Choose from 191 Fun Things to Do in Argentina
ShowingFilter 61-80 of 191 listings.
Avenida 9 De Julio
Porteños often boast about Avenida 9 De Julio as the world’s widest boulevard, and with a width of 460 feet (140 meters) with 12 lanes of traffic, they might just be right. Construction on the avenue began in 1937, modeled after the Champs Elysees but twice as wide, and built to commemorate Argentina’s Independence Day, July 9, 1816. It wasn’t fully completed until 1980.
Neo-classical and Beaux Arts buildings line the monumental street, but it’s most recognizable feature is the iconic Obelisco that towers over a small park at the intersection of Avenida 9 De Julio and Avenida Corrientes.
Practical Info
Don’t try to rush across the avenue. On average, a pedestrian needs two to three green lights to make it all the way across.
Address: Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
From $ 15
Old Prison of Ushuaia
The Old Prison of Ushuaia isn’t just a museum. It’s four walls hold the history of Ushuaia, as its inmates literally built the city streets and public buildings. It had Tierra del Fuego’s first printing press, telephone, and electricity, too.
For the most part, its inmates were a surly bunch, made up of serial offenders that Buenos Aires police wanted to ship out and never see again. There were also political prisoners, sent to the end of the world where their ideals would be ignored. But rumors also claim that Carlos Gardel – the most prominent voice in Tango – also spent a stretch in this bleak outpost.
Today, the Old Prison building houses several different museums, but two wings of the building are dedicated to the incarcerated history. One wing has been left as is, so it takes visitors into the past by showing both the living conditions and cramped quarters that found 800 prisoners living in 360 cells. The second wing of the prison museum houses restored furniture, mannequins, and stories of the inmates’ pasts.
The old prison building also houses the Maritime and Antarctic Museums, and the Maritime Art Gallery.
Practical Info
The old prison of Ushuaia is located at the intersection of Yaganes y Gobernador Paz. From April to October, it’s open 10AM to 8PM. From November to March, it’s open 9AM to 8PM. Admission currently costs $120 pesos for an individual or $250 pesos for a family, but includes access to the Maritime, Antarctic, and Old Prison Museums and art gallery.
Address: Yaganes y Gobernador Paz, Ushuaia, Argentina
Hours: April-Oct 10AM to 8PM
Nov-March 9AM to 8PM
Admission: $120 pesos
From $ 18
End of the World Museum (Museo del Fin del Mundo)
Celebrate your visit to the world’s southernmost city by exploring the Museo del Fin del Mundo.
The museum focuses on Ushuaia’s natural and indigenous history, including a menagerie of stuffed animals and the tools used to hunt them.
The collection is displayed in a series of interconnecting rooms, starting off with travelers and ethnography, including mementos of past visitors such as the shipwrecked figurehead of the HMS Duchess of Albany, which came to grief off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in 1893.
The grocery store exhibit is a hit with kids of all ages, displaying the essential shopping items of Ushuaia’s far-flung citizens in times gone by.
Seabirds like albatrosses and petrels are featured in the Birds of Fire room, along with penguins, shorebirds, ducks, swans, flamingos and waterfowl.
The final exhibit displays the safes, security doors, sturdy furniture and log books of Argentina’s National Bank.
The museum focuses on Ushuaia’s natural and indigenous history, including a menagerie of stuffed animals and the tools used to hunt them.
The collection is displayed in a series of interconnecting rooms, starting off with travelers and ethnography, including mementos of past visitors such as the shipwrecked figurehead of the HMS Duchess of Albany, which came to grief off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in 1893.
The grocery store exhibit is a hit with kids of all ages, displaying the essential shopping items of Ushuaia’s far-flung citizens in times gone by.
Seabirds like albatrosses and petrels are featured in the Birds of Fire room, along with penguins, shorebirds, ducks, swans, flamingos and waterfowl.
The final exhibit displays the safes, security doors, sturdy furniture and log books of Argentina’s National Bank.
Practical Info
The Museo del Fin del Mundo is on Ushuaia’s main street overlooking the waterfront, Av Maipu, just a short walk from the pier.
