Country Overview

Cosmopolitan capital Buenos Aires is gateway to all Argentina. The large triangle-shaped country is as long as the U.S. is wide and at times seems almost as if it's a continent in itself. There's nearly everything here a visitor could want.

In Argentina today one may dine on what is absolutely the world's best beef, "summer ski" at Bariloche in the idyllic Lake Region, play in the world's largest casino in Mar del Plata, or climb the highest mountain in all the Americas - 22,834 Ft. Mt. Aconcagua.

Here too one may tango the night away in the land where it was born. This is also home of the gaucho and his pampas, the wilds of Patagonia, majestic Iguassu Falls, and the world's southermost city (and airport) Ushuaia.

Argentina is also becoming and increasingly important gateway to the White Continent - Antarctica.

Highlights

Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo - Casa Rosada, the Cathedral and more...
Bariloche: Idyllic winter and summer resort in the Andean foothills
Peninsula Valdez: Penguin rookeries, sea lions, and whale watching
Patagonia: Increasingly popular land of hard and soft adventure tours
Mendoza: Home of Argentina's world famous wines and vineyards
Iguassu Falls: Like the Grand Canyon with water cascading over all sides

Country Facts

Size: Second largest country in South America. Total land area 1,072,000 sq. mi. Territory would cover one third of the U.S.

Population: 33 million.

Capital: Buenos Aires, pop., 77 sq. mi., 11 million (35% of the country's total population).

Language: Spanish

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 cycles. Voltage converter and two and three prong plug adapters are necessary for U.S. appliances.

Religion: Predominately Roman Catholic

Fishing: Trout and salmon fishing are excellent in the Argentine Lake Region around Bariloche and in the Esquel Valley in Chubut province. Best season is November to April for brown, brook and rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Fishing in the lakes and streams of Patagonia from December thru March is also good. To the north, the dorado of the Parana River is a fighter that can reach 40 pounds.

Wildlife: Patagonia is abundant with wildlife. View sea lions, sea elephants and whales in Peninsula Valdes. Try Punta Tombo for penguins. And Tierra Del Fuego contains guanacos and sea bird watching.

Wines and vineyards: The north of Argentina, in the area of Mendoza, is a popular destination for wine connoisseurs. In Mendoza visitors may inspect the National Institute of Wine Growing's Laboratory of Analysis and Quality Control, as well as, major, neighboring vineyards for complete explanations of the techniques used in growing and production.

Travel Facts

American Airlines offers daily non-stop service from both Miami & New York to Buenos Aires. The Argentine capital is also the hub for many connecting domestic flights. Continuing flights to some interior destinations may require a layover.

City Codes

EZE: Buenos Aires (international airport, 20 mi. SW of downtown)

AEP: Buenos Aires (downtown domestic airport)

BRC: Bariloche

IGR: Iguassu Falls

ING: Lago Argentino

JUJ: Jujuy

MDZ: Mendoza

REL: Trelew/Peninsula Valdes

SLA: Salta

TUC: Tucuman

USH: Ushuaia

Entry requirements: Valid U.S. passport. No visa required

Taxes/Surcharges: International departure taxes: $18.

Hotel taxes & service charges: Most hotel taxes (21%) and service charges (10%) are already included in price of tour package. Tipping: 10% is customary. Taxi drivers near major hotels expect to be tipped.

Currency: Argentine Peso. You can exchange money at hotels, banks or usually while shopping. Banking hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ATMs are convenient. Credit cards widely accepted.

Shopping: Buenos Aires is famous for its fashionable shops and boutiques. A walk down the elegant pedestrian mall of Calle Florida and Av. Santa Fe gives the visitor a sampling of the best Argentina has to offer: leather goods, furs, silver, cashmere and Gaucho souvenirs. Shopping hours are 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday. There is an excellent weekend flea market in historic San Telmo specializing in antiques and art.

Food and Drink: Sophisticated Buenos Aires thrives on beef. Steak houses are abundant and the meats are tender and succulent. Cuts like Bife de Chorizo, Bife de Lomo, Baby Bife or even a Parrillada (mixture of cuts) top most steak house menus. Good fresh fish is also available. Try the chorizo (grilled sausage) and the many varieties of empanadas (meat or cheese turnovers). Buenos Aires offers the diner a rich assortment of culinary experiences from which to choose. Italian restaurants are excellent. Stop for teatime at a confitura(Argentine pastry shop). Sample Argentine wines which are outstanding.

Telephone Area Codes:(54) country code; Buenos Aires 114, Bariloche 944, Iguassu Falls 757, Salta 87, Mendoza 61, Jujuy 882, Tucumon 81 and Trelew/Peninsula Valdes 965.

Getting Around

Because of Argentina's size, flying is usually the best way to travel within the country. Purchased in conjunction with your international American Airlines ticket, the domestic "Visit Argentina" air pass is available to be issued in flight coupon booklets. The pass must be purchased in USA.

