Thematic Tourism:
 National Parks
There are 3,603,068 hectares dedicated to 33 protected areas – National Parks, reserves and natural monuments which include four native animal species. Located from the Puna in Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego’s far lands, they offer contrasting settings such as deserts, forests, woods, mountains, plains, rivers, lakes and beaches. The native ecosystems take up vast areas where flora and fauna are amazingly plentiful, varied and well preserved. It is possible to watch a large amount of endangered species without disturbing the environment of these privileged areas. All our national parks and reserves have their own information offices, authorized guides and an appropriate infrastructure: paths, viewpoints, signs, and bibliography. In many of them there are adequate interpretation centres which serve the constant demands of visitors. This service and the quality of the sites make the Argentine National Parks natural classrooms, where children and adults can learn about the increasing need for environmental education.
Ecotourism
The beauty of ecotourism is to be able to travel across areas free from environmental pollution, to analyse, study, interpret and enjoy their uniqueness. There are more than a thousand identified bird species and a large variety of mammals to be found throughout the different regions which stretch from the Puna to the Yungas, from the Patagonian Andean woods to the Atlantic coast, including incredible pampas, deserts, steppes, lakes and lagoons. Discovering the fauna and flora, listening to and identifying birds is an education in itself. Visitors should see the amazing Esteros del Iberá, the Andean forest, the Patagonian coast and National Parks such as Iguazú , El Rey, Calilegua, San Guillermo Reserve and Laguna Blanca. Walking along the paths that run through these reserves is a real adventure. Natural history trips give travellers a good chance to film or photograph wildlife secrets. A large variety of estancias and small hotels in the vicinity of these natural areas make the trip more enjoyable.
Adventure Tourism
Argentina offers a myriad of choices to enjoy its most important heritage: Nature. It provides all the possible options for adventurers and the courageous traveller. Mountain climbing, trekking, horseback riding, hang gliding, flying planes or gliders, hot air ballooning, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and scuba diving. The Lanín and Tronador Volcanoes offer great ascents and the Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy offer technical climbs. Further south, in Tierra del Fuego, there are great dog sledding tours with Siberian Huskies. Furthermore, sailing boats and cruises leave from Ushuaia to sail the Beagle Channel towards the Isla de los Estados, Cape Horn and on to Antarctica. In complete contrast the Centre and Northern regions of Argentina, provide activities such as bird-watching, white water rafting, off-road vehicle expeditions, horseback riding and ascents of the central Andean mountain range, featuring the brightest star: the Aconcagua. Cycling, horseback riding and trekking are becoming popular in the Yungas, where nature is witness of the traces of thousand-year-old cultures.
Golf
Greens and fairways located within mountains and woods, or by the sea, in the country or of urban areas will attract any golfer. From the southernmost city in the world – Ushuaia to the furthest north Palpalá, Argentina has more than 240 golf courses providing different choices according to the players’ tastes and ability. The many courses, some designed by renowned architects such as Allister Mackenzie, Von Hagge, Dentone, Caprile, Serra and Marcó del Pont, display different styles: Scottish, American, links, English. Many of them are highly competitive. It is possible to hold important championships in Argentina such as the Professional World Championship. Travel agencies coordinate food and lodging with activities – amateur and professional tournaments – added 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.
Rural Tourism
Visiting Argentina today allows the tourist to sample rural life in a country known for its vast fields and agricultural and farming traditions. Argentina’s rural tourism offers over 900 large, medium and small farms or ranches, where visitors can discover and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the personalised attention afforded to all. While sampling the local cuisine you can share experiences with your hosts, some of whom are descended from native people or immigrants from around the world who have chosen to settle in the countryside. Many different activities are available, such as “pato” (the national sport), the best polo in the world and horseback riding. You may also play golf, tennis, football, try a spot of fishing and hunting, go trekking, watch flora and fauna. The Argentine barbecue (asado) is world famous and to appreciate it and the ways of the Gaucho, it is recommended that at least a day is spent visiting some of these farms that welcome guests from all over the world. Some estancias’ main houses and their surrounding buildings were built at the turn of last Century and have amazing architectural features, yet another reason to enjoy rural tourism.
Tourist Trains:
Travelling by old-fashioned trains is another charming way to appreciate the Argentine landscape. Every locomotive and every wagon tell stories about past times of pioneers and glory. “Tren a las Nubes” (Train to the Clouds) is a remarkable feat of engineering that reaches a height of 4,200 meters (1,385 ft) It leaves from the city of Salta and runs for 200 km through Valle de Lerma literally reaching the clouds! The “Viejo Expreso Patagónico” (Old Patagonian Express), also known as “La Trochita”, transports travellers from Esquel to Nahuel Pan, El Paitén or Ingeniero Jacobacci. The “Tren Histórico a Vapor” (Historical Steam Train) takes you from San Carlos de Bariloche to Los Juncos lagoon. In the South, close to Ushuaia, the train called “Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino”, runs close to the Pipo river, departing from “Fin del Mundo” station (the station of the end of the world). “Tren de la Costa” (Coast Train), travels along the north shore of the City of Buenos Aires as far as the Delta, offering a different view of the city and the “Central Entrerriano” runs in Entre Ríos province, from Villa Elisa to Palacio San José or Arroyo Baritú. All these routes represent an unforgettable tour for train lovers.
