Argentina - Tourism - Useful Information

Security

In the Latin America scenario, Argentina is regarded as a safe country for tourists to visit. If the murder rate is to be compared, the one in Argentina is that of 6.8 murders every 100 thousand inhabitants, a figure that is almost four times lower than the average percentage recorded at a regional level. In general, Buenos Aires city touristic circuits are well guarded by the police and in the country ´s inland region security is even stricter. For this reason, Argentina has just been selected, together with Chile, as the hosting venue where the Dakar Rally will take place in 2009.

Transportation

Ministro Pistarini International Airport, located in the city of Ezeiza just miles away from the capital city of Buenos Aires, serves all Latin America and major European cities. Lan and Aerolíneas Argentinas are the two major private airlines flying from Buenos Aires to almost all the cities in the country.

In Argentina there is not a long-distance rail network for tourists, though there are a number of short and medium distance trains travelling along tourist circuits. The most famous one is the  Tren de la nubes (Train to The Clouds)-in the province of Salta- embracing the high plateau of the Puna region. In Patagonia there are also three famous trains such as the Fin del mundo (The end of the world train) in Tierra del Fuego, Trochita train in the cities of Esquel and El Maitén-a genuine running heirloom—and another one connecting the cities of Viedma and Bariloche.

The vast Argentine railroads network connects virtually every corner of the country, and Bus companies have developed a level of service that far exceeds European and US standards, and they are quite affordable, as well. For as little as 43 euros you can make the 17 hour-trip from Buenos Aires to Iguazú, in dozens of the daily buses featuring a “bed” service and 180° degree completely reclining seats, bathroom on board, a stewardess serving starters, hot meals, desserts, wine and whiskey in a first-class international airline fashion. Buses departures are generally scheduled for the afternoon, so that travelers can sleep during the night and wake up rested in Iguazú. Likewise, you can travel to the Cuyan region- nearer than Puerto Iguazú- or northeast. Patagonia, on the other hand, is a little further, but if travelling with spare time, you can split up your trip starting in Bariloche.

Language

Spanish is the official language in Argentina, and English is the second language being studied the most. And, particularly in tourist circuits, almost every person working with tourists can speak English, at least, well enough to make themselves understood with accuracy. Thus, you can travel around Argentina even if you don’t speak Spanish. 

Services 

By the end of 2008, over 3 million tourists are expected to visit Argentina. As for accommodation, there are over 70 5-star hotels, rural ranches, boutique hotels and ecolodges throughout the country. Many of the ecolodges have recently been opened as a result of the tourism boom. Tourism has become the third largest source of income for the country. An increasingly larger number of people are studying tourism-focused subjects at specialized universities, and there are also very good tourist guide schools. According to the English reporter Christabell Dilks –author of the prominent Footprint 2007 guide--, “In Argentina, infrastructure is excellent; services and accommodation reach the highest standards, it is safe to travel,- and to top it all-, Argentines are the most welcoming people you will probably ever meet”.

When to Travel

Argentina, as opposed to Central American countries, has 4 clearly-defined seasons. When it is wintertime in the northern hemisphere, it is summertime in the southern one, thus Argentina is the best alternative to flee from the cold European and North American weathers. Due to its diversity, any generalization may be relative, since a certain season may be convenient for visiting a region but not to visit another one. In the northernmost provinces–Misiones, Salta and Jujuy—January and February are usually very hot months, with temperatures reaching up to 40º C.

Yet, in the same breath, those are the best months to visit Patagonia, where we can enjoy a temperate weather and appreciate blue skies. However, this does not mean that you cannot visit Patagonia in wintertime. Actually, millions of people do, specially to practise skiing or enjoy staying in snow-surrounded cottages and rest by the fireplace. Nevertheless, in wintertime, some areas become inaccessible by land and the cold weather may hinder sightseeing activities.

Finally, Patagonia is worth visiting in autumn as well, since its forests adopt a reddish and yellowish color turning it into a fairy-tale landscape. Summer is therefore the most advisable time of the year if the itinerary is to visit Buenos Aires and Patagonia (the northern provinces can be visited in summer, except those travelers who may be affected by extreme hot weather). So, if the desired destination to visit is Buenos Aires and the northern provinces, then autumn, spring and winter are the most suitable seasons to come.

Gastronomy

Argentina’s cultural and geographical diversity is reflected in its gastronomy, which has been largely influenced by the early XX century European migrations. Italian food plays a major role in everyday dshes and also in restaurants menus. An old saying illustrates so: “If you don’t eat pasta in Italy, eat it in Argentina”. The same holds true for pizza, a very popular Italian staple dish having achieved the highest level of quality in Buenos Aires. Spanish cuisine has reached a signficant development as well, and, as in all cosmopolitan cities you may find fine sushi, Mexican, Peruvian and international food, specially in dining meccas such as Las Cañitas (Palermo neighborhood) or Puerto Madero (downtown).

In Patagonia, typical dishes include juicy trout weighing several pounds, and the Patagonic lamb (Cordero Patagónico) a delicacy unrivaled worldwide. In the northeastern provinces native influence is evidenced in local ingredients such as llama meat, Pepines (Andean potatoes) and several types of maize used to cook stews and empanadas. Still, the quintessential Argentine dish-- and one of its few cultural aspects found nationwide-- is the asado de ternera a la parrilla (grilled beef meat), the best way to try Argentinean meat. “Asado” is generally served in a portable grill with red hot coals to keep it hot. Among the different meat cuts we can find tira de asado (short ribs usually sold as long strips), the vacío, the mouth-watering tenderloin, kidneys, chinchulines (lower intestines), tripa gorda (large intestine) and sausages such as chorizo and morcilla.