Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

The national airline is Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) (website: www.aerolineas.com.ar). Many other airlines serve Argentina.

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).

Air passes

The Mercosur Airpass: Valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island), Paraguay and Uruguay. Participating airlines include Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) (however, flights on this airline cannot be combined with any others, as it has no agreements and its tickets are not accepted by other airlines), Austral (AU), LAN-Chile (LA), LAPA (MJ), Pluna (PU), Transbrasil Airlines (TR) and VARIG (RG), with the subsidiary airlines of Nordeste (JH) and Rio Sul (SL). The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America who have a return ticket. Only eight flight coupons are allowed with a maximum of four coupons for each country and it is valid for seven to a maximum of 30 days. At least two countries must be visited (to a maximum of five) and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers is allowed per country.
Visit South America Pass: Must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), IBERIA (IB), LAN-Chile (LA) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered.

SEA/RIVER

The Main ports: 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

 

AIR

Domestic flights from Jorge Newbery (Aeroparque) and Córdoba (COR) (Pajas Blancas) to destinations throughout Argentina are run by Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR). Air travel is the most efficient way to get around, but the services are very busy and can be subject to delay. There is a 30-day Visit Argentina Pass available, with four to eight coupons for flights within the country, with many accompanying airlines. It is also possible to buy a 60-day air pass.

Domestic airports

Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbury (AEP) is located on the bank of the Rio de la Plata, a few minutes away from the main financial and commercial district. To/from the airport: There are frequent bus and taxi services to all areas of the city as well as a coach connection to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini international airport. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, left luggage, car rental and a tourist information kiosk.

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 three to 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 90 days. 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: 10 to 25 per cent discount for a group of 10 to 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. Regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age) in order to be valid for hiring a car. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis, Dollar and Hertz). Documentation: International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. 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. It is best to use hotel-recommended.

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. The main bus station is in Buenos Aires, at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680, close to Retiro Station. tax

Resorts & 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 cafés, 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

Excursions

Argentina's most important devotional site (attracting millions of pilgrims every year), is the neo-gothic Basílica Nuestra Señora de Luján (whose day is 8 May), which is located 70km (43 miles) west of Buenos Aires. Around 113km (71 miles) west of the capital lies the village of San Antonio de Areco, the centre of Argentina's gaucho tradition and host to the Día de la Tradición, the country's biggest gaucho celebration held annually in November. The village is also known for its artisans, who specialise in mate (paraphernalia), rastras (silver-studded belts) and facones (knives). The country town of Capilla del Señor can be visited on a day trip with an old historic steam train (tickets should be purchased a week in advance)

The Atlantic Coast

MAR DEL PLATA
Located approximately 400km (250 miles) from Buenos Aires, this is the main tourist resort on the Atlantic coast. Often referred to as 'Mardel', Mar del Plata's sandy beaches attract thousands of visitors during the December to March season. The many grandiose mansions testify to the city's upper-class origins. Interesting sites include the Villa Normandy (which has a distinctive French style), the Iglesia Stella Maris (a church with an impressive marble altar), the Torre Tanque (an 88-metre/289-ft tower offering good views) and the Villa Victoria (once a literary salon). The Banquina de Pescadores is a picturesque wharf near the port with many restaurants and cafeterias. Mar del Plata is also the site of the largest gambling casino in Argentina

ELSEWHERE

Other well-known resorts on the Atlantic coast include Villa Gezell, Pinamar, Miramar and Necochea, the latter being well known for the Parque Miguel Lillo, a large green space beside the beach, whose pine woods are popular for cycling and riding. New resorts are constantly springing up along this stretch of coastline. Most can offer deep-sea fishing and watersports.
Further south, some 650km (407 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies Bahía Blanca, the largest southern city, whose massive port makes it one of the country's major commercial centres.

