Did you know that Argentina is the size of India? Not many people do, but it’s only because most maps you see are done to an old-fashioned projection that ‘squashes’ everything down towards the equator. Argentina is a long country and it can be hard for people visiting Argentina from smaller places to adjust to the scale. It’s not just the country that is huge! When you visit Argentina the natural wonders seem determined to remind you of just how small and insignificant you are – in a good way, of course! So its time to visit Argentina!
Photo by Eduardo Sánchez on Unsplash
Buenos Aires
Things begin in the capital, Buenos Aires, where visitors drive along the world’s broadest street (Avenida 9 de Julio) and gasp at the enormous Obelisk in the central Plaza. Buenos Aires itself is massive, with a population of around 14 million people. If you’re coming from somewhere rather smaller, the buzz and hustle of a city this size can be a bit much. In fact porteños (as people from Buenos Aires are called) are pretty chilled-out and you can always find a quiet café to relax in. After all, it’s only the second biggest city in South America.
Photo by Fermin Rodriguez Penelas on Unsplash
Visit Argintina Iguazu Falls
Photo by Sasha Lantukh on Unsplash
Argentinians and Brazilians aren’t always the best of friends; their football rivalry is arguably the biggest of any national rivalry. It is much more visceral than something small like England vs Germany… but they do manage to share the enormous Iguazu Falls. This gigantic series of waterfalls forms part of the border between the two countries. It is one of South America’s most amazing sights, and something you simply have to see if you visit Argentina or Brazil. Most people say that the Brazilian side gives the best views. But it’s the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls which impresses at a much more basic level. A walkway takes you right up to the base of the huge “Devil’s Throat” cascade. The cascade stretches for 150m and towers 82m above you. The relentless pounding of thousands of gallons per second of water hitting the rocks just meters away from you literally leaves you breathless. It’s a tremendously impressive experience and you can’t help coming away from it in awe of the power of this natural wonder.
Aconcagua
Argentina is home to South America’s highest mountain, Aconcagua. At 6,960m this monster peak is bigger than anything outside the Himalayas. It’s the biggest in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Despite its huge elevation, it’s actually a non-technical climb, meaning that anyone who’s in good physical shape can have a go at climbing it. The youngest person to manage it was only 10, and the oldest was 87. It’s widely believed that the Incas managed to climb it, and they weren’t exactly wearing Gore-tex and carrying oxygen masks back in those days…
Patagonia (well Argentina and Chile)
Photo by Arto Marttinen on Unsplash
The Himalayas have a tendency to steal all the mountain superlatives. The Perito Moreno glacier in Argentinian Patagonia isn’t the largest in the world, but it IS the biggest in South America. Gaze out upon this prehistoric mammoth of an ice-field. The best way to see it is to take a boat out onto Lake Argentina and sail right up to the glacier face. It towers 80m above you, and you have to be a big person not to feel very small indeed. It’s undeniably beautiful, and when the sun starts to go down it’s one of those memories of Argentina that will stay with you for a long, long time.
And if you’re feeling hungry after all these natural wonders, it’s worth remembering that Argentina is also home to some of the biggest steaks in the world as well! It also produces more red wine in a year than Australia and California put together, so you certainly won’t be going thirsty…
Author Bio: Dan Clarke works for Real Argentina Holidays who specialize in tailor-made holidays in Argentina, whether you want to dance all night in Buenos Aires or do some trekking in Patagonia.
Want to check out some of my travel photos, meet me on Instagram at Travel by Petal.
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Petal
היי, אני מתכננת טיולים וסוכנת נסיעות. אשמח לעזור לך בכל שאלות קשור לניסיעות שיש לך
I'm a travel writer and travel agent hoping to help you plan your next adventure.
