in Tucumán.
Bariloche, Río Negro
Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires
El Siambón, Tucumán
RURAL TOURISM
RURAL TOURISM 51
Tierra del Fuego
Visiting Argentina today also offers you the chance to
get in touch with the rural life of a country that is
famous for its huge fields and its rural tradition.
Argentina’s rural tourism is developed in 1000 big, medium
and small farms, where vis i tors discover and enjoy the
beautiful landscapes and the local’s customized service and
kindness. In each of these estancias (large estates or cattle
ranches) you can try typical dishes and share experiences with
descendants of locals immigrants coming from all over the
world who decided to live in the countryside. There are varied
sports you can practise, such as pato (the national sport),
polo, golf, tennis, football, sportfishing and hunting, trekking,
horseback riding, f lora and fauna watching, and other
activities related to life in the countryside. The idea is to
spend at least one day visiting some of these farms, many of
which have been founded at the turn of the last century, so as
to try asado (barbecue) and share a few experiences of the
gaucho’s life. More often than not, the architecture
of many of these farmhouses and
surrounding buildings, that open
their gates to welcome guests
from all over the world, is amazing
due to their building quality
and diversity. Loreto, Corrientes
Tilcara, Jujuy
Province of Buenos Aires
Teaching Farm
Old Patagonia Express - “La Trochita”, Chubut
Train to the Clouds, Salta
TOURIST TRAINS
TOURIST TRAINS 53
Traveling by old time trains is another charming choice
that Argentine geography has to offer. Locomotives
and cars alike tell stories about the times of pioneers
and glory. The Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) is a
remarkable engineering work that reaches as high as 4,200
meters. It leaves from the city of Salta and runs 200 km
through Valle de Lerma to literally reach the clouds… As
interesting as this ride is the ride by Viejo Expreso Patagónico
(Old Patagonia Express), also known as “La Trochita”, which
takes travelers from Esquel to Nahuel Pan or El Maitén. The
Tren Histórico a Vapor (Historical Steam Train) takes you
from San Carlos de Bariloche to Los Juncos lagoon. Further
south, close to Ushuaia, the train called Ferrocarril Austral
Fueguino, which runs close to Pipo river, leaves from Fin del
Mundo station (the station of the end of the world). Tren de
la Costa (Coast Train), which travels through the north of the
City of Buenos Aires and gets to the Delta, puts forward a
more city-like proposal. The Tren Ecológico de la Selva (Forest
Ecological Train), that runs in Iguazú National Park, or the
Central Entrerriano -that goes from Villa Elisa to San José
Palace or to Barú Creek- are as interesting and invite you to
live the same experience: Rides that will indelibly be etched
on your memory.
Historical Steam Train, Río Negro
Forest Ecological Train, Iguazú, Misiones
The End of the World Train
Coast Train, City of Buenos Aires
HEALTH TOURISM
HEALTH TOURISM 55
Thermal Resort, Federación, Entre Ríos
Beauty treatments, cosmetic surgery, anti-stress programs,
weight loss therapies... If you want to organize a trip
to get physically better, Argentina offers a wide variety
of spas, medical and beauty centers with state-of-the-art
technology, highly qualified professionals and affordable
prices in treatments and stays. Mineral springs, balneotherapy
and steam, seawater therapy, fangotherapy, physiotherapy,
heliotherapy and climotherapy are only some of the treatments
you can enjoy. There are 36 thermal water centers, in the
provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba, Entre
Ríos, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Salta,
San Juan, San Luis, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. In
addition to the classical thermal resort of Río Hondo in
Santiago del Estero, Reyes in Jujuy, Rosario de la Frontera in
Salta, Cacheuta in Mendoza, Copahue in Neuquén, Colón or
Federación in Entre Ríos, and Carhué in Buenos Aires, new
centers are opened every day, the latest being the one in
Aguas Claras, Concepción del Uruguay, in Entre Ríos. It is
worth mentioning that these baths with waters at different
temperatures and with different therapeutical qualities are
advisable to treat rheumatologic, osteoarticular, skin and
respiratory problems.
Thermal Resort, Copahue, Neuquén
Thermal Resort, Cacheuta, Mendoza
Thermal Resort, Carhué, Buenos Aires
Thermal Resort, Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero
Las Leñas, Mendoza
SNOW
SNOW 57
Alpine ski
Argentina’s ski centers can be found along the Andes
mountain range. From north to south, they provide
great facilities and modern chairlift systems, slopes
for skiers of all levels who want to practice alpine, cross-country
and Nordic skiing, mountaineering skiing or snowboarding.
