South American Vacations

Don’t cry for Argentina—the truth is it makes for one great vacation.  The Argentine Republic is located in South America, between the Andes mountain range and the southern Atlantic Ocean.  The country is the second largest in South America and one of the most important countries in trade and economy.  It has an estimated population of 40,677,348. 

When traveling to Argentina you will find that most of the locations you visit will be moderate in temperature.  The land is cold in the winter season but hot and humid in the summer.  Only a few exceptions exist, such as the deserts of Cuyo, which are known to get very hot and dry in summer months and only slightly cold in the winter season, as well as The Andes, which are cool in the summer and extremely cold in the winter.  Otherwise, Argentina is also known for having erratic temperature reversals, such as a few days of hot weather and then a few days of cold weather and back again.  If you are traveling from America remember that the seasons are reversed from the order of the Northern Hemisphere.  Central Argentina is identified by rich plains and jungles, while the southern part of the country is more flat.  The western has mountainous regions along with some desert areas.

If you wish to communicate with Argentineans then know that the official language of the country is Spanish, or more specifically Castellano Rioplatense Spanish.  This is slightly different from the language of Spain and parts of Central America.  There are also significant differences in punctuation.  Something can be lost in translation, especially as regards courtesy of residents to tourists.  Some tourists have been alarmed to hear very creative terms of endearment on the street, some of which would be considered offensive in North America, but remain harmless in Argentinean culture.  Argentineans are known to be rather blunt at times as regards language and identity (i.e. if you’re fat you may be called “gordo” in a spirit of friendly teasing).  It’s not wise to return any such marks to others though.  After all, you’re a friendly tourist and don’t want any trouble from locals who may or may not be as understanding.

Many Argentineans have a very lax attitude towards time, so don’t be too much of a stickler like you’re used to in northern countries.  Being late is not meant to be a sign of disrespect.  Just remember that for most Argentineans when you get a time of 8:00 PM that means that you should not arrive before 8:00 PM—not that you are expected precisely at 8:00 PM.

Beef is what’s for dinner in Argentina, and some of the most popular dishes in the region are Argentine Barbecue (or asado) tenderloin steak (lomo) as well as parrillada (grill) dinners with wine.  Since Argentina has some of the finest tasting beef in the world, this vacation is truly a meat-lovers paradise. 

Major Cities in Argentina

Buenos Aires: The capital city and one of the largest cities for commerce and tourism.

Córdoba: The second largest city, and one surrounded by valleys and mountains but known for its colonial buildings and beautiful hills.

La Plata: Called the “Perfect City” and known for many museums, parks and churches.

Mendoza: Fairly large city, and renowned for its fine wine. 

Rosario: The best place for swimming in the area, with numerous water sport activities.

San Miguel de Tucuman: Parks, churches and some age-old tourist attractions.

San Juan: Down to earth city, also known for its wine, as well as its hospitality.

Things To Do In Argentina

Iguazú Falls: Visit this breathtaking natural attraction, certainly one of the wonders of the modern world.

The Nahuel Huapi National Park: See animal life and fauna life and take part in sporting activities.

El Calafate: If nothing else see the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier. 

The Andes: Many ski centers operate during the winter season, such as Las Leñas and San Carlos de Bariloche.

Argentina Trivia

Argentinean culture was immortalized for many North Americans in the stage play and in the 1996 film, Evita.