Argentina - Cheap Holidays from Co-op Travel

Argentina Travel Guide

Argentina is a country of immense beauty and proportions. Its geographic diversity spans the most breathtaking terrain from Antarctica, through the wild, glacier-filled mountains of Patagonia and massive open plains of La Pampas to the deserts and tropical jungles in the north.The country can be enjoyed for its natural wonders alone, but no visit here could be called complete without stepping into its soul, its capital city. The elegant Buenos Aires is home to 40 percent of the population, and is a buzzing metropolis with a rich, passionate and tortured history that is integral to its character. It is Europe and South America contained in one geographical location, with elements of the unknown around each corner. It is familiar and strange at the same time, but at its very core, wonderfully welcoming.Along the elegant avenues of the fashionable districts, sophisticated diners observe passers-by while they sip strong coffee or enjoy smooth cervezas. There is a constant smell of meat grilling from every corner and sidewalk that reveals the Argentine passion for 'asado'. Neither glamour nor passion is in short supply in this cosmopolitan hub where Porteños are equally versed in football, politics and fashion.There are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Since 1992 the economy has teetered near collapse due to corruption and government mismanagement, prompting regular and sometimes violent demonstrations. However it is business-as-usual as far as tourism is concerned; in fact, the resultant devaluation of the peso has made the country much more affordable for travellers.

Argentina Travel Guide

Need To Know

Money:

The Argentinean Peso (ARS) is divided into 100 centavos. The recent devaluation of the Peso has made Argentina more affordable for travellers but there is still much economic uncertainty and travellers are advised to keep an eye on the exchange rate. Currency can be exchanged at banks and cambios(bureaux de change) but it is easier to use ATMs, available in most urban towns, which reflect the current exchange rate. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted, and US Dollars and Euros are normally taken everywhere, but some international cards place limits on transactions. Cirrus cards sometimes aren't accepted. There can be problems using travellers cheques in rural areas, although most banks in major cities should accept them. It's best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars to avoid additional exchange rate charges.

Time:

Electricity:

Electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels and offices use the three-pin flat type plug, however most older buildings use the two-pin round type plug.

Language:

Spanish is the official language of Argentina but English is understood in the tourist areas.

Health:

There is a low risk of yellow fever, cholera and malaria in some northern provinces, so it is wise to seek your doctor's advice when travelling to these areas. However since the outbreak of yellow fever in neighbouring Brazil and Paraguay in January/February 2008, it is recommended that all visitors to regions bordering these countries, including Iguazu Falls, be inoculated against yellow fever. Outbreaks of dengue fever are on the increase, and visitors are advised to avoid getting mosquito bites as there is no effective treatment for it. A hepatitis A vaccination is recommended before travel to Argentina as well as a typhoid vaccination for those who might eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels. Water is safe to drink in major towns and cities. Medical facilities are good in the major cities. Treatment is expensive, however, and medical insurance is advised. Asthma, sinus and bronchial ailments can be aggravated by pollution in Buenos Aires. Those with specific conditions should bring a sufficient quantity of medical supplies and medicines for the trip.

Tipping:

A 10% tip is expected at restaurants in Argentina. Porters expect some small change per bag.

Safety:

Although the political and economic crisis is over, there are still periodic outbreaks of social unrest and demonstrations. Visitors are advised to avoid such public gatherings and keep abreast with news to know whether any political disturbances are expected. However, there is no specific threat to foreigners and travellers should not be discouraged from travelling throughout the country. Be alert for bag-snatchers, pickpockets and con-men, particularly in crowded areas in Buenos Aires, on public transport and in popular tourist haunts, such as San Telmo.

Customs:

Argentineans are warm and unreserved people.

Business:

Business people dress well in Argentina and visitors are expected to wear a smart suit. Handshaking is normal. Argentineans are great conversationalists and are interested and knowledgeable about world events, politics and sporting. Meetings usually begin with small talk. Use titles when addressing people: Señor (Mr), Señora (Mrs) and Señorita (Miss) followed by their surname. Business culture in Argentina can be bureaucratic and as with most South American countries negotiation and decision making can take a long time and is best done face to face. Make sure you see the right people, as only those in high positions are likely to be able to make a final decision. Business hours are 9am to 5pm in Buenos Aires, with an hour for lunch. Outside the capital it is normal to take a siesta between 1pm and 4pm. Many business people are away on holiday during January and February.