The entry fee also gives you admission to the former Government House, nearby at Av Maipu 465.
The entry fee also gives you admission to the former Government House, nearby at Av Maipu 465.
Address: Av Maipu 179, Ushuaia, Argentina
Hours: Open daily, Oct - Apr 9am - 8pm, May - Sept noon - 7pm.
Admission: Adults: AR$30
From $ 18
Estancia Harberton
Overlooking the icy waters of the Beagle Channel, Estancia Harberton offers a glimpse into the history and wildlife of Argentina’s far-flung Tierra del Fuego.
The oldest estancia (farm) in this part of the world, the still-working property dates back to 1887 and was established by English missionary Thomas Bridges. Bridges founded the Anglican Mission at Ushuaia in 1870.
Today, the estancia remains in the hands of Bridges’ descendants, and it was declared an Argentine National Historical Monument in 1999.
A visit reveals the original buildings of wood and corrugated iron, and terraced gardens. The sheep have long gone but the cattle remain. While you’re here you can also walk amongst a penguin colony at the estancia’s Yecapasela Reserve.
Perhaps the best way to visit is by boat tour from Ushuaia. The cruises visit the Bridges Islands for wildlife viewing of sea lions, penguin colonies and cormorants, before sailing to the estancia for a tour of the homestead and its small marinelife museum.
Traveling here by road, the route winds past mountains, valleys and coastal vistas of the Beagle Channel and its wind-sculpted trees and marshland.
The oldest estancia (farm) in this part of the world, the still-working property dates back to 1887 and was established by English missionary Thomas Bridges. Bridges founded the Anglican Mission at Ushuaia in 1870.
Today, the estancia remains in the hands of Bridges’ descendants, and it was declared an Argentine National Historical Monument in 1999.
A visit reveals the original buildings of wood and corrugated iron, and terraced gardens. The sheep have long gone but the cattle remain. While you’re here you can also walk amongst a penguin colony at the estancia’s Yecapasela Reserve.
Perhaps the best way to visit is by boat tour from Ushuaia. The cruises visit the Bridges Islands for wildlife viewing of sea lions, penguin colonies and cormorants, before sailing to the estancia for a tour of the homestead and its small marinelife museum.
Traveling here by road, the route winds past mountains, valleys and coastal vistas of the Beagle Channel and its wind-sculpted trees and marshland.
Practical Info
Estancia Harberton is 85 km (52 miles) east of Ushuaia, 40 nautical miles by sea. You can visit by tour, taxi or hire car.
If you’re visiting independently, enjoy a meal in the tearooms or arrange accommodation in the estancia’s guesthouses.
If you’re visiting independently, enjoy a meal in the tearooms or arrange accommodation in the estancia’s guesthouses.
Address: Argentina
Hours: Open daily, Oct 15 - Apr 15
Admission: Adults: AR$15
From $ 23
Hippodrome
From the nomadic gauchos of the Pampas to the skilled champions of polo, Argentina boasts an illustrious equestrian history that draws horse lovers from all over the world. One of Buenos Aires’ principal equestrian venues is the Hippodrome race ground, located in the central Palermo district off Libertador Avenue, where weekly races are held on the 2.4 km track.
Although inaugurated in 1876, the elegant Hippodrome was remodeled in the early 20th-century, with French architect Faure Dujarric refashioning the entrance hall and 2000-capacity grandstand in an ornate Art Nouveau style. The magnificent building is now a popular haunt for both locals and tourists, most notably during mid November, when the Grand National, or the Argentine Derby, draws in large crowds.
Around 10 races are held at the Hippodrome each month so there are plenty of opportunities to experience the excitement of a live event. Don’t fancy splashing some cash? The Hippodrome complex also features a lavish underground casino, an art exhibition space, shopping mall and an array of top restaurants and bistros to keep non-betting visitors entertained.