The Pampas

The area known as the Pampas consists mostly of flat agricultural land and contains the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa as well as parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba. The area is well known for its horse-breeding tradition and cattle ranches.
LA PLATA: Located 56km (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires, La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires Province and an important administrative, commercial and cultural centre. It has one of the country's best universities. South of La Plata lies the Sierra de la Ventana, whose scenic peaks attract many hikers and climbers. One of the most popular peaks for climbing excursions is the Cerro de la Ventana (1136m/3408ft), which is located within the Ernesto Tornquist Provincial Park.
SANTA FE: The capital of the Santa Fe Province is linked to Paraná, capital of the Entre Ríos Province, via a tunnel beneath the River Paraná (see below). Mainly important as an agricultural and industrial centre, Santa Fe's colonial past is still visible in its streets and squares, though there are also many modern buildings. The nearby city of Rosario, on the west bank of the River Paraná, was where the Argentinian flag was first raised and its biggest attraction is the impressive, boat-shaped Monumento Nacional a la Bandera (Monument to the Flag). La Semana de la Bandera (Flag Week) is celebrated annually in June. Nearby is the town of Rufino, an important centre for cattle raising. Walking and trekking are popular in the Lihue Calel National Park, an area consisting mostly of desert, located some 226km (142 miles) southwest of the city of Santa Rosa, and known for its pink granite rock formations (reaching up to 600m/1968ft

Misiones, El Chaco & 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.
POSADAS: The capital of the Misiones Province is joined to Paraguay by a modern bridge. The province is well known for its old Jesuit missions, and the most impressive Jesuit ruins can be visited at San Ignacio Miní, some 50km (32 miles) east of Posada. Jesuit carvings and art are on display at Posada's Museo Regional. The gigantic Yacyreta Dam lies 200km (125 miles) upstream from Posada.
IGUAZÚ FALLS: Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to the majestic Iguazú Falls (parts of which are located in neighbouring Brazil). The falls are located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguazú National Park, whose subtropical rainforest provides a habitat for over 2000 identified plant species and 400 bird species. (For details of hiking trails, see the Sport & Activities section.) The Iguauzú Falls are formed by the River Paraná which, before reaching the edge, divides into many channels. The most impressive of these is the Garganta del Diabolo (Devil's Throat), which can be approached via a system of catwalks (some of which may occasionally be closed owing to flooding). At their highest point, the falls have a vertical drop more than one and a half times the full length of Niagara Falls. Visitors can catch a good view of the falls from a tower near the visitor centre, which also organises free trips to the Isla Grande San Martín, another good lookout point from which to catch an extensive and crowd-free view
EL CHACO: The capital of the Chaco Province is Resistencia, which prides itself on being a 'city of sculptures' (there are over 200 of them), and is a major cross roads for Paraguay and excursions through the Chaco to the northwest. The Chaco National Park is a large expanse of swamps, grasslands, palm savannahs and forest, which is rarely visited as camping is the only available accommodation. Interesting nature reserves within the area include Estricta Colonia Benittez (in eastern Chaco) and the Pampa del Indio Provincial Park. Campo del Cielo is an area famous for its meteorite fragments dating back some 6000 years
FORMOSA: The capital of Formosa Province is a good starting point for excursions to the northern Chaco. Interesting buildings in the city include the Casa de Gobierno, which has been declared a national monument. Apart from Formosa's annual week-long Fiesta del Río (a nocturnal religious procession), one of the main regional attractions is the massive Río Pilcomayo National Park, an area of swamps, marshland and savannah on the Paraguayan border, whose Laguna Blanca is an ideal spot for birdwatching.
CORRIENTES: Corrientes, the capital of its namesake province, is one of Argentina's oldest cities. The General Belgrano Bridge over the Paraná River joins the city to Resistencia, the capital of the Chaco Province (see above). Among Corrientes' oldest churches, the Santísima Cruz de los Milagros and the Convento de San Francisco are worth a visit. In the north of the province lies the Esteros del Iberá, an area of marshland, lagoons and lakes providing a refuge for hundreds of bird species, reptiles and mammals such as swamp deer and capibara (the world's largest rodent). There are numerous remains of Jesuit settlements in the vicinity, notably at Yapeyú, the birthplace of José de San Martín. Cattle ranches (estancia) can be visited at San Gará, Atalaya and San Juan Poriahú. Well known for its fiestas and carnivals, the Corrientes is also the land of the chamamé, a characteristic type of rhythmic music derived from the polka, celebrated in the annual National Chamamé Festival
PARANÁ: The capital of the Entre Ríos Province can be reached from Santa Fe via the Hernandarias Tunnel under the River Paraná. East of Paraná, near the border with Uruguay, Concepción del Uruguay has numerous spas and river beaches (on the River Uruguay), notably at Banco Pelay and Itapo. The nearby city of Gualeguaychu is famous for its carnival, which rivals those of Rio and Bahía in Brazil. Further north, some 360km (225 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies the El Palmar National Park, whose main attractions are the old yatay palms, some of which are nearly 800 years ol

