‘Land of ice and fire’
Argentina is a land of extremes, its hectic urban centres contrasting with a staggeringly remote hinterland, and can be simultaneously hot in one region and cold in another. The one common thread is that the people possess a curiosity, passion, and fervour for life, most visible when it comes to football, the national obsession. Evita, the Tango, gauchos and estancias are the country’s clichéd attractions, but what strikes visitors most is that life here is for living – the fast pace only letting up for the afternoon siesta.

Referred to as a grimy Paris, Buenos Aires is a sophisticated capital brimming with character and an excellent spot for shopping and watching the world go by – whether it’s pedestrians strolling or motorists driving at break-neck speed. Nightlife is second to none and the restaurants are a food-lover’s delight.

Argentina’s national parks teem with wildlife and incredible mountainous vistas, while the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier and Iguazú Falls are natural wonders. Endless hiking opportunities abound in the south, where Patagonia is stunningly barren and mystifying and the Tierra del Fuego feels like the end of the world. The Andes offer excellent skiing – the ski-resort of Bariloche being the country’s most established. Horseriding, adventure sports and birdwatching are just a few of the other activities on offer throughout the country.

 

Argentina, vastly unexplored and undiscovered by most tourists, is an adventure waiting to happen.
Sharon Harris

General Information

Area: 2,780,400 sq km (1,073,518 sq miles).
Population: 36,027,041 (official estimate 2001).
Population Density: 12.96 per sq km (2001).
Capital: Buenos Aires. Population: 2,729,469 (official estimate 2001).

Geography: Argentina is situated in South America, east of the Andes, and is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. There are four main geographical areas: the Andes, the North and Mesopotamia, the Pampas and Patagonia. The climate and geography of Argentina vary considerably, ranging from the great heat of the Chaco (El Chaco), through the pleasant climate of the central Pampas to the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is a small ‘Switzerland’ with a string of beautiful icy lakes framed by mountains.

Government: Federal and Democratic Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1816. Head of State and Government: President Nestor Kirchner since 2003.

Language: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken with some French and German.

Religion: More than 90 per cent Roman Catholic, two per cent Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities.

 

Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 4 summer).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but some new buildings use the three-pin flat type.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available (but not generally in use). Country code: 54. Outgoing international code: 00. The system is often overburdened and international calls are expensive. Local calls can be made from public call-boxes, which are located in shops and restaurants and are identifiable by a blue sign outside. Public phones take one peso or 50 and 25 centavos coins or cards. Reduced tariffs apply from 2200-0800.
Mobile telephone: GSM 1900 network. Network operators include Telecom Personal and Unifon (website: www.unifon.com.ar ). Roaming can be arranged.
Fax: Most large hotels have facilities.
Internet: ISPs include Ciudad Internet Prima. Public access is available in Internet cafes in main towns.
Telegram: A cable service to other Latin American countries exists, run by All America Cables Limited.
Post: The main post office in Buenos Aires is located in Sarmiento 189 and is open Mon-Fri 0900-1930. Airmail to Europe takes between five and ten days. Surface mail to Europe takes on average 20-25 days but can take as long as 50 days, so it is advisable to send everything airmail. Internal postal services are subject to delay. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 0800-1400.
Press: The Buenos Aires Herald is the leading English-language newspaper in Latin America. Argentina’s principal dailies include Clarín, Crónica, El Cronista, La Nación, Página 12, Diario Popular, La Prensa, La Razón and Ambito Financiero.
Radio: BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Money

Currency Information
Peso (ARS; symbol AR$) = 100 centavos. Peso notes are in denominations of AR$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of AR$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.

Currency Exchange:

Credit and debit cards: Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted; Diners Club and American Express are also taken. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Travellers cheques: It is often difficult to exchange these in the smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of both local and foreign currency is limited to US$10,000. Gold must be declared.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Peso against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05 At time of publishing
£1.00= 5.21 5.54 5.56 5.50 5.22
$1.00= 2.92 3.00 2.93 2.91 2.88

Note: The Government has changed the Peso fixed rate to the US Dollar, devaluating the local currency which is now under free flotation.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1500.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever 1 No
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: Yellow fever may occur in epidemics in forested areas (northeast only), but it is very rare.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Argentina. However, precautions are advised; some cases were reported in 1996. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.
3: Typhoid fever is not common but a risk exists.
4: Malaria risk, exclusively in the benign vivax form is low and exists in pockets in the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Misiones and Corrientes. Protection in the form of 300mg of chloroquine prophylaxis administered weekly is advised.