These resorts offer schools with professional instructors,
equipment rental and repair, schools and day care centers for
children, medical care and, of course, different accommodation
choices and an excellent cuisine. Penitentes and Las Leñas, in
Mendoza; Caviahue, Chapelco and Cerro Bayo, in Neuquén;
Cerro Catedral, in Río Negro; La Hoya, in Chubut; Cerro
Castor, in Tierra del Fuego, are the most important winter
resorts of Argentina. The smallest ones include: Vallecitos, in
Mendoza; Cerro Wayle, Batea Mahuida and Primeros Pinos,
in Neuquén; Cerro Perito Moreno, in Río Negro; Valdelén, in
Santa Cruz; Wolfang Wallner and Francisco Jerman tracks,
Glaciar Martial, Altos del Valle, Solar del Bosque, Tierra
Mayor, Llanos del Castor, Las Cotorras and Haruwen, in
Tierra del Fuego. International championships, slalom
exhibitions and torch descents complete the attractive
Argentine snow offer that takes place from June to October.
Cerro Castor, Tierra del Fuego
Chapelco, Neuquén
Bariloche, Río Negro
SPORTFISHING
SPORTFISHING 59
Fishing, Manso River
Argentina, with more than 250 native species that live
in rivers and inland waters, is a truly attractive
destination for fishing lovers. Argentine waters
–drinking and mostly limpid– are free from Whirling Disease.
Fly fishing and throwback fishing are developing steadily in
the remarkable Argentine natural landscapes. Patagonia’s
rivers and lakes are famous for the Salmonidae quality,
including rainbow, brown and brook trout. There are also
landlocked Atlantic salmons, perches and Patagonia atherine.
If Patagonia is the ideal destination for the most exquisite
fans, the area of Bermejo and Paraná rivers is ideal for those
who enjoy fishing as a family outing, since the largest amount
of neotropical biggest species can be found there. Fly fishing
of the struggling dorado is a booming activity. Pampa lakes are
very popular. They are located in the Province of Buenos
Aires and south of Santa Fe and Córdoba, where another
large group of local species can be found. In Mar Argentino,
the so called "Marine Pampas", there are varieties such as black
hakes, island groupers, and soles.
Esteros del Iberá, Corrientes
Northern Patagonia
Surubí Fishing, Litoral Region
Belly boat, Patagonia
Vineyard in El Hoyo, Epuyén, Chubut
THE ROUTE OF WINE
Vineyard, Mendoza
Nowadays, Argentine wine is one of the magnets that
attract foreign visitors from all over the world the
most. Visiting vineyards from the northern to the
southern ones, is just an unforgettable experience. With imposing
landscapes, each region gives finished wine the characteristics of
its own terroir. Most Argentine wine production comes from the
Cuyo region and Mendoza, along with La Rioja and San Juan.
They are a synonym to Malbec and top quality wines. In the
northern region, you can’t miss Salta and Catamarca, and taste
their upland wines. Up there, you can take an outstanding tour
visiting farms surrounded by colorful hills. Also, the Valles
Calchaquíes is the perfect destination for you if you are a fine
wine lover and are also very fond of adventure. Up there, wines
get their own personality, particularly considering that they
grow in the highest lands of all. In the south of the country you
are going to be amazed at Patagonia fancy wines, which also
display all their personality. Grapes grown in La Pampa, Neuquén,
Río Negro and Chubut are the best southernmost wines in the
Americas. In Argentina, each and every wine oasis offers a myriad
of choices. Nature in its purest form and outstanding vineyards do
welcome visitors. By making a circuit accompanied by a guide,
travelers taste wines, visit museums, and have meals at a
restaurant in wineries where they can indulge themselves with
local dishes. In some cases, tourists are luxuriously accommodated
in the vineyard site, and they can even enjoy spa options. Each
destination’s beauty is shown as
no other in the routes of wine.
