Argentina - from tango in Buenos Aires to the glaciers of Patagonia
General information
Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, stretching from the subtropical north to the harsh expanses of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the south. The capital, Buenos Aires, is one of the most European cities on the continent - with wide boulevards, cafés and a strong theatre and music tradition.
The country borders Chile along the entire length of the Andes to the west, and Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay to the north and east. This geographical diversity - from the forested northern provinces through the endless grasslands of the pampas to the glaciers of the south - makes it one of the most varied destinations in South America.
Climate
Because of its huge length from north to south, Argentina has an extremely varied climate. Buenos Aires and the central regions have a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters, while Patagonia in the south is cold and windy for most of the year.
The best time to visit Buenos Aires and the northern provinces is during the Argentine autumn and spring (March-May and September-November). For Patagonia and the glaciers around El Calafate, the summer season (November-March) offers the longest days and the most stable weather for walks and boat trips.
Culture and sights
Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango - both as music and as dance - and to this day street performances and milongas can be seen in the San Telmo and La Boca neighbourhoods. La Recoleta Cemetery, with the mausoleums of prominent Argentine families (including Eva Perón), is one of the most impressive in the world.
In the south, in Argentine Patagonia, lies Los Glaciares National Park (UNESCO) with dozens of glaciers, including the iconic Perito Moreno - one of the few glaciers in the world that is still growing. The small town of El Chaltén is the world's trekking capital, with views of the granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy.
On the border with Brazil are the Iguazú Falls - among the largest in the world, with more than 270 individual cascades plunging through tropical forest. The Argentine side of the falls offers a network of walkways passing directly over the water, culminating at the mighty "Devil's Throat".
Why and when to visit?
Argentina combines the urban culture of Buenos Aires with some of the most impressive natural landscapes on the planet - glaciers, waterfalls and endless open spaces. A combination of the capital, Patagonia and the Iguazú Falls gives a full picture of the country's diversity in a single trip.