Food and drink: Tap water is considered safe to drink. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Pasteurised milk and dairy products are safe for consumption. Avoid unpasteurised milk as brucellosis occurs. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and intestinal parasitosis are widespread. Both cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occur. There is some risk of dengue fever and anthrax. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical insurance is recommended as there are no reciprocal health agreements. Medical facilities are generally of a high standard, though of varying quality outside Buenos Aires. Immediate cash payment is often expected by doctors.

Public Holidays:

Jan 1 2006 : New Year’s Day. Apr 2: Veterans' Day (Malvinas). Apr 14 : Good Friday. May 1 : Labour Day. May 25 : Anniversary of the First Independent Argentine Government. Jun 19 : National Flag Day. Jul 9: National Independence Day. Aug 21: Anniversary of the Death of General José de San Martín. Oct 16: Columbus Day. Dec 8: Immaculate Conception Day. Dec 25: Christmas Day. Jan 1 2007 : New Year’s Day. Apr 2: Veterans' Day (Malvinas). Apr 6 : Good Friday. May 1 : Labour Day. May 25 : National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution). Jun 18 : National Flag Day.

Climate

The north is subtropical with rain throughout the year, while the Tierra del Fuego in the south has a sub-arctic climate. The main central area is temperate, but can be hot and humid during summer (December to February) and cool in winter.

Required clothing: European clothes for the main central area. Lightweight cottons and linens in the north. Warm clothes are necessary in the south and during winter months in the central area. Waterproofing is advisable for all areas.

Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Argentina without incurring customs duty:
(a) Travellers over 18 years of age coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in these countries, may import the following goods to a value of US$100:
200 cigarettes and 25 cigars; 1l of alcohol; 2kg of foodstuffs.
(b) Travellers over 18 years of age coming from countries other than those listed above, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in countries other than those above, may import the following goods to a value of US$300:
400 cigarettes and 50 cigars; 2l of alcohol; 5kg of foodstuffs.

Animals and birds from Africa or Asia (except Japan) without prior authorisation, parrots and fresh foodstuffs, particularly meat, dairy products and fruit. Explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material are also forbidden.
Note: All gold must be declared. It is wise to arrange customs clearance for expensive consumer items (cameras, computers, etc) to forestall any problems.

Social Profile

Food and Drink: 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 parillada, 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. They are classified by a fork sign with three forks implying a good evening out. Hotel residents are usually asked to sign a charge slip. Argentine wines are very good and inexpensive. Local distilleries produce their own brands of most well-known spirits. Whiskies and gins are excellent, as are classic and local wines. Caribbean and South American rum adds flavour to cocktails. There are no licensing laws.

Nightlife: Buenos Aires??? nightlife is vibrant. There are many theatres and concert halls featuring 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 bo??tes (clubs) and many stage shows. There are casinos throughout Argentina.

Shopping: Buenos Aires has traditionally enjoyed a reputation as a shopper???s paradise, possibly of even being the best shopping city in Latin America. Leather goods are a good buy, as are native crafts and souvenirs.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1300.

Special Events: For a full list of special events, contact the National Tourist Board. The following is a selection of the special events occurring annually in Argentina:
Jan Sea Festival, Mar del Plata; Jineteada (breaking in horses) and Folklore Festival, Diamante, Prov. Entre R??os; Chaya (a musical instrument) Festival, La Rioja; Doma (breaking in horses) and Folklore Festival, Intendente Alvear, Prov. La Pampa; Folklore Festival, Cosqu??n, Prov. C??rdoba. Feb Carnival, Esquina, Prov. Corrientes; Pachamama (Mother Earth) Festival, Amaicha del Valle, Prov. Tucum??n; Trout Fishing Festival, R??o Grande. Mar Grape Harvest Festival, Mendoza. Mar-Apr Holy Week, Salta; Festival of Our Lady Del Valle, Catamarca. Jul Poncho Week, Catamarca; Simoca Fair, Simoca, Prov. Tucum??n; Santiago Week, Santiago del Estero; Dorado Fishing Competition, Formosa. Aug Snow Festival, R??o Turbio, Prov. Santa Cruz; Jujuy Week, Jujuy; Dorado Festival, Posadas, Prov. Misiones; Snow Festival, Bariloche. Sep Chamam?? Music Festival, Corrientes; Agriculture Festival, Esperanza, Prov. Santa F??. Oct Fiesta de la Cerveza (beer festival), Villa General Belgrano. Nov Sea Salmon Fishing Contest, Comodoro Rivadavia; Tradition Week (gaucho shows), San Antonio de Areco. Dec Gaucho Festival, Gral. Madaria, Prov. Buenos Aires; Trout Festival, San Jun??n de los Andes, Prov. Neuqu??n.

