Our Favorite Destinations in Argentina
By Allie E. Almario
Argentina is one of South America’s hottest cultural, culinary and wildlife destinations. And why not? Here are some of our top highlights of this immense and diverse country.
Tierra del Fuego
Located in the southwest province of Tierra del Fuego, this national park has the bragging rights to being the furthermost point of South America. The nearest city is Ushaia, the gateway to many expedition ships headed to Antarctica.
How to get there: It’s about a 3.5 hour flight from Buenos Aires to Ushaia.
Things to do: Great hiking in the Andean – Patagonian forest with glacial lakes and unusual forests. Nearby bays offer kayaking and small boat excursions. We recommend a minimum of three or four days in the area.
When to go: High season is December to March.
Los Glaciares National Park
This is the largest national park in Argentina, encompassing 2,800 square miles of wilderness. The ice cap in the Andes is the largest outside of Antarctica, Greenland and Iceland. Some travelers cross into Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park from here.
How to get there: Fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. Other flights from Ushaia or Bariloche are also available with less frequency.
Things to do: We recommend a minimum of three or four days in the area, perhaps staying a day or two in the town of El Calafate and another few nights within the park. There are a multitude of world-famous treks in the area but a must is a catamaran ride for an up-close look at the glaciers. You can even strap on crampons to try a bit of climbing.
When to go: High season is December to March.
Iguazu National Park
By far, one of the most beautiful World Heritage sites in the world, this national park is located in the Misiones Province of Argentina and hosts just over 1.6 million visitors a year who come to enjoy the spectacular waterfalls. The park actually consists of two different national parks, one in Brazil and the other in Argentina.
How to get there: Fly to Iguazu airport, 16 miles from the waterfalls.
Things to do: Birding, hiking, boat trips. When to go: Anytime, but shoulder season promises great weather and less crowds (July to October or February to April).
