Lodging in Patagonia, Argentina
By far the best way to get close to nature and absorb all that wonderful Patagonia, Argentina has to offer, is to stay in an estancia, which is small ranch that offers accommodations to travelers, run like a small hotel or B&B. Here’s a sampling of some of the best small inns and estancias across Patagonia.
Estancias
Please read up on Estancias on our estancia page.
Hosteria El Faro
Located in Villa La Angostura, this hotel looks like a lighthouse on a lake. There are only twelve rooms and three suites, which makes it an intimate lakeside experience. The suites are up in the lighthouse tower area, with 360 degree views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and beyond. The regular rooms are built for the views as well, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Lake. Villa la Angostura is about fifty miles north of Bariloche. Town is just a fifteen minute walk away from the hotel, and offers charm, cafes, and great little restaurants.
Hotel Aldebaran
HOtel Aldebaran is located outside of Bariloche, on the peninsula of San Pedro. It’s rocky and picturesque out here, and the hotel was actually built right into the rocks and the trees around it. I
Argentina Hotels
Argentina Travel Tips
Anyone would agree that Argentina travel is so exciting, and just a little preparation for your trip will make your vacation much easier. Find out about entry regulations and general climate before you go and you’ll be prepared for anything you encounter during your Argentina travel. You’ll be glad you packed the right thing when the weather isn’t what you expected, or if you feel too casual in Buenos Aires, for example. A quick look below can aid you in preparing for your exciting trip. Whether it be paying for items in local currency, packing the correct items in your suitcase, or making sure you have the right documents for entering Argentina, here’s a quick guide to the basics of Argentina travel.
Currency
The Argentine Peso is tied to the US dollar at a ration of 1 to 1. Therefore, Argetina travel is not exactly a cheap bargain. You can use small-denomination US dollars in lots of taxis and restaurants. If you’re in Bueonos Aires, there are lots of change shops around San Martin and Lavalle, and there are ATMs everywhere, and credit cards are widely accepted.
Climate
Argentina is a huge country. It covers large expanses of land, and several different and very diverse climate regions. When you say Argentina travel, you could mean deserts, snow, cities, or tropical-like conditions. There are deserts in the northern region of Salta, and glaciers in the southern areas of Patagonia. This is a southern hemisphere country, and most of the county lies in nect temperate zone. The southern regions will be colder and rainier, and the northern regions will be more humid and subtropical. It’s very hot in summertime, just after Christmas, and lots of urban-dwelling locals head to the mountians and beaches during this time. Keep this in mind when you are planning your Argentina travel. Cities empty out after Christmas, so remember this too when you plan your Argentina travel. The heat and humidity in January and February are oppressive and difficult in Buenos Aires. Winter, however, is a wonderful time to travel to Buenos Aires, although it can really get cold in July and August and maybe a little rain.
Packing your Clothes
Argentinians are generally a little more formal and fashionable than surrounding countries and the US, especially in Buenos Aires. BA is a chic, urban center and fashion is important to these city dwellers. If you plan to go out to expensive dinner in BA, bring something nice to wear.
Entry Rules
You must have a valid passport to enter Argentina. If you’re from the US or the European Union, you don’t need a tourist visa.
Things to do in Argentina
Argentina travel is a wonderful world of action, adventure, culture, history, rugged natural resources and glamorous nightlife all rolled into one amazing country. Come see why Argentina travel is so hot these days, from Buenos Aires to Patagonia to Iguazu Falls!
Top Things to do in Argentina
Experience Iguazu FallsLounge at Beach ResortsThe Atlantic coast of Argentina, kown as the Costa Atlantica or Mar y Sierras, which means Sea and Hills, is beautiful, with hills rolling down to sand dunes at the water’s edge. Argentine people take their vacations here, and many have second homes, with the main area stretching between Mar del Plata to San Clemente del Tuyu. Mar del Plata first became popular as a vacation spot in the late 1800′s, when only rich people from Buenos Aires could afford the train trip to this area. Around the time of WWII, the area was accessible to the middle class, and Mar del Plata was a hot spot for vacationers. A casino was opened, at the time the largest in the world, and the main road from BA was paved. As new roads were built, small coastal villages became resort areas along the coast, full of individual character. Fishing is superb, especially in towns on the bay where the Rio Salado empties into the ocean. San Clemente is very popular for sport fishermen. Some towns, such as Santa Teresita, have golf courses and lots and lots of seafood restaurants.
