TRAVEL SPECIALISTS
IN LATIN AMERICA
Argentina
IN LATIN AMERICA
Argentina
Argentina is such a diverse country that it's hard to know where to begin! From the sun-baked, high-altitude landscapes of the North to the frozen tip of Southern Patagonia, the country's vast expanse is packed with one jaw-dropping view after another. Just the word Argentina conjures up images of lone gauchos riding across vast pampas plains, of sultry characters locked in tango's passionate embrace and of exuberant football fans cheering on the infamous Maradona. All of this can indeed be found within Argentina's broad borders, but this dynamic country goes beyond the stereotypes and delivers much, much more.
In the endlessly fascinating Buenos Aires you'll find a vibrant metropolis keeping up the pace with any other world capital when it comes to fashion, fiestas and the arts. The city's nightlife is legendary, and live rock music, tango, electronic and everything in between can be enjoyed there from dusk till dawn any day of the week. In the North you'll find some of Argentina's most intact colonial villages and a thriving traditional culture, while wildlife enthusiasts will be captivated by the marine wildlife of the Valdes Peninsula. Lovers of the great outdoors are spoilt for choice, with waterfalls, lakes and glaciers forming some of the most incredible landscapes in the Americas, while the mighty Andean Mountain range strides down the western reaches of the country creating a wonderland for hikers and climbers. The perfect azure waters of the Patagonia Lake District give way to ancient glaciers and ice fields at its southern tip, before the frozen world of Antarctica takes hold - and all of this is waiting to be enjoyed, by both serious hikers and day-trippers alike.
Whatever you're into, be it adventuring in Patagonia, whale watching in the Atlantic, ticking off one of the Seven Wonders of the World at Iguazú Falls or learning the steps at a Buenos Aires milonga, pretty much everything goes down well with a glass of Argentina's famous Malbec wine and a big juicy steak cooked just how you like it!
Argentina has opposite seasons to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with summer falling from December to February and winter from June to August. Given its size, Argentina experiences very different degrees of the seasons, depending on which part of the country you are in. For example, the winter months in Southern Patagonia are a flurry of snow and icy wind. This is not the time for hiking in the southern Andes or seeing the glaciers. However, if you are into snow sports, by all means wrap up warm and hit the slopes. Conversely, the winter months are the best time to travel in the north of the country when the fierce heat of summer abates. The center of the country can be visited at any time, though Spring and Fall are the prettiest times to visit both Mendoza and Buenos Aires. Spring is the all-out best time of year for nature spotting along the Patagonian Atlantic coast.
Our Encounter Argentina hotels are all carefully chosen to make sure you get to experience the very best of the country. The Argentines are a stylish bunch, and there are some beautifully designed boutique hotels which we work with, as well as locally run B&Bs and some stunning estancias (country ranches) where you'll be able to enjoy a warm welcome at (what are very often) family-run operations. Many of Argentina's estancias have been in the same family for decades and you can learn a lot about traditional gaucho (cowboy) lifestyle and history during a few relaxing days in the countryside. Argentina's inhabitants are both proud and welcoming, and staying at our carefully chosen selection of Argentina hotels, estancias and B&Bs, you'll experience the very best of the country's warm hospitality.
Argentina is BIG, it stretches over 3500km from north to south. The distances that you'll need to travel if you want to see all of its incredible sights are pretty hefty. For that reason most people take an internal flight or two in order to save time and avoid lengthy road travel. Having said that, Argentina does have an excellent long-distance bus service and, although it may sound a lot, a twenty hour bus journey is perfectly manageable. Long-distance buses in Argentina come in various levels of comfort, but you won't pay too much more for a fully horizontal bed and waiter service. Hot meals are served on board and it's a great opportunity to see some of Argentina's beautiful countryside or to get an idea of the vastness of the Patagonia plains. In some regions, such as the Northeast or the Patagonia Lake District, it's a great idea to hire a car and drive through their stunning landscapes independently.
Argentina is a great place for family travel and the Argentine people in general are very open-minded and welcoming when it comes to kids. It is one of those countries where children stay up late and eat with the family and you'll find that restaurants won't bat an eyelid if your kids pile in for pizza at 11pm - this is the norm and everyone else is doing it too. The country as a whole is very safe with low levels of crime and high safety standards. Argentina will also provide plenty of fresh air and exercise for kids and teens, and taking in such incredible sights as Iguazú Falls, the Perito Moreno Glacier or a southern right whale are bound to make a lasting impression - Argentina is one country where those geography classes will really be brought to life.