Although inaugurated in 1876, the elegant Hippodrome was remodeled in the early 20th-century, with French architect Faure Dujarric refashioning the entrance hall and 2000-capacity grandstand in an ornate Art Nouveau style. The magnificent building is now a popular haunt for both locals and tourists, most notably during mid November, when the Grand National, or the Argentine Derby, draws in large crowds.
Around 10 races are held at the Hippodrome each month so there are plenty of opportunities to experience the excitement of a live event. Don’t fancy splashing some cash? The Hippodrome complex also features a lavish underground casino, an art exhibition space, shopping mall and an array of top restaurants and bistros to keep non-betting visitors entertained.
Address: Avenida del Libertador 4101, Buenos Aires, Palermo, Argentina
From $ 35
Esquina Carlos Gardel
Tango is the word on everyone’s lips when visiting Buenos Aires. It was here where the sultry dance was born and survived through a period of outlaw, and the passionate heart of the Argentine arts scene that emanates out from San Telmo. Though it isn’t in the San Telmo neighborhood, Esquina Carlos Gardel is regarded as one of the city’s best tango shows, and is named for the singer, Carlos Gardel, who brought the tango to fame. More than just honoring him by name, however, the show takes place in the very building where Gardel would croon his tango hits throughout the 1920s. From humble beginnings in this Abasto neighborhood, Gardel would rise to international fame for his passionate, mournful songs—many of which are performed here today as part of this elegant show. Even though the theater seats 410 people there isn’t a bad seat in the house, where after a dinner that’s paired with wine, you’re treated to performances by 25 different dancers, musicians, and singers. It’s a moody evening full of romance and lust, of talent, history, and desire, and a great way to spend a night on the town in the city where tango was born.
Practical Info
Transportation to and from the theater is included with the price of a ticket. Dinner begins at 8:30pm, and the show runs from 10:30pm-midnight. Dress code is formal and semi-formal.
Did You Know? In 1915, Che Guevara’s father shot Carlos Gardel in the chest after a late-night bar room brawl. The bullet remained lodged in his left lung for the rest of his career as a singer.
Address: 3200 Carlos Gardel Street, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hours: Dinner begins at 8:30pm on every day of the year.
From $ 11
Puente de la Mujer
Puente de la Mujer, or Women’s Bridge, is a footbridge in the Puerto Madero district of Buenos Aires. It was designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and modeled after very similar bridges spanning the rivers in Seville, Spain and Redding, California. The prominent feature that all three bridges share is the big steel needle jutting at a sharp angle into the sky. The needle functions as an anchor for the suspension cables and holds up the entire span. According to the creator, the whole structure is supposed to show a couple dancing the tango, with the needle representing the man and the curved body of the bridge embodying the woman being lowered to the ground. Additionally, many of the streets in this Buenos Aires district have women’s names, a fact that Calatrava wanted to honor when he named Puente de la Mujer.
An interesting function of the bridge is its rotating feature to let water traffic pass through. The mobile section making up the center of the bridge is able to rotate 90 degrees, when it is working that is. Since the city has left the responsibility of maintaining the structure with the family that sponsored the construction, the 160 meter long pedestrian bridge is not in operation while matters of upkeep are being sorted out.
Practical Info
Puente de la Mujer spans a channel named Rio Dique in the Puerto Madero district. The closest underground metro stations are Plaza de Mayo, serviced by line A and Leandro N. Alem, serviced by line B.
Address: Puente de la Mujer, Buenos Aires, Argentina
From $ 20
Hill of Glory (Cerro de la Gloria)
A 14-ton bronze national monument atop the steps of the Hill of Glory pays tribute to the Army of the Andres battle for liberation, which freed Argentina, Chile and Peru from Spanish rule in the early 19th century. Travelers can wander the crooked path through San Martin Park, past a Greek theater and soccer stadium, to this historic monument, which was designed by a Uruguayan artist and is a recognized part of the urban skyline.
Stones for this iconic memorial were trekked in from the Uspallata area of the Mendoza Mountains. Life-like images depicting struggles, victories and historic moments are etched into the sides of the Hill of Glory, but it’s the massive statues of brave soldiers perched atop the towering rocks that make this piece of public art so noteworthy.
