Argentina
OverviewWhy Argentina? Stunning and diverse landscapes. Amazing steak.
Dates Traveled: Dec 2008/Jan 2009 Must See: Perito Moreno Glacier, Mt. Fitzroy, 11:30pm sunset in el Calafate, Iguazu Falls, Parilla Argentino (BBQ) I Wish...I spent more time in Patagonia, visited Ushuaia & Mendoza Itinerary 3 days in El Calafate, Patagonia: Perito Moreno Glacier, Mt. Fitzroy & El Chalten 5 days in Buenos Aires: Recoleta & Recoleta cemetery, Palermo Viejo, Japanese Gardens 1 day in Iguazu Falls |
Eat, drink, be merry...snoozeIf you eat red (as in meat and wine) then meal time in Argentina will play a big role in your vacation. Hands down, we had the best meat dishes here. And meals were inexpensive! We ate huge steak dinners with wine and sides for $10 each. After a night of indulging in a full parilla meal, we thought it would be impossible to consume another piece of meat for at least a week. Sure enough, at 6pm the next day we'd smell the parilla and instantly change our minds.
Buenos Aires - We rented an apartment in a building called Cabello Square located in Palermo and very close to the popular Recoleta neighborhood. The apartment (#id26) was modern, clean, well priced and included a balcony and rooftop pool. It was perfect for 5 days in the city. |
HotelsRestaurants |
Since we were there over New Years all the travelers staying in the apartment building had an impromptu party on roof. Most of the locals spent the evening with their families but at midnight, everyone filtered out to their apartment balconies and lit paper lanterns that floated away into the sky. The city sky was full of floating gold lights, making it a very magical new years eve.
If you are a meat eater, you must eat at La Cabrera in Palermo Viejo. This was an all time food highlight.
El Calafate - We stayed at Miyazato Inn. The hotel was very nice but basic. It was in a good location as it was a short walk to the town center. They served a nice complimentary breakfast. After a long hike along Mt. Fitzroy treat yourself to a meal at La Tablita.
Iguazu Falls - Stay and eat at the Panoramic Hotel. This hotel is technically located in Argentina but it has a view of both Brazil and Paraguay from the pool. We spent the morning at the falls, the afternoon relaxing by the pool and the evening having a parilla meal outdoors overlooking the sunset over Paraguay.
If you are a meat eater, you must eat at La Cabrera in Palermo Viejo. This was an all time food highlight.
El Calafate - We stayed at Miyazato Inn. The hotel was very nice but basic. It was in a good location as it was a short walk to the town center. They served a nice complimentary breakfast. After a long hike along Mt. Fitzroy treat yourself to a meal at La Tablita.
Iguazu Falls - Stay and eat at the Panoramic Hotel. This hotel is technically located in Argentina but it has a view of both Brazil and Paraguay from the pool. We spent the morning at the falls, the afternoon relaxing by the pool and the evening having a parilla meal outdoors overlooking the sunset over Paraguay.
Pack
El Calafate, Patagonia: One word...layers! Temperatures can range from the 30sF to 70sF directly in the sun. El Calafate is very casual & outdoorsy so pack comfortable hiking clothes. One day we wore tank tops/short sleeves and pants at the base of Mt. Fitzroy, and then bundled up in fleeces, vests, scarves and hats as we hiked up the mountain. Make sure you bring gloves, sunglasses, a hat, a windbreaker and sunscreen for your face. Dinner is very casual and hiking shoes are common at most restaurants. Ladies, it's very windy here so bring something to hold your hair back, wear a hat/hood or put your hair in a braid.
Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls in January: Pack for hot weather. Temperatures can climb into the 90's F. Lightweight, stylish clothes are key. Bring a light sweater for traveling and a bathing suit & flip flops for afternoons by the pool.
Tunes
Desconexion Sideral - Bersuit Vergaraba
Buenos Aires - Madonna (from the musical Evita)
El Tango de Roxanne - Moulin Rougue Sountrack
No Seas Parca - Bersuit Vergaraba
Caroncha - Bersuit Vergaraba
Mi Caramelo - Bersuit Vergaraba
Don't Know Why - Norah Jones (They played it ad nauseum at the Panormic pool so I'll forever associate it with Iguazu)
Buenos Aires - Madonna (from the musical Evita)
El Tango de Roxanne - Moulin Rougue Sountrack
No Seas Parca - Bersuit Vergaraba
Caroncha - Bersuit Vergaraba
Mi Caramelo - Bersuit Vergaraba
Don't Know Why - Norah Jones (They played it ad nauseum at the Panormic pool so I'll forever associate it with Iguazu)
Tips
- There are two currency exchanges - the official rate and unofficial blue rate. You can save money using the blue rate. Read here to learn more.
- When booking flights within Argentina, you should get a better rate by calling the airline directly to arrange all domestic flights at once. When we planned our trip, the prices were much higher online (like double), probably because we were searching from outside of the country. We saved hundreds of dollars by booking domestic flights over the phone.
- Go during the winter months - Nov-Feb. In Patagonia the sun sets at 11:30pm in January.
- Book your car rental in El Calafate well in advance. Try and rent something heavy, with a low profile. When we drove our VW Polo through the gap in the mountains amidst 100mph winds, we rolled down the windows so the car would not flip.
- Buenos Aires is deserted on New Years Eve day (it's a family holiday). People don't leave their house until 2am to party.