Hotels in Argentina
Argentina is renowned for its fine wine and friendly people, a fascinating land of contrasts steeped in history, you'll find holidays to Argentina have something to offer everyone. Home to an abundant variety of wildlife, it delights in an astonishing variety of landscapes ranging from tropical jungle to deserts, from the high peaks of the Andes and mighty falls in the north to awe-inspiring glaciers and stunning lakes in southern Patagonia.
With faded elegance, grand buildings and large avenues, sophisticated Buenos Aires is a city of intellectuals. Stroll along the streets of trendy Palermo or chic Recoleta districts and watch the world go by from a café, drink a 'yerba mate' with the local 'porteños', or just enjoy a spontaneous tango show in San Telmo or in bohemian La Boca district. Good food and wine are easy to find, taste a succulent steak in one of the many 'parrillas' in town and accompany your meal with a glass of full bodied Malbec. A few hours drive into the countryside and you are in 'gauchos' land; you can stay at a ranch or 'Estancia' for horse riding or cattle ranching in the pampa grassland. Or, for a total wine experience, travel to Mendoza, not only to savour excellent grapes, but also visit a winery and learn more about the wine-making process. In the Andean foothills, you find the mountainous region of Salta is great for scenery, horse riding, wine and colonial architecture.
But Argentina's huge open spaces and diverse interior are the big attraction here. Bariloche, gateway to Patagonia and capital of the Lake District. Vast bodies of water lie scattered amongst innumerable Andes mountains. The snowy peaks and forested slopes reflect in the tranquil surface of the lakes. Alpine towns and villages dot the area, which offers great trekking, rafting and a stunning route crossing into or from Chile. From Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, the southern-most city in the world and hub to Antarctica, to Peninsula Valdez, a haven for marine wildlife, Patagonia contains all different ecosystems. A must for nature lovers and trekkers, the Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate offers one of the most mesmerising spectacles regularly cracking huge chunks into the surrounding waters. And if you like waterfalls, you have to go to Iguaza! It has a bigger volume of water falling than anywhere else in the world and is set in a rich tropical setting.
Thanks to its European feel and warm people, tourism is booming and now is the perfect time to experience everything this diverse country has to offer.
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Argentina Travel Notes
GMT: -3 hours (-4 hours in the summer)
Language: Spanish, with variant words and pronunciation, is the first language although some people speak English (particularly in the tourist areas) and French, German and Italian. Most Quechua-speakers, numerous in the northwest, are bilingual in Spanish. At least 40,000 Mapuche-speakers live in the southern Andes, while a similar amount of Guarani, Tobas and Matacos-speakers live in northeastern Argentina.
Currency: Peso
Tourist/Visa/Health Information: Your passport should be valid for six months beyond intended stay. No visa is necessary for British citizens, who are given a tourist card on entry and may stay for up to 3 months. Visitors should ideally carry passports at all times, it is illegal not to have identification handy (backpackers are often subject to thorough searches). All other nationalities should contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for information.
Flight Information: Return international flights must be confirmed 72 hours before departure. Many major international airlines have Buenos Aires offices (11), ring British Airways on 325-1059, LanChile on 311-5334, Iberia on 327-2739/52, Aerolineas Argentinas on 343-2071/89 and Air France on 327-0202. International departure tax is US$18. Domestic flights carry a departure tax of about US$3. Our local representatives can help with flight reconfirmations.