The Andean Northwest

JUJUY: The capital of Jujuy Province, San Salvador de Jujuy, was once a stopover for colonial mule traders. It has an interesting Indian market, the Mercado del Sur and, at Termas de Reyes, thermal baths overlooking the scenic canyon of the River Reyes. North of the city lie the colourful dry landscapes of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and its isolated peasant villages. The indigenous village of Purmamarca is surrounded by the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours), whose layers show different geological periods. Further up stands the Pelata del Pinto (Painter's Pallet), named after its view of the multi-coloured surrounding mountains. The Calilegua National Park lies on the province's eastern border. It has abundant birdlife, some dense subtropical cloud forest and offers good views of the Gran Chaco from Mount Hermoso (3600m/11,808ft)
SALTA: The city of Salta, capital of Salta Province, is reputed to have the best preserved colonial architecture in Argentina. The most significant buildings are grouped around the central square, including the Cathedral, the Cabildo (Town Hall) - which houses the Museo Histórico del Norte, the Museo Colonial and the Museo de Bellas Artes - and the Iglesia San Francisco. The province is well known for its spectacular train journey, El Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), which ascends the Quebrada del Toro and climbs up to the puna (plateau). The climax of the trip is the crossing of the La Polvorilla viaduct (4182m/13,716ft above sea level). Around 100km (63 miles) south of Salta, the Quebrada de Cafayete is a landscape of barren sandstone known for its distinctive formations, such as the Garganta de Diablo (Devil's Throat). Surrounding Cafayete are many vineyards, which flourish in the warm, dry and sunny climate. The Los Cardones National Park is known for its large cacti (cardó), reaching heights of up to 6m (20ft)
TUCUMÁN: Another Andean province offering green valleys with subtropical vegetation surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Within the Tafí Valley lies the Parque de los Menhires, named after its interesting collection of stones decorated by Tafí Indians. Also worth a visit are the ruins at Quilmes, an ancient fortified citadel built by Quilme Indians.
CATAMARCA: This province is flanked by the Sierra del Colorado in the west and the Sierra Graciana in the east, with San Fernando de Valle de Catamarca being the provincial capital. The region is popular for hiking, trekking and horseback riding tours to the surrounding mountains.
SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO: The provincial capital of Santiago del Estero Province, named after the province, is the country's oldest city, with numerous churches and old colonial buildings. The province is renowned for its spas and warm thermal pools, the most popular being at Río Hondo and Las Aguas del Sol.
LA RIOJA: This province has a large variety of mountains, canyons, gorges and red-earthed plains. The Talampaya Canyon is one of its most famous natural attractions, owing mostly to its peculiar rock formations. The town of Nonogasta has many vineyards and wine cellars open to visitors. La Puerta de Talampaya is well known for its petroglyphs.