Social Conventions: The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody???s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres.

Tipping: Tips are theoretically outlawed but some hotels or restaurants will add 25 per cent service charge, plus a 21 per cent tax charge. In these cases, a minimal tip is still expected. Otherwise, ten per cent on top of the bill will suffice. The same applies in bars. Taxi drivers tend to expect tips from visitors.

Air: The following Star Alliance network airlines serve Argentina : Lufthansa (LH), VARIG (RG) and United (UA).

Approximate flight times: From Buenos Aires to London is 13 hours, to Los Angeles is 16 hours, to New York is 14 hours 15 minutes, to Singapore is 29 hours 30 minutes and to Sydney is 16 hours.

International airports: Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) (tel: (11) 5480 6111), is 37km (23 miles) from Buenos Aires. To/from the airport: There are bus services to the city operating between 0500-2000 (travel time – 40 minutes). Taxis are also available. There is also a coach connection to Jorge Newbery airport (locally called Aeroparque) for domestic flight connections. To reach the city by car, drive in the Teniente General Ricchieri freeway. Facilities: 24-hour bank, restaurants, tourist information kiosk, bureau de change, duty free shops and car hire (Avis and Hertz).

Sea/River: The main ports are Buenos Aires, Quequén and Bahía Blanca. Ferries and hydrofoils link Buenos Aires with Montevideo in Uruguay, and there are ferry connections down the Paraná River from Paraguay.

Rail: The major direct international route is from Buenos Aires to Asunción in Paraguay. There are also direct rail links with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. Services are often disrupted and delays can be expected.

Road: Argentina has a network of approximately 217,762km (136,101 miles) of roads, of which around 156,789km (97,993 miles) are paved. There are well-maintained road routes from Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Coach: Direct daily services between Buenos Aires, Puerto Alegre, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Travel - Internal

Rail: Owing to severe underfunding of State railways and recent privatisation, many long haul services have been disrupted, although some suburban lines have been greatly improved. The domestic rail network extends over 43,000km (27,000 miles), which makes it one of the largest in the world. Children under three travel free and children aged 3-11 pay half fare. There are three classes: air-conditioned, first class and second class. There are restaurant and sleeping facilities for first-class passengers. Second-class rail travel is good value. There are six main rail routes from Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires–Rosario (where one branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via Córdoba and the second branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via La Banda), Buenos Aires–Rojas, Buenos Aires–Santa Rosa, Buenos Aires–Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires–Las Flores–Quequén Necochea and Buenos Aires–Bahía Blanca (where a branch goes to San Carlos de Bariloche). Rail travellers are warned that once out of Buenos Aires information is very hard to come by.

Special fares: The Argempass entitles visitors to unlimited first-class train travel, but is only sold in Argentina at railway booking offices. Passes are available for 30 days, 60 days and 90days. A supplement is charged for sleeping car accommodation. The passes must be used within 30 days of purchase and are valid from the first day of use to the last day at 2400. Other discount tickets include: Group Pass – ten-25 per cent discount for a group of ten-25 people; Family Pass – 25 per cent discount for a parent and up to two children; Youth Pass – 25 per cent discount for people under 30 years of age; Senior Pass – 25 per cent discount for women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over; and Student Pass – 25 per cent discount for students.

Road: Major privatisation programmes have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires. Documentation: International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino.

Urban: Buenos Aires is generally well served by public transport. The city’s underground, the subte, was the first to be constructed in Latin America. Recently privatised, its old glitzy stations (adorned with ceramic tiles portraying scenes of Argentine life) are now being renovated. There are five lines, labelled A to E. Services operate from early morning to late at night on a fixed-fare basis; tokens can be purchased at booking offices. Bus: Services are provided by colectivo buses operating 24 hours a day on an inexpensive flat fare; however, these are often crowded, particularly at rush hour, but are usually prompt. There are extensive bus services in other towns, including trolleybuses in Rosario. Taxi: Available in most cities and large towns and can either be hailed on the street or found at taxi ranks. They are usually recognisable by their yellow roofs.