Practical Info
Travelers must enter through San Martin Park—one of the city’s most famous green areas—in order to access the Hill of Glory.
Address: Cerro de la Gloria, Mendoza, Argentina
Hours: Daily
From $ 16
Garibaldi Pass (Paso Garibaldi)
Garibaldi Pass, located on Tierra del Fuego, is the only paved route across the Fuegian Andes. Surprisingly enough, it’s also the highest point on Argentina’s Ruta Nacional 3. The views from the summit are stunning; to the north, the massive Lago Fagnano stretches 98 km west, across the Magallanes-Fagnano Fault and into Chile, and to the south, the often-missed Lago Escondido reveals its picture-perfect location surrounded by mountains.
The mountain pass also marks an abrupt transition in Tierra Del Fuego’s Geography. To the north, the island is mostly rolling steppe and sprawling sheep farms are the only things that interrupt the large distances between settlements. Heading south, the road snakes its way through the Fuegian Andes for the final 60km into Ushuaia before descending to the Beagle Channel.
The pass was built in 1956 to connect the island’s two major cities: Rio Grande and Ushuaia and it comes with a touch of interesting history. Three days after the route opened, a USA-licensed Jeep became just the third vehicle to successfully drive between the two cities, completing what at the time was the first successful Alaska-Ushuaia road trip.
Practical Info
Garibaldi Pass is located between Rio Grande and Ushuaia, along the main Ruta 3 Highway. It is open year round; however, snow and ice frequently covers the road in the winter.
Address: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
From $ 61
Guemes Gallery
Dazzling shoppers on Buenos Aires’ central Florida Street, the Guemes Gallery, or Galería Güemes, is one of the city’s finest gallerias, making headlines as the highest building in Argentina when it first opened in 1915. Designed by legendary Italian architect, Francesco Gianotti (the brains behind the landmark Confiteria del Molino building on Plaza Congresso), the domed atrium towers 87 meters over downtown Buenos Aires and still offers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views from its 14th floor observation deck.
A striking composition of Art Nouveau styles, the Gallery’s decadent interiors are a breathtaking college of ornamental archways, beautiful ironwork, sculpted granite walls and exquisite stained glass. The upper floor apartments are equally impressive, having hosted a smattering of famous names over the years, most notably writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, to whom a photography collection is devoted to on the 2nd level. The undisputed highlight is the grand Astor Piazzolla Theatre in the basement, one of the city’s most celebrated tango venues, where tango icon Carlos Gardel once performed and the nightly dinner shows remain a popular pastime among tourists.
A striking composition of Art Nouveau styles, the Gallery’s decadent interiors are a breathtaking college of ornamental archways, beautiful ironwork, sculpted granite walls and exquisite stained glass. The upper floor apartments are equally impressive, having hosted a smattering of famous names over the years, most notably writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, to whom a photography collection is devoted to on the 2nd level. The undisputed highlight is the grand Astor Piazzolla Theatre in the basement, one of the city’s most celebrated tango venues, where tango icon Carlos Gardel once performed and the nightly dinner shows remain a popular pastime among tourists.
Practical Info
Routes to take by transit: Subway: Line D, Line E, Line A, Line B, Line C.
Address: Florida 165, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hours: Open Mon-Fri 8am - 8pm, Saturdays 9am - 3pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.
From $ 37
Esquina Homero Manzi
Few tango venues have as illustrious a history as the Esquina Homero Manzi, built in 1917 and earning a reputation as an important cultural hub in the 1940s, where local tango musicians, dancers and poets would gather to drink, talk and perform. Today, the protected building has been beautifully restored in period style and named after one of its most famous former visitors – legendary tango lyricist Homero Manzi, who wrote his famous tango 'Sur' within its walls.
The atmospheric 300-seat restaurant now hosts one of the city’s best tango dinner shows, where guests can dine on Argentine cuisine and wine, and watch a nostalgic show of iconic tango songs and dances by talented local performers.
Practical Info
Esquina Homero Manzi is located at the corner of Av. San Juan and Boedo in Buenos Aires’ Boedo neighborhood, and hosts daily tango shows.
