Argentina's tourist highlights are located in the country's remotest corners and when visiting the country for only a few weeks, the airplane is the best way to reach them. Buenos Aires, Peninsula Valdes, Ushuaia, Salta and Iquazu Falls are yearly visited by thousands of tourists; however, each destination has a unique – lesser-known – feature that may make a visit to these famous attractions very special and, indeed, unique.
Why Visit Argentina's Capital of Buenos Aires
As all guidebooks will tell, Argentina's capital is the place to take tango lessons or to visit historic landmarks such as the Plaza de Mayo. Buenos Aires is divided into many barrios, neighbourhoods. The main attractions are in La Boca [football stadium of Maradona], Recolata [impressive cemetery], San Telmo [tango] and Palermo [botanical garden]. There are many forms of public transport in Buenos Aires to move from one area to the other.
Conspicuously absent from these highlights was Teatro Colon – due to a renovation that lasted several years. At last Teatro Colon opened its doors again in May 2010. No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without attending an evening show of theatre, ballet or music. Teatro Colon not only is a marvellous example of classical theatre architecture but also internationally renowned for its acoustics. To learn more about the theatre program, check the website of Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.
Argentina's Highlight of Whale Watching in Peninsula Valdes
Whale watching is the foremost reason to visit Peninsula Valdes, where every year the Southern Right Whales come to mate and give birth in its waters. The Peninsula is a National Park with wildlife such as guanacos [family of lamas] and rheas [type of ostrich]. Sea lions, penguins and elephant seals are some of the marine mammals inhabiting the warm waters around Peninsula Valdes and most of them can be seen all year round.
A unique feature is the spotting of orcas at Peninsula Valdes, which feast on the young sea lions born here. The best time to watch orcas here is March or April.
Argentina's Famous Attraction in Patagonia – Ushuaia
The southernmost tip of the Americas attracts visitors from all over the world in large numbers. Ushuaia is South America's top travel destination for the many cruises that sail to Antarctica. Reservations for such a cruise can be made in advance through a travel agency, but some try their luck booking in Ushuaia itself at a cheap last-minute rate.
To make a visit to Ushuaia unique, bring or rent camping gear. The surrounding areas of Ushuaia are astonishingly beautiful and, apart from Tierra del Fuego National Park, little visited. Recommended is a drive to Estancia Haberton, which has allocated room for several free camping spots on its grounds.
Marvel at Argentina's Colonial Architecture in Salta
Salta is arguably Argentina's loveliest town with pedestrian streets and a centre that still has a distinctly Hispanic character, which is especially apparent in the architecture of its houses and churches. Salta is also a good starting point to visit the nearby UNESCO sight of Quebrada de Humahuaca.
The surroundings of Salta are still very much rural, dominated by Salteñan gauchos. They are renowned for their typical attire consisting of a red and black poncho, leather boots and sombrero, loose trousers called bombachas and a jacket embroidered by hand. To give an extra cachet to a visit to Argentina's northwestern region, combine the visit with a festival. The gauchos often parade downtown during celebrations, such as on September 15, when the town's patron saints are honoured with colourful and noisy fervour.
Tourist Attraction in Northeast Argentina – Full-moon Tour at Iguazu Falls
In Argentina's most northeastern tip lie Iguazu Falls, a natural phenomenon shared with Brazil. The 275 waterfalls are more than worth a flight from Buenos Aires, despite the fact that the surrounding areas offer few to no other interesting sights. Iguazu Falls offer numerous tourist activities such as walking trails along the waterfalls and into the jungle, as well as boat rides.
To make a trip to Iquazu Falls an unforgettable event, plan a visit during a full moon. Each month there are special moonlight tours, during which the falls show themselves as one of nature's most dramatic spectacles.
Top Travel Destinations in Argentina
Thanks to the country's excellent air travel infrastructure it is easy to visit the Argentina's famous attractions even within a period of three or four weeks. The farthest corners of this extensive country offer waterfalls, wildlife spotting, colonial history, city life as well as a cruise to the South Pole. Travellers to Argentina may also be interested to learn more about lesser-known tourist attractions in Argentina.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
Join the Conversation