Travel times:The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Buenos Aires to other major cities/towns in Argentina.

Air Road Rail

Córdoba 1.10 9.00 12.00
Bariloche 2.10 22.00 36.00
Cataratas 1.30 17.00 24.00
Iguazú 1.40 20.00 -
Mendoza 1.50 17.00 30.00
Mar del Plata 0.40 4.00 4.00
Rio Gallegos 4.15 36.00 -
Rosario 0.50 4.00 4.00
Salta 2.00 15.00 20.00
Ushuaia 3.00 30.00

Contact Addresses

Time
GMT - 3. Argentina does not operate Daylight-Saving Time.

Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the UK
65 Brooke Street, London W1K 4AH, UK
Tel: (020) 7318 1300.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Also provides tourist information.

Argentine Consulate in the UK
27 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4DF, UK
Tel: (020) 7318 1340.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1400 (general enquiries by telephone); 0930-1300 (visa applications in person).

Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the USA
1600 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 238 6400 or 6460 (consular section).

Argentina Government Tourist Office in the USA
12 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA
Tel: (212) 603 0443.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes No Yes
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU Yes No Yes
Japanese Yes No Yes

Passports: Passport valid for 6 months required by all except nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay who, for journeys that do not go beyond Argentina and these five countries, may use their national ID cards.

Visas: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of the countries shown in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, St Lucia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Grenada, Hong Kong (British Nationals Overseas), Jamaica and Malaysia for stays of up to 30 days;
(d) transit passengers holding confirmed onward or return tickets for travel provided continuing their journey within 6 hours and not leaving the airport.

Note: 1. Visa exemptions mentioned above are for tourist purposes only. Business travellers are advised to contact the Argentinian Consulate before departure.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist: £19.47; Business: £32.45. Passengers requiring visas for transit only should still apply for tourist visas. The cost of visas changes monthly with exchange rates; further details can be obtained from the Consulate or Embassy (see Contact Addresses section).

Validity: Visas are generally valid for stays of up to 90 days. Extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for details.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: Tourist: (a) Passport. (b) Application form. (c) One passport photo. (d) Fee; payable by cheque or postal order. (e) Return ticket. (f) Proof of financial status (eg bank statement). Business: (a)-(e), and (f) Letter of introduction from employer.

Note: Nationals of Australia, Hong Kong (British Nationals Overseas), Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, UK and USA should travel with a UK company letter. It is advisable for nationals of all countries to contact the Consulate before travelling for business purposes, in particular, nationals of Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, St Lucia, Singapore, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Working days required: 24 to 48 hours. An express service may be available for an added fee.

Note: Argentine Minors travelling to or from Argentina, if unaccompanied by their parents, must carry their parents’ or other legal guardian’s authorisation to travel, which must be certified by an Argentine Consul if issued abroad. Fines will be levied if passengers do not comply with immigration requirements and passengers will be deported.

Temporary residence: Applicants for temporary residence, working holidays and long-stay business visits to Argentina should contact the Embassy or Consulate (see Contact Addresses section).

Business Profile

Economy: Argentina is rich in natural resources and also has a large and profitable agricultural sector; the country is one of the world’s major exporters of wheat and also produces maize, oilseeds, sorghum, soya beans and sugar. Beef is no longer the dominant trading commodity that it once was but animal products are still a valuable export earner. Agricultural goods aside, Argentina exports textiles and some metal and chemical products. These, along with oil refining and vehicle production, are also the main components of Argentina’s manufacturing industry. Hydroelectricity and coal meet the bulk of the country’s energy requirements.

Brazil is the largest of Argentina’s South American trading partners. There are also important trading relationships with the USA, which is the main source of manufactured products, and the countries of the former Soviet Union, which buy large quantities of grain. Elsewhere, trade with Japan and the EU – especially Germany and The Netherlands – has grown rapidly in recent years.