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.
RÍO NEGRO: One of the best-known resorts in the southern Lake District is San Carlos de Bariloche, which is surrounded by lakes, glaciers and forested mountains and which has both modern tourist amenities such as shopping areas and casinos, as well as hiking, mountaineering and picnic sites. Skiing is possible in Gran Catedral, a well-known resort with modern facilities. The nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park contains the massive Nahuel Huapi Lake, stretching over 100km (63 miles) to the border with Chile. Within the lake area lies the Isla Victoria, a natural sanctuary, which can be reached by private or organised boat trips. Travelling south, a road through spectacular scenery, passing the shores of three lakes, leads to El Bolsón, 130km (82 miles) from Bariloche, known for its hops and fruit orchards. The Feria Artesanal, a market held in El Bolsón on Saturday (and on Thursday during summer), provides a good opportunity to sample local dishes. Possible excursions within the area include the trail to the Cabeza del Indio, a rock formation resembling the 'noble savage', with good views of the Río Azul and Lago Puelo en rout
NEQUÉN: The town of Junin de los Andes is well known for trout fishing and offers good access to the Lanín National Park (see below). Nearby San Martín de los Andes, located on Lake Lácar, is close to one of Argentina's main winter sports destinations in Cerro Chapelco. San Martín is connected to Bariloche by a scenic road (also called 'the route of the seven lakes'), leading past seven lakes and through a landscape of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and gigantic trees. The region's principal attraction is the Lanín National Park, a still fairly untouched area dominated by the extinct, snow-capped Volcán Lanín (3776m/12,386ft), and characterised by rare plant and animal species (including raulí, a type of beech, and pehuén, the monkey puzzle tree). On the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi National Park (see above) lies Villa la Angostura, a resort whose main interest is the nearby Los Arrayanes National Park. Located on the Quetrihué peninsula (connected to Angostura by an isthmus), this park is best known for the El Bosque de Arrayanes, a forest of arrayán (cinnamon-barked) trees, many of which are over 100 years old. The Siete Lagos scenic road connects the park to San Martín de los Andes (see above)
CHUBUT: Puerto Madryn, founded by Welsh settlers, is a popular base for excursions to the nearby wildlife sanctuary at the Peninsula Valdes nature reserve, in Chubut Province, where large numbers of sea lions, elephant seals and penguins frequent the beaches. Further north, the Isla de los Pájaros bird sanctuary is home to cormorants, flamingos and egrets. A number of trails and spots in the area provide opportunities for observing colonies of sea lions and elephant seals, notably at Punta Delgada, in the sheltered bay of Caleta Valdés, below the cliffs of Punta Loma and the nature reserves of Punta Norte and Punta Pirámide - the latter also being the main base for whale-sighting trips to the Gulf of San José; the best time to see whales is from August to December. The Punta Tombo reserve is known for its vast colonies of Magellanic penguins (around half a million of which use the reserve as a breeding ground from September to April). Further south, near the sunny town of Esquel, is Los Alerces National Park, which protects vast stretches of the tall and long-lived (400 years) alerce conifer trees
SANTA CRUZ: One of the province's main attractions is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Los Glaciares National Park, an area of great natural beauty, with rugged mountains and numerous glacial lakes, including Lake Argentino. Accessible from the busy tourist town of El Calafate, the park's centrepiece is the Moreno Glacier, one of the earth's few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs calve and topple into Lake Argentino at the so-called Canal de los Témpanos (Iceberg Channel), and there are nearby catwalks and platforms from which to observe this event. It is also possible to visit the Upsala Glacier via a boat trip from Puerto Bandera along Lake Onelli and past floating iceberg

Tierra del Fuego

Over half of this remote southern province belongs to Chile. Tierra del Fuego is the gateway to the Antarctic.
USHUAIA: The provincial capital is the world's most southernmost city, located in a dramatic setting, with jagged glacial peaks rising from sea level to nearly 1500m (4920ft). The Museo del Fin del Mundo (Museum of the End of the World) has exhibits dedicated to the Indians, nature, local history and the many shipwrecks that happened in the area. The nearby Martial is within walking distance and yields spectacular views of the city and the Beagle Channel. The city of Río Grande is mostly a petroleum service centre facing the South Atlantic and, though of no particular interest, the surrounding countryside offers good hiking opportunities (particularly around the Garibaldi Pass, where lenga tree forests show striking displays of red leaves during autumn). Some 18km (12 miles) west of Ushuaia, the Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina's only coastal national park, comprises rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers