ARGENTINA
REGIONS:
• LA PAMPA LAND OF THE GAUCHO
• PATAGONIAN ANDES
• PATAGONIAN ATLANTIC
• THE GREAT WATERS RAIN FOREST
• SOUTH AMERICA TOUCHES THE SKY
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Located in the southern part of South America and thus in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, of which 2.8 are on the continent and the remainder in the Antarctic.
Its frontier with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 29,038 km. and the coast, on the Atlantic Ocean, is 5,117 km. long.
The fundamental characteristic of Argentina is the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains and the imposing mountain range of the Andes to the west. This is the frontier with Chile and has the highest peak in the whole western hemisphere, the Aconcagua, 6,959 m. high.
In its passage from Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego the range presents marvelous contrasts, the plateaus of the Northwest, the lake region, the forests and the glaciers of the Patagonian Andes. To the north, Chaco is a forested area which follows the rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay, the Mesopotamia of Argentina (the provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed by low hills where pools and marshlands show the ancient courses of these great rivers. Occasionally there are fissures which provide such spectacular phenomena as the Falls of Iguazú.
La Pampa, in the centre of Argentina, is the largest and best known area of plains. It has a large amount of agriculture and livestock and includes the provinces of Buenos Aires, pampean region, the south of Santa Fe and southwest of Córdoba. Its landscape is broken to the south by the small mountains of Tandil and La Ventana and to the west by the Córdoba mountain ranges.
Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, are the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations like the Valdés Peninsula, with its spectacular colonies of marine animals.
Weather:
The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C, and 12° C from June to September.
Remember that in the southern hemisphere seasons are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.
Money Issues:
The official Argentine currency is the Peso. The Argentine Peso is the official currency. Bills come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. One peso equals one hundred cents. .
US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere; foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing traveler’s check outside Buenos Aires.
Language:
Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some “lunfardo” expressions -city slang – are used.
Population:
Argentina’s current population is more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at the present they amount only to 4.5% of the population. The pure indigenous population – Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos – amount to 0.5% of the population.
Transportation:
By Plane:
Due to the country’s large size, planes are best to travel long distances, and you can then take overland transportation to get to your final destination. Buying Airpass Visit Argentina in your own country, you’ll obtain more economical prices for flights within Argentina.
Domestic flights schedule from Buenos Aires to:
|
San Salvador de Jujuy |
2 hrs 10 mins |
|
Salta |
2 hrs |
|
San Miguel de Tucumán |
1 hr 50 mins |
|
Puerto Iguazú |
1 hr 45 mins |
|
Posadas |
1 hr 30 mins |
|
Rosario |
52 mins |
|
Mendoza |
1 hr 50 mins |
|
Córdoba |
1 hr 15 mins |
|
Mar del Plata |
45 mins |
|
San Carlos de Bariloche |
2 hrs 20 mins |
|
Trelew |
2 hrs |
|
Río Gallegos |
2 hrs 55 mins |
|
El Calafate |
3 hrs 15 mins |
|
Ushuaia |
3 hrs 20 mins |
By Bus:
Buenos Aires bus station is located at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680 close to Retiro Station. Long-distance buses are equipped with toilets, air conditioning and bar.
By Train:
Ferrobaires (Constitución Station), TBA (Retiro Station), Ferrocentral (Retiro Station), Trenes del Litoral (Federico Lacroze Station).
By Car (Car rental):
All international car rental companies operate in Argentina. JESS@FriendsTravel.com for Reservations.
ACTIVITIES:
Argentina’s wide variety of ecosystems is reflected on the great number of activities that can be enjoyed throughout the country. Each location offers a range of opportunities for visitors to enjoy in close contact with nature, its challenges and secrets, and surrounded by landscapes that make visitors feel like discoverers.
Ecotourism: Is defined as traveling to uncontaminated natural areas for interpretive and study tours and enjoying direct contact with nature. This is one of the most popular forms of tourism in Argentina. Some of the most common ecotourism activities are trekking through national parks and natural reserves; skiing, diving and snorkeling as well as wildlife observation and photo safaris.