For all the potential of the Argentinian economy, it has been historically blighted by two major problems – high inflation and a massive foreign debt. The Menem government of the mid-1990s (see History and Government) made a reasonable attempt to tackle these, using the orthodox market measures of dismantling the public sector, free competition, asset sales, and swingeing cuts in public spending. In addition, the value of Argentinian Peso was fixed to that of the US dollar. The immediate results were reductions in the national debt and the inflation rate – as well as considerable hardship for the poorer sections of the population. However, the policy of Peso-Dollar parity had unintended side effects which led to a sharp fall in exports and in government tax revenues as well as a large increase in government debt.

With external debt topping US$130 billion in 2001, Argentina was on the point of defaulting on its overseas debts, potentially leading to a complete economic meltdown. At the end of the year, the government was forced to introduce draconian currency control measures – a substantial devaluation, along with a block on normal access to bank accounts – as it struggled to bring the situation under control. Since then, the Duhalde government, which took office at the end of 2001, has effectively stabilised the economy, which is now undergoing something of a resurgence. Estimated annual growth in mid-2003 was over 5 per cent.

Business: Business cards are usually given and business people expect to deal with someone of equal status. Punctuality is expected by visitors. Literature is in Spanish although many Argentinian business people speak English as a second language. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Cámara Argentina de Comercio (Chamber of Commerce), Avenida Leandro N. Alem 36, 1003 Buenos Aires (tel: (11) 5300 9000; fax: (11) 5300 9058).

Conferences/Conventions: For more information, contact the Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación (see Contact Addresses section).

Accommodation

Hotels: Hotels range in standard from the most luxurious in Buenos Aires to the lowest class in the rural areas. In Buenos Aires, the cheaper hotels can mostly be found around Avenida de Mayo. Generally service is excellent. All hotels add approximately three per cent tourism tax, 24 per cent service charge for food and drink and 15 per cent room tax. Check correct charges when booking. Most are air-conditioned and have good restaurants. For further information, contact the Secretar??a de Turismo de la Nac??on (see Contact Addresses section).

Grading: Maximum and minimum rates are fixed for 1-, 2- and 3-star hotels, guest-houses and inns; 4- and 5-star hotels are free to charge any rate they choose. All hotels, guest-houses and inns, as well as campsites, are graded according to the number of beds available and the services supplied.

Bed and breakfast: Available in small family hotels in Buenos Aires and other cities. Maid service is generally included in the price, but laundry service often requires a small extra charge. Bed and Breakfast hotels can also offer useful tourist advice.

Self-catering: It is possible to rent cheap self-catering apartments and flats, with or without maid service, either by the day or week. Some can provide meals. Most apartments are in Buenos Aires.

Camping/Caravanning: Most resort cities welcome campers, and there are motels, campsites and caravan sites throughout Argentina. Campsites can be found in virtually every major region. Dormobiles can be hired.

Youth Hostels: There are Youth Hostels throughout Argentina, from Tilcaru in the north to El Calafate and Ushaia in the south. They are run by Hostelling International Argentina, Florida 835, C1005AAQ BAIRES (tel: (11) 4511 8712; fax: (11) 4312 0089).

Sport and Activities

Trekking: Argentina’s vast landscapes, alpine parks, lakes and deserts offer spectacular opportunities for walking and trekking. The best trekking areas are the Andean Lake District, the Sierras de Córdoba, the Sierra de la Ventana (in Buenos Aires province) and Patagonia, a huge and sparsely populated region, dotted with glaciers and lakes, and home to several of Argentina’s most popular national parks (see the Resorts and Excursions section). One of the most popular tourist towns for starting excursions to the area is El Calafate.

Mountaineering: The Wild West frontier town of El Chaltén is a popular starting point for mountaineering trips to the Fitzroy Range. Good climbing is also possible at Aconcagua (near Mendoza) and the Sierra de la Fentana (for experienced climbers only).

Skiing: There is excellent skiing on the eastern slopes of the Andes, with an increasing number of ski resorts and runs. The season is generally from May to September. Bariloche is the oldest, most established and best-equipped ski resort. The runs at San Antonio, San Bernado, La Canaleta, Puente del Inca and Las Cuevas on the border of Argentina and Chile also offer exciting skiing. Other resorts include Caviahue, Cerro Bayo, Cerro Chapelco, Vallecitos, Las Leñas and Esquel. Visitors are advised to book accommodation in advance.

