Leisure and activities in Argentina

Cities

Cordoba

UNESCO world heritage site Cordoba, located in the centre of Argentina, is best known for its cultural and religious background and is considered the cultural capital of Latin America. There, you'll also find the former home of "Che Guevara", which is now a museum.

Mendoza

Located west of Buenos Aires, Mendoza has been dubbed the wine capital of Argentina, as this is where Malbec, the country's most famous wine, is produced. Just outside the city, you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, including whitewater rafting, cycling, horse riding and, for the more ambitious, climbing Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.

Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche, more commonly known as just Bariloche, is a city in Patagonia, which is surrounded by some of the country's most beautiful natural spots. Here you'll find ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal clear lakes.

Ushuaia

At the southernmost tip of South America, you'll find Ushuaia, a base for exploring Tierra del Fuego, and embarking on cruises to the Antarctic and Falkland Islands. You can also visit the various different museums, stock up on souvenirs and, if the weather permits it, take a day trip to ride on the End of the World Train and see Tierra del Fuego National Park.

National Parks

Valdes Peninsula

The Valdes Peninsula is a marine observation park, which looks like a large island connected to the mainland. There, you can find all kinds of marine wildlife, such as whales, elephant seals, penguins and orcas, as well as several species of birds throughout the year. Ischigualasto and Talampaya: these two national parks stretch across more than 275,300 hectares in the desert region of the Sierra Pampeanas in central Argentina. They are palaeontological sites which contain the most complete continental fossil record known from the Triassic Period, with fossils belonging to a wide range of mammals, dinosaurs, and plants.

Los Glaciares National Park

In Patagonia, towards the border with Chile, you'll find Los Glaciares National Park, a nature reserve comprising fifty glaciers including the Perito Moreno, which is famous for its dramatic icefalls. The park is also home to many birds, such as condors and black-chested buzzard eagles.

Beaches

Mar del Plata

The most popular of Argentina's beaches is Mar del Plata, which is surrounded by cliffs. The region has many hotels and other accommodation options and offers all kinds of watersports, such as water skiing, canoeing, and sailing.

Cariló

This 300-metre long beach is home to one of the most exclusive seaside resorts in Argentina. Take part in beach sports and embark on numerous treks into the surrounding wilderness.

Pinamar

Pinamar is the ideal beach for more active types, as it is surrounded by dunes and offers a plethora of activities, from four-wheel driving to windsurfing. Visitors can also partake in various excursions into the surrounding areas, enjoy horseback rides, or play golf on one of Argentina's most popular courses.

Other famous attractions

Iguazu Falls

One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Iguazu Falls should definitely be on your bucket list when travelling to Argentina. This series of waterfalls, some big, some small, go on for as far as the eye can see and attract over one million visitors each year.

Estuary

The Ibera Estuary is the world's second largest wetland area, consisting of a huge nature reserve full of wildlife. It is home to many reptiles, amphibians and hundreds of species of native birds. You can visit the estuary on foot, by boat or as part of a guided tour.

Cerro de los Siete Colores

Cerro de los Siete Colores, which translates as 'Mountain of Seven Colours', is a backdrop for the village of Purmamarca in the Jujuy province. Its magnificent colour range is the product of a complex geological history involving deposition of sea, lake and river movements, and subsequent elevation of the land.

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Useful links:

Lonely Planet - Argentina
Welcome Argentina
South America Tourism Office