Trains connect Buenos Aires with Mar del Plata (6 hrs.). Trains also depart three times a week for a 40 hr. crossing of the pampas to Bariloche. Another spectacular train ride is "Las Nubes," a round-trip excursion out of Salta between April and November.

Bus service is frequent, low cost, and reliable.

Buenos Aires: The country's capital and largest city. Sophistication is the key word here. Buenos Aires' heart today, as in colonial times, is the Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada (Pink House - Presidential Palace) and the National Cathedral where Jose de San Martin, Argentina's father of independence, is buried.

The Avenida 9 de Julio is the world's widest boulevard, and a main city artery. The avenue's towering obelisk commemorates the city's 400th anniversary. Tree-lined streets, parks and plazas are seemingly everywhere, and the skyline, though punctuated with new skyscrapers, often can resemble Paris.

Lively night life begins late with dinner around 10:00 p.m. Make that VERY lively! There are popular tango houses offering music only or music and dance. Discos and clubs are abundant. Calle Lavalle is lined with movie houses and theaters.

The world famous Colon Opera House covers an entire city block. and features a wide range of cultural performances (March-December).

City sightseeing tours are available as well as trips just outside town to nearby haciendas for an authentic "Gaucho Fiesta."

In town there are plenty of places to enjoy a steak dinner and a traditional tango show. Visitors will soon discover the city's many sidewalk cafes, chic boutiques and excellent museums.

In Buenos Aires (and throughout the country)travelers will find hotel accommodations to fit every taste and price range from palatial to thrifty.

North Of Buenos Aires:
Iguassu Falls: Bordering Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, a spectacular view of the great falls can been seen from the Argentine side. With 275 individual falls, Iguassu is higher and far wider than Niagara. The jungle surroundings offer luxuriant flora, exotic birds, and magnificent butterflies all protected by a multi-national park. At the entrance to the falls on the Brazilian side there's an excellent tropical bird park run by a most gracious Englishwoman. From Buenos Aires; daily direct flights are available to Iguassu (1 hr. 40 min.) for day trips or an overnight. By bus the trip takes approximately 21 hours and train service is available as far as Posadas on the Paraguayan border.

The Hotel Internacional on Iguassu's Argentine side overlooks the falls and is convenient to the walkways. Several other hotels are located near the falls on the Brazilian side. Remember: to visit the Brazilian side of the falls a visa for entry is required for U.S. visitors. Recommended length of visit: two days/one night. Hotel accommodations are available in all price ranges.

Mendoza: At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is a modern city with a historic past. Though rainfall is slight, irrigation has turned the countryside into a green oasis of vineyards and fruit plantations. Wine making season is March/April, and there are numerous wine cellars or bodegas where wine tasting is a popular activity.

The city is modern with low buildings, many gardens and trees, and excellent museums. Mountain climbing and trekking expeditions to Mt. Aconcagua (highest in the Americas) begin in Mendoza.

Also Argentina's newest ski resort, Las Lenas, is south of the city in Valle Hermosa (from Buenos Aires: 1 hr. 40 min. by air, 14 hrs. by train, and 16 hrs. by bus).

Salta & Jujuy: Historic Salta, founded in 1582, and Jujuy, founded for the third time in 1593, is an increasingly popular excursion from Buenos Aires. The handsome city is filled with fine old colonial buildings. From Salta a round-trip excursion can be made to Cafayate to view the Andean foothill desert with curious, vividly colored rock formations. The population around Cafayate is largely Indian, and native costumes abound.

The drive from Salta to Jujuy includes a 57 mi. winding road through the mountains known as La Cornisa. Jujuy is also colonial. Most packages begin in one city, visit Cafayate and end in the other city. From Buenos Aires: 2 hrs. by air and approximately 21 hrs. by bus. Recommended length of visit: 4 days/3 nights. Good hotel accommodations in both cities.

Southwest Of Buenos Aires:
Bariloche: Located at the foot of the Andes in Lake Nahuel Huapi National Park, the famed city is both a summer and winter resort. Bariloche is spectacularly set overlooking the lake and facing the snow-capped Andes.

There are many hotels, restaurants, pubs, discos and shops. White chocolate is the popular local specialty. Brown trout fishing is excellent (October/March) in the many lakes. Snow skiing begins in June and runs through September.

Excursions include chair lift rides up Cerro Campanario for a bird's-eye view, boat rides on Lake Nahuel Huapi to visit Victoria Isle and the Bosque de Arrayanes forest of light-bark trees.

Bariloche is also embarkation point for the crossing to the wildlyi beautiful Lake District via Peulla into Chile (ending at Puerto Montt).

Convenient air service links Bariloche with Buenos Aires (2 hrs.); bus service takes 22 hrs., and twice weekly there are 40 hr. train trips across the pampas. Several outstanding hotels.

