Argentina Invites You

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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


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.


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.


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.


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 Cultural Landscape

Pict

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: Alfr

edo

O. M

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Pict

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: Alb

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Pat

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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


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.


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

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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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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

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Argentina Invites You