Health Tourism
Beauty treatments, cosmetic surgery, anti-stress programmes, weight loss therapies… If you want to organise a trip to get physically better, Argentina offers a wide variety of spas, medical and beauty centres with state-of-the-art technology, highly qualified professionals and affordable prices for treatments and stays. Mineral springs, balneotherapy and steam, seawater therapy, fangotherapy, physiotherapy, heliotherapy and climotherapy are some of the treatments you can enjoy. There are 32 thermal spas throughout the provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Salta, San Luis, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. In addition to the classical thermal centres of Río Hondo in Santiago del Estero, Cacheuta in Mendoza, Colon in Entre Ríos, Copahue in Neuquén and Carhué in Buenos Aires, new centres open every day, the latest being the one in La Paz, Entre Ríos.
It is worth mentioning that these baths with waters springing up at different temperatures and with different therapeutic qualities are recommended in the treatment of rheumatologic, osteoarticular, skin and respiratory problems.
Winter sports
Argentina’s ski resorts are found within the Andes mountain range. From north to south, they provide impeccable infrastructure and modern lift systems, slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, cross country trails to satisfy Nordic skiers and lots of backcountry skiing. The ski resorts offer fully staffed ski and snowboard schools, equipment rental and repair, day centres for children, medical care, and different accommodation choices with excellent cuisine. Las Leñas, Penitentes and Vallecitos are located in Mendoza; Caviahue, Chapelco, Cerro Bayo, Cerro Wayle, Batea Mahuida and Primeros Pinos, in Neuquén; Cerro Catedral and Cerro Perito Moreno in Río Negro; La Hoya in Chubut, Valdelén in Santa Cruz, and Cerro Castor, 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-light descents complete the winter sports season in Argentina that runs from June through October.
Angling
Argentina, with more than 250 native species that live in rivers, lakes and maritime waters, is a truly attractive destination for keen anglers. Argentine waters are free from Whirling Disease. Fly fishing, mainly catch and release is developing steadily in the most spectacular 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 salmon, perches and Patagonian atherine. If Patagonia is the ideal destination for the most demanding fans, the area of Bermejo and Paraná rivers – where the largest amount of neotropical species can be found – is for those who enjoy fishing as a family outing. Fly fishing for the aggressive dorado is booming. 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 Argentina’s coastal waters, the so called “Marine Pampas”, anglers can find varieties such as black hake, island groupers and sole.
The Wine Route:
Argentine wine is one of the magnets that attract foreign visitors the most. Visiting the Cuyo region vineyards, where one can find the grapes that go into making Argentine wines famous, is a real pleasure for the enquiring tourist or lovers of fine wine. Following these routes, travellers discover the small and large wineries and, with the guidance of artisans and enologists, they can appreciate the secrets of wine varieties . Some wineries provide accommodation for tourists in old refurbished houses and farms where they can enjoy the best regional cuisine and taste the excellent wines. Salta, in the north, is another epicentre, where the traditional Cafayate Torrontés (white and aromatic wine) is made, together with a wider red wine variety. The neighbouring province of Catamarca has its wines too. Patagonian wines from Neuquén and Río Negro are becoming famous for their character. Not only has the increased investment improved the character of local wines, but it has also increased international awareness which led to many international prizes , many of which were for the Malbec wine, which, as experts say, “are not grown anywhere else better than in Argentina”.
Conferences, exhibitions and incentives
Top of the range venues and an excellent infrastructure have contributed to Argentina’s success as a host for meetings, conferences, festivals and exhibitions. Throughout the year, Argentina welcomes thousands of travellers who come to participate in these events, ranging from incentive trips to international fairs or congresses. Equipped with the latest technology, and specifically designed to cater for large groups, these venues abound in the main cities and resorts. Hotel capacity in the various provincial locations such as Rosario, Mendoza, Córdoba, San Miguel de Tucumán, Salta, Mar del Plata, Puerto Iguazú , San Carlos de Bariloche, Villa la Angostura, and of course, Buenos Aires city have increased remarkably in recent years to meet these new demands. These venues are suited for medical, industrial, political, economic and entertainment conferences. The public’s response is another sign of Argentina’s capability to host these kind of meetings which aim at cultural exchange, commercial relations, business and the spread of ideas.
Tango and entertainment
Argentina has always been famous for the many kinds of entertainment it can offer. Tango, the melancholic feeling that was born in the poor areas of town, attracts everybody whether to shows, concerts or even dance classes. However, Buenos Aires is much more than that: the entertainment on offer is practically limitless; it includes remarkable international theatres such as Colón, Cervantes or Avenida. The neighbourhoods of La Boca, Recoleta, San Telmo and Palermo Viejo constantly offer concerts, classical and modern plays, popular dance and experimental ballet. The Provinces also have a lot to offer the visitor with their own colourful and exciting celebrations. In the north, the carnival and the celebration of Easter in Quebrada de Humahuaca intertwine with ancient rites, such as Pachamama. Folklore festivities such as the “Ponchos” in Catamarca, the “Bombos” (drums) in Santiago del Estero and the Grape Harvest and Wine Festivals in Mendoza and San Juan, complement the bright carnivals held in Gualeguaychú and Corrientes. And there is also football… the most pagan celebration of all, a truly popular pastime, as inexplicable as it is mysterious.
Data courtesy of the Secretaría de Turismo de Argentina, www.argentina.travel and Skipatagonia www.skipatagonia.com |