Address: Av San Juan 3601, Bueno Aires, Argentina
Admission: Show: AR$330, Show & Dinner: From AR$550
From $ 20
La Boca
Few places in Buenos Aires are photographed as frequently as Caminito Street. The main artery of the waterfront La Boca neighborhood is a jumble of old buildings, brightly painted facades, and street-side market stalls, with hawkers, buskers, and tango dancers adding to the atmosphere.
The Basics
Most Buenos Aires city tours stop at Caminito Street, and the buildings make a colorful backdrop for travel photos; look out for statues of Argentine political figures like Eva Perón and Che Guevara, and soccer hero Diego Maradona peeking out from doorways and balconies. Visitors can browse the street market, where stalls sell souvenirs and handicrafts; drink a yerba mate (tea) at one of the terrace cafés; or watch the street tango dancers.
Things to Know Before You Go
- La Boca is known as one of Buenos Aires’ less safe neighborhoods; it’s advisable to stick to the main tourist areas and take a taxi if you’re traveling at night.
- Tours of Caminito Street are often combined with other La Boca attractions, such as La Bombonera stadium.
- There are a number of bars, cafés, and restaurants along Caminito Street
- Caminito Street is wheelchair accessible, though it is mostly cobblestoned and uneven in places.
How to Get There
Caminito Street is located in the neighborhood of La Boca, just south of downtown Buenos Aires. There is no subway service to La Boca, but several buses run from downtown, stopping along the waterfront at the eastern end of Caminito. Alternatively, it’s a short taxi ride.
When to Get There
Caminito Street can get busy, especially during peak season. For crowd-free photos, arrive before 11am, as most tour buses arrive in late morning or early afternoon. Due to safety concerns, it’s best to avoid visiting at night.
The History of Caminito
Caminito means “little path.” This pedestrian area was first settled by Italian immigrants, who worked at the neighboring port. Their haphazardly built homes—known as conventillos—were constructed from corrugated metal and wood, and painted in bright colors using leftover paint from the ships. By the 1950s, the street had become popular with artists and tango dancers, and local artist Benito Quinquela Martín transformed many of the buildings with street art.
Address: Avenida Suarez, Buenos Aires C1059ABC, Argentina
Admission: Free
From $ 15
Puerto Blest
Puerto Blest is on the western end of Nahuel Huapi Lake. It is part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park in the Rio Negro province of Argentina. Nahuel Huapi Lake is divided into different sections, and the western arm of the lake is the Blest section. The Blest branch of the lake covers an area of about 14 square miles. At the entrance to the Blest section of the lake is Centinela Island, where explorer Francisco Moreno is buried. He came to this region of Argentina in the late 1800s and later founded Nahuel Huapi National Park.
From Puerto Blest, you can reach Los Cantaros Waterfall as well climb the steps near the waterfall to Los Cantaros Lake which feeds into the falls. While hiking in the area, you will find cypress and coihue trees that grow in this area's rainforest micro climate. This region receives more rainfall than any other part of Argentina, and plants and fungi grow here that you can't find in other parts of the country. From the lake, you can also see several peaks of the Andes Mountain range.
Practical Info
Due to its remote location, Puerto Blest is best reached by boat from either Puerto San Carlos or Puerto Pañuelo, both of which are west of Bariloche. There are also several boat tour options from Bariloche.
Address: Puerto Blest, Río Negro Province, Argentina
From $ 69
End of the World Train (Tren del Fin del Mundo)
For the ultimate end-of-the-earth adventure, ride the world’s southernmost train to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Leave from outside Ushuaia and follow the historic convict train route, passing beech forests, peat bogs, and reminders of the timber-felling worksites of Ushuaia prisoners from 1901 to 1941.
The Basics
The hourlong train ride to Tierra del Fuego National Park departs three times per day in heated coaches with large windows perfect for viewing the passing scenery. An onboard audio tour in English, Spanish, and Portuguese offers a history of the convict train. Combine your train ticket with a half-day tour of the national park for a hassle-free day trip from Ushuaia.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The train is a must-do for families with kids and history buffs.