Relax and Wines in Valles Calchaquíes, Salta
Wine Harvest, Neuquén, Patagonia
Lunch at a Vineyard, Mendoza
THE ROUTE OF WINE 61
CONFERENCES, EXHIBITIONS AND INCENTIVES
CONFERENCES, EXHIBITIONS AND INCENTIVES 63
Thanks to its first level infrastructure display, Argentina
is chosen as a venue for meetings, conferences, festivals,
and exhibitions every year. All through the four seasons
of the year, Argentina welcomes thousands of travelers that
come to participate in these meetings, ranging from incentive
trips to the organization of international fairs for different
areas of expertise. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology,
the premises, which are specifically designed to house a good
deal of professionals, abound in major cities and resorts. The
accommodation capacity of hotels have remarkably increased
in recent years so as to meet the new needs, favoring the
organization of conferences on medicine, industry, politics,
economics, and entertainment, especially in Buenos Aires, La
Plata, Mar del Plata, Córdoba, Rosario, Posadas Puerto
Iguazú, Salta, San Miguel de Tucumán, Mendoza, San Carlos
de Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, and Ushuaia, amongst others.
The public’s response also ref lects how Argentina serves as
the venue of these kinds of meetings which aim at
cultural exchanges, networking, businesses and
spreading of ideas.
Quilmes Ruins, Tucumán
ROUTE 40
ROUTE 40 65
Lake at the foot of the Torre Mount, Santa Cruz
All along this huge country, bordering the Andes
mountain range, you will find sharp contrasts as
well as adventures and emotions waiting to be
discovered. This country offers a great variety of weathers and
landscapes, from the warm temperatures in the north in its
typical reddish sceneries, to the cold temperatures in the
south in its one-of-a-kind white sceneries. Argentina has so
much to offer that you need a road to help you go across it.
Indeed, Route Number 40 is the longest and most spectacular
road of the country. This is a unique way, and so are the
places it goes by along 5,200 km. -from the start, in Cabo
Vírgenes, Santa Cruz to La Quiaca, in the Jujuy Puna. It goes
along three regions (Patagonia, Cuyo and the North) and
crosses over 11 provinces; it reaches as high as almost 5,000
meter above sea level; it crosses under 236 bridges and over 18
major rivers; it borders 13 great lakes and salt mines. Also, it
reaches 20 nat ional parks and reser ves , i t connects 27
mountain range passes and goes across 5 spots that have been
declared as World Heritage, namely: Los Glaciares National
Park, the Cave of the Hands, Ischigualasto and Talampaya
National Parks and Quebrada de Humahuaca. Taking this
route is, no doubt, the best way to get to discover Argentina.
Araucaria trees at the foot of the Copahue volcano, Neuquén
“La Trochita” train near El Maitén, ChubutPict
ure
: Lu
cian
o B
acch
i
Hualfin Chapel, Catamarca
Cerro Siete Colores, Jujuy
Talampaya, La Rioja
ROUTE 40 67
Ischigualasto, San Juan
Quebrada de las Flechas, Salta
Victoria Island, Bariloche, Río Negro
Vineyards, Mendoza
JUJUY
SALTA
CATAMARCA
LA RIOJA
SAN JUAN
MENDOZA
NEUQUÉN
RÍO NEGRO
CHUBUT
SANTACRUZ
TUCUMÁN
A N T Á R T I D A
40URUGUAY
BRASIL
PARAGUAY
BOLIVIA
CHILE
Connected by 5,000 km, living experiences and stirring up emotions
TANGO AND ENTERTAINMENT
TANGO AND ENTERTAINMENT 69
Tango Indoors
Argentina has a lways been famous for i t s wide
entertainment offer. Tango, the melancholic feeling
that was born in the poor areas of the town, allures
everybody in shows, concerts and even dance classes. However,
Buenos Aires is much more than that: The entertainment
schedule is almost endless; it includes remarkable international
level theaters such as Colón, Cervantes or Avenida. The
neighborhoods of La Boca, Recoleta, San Telmo and Palermo
Viejo constantly offer concerts, classical and modern plays,
popular dance and experimental ballet... The provinces also
make visitors their own suggestions, full of colorful and
exciting celebrations. In the north, the carnival and the
celebration of Easter in Quebrada de Humahuaca intertwine
with ancient rites, such as that of Pachamama (meaning
“Mother Earth”). Folkloric festivities, such as the Poncho’s, in
Catamarca; the Bombo Drum’s, in Santiago del Estero or
sport tournaments such as touring car or tennis championships,
along with the colorful carnivals in
Gualeguaychú and Corrientes. And
of course there is football, the
most pagan celebration of all,
which as inexplicable as
mysterious as it is, is a real
popular expression.