Watersports: The rivers descending from the Andean ranges are attracting an increasing number of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Some of the most popular include Río Mendoza and Río Diamante (Cuyo region); Río Limay and Río Manso (near Bariloche); and Río Hua Hum and Río Meliquina (near San Martín de los Andes). Swimming can be enjoyed in rivers, lakes and small resorts along the Atlantic coast; water-skiing along the San Antonio River in the Tigre Delta Region; scuba diving in Patagonia; yachting and boating along the River Plate; and fishing on the Atlantic coast off the piers. Freshwater fishing (for trout and salmon) is particularly good along the Paraná River and in Argentina’s many artificial lakes.

Other: By far the most popular spectator sport is football, which is followed obsessively throughout the country. Palermo Park in Buenos Aires has a golf course as well as public and professional polo grounds. The polo season is from October to December. Rugby is also practised by the immigrant population .

Resorts and Excursions

Buenos Aires: -
Argentina’s capital city is located within the Capital Federal District and forms one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. Buenos Aires is an elegant shoppers’ paradise and cosmopolitan centre that takes pride in its cultural establishments. There are now few reminders of the city’s glorious past, although the immense Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), which contains the remains of San Martín, Argentina’s liberator, is a notable exception. So is the famous Teatro Colón, the world’s largest opera house (with a capacity of 2500 seats), which occupies an entire block on the massive Avenida 9 de Julio, the city’s major thoroughfare with its Obelisco (obelisk) at the intersection with Avenida Corrientes (the traditional theatre, cinema and nightlife district). Also worth a visit are the Isaac Fernández Blanco Museum of Spanish-American Art, which houses an important silverware collection and is located in a beautiful neo-colonial mansion; the Ambrosetti Museum and the Museum of Colonial History. The old artists’ quarter of La Boca, home of the tango, is located along a narrow waterway lined by meat-packing plants and warehouses. Visitors can see a tango show at one of several tango bars for approximately US$40-60. The San Telmo borough, one of the oldest parts of the city and particularly known for the Manzana de las Luces (Block of Enlightenment), has also preserved its artistic spirit. The city’s oldest church, the Jesuit Iglesia San Ignacio, is located here. San Telmo has many cafes, antique shops, tango night spots and a Sunday flea market on Plaza Dorrego. Buenos Aires’ open spaces are particularly notable in the northern part, where a succession of parks stretch for miles along the River Plate. The Palermo neighbourhood contains the Jardín Botanico Carlos Thays (Botanical Gardens), the Jardín Zoológico (zoo), the Campo de Polo (polo grounds), the Hipódromo (racetrack) and the Planetarium. The city’s main shopping districts are located around the microcentro (north of Avenida de Mayo), which includes popular tourist areas like the Florida and Lavalle pedestrian malls, the Plaza San Martín, and the commercial and entertainment areas of Corrientes, Córdoba and the fashionable Santa Fe. North of the microcentro is the chic and upper-class Recoleta borough, famous for its Cemeterio de la Recoleta (where many members of Argentina’s élite are buried) and the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), which has works by Renoir, Rodin, Monet, Van Gogh and numerous Argentine artists. Near the presidential palace, the neighbourhood known as Puerto Madero is now in serious competition with Recoleta to become the city’s most chic quarter. Many of the port’s 19th-century warehouses and docks have been transformed into Manhattan-style lofts, expensive restaurants, trendy nightclubs, new office blocks and a university campus. Further southeast is the Costanera Sur National Park, a nature reserve close to the banking district.

The Pampas: -
The area known as the Pampas consists mostly of flat agricultural land and contains the provinces of Buenos Aires and La Pampa as well as parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba. The area is well known for its horse-breeding tradition and cattle ranches.

Misiones, El Chaco and Mesopotamia: -
The Misiones Province has a subtropical climate and is nearly surrounded by Paraguay and Brazil. It is most famous for its Jesuit missions and the spectacular Iguazú Falls. El Chaco is a sparsely populated area of nature reserves and parks. Mesopotamia usually refers to the area between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and comprises the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes.

Patagonia: -
Comprising the provinces of Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and Santa Cruz, Patagonia – the southernmost portion of South America (located in both Argentina and Chile) – is a vast region with numerous parks and nature reserves. The Patagonian coast is home to large herds of seals, sea lions, blue whales and thousands of penguins.

Tierra del Fuego: -
Over half of this remote southern province belongs to Chile. Tierra del Fuego is the gateway to the Antarctic.