Adventure Tourism: Argentina offers an array of possibilities for you to enjoy its best asset— nature. Adventurous and daring travelers find here everything they want to go climbing, hiking, horseback riding, hang gliding, paragliding, powered or unpowered glider flying, hot air ballooning, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and scuba-diving.
Youth Tourism: Students, young professionals and adventure lovers prefer this type of tourism by traveling on a shoestring budget and engaging in various cultural, educational, recreational and/or sport activities with the purpose of learning and having fun thought active participation in local events. Typical examples of youth tourism in Argentina are graduation trips, student travel and backpacking.
Rural Tourism: A genuinely argentine experience and one that reflects our traditions and culture in their original atmosphere.
There are a lot of “estancias” in Argentina offering many options for the tourist .Each region has its own characteristics depending on scenery, ranch size, architectural style and type of food. Services available are many from accommodation in ranch houses to hayrides and participation in daily farm chores such as dairy and grain production, and the breeding of cattle, sheep, horses, goats, among others.
Sport Tourism:
a) There are important ski centers with the unique Andes mountain range in the background, specially designed for winter sports lovers. Visitors will find international quality ski runs with state-of-the-art lifts and infrastructure. Beginners have excellent ski schools with Argentine and foreign professional ski instructors and modern equipment, and experienced skiers may choose ski runs with various difficulty levels to enjoy the most incredible adventure of sliding down on the snow, immersed in silence and with a constant view of incomparable nature.
b) Argentina offers golf-links for every player and taste. Golf lovers have the opportunity to practice this sport in different settings; some links are located in areas surrounded by mountains, others near the sea. You can also golf in the jungle, within the silent forest, surrounded by small hills or in the heart of a big city.
c) The angling, particularly fly-fishing in streams and lakes of varied natural environments, it is an important product for its quality and diversity. An opportunity to discover and enjoy different tourist destinations.
Special Interest Tourism: World class venues and excellent facilities equipped with the latest technology and specifically designed to cater for large groups, have turned Argentina a host for meetings, conferences, festivals and exhibitions. Throughout the year, Argentina welcomes thousands of travelers who come to participate in these events, ranging from incentive trips to international fairs of any area of expertise.
TRAVEL TIPS:
- Buenos Aires is a very safe city and local police keep it that way by actively patrolling all tourist areas. Violent crime is extremely rare and smaller towns in Argentina are even safer than Buenos Aires, with crime worth mentioning being unheard of. Nevertheless, it is important to remember there a number of thieves who spend their time in tourist areas on the lookout for easy prey. Always protect your valuables and keep your passport and tickets in a safe at your hotel.
- Argentina is as varied as the United States when it comes to climate and landscape. However, when you visit Buenos Aires, you will soon realize it’s nothing like the rest of the country. The standard attire is neat, fitted clothing, black leather coats, smart boots with heels, small jewelry. You will feel out of place wearing baggy jeans and flannel. Outside of Buenos Aires, stick to jeans, khakis, more casual (but conservative in color and cut) clothing, especially if traveling with women only. When traveling the countryside, wear comfortable clothing, layer when possible. Avoid the miniskirt/short shorts, although you will see it occasionally.
- North American, Continental and Middle Eastern cuisine is generally available, whilst local food is largely a mixture of Basque, Spanish and Italian. Beef is of a particularly high quality and meat-eaters should not miss out on the chance to dine at a parrillada, or grill room, where a large variety of barbecue-style dishes can be sampled. Popular local dishes include empanadas (minced meat and other ingredients covered with puff pastry) and locro (pork and maize stew). In general, restaurants are good value.
- Buenos Aires’ nightlife is vibrant. There are many theatres and concert halls showcasing foreign artists. Nightclubs featuring jazz and tango are plentiful. Tango lessons and dancing can be enjoyed at lively milongas (tango parties), throughout Buenos Aires. There are also many intimate boîtes (clubs) and stage shows. There are casinos throughout Argentina.
TRAVEL REQUIEREMENTS:
A passport is all that’s required of most visitors -although Australians and New Zealanders do need visas. Renewable tourist visas are issued at airports and borders, and are good for 90 days.
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JESS@FriendsTravel.com
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