Duty Free:

Travellers to Argentina over the age of 18 years can bring in the following items to the value of US$300 without incurring customs duty: 2 litres of alcohol, 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and 5kg of food items. Restrictions apply to fresh foodstuffs such as meat and dairy products. Prohibited items include explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material. Firearms and ammunition for sporting purposes are allowed if accompanied by a license/certificate.

Communications:

The international access code for Argentina is +54. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Buenos Aires is (0)11. Calls are usually made from public call centres, but there are also public telephones that take coins or phone cards, although one usually pays more than the unit value of the card. Mobile phones are increasingly popular; the area code must always be used when phoning a mobile in Argentina. Internet cafes are widely available in Buenos Aires and other popular tourist destinations. Many hotels also offer Internet access.

Argentina Travel Guide

Argentina Attractions

Cabildo

Description:

Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms they have donned for nearly 200 years. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolour paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.

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Calle Bolívar 65

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(011) 4334 1782

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Casa Rosada

Description:

One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink colour scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artefacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.

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Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo

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(0)11 4344 3802

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Cathedral Metropolitana

Description:

Situated in the Plaza de Mayo, the Neoclassical Cathedral Metropolitana houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.

Address:

San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo

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(0)11 4331 2845

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La Recoleta Cemetery

Description:

An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.

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Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa

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www.info-recoleta.com

Plaza Dorrego

Description:

Plaza Dorrego lies in San Telmo, the bohemian artists' quarter and the birthplace of tango. The tiny square is surrounded by elegant houses, now mostly converted into antique shops and bars whose tables overflow onto the street. On Sundays the plaza is the setting for the ancient flea market, the Feria de San Pedro Telmo. Though you are unlikely to discover any bargains you may find an interesting souvenir or two. The stallholders pack up their wares at 5pm and the square becomes the setting for informal tango dances. This is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists and even the inexperienced may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the Plaza Dorrego worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and the Museo de Arte Moderno.

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Teatro Colón

Description:

The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is one of the largest performing arts theatres in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It was designed by Italian architect Francisco Tamburri and is an Italian Renaissance-style building with a seating capacity of 2,500 (although more people have been squeezed in at a time). It has hosted many international performers including Nijinsky, Pavlov, Pavarotti and Domingo. Guided tours take visitors to the theatre's workshops, rehearsal rooms, auditorium and stage.

Address:

Cerrito 618

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(0)11 4378 7100

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Website:

www.teatrocolon.org.ar

La Boca

Description:

La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colourful neighbourhood or barrioin Buenos Aires, original home of both football legend Diego Maradona and the tango. An assortment of brightly-painted low houses made of wood and metal line the streets, including the famed main street Caminito, in this poor but happy area full of artisans, painters, street performers, cantinas and open-air tango shows. The neighbourhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to work in the docks. Today it is frequented by crowds of tourists who come to soak up the lively atmosphere.

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Iguazú National Park

Description:

The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including colourful parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the 1986 film The Missionand, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby. Iguazú is home to the Guarani people, who offer their handmade crafts for sale inside the park.

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www.iguazuargentina.com

Córdoba

Description:

Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest city and although there has been massive development in recent years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina, dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well-prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.

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Mendoza

Description:

The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterised by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.

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The Pampas

Description:

The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the birthplace of the gaucho(cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on asado.

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Patagonia

Description:

Adventurous travellers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the river Colorado, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people go between July and April to visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdés, where right whales, sea elephants and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13°F (-25°C). In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut you can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers and nearby at Punta Tombo you can see the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, you will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, with the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.

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Tierra del Fuego

Description:

This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south the region does not reach the extreme temperatures of neighbouring Patagonia, but it is still not for the faint-hearted. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, in the south, the base for visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego (with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped mountains and beechwood forests). There is less reason to visit the north of the island unless you are a keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.