Colón Theater, Buenos Aires
River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
Fiesta de la Vendimia, Mendoza
Tango Outdoors
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oto
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com
70
USEFUL DATA
USEFUL DATA 71USEFUL DATA
Area: almost 3,8 million Km², from 22° to 55° South.
Bordering Countries: Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay.
Administrative Divisions. Argentina is divided into 23 provinces, plus the City of Buenos Aires.
Government: Representative, Republican and Federal government, under a Constitution that was first adopted in 1853 and amended for the last time in 1994. Capital City: City of Buenos Aires with 11,460,575 people considering the city and 24 suburban districts of Great Buenos Aires.
Population: 36,260,130 people according to the Census conducted in 2001. 95% of white people, many of them being descendants from Spanish and Italian settlers, 4,5% “mestizos” (European/Ameridian) and 0,5% pure indigenous population.
Language: Spanish is the official language, although English, French and Italian are rather widely used.
Religion: Roman Catholic, although there is complete freedom of religion.
Official Time: GMT (Greenwich Meridian Time) -3 hours.
Electricity: Alternating current: 220/240 volts to 50 cycles.
Telephone Area Code: 54
Getting There: All airlines flying to Argentina arrive, mainly,
mainly, at the international airport called Ezeiza “Ministro Pistarini”, 37 km away from the City of Buenos Aires.
Entry Requirements. Visitors to Argentina must have a passport in force, with or without a visa, as applicable. Contact your embassy or nearest consulate.
Vaccination. No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country.
Ezeiza “Ministro Pistarini” International Airport. Visitors from non-bordering countries are exempt from taxes on their belongings and new articles whose cost is not higher than U$S 300 (U$S 150 for people under 16) and additional U$S 300 if they have been bought in the authorized duty free shops located at the arrival terminal. Money can be exchanged all day long at the Banco Nación -located at Arrivals in Terminal A.
Weather. Remember that seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The most favorable season in Patagonia and the Southern Andes range is summer -with mild temperatures and longer daylight times-, although in winter that area is ideal to practice snow sports. Even though in summer everything looks greener, winter is the best time to visit the northern and littoral regions, as it rarely rains and the subtropical temperatures are a bit cooler. Fall and spring are great times in Buenos Aires, as in the whole country.
GETTING AROUND:
By Plane. The best way to travel Argentina’s vast distances is by plane, which allows you to combine it with land
transportation services. You can purchase the Visit Argentina Airpass in your home country, so that you can travel more economically up and down the territory. The airlines for domestic flights are: Aerolíneas Argentinas /Austral, LADE and LAN Argentina. These flights travel out of Jorge Newbery Airport, on the banks of the Río de la Plata, just 15 minutes away from Buenos Aires downtown.
Airport Taxes. For domestic flights you have to pay a $ 7.05 departure tax. When leaving Ezeiza, a U$S 18 tax is charged for international flights. You can only use Pesos and American dollars to pay these taxes. For regional flights, a U$S 8 tax is charged.
Flight times for domestic flights from Buenos Aires to. Córdoba: 1.15 hours./ El Calafate: 3.15 hours./ Mar del Plata: 0.45 hours./ Mendoza: 1.50 hours./ Posadas: 1.30 hours./ Puerto Iguazú: 1.45 hours./ Río Gallegos: 2.55 hours./ Salta: 2.00 hours./ San Carlos de Bariloche: 2.20 hours./ San Miguel de Tucumán: 1.50 hours./ San Salvador de Jujuy: 2.10 hours./ Trelew: 2.00 hours./ Ushuaia: 3.20 hours.
By Bus. In Argentina, there is a large bus network. Most long-distance units offer fully reclining seats, toilet, air-conditioning and bar services. The ticket price genera l l y inc ludes meal s . The Buenos Aires bus terminal is on Ramos Mejía 1680, close to the Retiro railway station.
By Train. Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, phone: 4304-0028/31/38; 0800-222-8736); TBA (Retiro Station, phone: 4317-4407/45); Ferrocentral (phone: 4312-2989); Ferrocarril Urquiza (Federico Lacroze Station, phone: 4554-8018).