Take the Train to the Clouds
This is Tren de los Nubes, a fully-equipped luxury train that climbs steep Andes mountains without the use of cogs. If you get on in Salta in the early morning, you’ll arrive in the Quebrada del Toro gorge about an hour later. The climb is made in a way that reminds you of a hiking trail, in that it uses switchbacks on the steepest parts. The views are amazing, and there really isn’t anything like it anywhere else. By night time you’ll be back in Salta after rolling through the old town of San Antonio de los Cobres and stopping in La Polvorilla Viaduct. The entire loop trip takes 14 hours and you can buy tickets in the main station in Salta and in Buenos Aires.
Go to Valle de la Luna
In the northwest region of Argentina you’ll find the Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley. There are two amazing natural formations here you’ll want to see: one of Moon Valley itself, and the other is is Talampaya Canyon. The valley is actually a victim of terrible wind erosion, which has resulted in some awesome-looking sandstone formations. Geologists love this place, and do palaeontologists, since in prehistoric times the area was covered by a lake, which makes for tons of fossils to dig up. The Talampaya canyon is impressive, with gigantic cliffs that hold cave paintings put there by pre-Spanish people. There are condor nests everywhere, to complete the image.
Traverse the Uspallata Pass
From Mendoza in the Andes, drive up into the mountains starting on the Pan-American Highway towards the border with Chile. Leave the whole day for this trip, and start early. You can take a tour, if you want, but driving is better since you can stop amywhere and any time you want. And you will want to stop and just gape at the amazing scenery. Better not to go in in winter (July through September in Argentina) since roads get icy and dangerous. Always bring warm clothes, because you’ll be climbing high up into the Andes mountains, from 2,500 feet to 8,200 feet to be exact. You can continue on into Chile, but you will need a visa. No visas are issued at the border so get them in Mendoza. The Pan-American Highway has been used since the time of the Incas as a route through these tough mountains. You’ll be following the Mendoza river, and the first stop you won’t want to miss is Cachueta Hot Springs. You have to have a doctor’s prescription to get in though! After that there are various beautiful resort towns and ski areas, with cliffs and lookout points all along the way. Look out for a small cemetary where unsuccessfull climbers of Mount Aconcagua are buried. This mountain is 22,834 feet and the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. Aconcagua means stone watchtower, and is always covered in snow. The southern face is a formidable 3,000-foot wall of sheer ice and stone. Continuing along the road, there’s a natural stone bridge with bubbling hot springs underneath, which is called Puente del Inca. Last sight is Statue of Christ the Redeemer, at the Chilean border.
Learn About History and Argentina travel at Jesuit Missions
Posadas is the capital of Misiones, a province near the border of Paraguay, in the northeast region of Argentina. The Jesuits arrived in the early 1600′s and explored the region, settled there, and converted the native people, the Guarani. These brave Jesuits didn’t control the local areas for long, for soon after, they were bothered by slave traders and then explorers from Portugal and Spain. They had to leave in 1777 but their mission building are still there, and these mission ruins are worth checking out. One is called San Ignacio Mini, built in the 1600′s, and at one time around 5,000 Indians lived here. This misison has been more fully restored than others in Misiones.
See the Perito Moreno Glacier
Climb Mount Aconcagua
Ski at Las Lenas Ski Resort
Marvel at the Ojos del Salado Volcano
Take in Buenos Aires
Visit Tierra del Fuego
Land of Fire is actually a group of islands at the southern tip of Argentina, with one main island actually called Tierra del Fuego. This main island is divided into a Chilean part and an Argentine half. It’s pretty cool here year round, and the vegetaion is very shrubby. There are a few native animals, like the Andean wolf, rodents, and the guanaco. Since there are lots of kinds of algae in teh sea around Tierra del Fuego, whales love the waters in this area. Tourists love the area in part because it’s been written about so much by past exporers and naturalists such as Darwin and E. Lucas Bridges, who wrote Uttermost Part of the Earth, an extremely popular adventure story.
Tour the Wine Country
Go to Patagonia
Visit the Pampas-Gaucho Country
This is the province of Cordoba, found between the Andes and Buenos Aires, it’s the center of the country in many ways. The economy is based out here, in ranching and farming, traditionally and more recently agri-business and commerce. It’s flat land out here, that’s the pampa, and also valleys. You’ll see gauchos taking care of their cattle or you’ll see racing horses. The actual city of Cordoba is the second largest in the country, and you can see wonderful colonial architecture. Cordoba province also has mountains and lakes, where you can go fishing or trekking. And of course horseback riding. The village of Villa Carlos Paz, near Cordoba, is a vastly popular tourist destination, with mountain resorts that hold folk festivals, Oktoberfest, and general celebrations.