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www.tierradelfuego.org.ar

Perito Moreno Glacier

Description:

Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Visitors can marvel at the site of the glacier 'calving': enormous chunks of ice breaking off into the water with a deafening crash, creating icebergs and causing large waves. The glacier is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process; at certain periods the glacier's front reaches the coastal border of the lake, blocking off the flow of water from the Andes and causing its waters to rise by about 66 feet (20m). When the pressure is too much, the dam of ice cracks and shatters, sending icebergs downstream. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province.

Address:

Los Glaciares National Park

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Telephone:

Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Centre: (0)2902 491 005

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parquenacional@losglaciares.com

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www.losglaciares.com

Floralis Genérica

Description:

Floralis Generica is a working metal sculpture located on the United Nations square in Recoleta. It was offered to the city by Argentine architect Eduardo Fernando Catalano, who described it as an 'environmental structure'. Its metallic petals open and close based on the incidence of solar rays and visitors to the site will find the giant metal sculpture 'in full bloom' in the heat of the day and closed at night. The sheer genius and technical artistry of the giant flower makes it a Buenos Aires sight worth seeing.

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United Nations Park, Recoleta

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Nueve de Julio Avenue

Description:

At 416 feet (127m) wide, Avenida 9 de Julio is claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, honouring Argentina's Independence Day which falls on 9th July. The avenue runs from the Retiro district in the north to Constitucion station in the south, roughly one kilometre to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront and consists of 18 lanes of traffic, nine on each side. In the middle of the street stands a 67-metre-tall obelisk marking the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk is a popular photo spot, and visitors can climb to the top where they can look out over the Avenida 9 de Julio through its four observation windows.

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Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires

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Buenos Aires Zoo

Description:

Home to over 350 animal species and known for some of its exotic breeding, the Buenos Aires zoo is the perfect place for families, a romantic date or tourists. With nine species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, the zoo's goals are to conserve species, produce research and educate the public. Disposable cameras are on sale and professional photographers are on standby to capture all the memories. Animal food can be bought at the entrance and other stations located around the zoo to encourage visitors' interaction with the animals. The best time to visit the zoo is on a sunny weekday afternoon, when time can be spent lounging in front of the white tiger enclosure, for which the zoo is well-known, or elephant house with only a few other people to contend with for the best view.

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Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras

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(0)11 4011 9900

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www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar

Museo de Los Ninos

Description:

Located inside the Abasto Shopping Centre, the Museo de Los Ninos is a great way for children to explore a multitude of future careers by means of interactive exhibits. The exhibits include a miniature TV station with working cameras, a doctor's office, radio station and even a newspaper office. Children will love experiencing a 'day in the life' of one of these professions.

Address:

Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247

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Telephone:

054 11 4861 2325

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cumples@museoabasto.org.ar

Website:

www.museoabasto.org.ar

La Calle de los Títeres

Description:

A real-life version of Punch and Judy takes place at the Centreo Cultural del Sur and regular puppet shows and puppet making classes are guaranteed to keep children occupied for hours. Children will love the chance to interact with other kids as well as creating their own puppets and imaginary worlds.

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Centro Cultural del Sur

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4305 6653

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Bosques de Palermo

Description:

The inner-city park of Bosques de Palermo is a great place for families to relax and unwind on a warm summers afternoon. The park offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play and other family-oriented activities to be enjoyed include rental paddleboats, bikes and carts. The park is also home to two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum and the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium.

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Galileo Galilei Planetarium

Description:

The Galileo Galilei Plantarium is located inside the Bosques de Palermo and its massive dome rises out of the horizon, making it almost impossible to miss. On any given day, this planetarium is abuzz with the chatter of children and inquisitive young minds coming for a spot of stargazing. This is a must for children of all ages and anyone with a love of stars, space and planets.

Address:

Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo

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Telephone:

(0)11 4771 9393

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contacto@planetariogalilei.com.ar

Website:

www.planetario.gov.ar

Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens

Description:

Lined with trees, flowers and other indigenous plants, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens are a great place to take the kids for a day out. With plenty of open space to run around, the gardens make an ideal location to relax with a picnic or just take a leisurely walk with the family. The central greenhouse is also great to explore fo rthe more inquisitive-minded children.

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Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia

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Argentina Travel Guide

Need To Know

Argentina Attractions

Holiday Types

Services