Car Rentals. Most international companies operate in Argentina. In Buenos Aires, you can find Ai Rent, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz - Annie Millet, Localiza, Thrifty. Fuel
Routes. There are both toll-free and toll roads. If tolled, there is a $ 0.50 to $ 8 price range. Roads are mostly two-way paved roads. In the provinces, there are gravel roads, which are usually in very good conditions. If you travel along lonely roads, check conditions out with the Automóvil Club Argentino or the nearest gas station. For this kind of routes, it is advisable to take two spare wheels with you. Remember that -depending on the route you choose- you may drive for as much as almost 200 km without finding any gas stations, so do get information beforehand. Route 40 runs along the whole country from north to south, bordering the Andes mountain range. Route 3 starts in Buenos Aires and runs along the Atlantic coast, reaching as far as Ushuaia. Seat belts are mandatory in all the country, and in routes you must turn dipped headlights on. Also, you must carry a fire extinguisher and marker lamps in the car. For further information about the conditions of non concessioned (toll free) routes, contact: Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (011) 4343-8544, and for further information about the conditions of toll concessioned routes, contact: Órgano de Control de Concesiones Viales 0800-333-0073.
Business Hours. Banks and exchange houses are open on weekdays from 10 AM to 3 PM. Business offices are generally open from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 7 PM. As regards stores, they are open from 9/9.30 AM to 7.30/8.30 PM, although in the provinces, they generally close at midday. Malls are open from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Means of Payment. The official Argentine currency is the peso. However, U.S. dollars and euros are widely accepted. Money can be exchanged in banks and exchange houses. American Express, Diners, MasterCard and VISA are the most widely accepted credit cards. Remember that credit cards and traveler’s checks may not be accepted other than in cities and resorts. Also, you can
72 USEFUL DATA
withdraw pesos with your credit card from the large ATM network all throughout the country.
VAT Refund. If you purchase national products for over $ 70 (per invoice) in stores subscribing to the “Global Refund” system, you get back the corresponding VAT at the airport.
Communication Services. It is very common to find phone booth stores all around the country. For domestic long-distance calls in Argentina, dial 0 before the area code, and for international calls, dial 00 before the country code. More economical rates are charged from 10 PM to 8 AM, Saturdays after 1 PM and all day long on Sundays and holidays. If you wish to place a pay phone call, you can use either phone cards (sold at phone booth stores) or coins (legal tender currency). If you would like to browse the Internet, there is a widely spread service in specific stores, bars and phone booth stores.
Tourist Safety and Assistance. Tourist Police Station: Av. Corrientes 436, (C1043AAR) Buenos Aires. Phone: 4346-5748, 4328-2135 or 0800-999-5000, e -mail : [email protected].
Tourist Of f ices Abroad. In al l the Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Argentina and in the following tourist local offices:
Representative in Chile, Bolivia and Peru: Mr. Horacio Bóvolo. Head Office: Argentine Embassy, Santiago de Chile. 285 Miraflores St. Phone. 00-562-582-2604.E-mail: [email protected]
Representative in the United States, Mexico and Canada: Mr. Eduardo Piva. Head Office: Argentine Tourist Office.
2655 Le Jeune Rd. PH-1 Ste. F, Coral Gables, FL. 33134. Phone: 001 305 442-1366. Fax 001 305 441-7029. E-mail: [email protected]
New York Office: Representative: Ms. Inés Segarra. Head Office: 12 west 56 th Street Nueva York, NY 10 019 . P h o n e : ( 0 01 ) 21 2 - 6 0 3 - 0 4 2 5 . F a x 0 01 212-586-1786. E-mail: [email protected]
Representative in Spain and Portugal: Ms. Isabel Crego Fraga. Head Office: Argentine Embassy, Spain. Calle Pedro de Valdivia 21, (28006) Madrid. Phone: (0034) 91 771 0500 // 771 0546. Fax (0034) 91 563 5697.E-mail: [email protected]
Representative in Brazil: Ms. Marcela Cuesta. Head Office: General Consulate and Business Promotion Center in San Pablo. Av. Paulista 2313 -Sobreloja- CEP 01311-300 San Pablo - SP. Phone/Fax 0055-11 3082-8071/ 3082-8113. E-mail: [email protected]
Representative in France: Mr. Carlos Feeney. Head Office: Argentine Embassy, France. 6, rue Cimarosa, 75116 Paris. Phone: (0033) 01 47 27 01 76. E-mail: [email protected]
TOURIST INFORMATION
National Bureau of Tourism,Tourist Information Centers:
Ezeiza International Airport and JorgeNewbery Airport; Av. Santa Fe 883,
(C1059ABC), Buenos Aires.Phone: 4312-2232 ó 0800-555-0016.
E-mail: [email protected]
Coordinación, producción y diseño: Departamento de Diseño y Producción, Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación / Foto Tapa: photomonteleone.com