Why go to Argentina? The 10 good reasons to go Argentina

Between the big urban centres and the great desert expanses, you can imagine that life does not flow at the same pace for everyone. On the city side, shops open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays (later in shopping centres) and generally stay open on Saturdays until 2pm. On the other hand, everything is closed on Sundays. The lunch break is often between 1 and 3 pm, depending on the case. In the interior of the country (especially in the North-East and North-West), a lunch break or siesta is de rigueur (even in some parts of Patagonia!). In this case, it is very difficult to find a shop open between 12h and 17h

At first glance, reservations are not necessary: even in high season, you can always find a hotel or arrange a guided tour overnight. However, on the Patagonian side, you should be aware that your trip may have to meet certain logistical requirements: in summer, ferry and bus traffic increases, but this does not mean that more departures are scheduled. Therefore, go through an agency to organize your stay or plan your reservations yourself. We advise you to book whale-watching excursions on the Valdes Peninsula: the best agencies are very quickly sold out in high season.

Argentina is far from being cheap, especially if you compare it to its Latin American neighbors. It is true that in the last few years, prices are half as expensive as in France: due to inflation, the cost of living has dropped relatively and attracts more and more tourists. However, you should know that prices are still higher in Patagonia. The vast majority of the national parks have a fee for national and foreign visitors, and discounts are sometimes offered for students and children. In Argentina, the parks and reserves are administered by the APN (Administracion de Parques Nacionales) which is in charge of the parks and reserves. The services of guides are not mandatory and you can walk the trails of the parks at your leisure. The Parque Nacional Los Glaciares has a fee in the southern sector (Perito Moreno glacier), but is free in the northern sector: small budgets will be able to hike for several days without spending any money. For the Iguazú National Park, you will pay half price if you come back the next day on presentation of your first entrance ticket. As far as museums are concerned, prices are rarely exorbitant, they are sometimes even free and only offer a small contribution from you. Many points of interest are also free, you just have to be a little curious and take your time: a path can lead to a beautiful waterfall, exploring a village and strolling through its streets can be a walk of several hours, a mirador can be an excellent excuse for a lunch break, strolling along the shores of a lake can lead you to discover a secret beach ... Argentina is a great playground for those who will take the time to savor its various facets

Celebrating its traditions, its biodiversity, its gaucho culture and the unity of the nation, Argentina is a country full of colorful festivities. Throughout the year, hundreds of celebrations take place, whether in the heart of urban centers or in the middle of the pampas! The most charming and picturesque are certainly the folkloric festivities celebrating a condensed culture and history specific to each region: let's note for example the Día de la Tradición, a celebration of the traditional gaucho culture in San Antonio de Areco, the colorful carnival of Gualeguaychu in the province of Entre Rios, or the National Festival of the Pachamama (Mother Earth) in the Argentine Northwest.

Of course, guided tours are a must in the urban areas in order to become familiar with the history and culture of Argentina. In Buenos Aires and other large cities, there are many walking tours of the city, each with its own theme (street art, tango, gastronomy...). From a few hours to several days, several tour agencies offer varied and customized programs. For nature lovers, you can discover the tropical, desert or coastal regions of Argentina in total autonomy. However, for practical or safety reasons, some activities require you to be accompanied. To get close to the marine wildlife, you will need to book a tour with an agency. To walk among the penguins or approach the whales, these agencies have special authorizations. The same goes for climbing the highest peaks and glaciers, which must be done with specialized agencies or guides. Trekking on glaciers also requires being well equipped (crampons, helmets...). Most of the sports activities require to be accompanied: canyoning, rafting, climbing or diving, follow the guide!

Smoking is not permitted in national parks, museums and most outdoor attractions and is frowned upon. Be aware that Argentina has passed a strict anti-smoking law which bans smoking in public places. However, if you are a smoker you will be able to enjoy your cigarette in public areas