Lake Crossing to Chile: From Bariloche daily departures (December-March) cross in one day, or overnight mid-way at Peulla. The balance of the year departures from Bariloche en route to Puerto Montt, Chile on Monday and Wednesday (With overnight in Peulla). Spectacular scenery, crystal lakes, snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys are everywhere. The whole place is a photographer's paradise. Crossing is made via a series of buses and motor launches.

South of Buenos Aires:
Mar del Plata: This popular summer resort lies 240 mi. south of Buenos Aires and features five solid miles of beaches including fashionable Playa Grande with private clubs and summer estates. The city's famed casino is on Bristol Beach.

Other beaches feature fishing piers, yacht clubs and marinas. There is continuous, lively nightlife during high season (December thru April).

Mar del Plata is also popular for its golf courses, polo tournaments, and pato (an Argentine ball game played on horseback). From Buenos Aires: 50 min. by air, 5 hrs. by train, and 5 hrs. 30 min. by bus. Hotel accommodations available in all categories.

Peninsula Valdes: Gateway to the largest migrating penguin rookery in the Western Hemisphere at Punta Tombo. Also for viewing sea lion and sea elephant colonies at Puerto Piramides. During October and November one may take small boat excursions for whalewatching.

Popular trips can also be made to Gaiman, a small, authentic Welsh community with museums and nearby nature reserves. From Buenos Aires: 1 hr. 40 min. by air, 21 hrs. 30 min. by bus, no train service available. Good hotel accommodations in Trelew, and in nearby Puerto Madryn.

The Far South, Patagonia:
Lago Argentino: In the heart of Patagonia, beside the Andes, is one of Argentina's most scenic areas, Lago Argentino. Flights connect Buenos Aires to Calafate, gateway to the area. From Calafate excursions are available to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's few glaciers that is growing. Today, the glacier has a three mile frontage and a height of 180 ft. Other special sights include Upsala Glacier at the north end of the lake, Glaciares National Park, and the spectacular mountain, Cerro Fitz Roy. From Buenos Aires: 4 hrs.20 min. by air to Calafate. From Lago Argentino flights connect to Rio Gallegos and to Ushuaia in the south. Recommended length of visit: 4 days/3 nights. Hotel accommodations limited during prime visitor season October through March.

Tierra del Fuego: Tierra del Fuego is the island at the extreme southern tip of South America bounded by the Strait of Magellan, the Atlantic Ocean and the Beagle Channel. The eastern side belongs to Argentina; the western to Chile.

Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost city, is situated at the base of Cerro Martial, overlooking the Beagle Channel's green waters. The friendly inhabitants are engaged in sheep raising, lumbering, fishing and trapping. Wonderful views of snow covered peaks, rivers, waterfalls and dense woods. From Ushuaia excursions can be made to Lapataia, Lake Fagnano, Lake Escondido and Islas de los Lobos.

Best time to visit is October - March but weather can still be cold and unpredictable. December and January cruisesd\sail from here for the Antarctic. From Buenos Aires to Ushuaia: 5 hrs. by air. Good hotel accommodations available in town.

Fishing: Trout and salmon fishing are excellent in the Argentine Lake Region around Bariloche and in the Esquel Valley in Chubut province. Best season is November to April for brown, brook and rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Fishing in the lakes and streams of Patagonia from December thru March is also good. To the north, the dorado of the Parana River is a fighter that can reach 40 pounds.

Wildlife: Patagonia is abundant with wildlife. View sea lions, sea elephants and whales in Peninsula Valdes. Try Punta Tombo for penguins. And Tierra Del Fuego contains guanacos and sea bird watching.

Wines and vineyards: The north of Argentina, in the area of Mendoza, is a popular destination for wine connoisseurs. In Mendoza visitors may inspect the National Institute of Wine Growing's Laboratory of Analysis and Quality Control, as well as, major, neighboring vineyards for complete explanations of the techniques used in growing and production.

Weather

Argentina's topography is varied. To the west lie the Andes, to the north the vast forested plains of the Chaco, to the south the rolling Pampas and to the far south Patagonia. Seasons are reversed. When it is winter in the U.S. it is summer in Argentina. The Andes and the far south are cold during Argentina's winter (June-August). Buenos Aires remains temperate but be prepared for possible cold temperatures and frequent heavy rains May thru July. Appropriate dress is required when dining in the better restaurants and clubs of Buenos Aires. The people of Buenos Aires, called Porteños, are among the world's most fashionable. Gentleman visiting the city should bring a jacket and tie.

Websites

Host: Secretariat of Tourism

Site: http://www.sectur.gov.ar

Features: Click on "Secretaria de Turismo." Argentina tour by region, general info, tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, shows, entry information, when to go, etc.

Also Check:

Hotels: http://www.argentinas-hotels.com/

Bariloche & Patagonia: http://www.patagoniavirtual.com/

Buenos Aires: http://www.cityofbuenosaires.com

Cordoba: http://www.cordoba.com.ar

Tierra del Fuego: http://www.tierradelfuego.ml.org

Hydrofoil:http://www.buquebus.com