- A one-way train ride lasts about an hour and round-trip transport takes an hour and 45 minutes.
- The price of the train ticket does not include entrance to the national park.
- Don’t forget to dress in layers; the train is heated but it’s often chilly outside.
How to Get There
The Tren del Fin del Mundo's station is located 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside Ushuaia. The easiest way to get there is by car or taxi; it’s about a 25-minute drive.
When to Get There
The End of the World Train operates yearlong, even during periods of heavy snow. Riders can choose from three departures daily. Much of the national park is closed between June and September.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Measuring 232 square miles (601 square kilometers), there’s plenty to explore within Tierra del Fuego National Park. Visit Lago Roca, a lake surrounded by mountain peaks, or trek through peat bogs and native forests. The views from the top of Cerro Guanaco are well worth the climb.
Address: Argentina
Admission: Varies
From $ 32
Bella Vista Hill (Cerro Bella Vista)
Cerro Bella Vista is a mountain in the province of Rio Negro near Bariloche, Argentina and falls within Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is 5,577 feet high and fairly easy to climb, but a hike to the summit can take between two to four hours, and descending can take two to three hours. It's not as well-known as some of the other peaks in the area, but it is visible from Bariloche and from the nearby heights. It also offers spectacular views of the nearby peaks, Nahuel Huapi Lake, Lake Moreno, and sections of Nahuel Huapi National Park. During the climb, you will hike through a forest of coihue trees and lenga trees. You will also have the chance to see flowers and birds that are native to the Patagonian Andes.
The best time to hike up Cerro Bella Vista is during the summer, which runs mid-December to mid-March. The weather should also be mild from November to May. Snow is possible during the winter months.
Practical Info
Cerro Bella Vista is west of Barlioche. To get there, take a collectivo or bus from Bariloche to Colonia Suiza, which takes about an hour. You will be dropped off a little less than four miles from the trail head. With private transportation, you can get there in about 20 minutes and park closer to the trail head. It is recommended to hike with a guide or tour.
Address: Cerro Bella Vista, Río Negro Province, Argentina
From $ 69
Pucará
Pucará de Tilcara was a fortification from pre-Inca times that is located outside the village of Tilcara about an hour north of San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina. Its location on a hill was strategically chosen to be easily defensible and to have good views over a big portion of the gorge called Quebrada de Humahuaca. It is the only publicly accessible archaeological site in Quebrada de Humahuaca, and it was declared a national monument in 2000.
The town was originally built by the Omaguaca tribe who settled the area in the 12th century. The civilization thrived for several centuries. They built living quarters, corrals for animals, and sites for religious ceremonies here. However, in the late 15th century, they were conquered by the Incas. The site was rediscovered in 1908, and today visitors can see the ruins on the hill as well as artifacts in the town's archaeological museum.
Practical Info
The Pucará ruins are located 53 miles north of San Salvador de Jujuy. To get there by car, take route 9 north.
Address: Tilcara, Argentina
From $ 49
La Bombonera Stadium
The beloved Boca Juniors soccer team plays its games at Alberto J Armando stadium, affectionately known as La Bombonera (Spanish for “the Chocolate Box”). It has a capacity of 49,000 and is known for vibrating when fans start getting too antsy – either from happiness or disgust – and start jumping in rhythm.
A behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium is a fascinating look at the sport that that most Argentines live and die by and the Buenos Aires soccer team that was founded in 1905 by five boys living in La Boca neighborhood.
Visit the interactive Museo de la Pasión Boquense, the first soccer museum in the Americas, and walk out on to the famous soccer field pitch, where you can close your eyes and imagine the roar of the passionate crowd.
A behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium is a fascinating look at the sport that that most Argentines live and die by and the Buenos Aires soccer team that was founded in 1905 by five boys living in La Boca neighborhood.
Visit the interactive Museo de la Pasión Boquense, the first soccer museum in the Americas, and walk out on to the famous soccer field pitch, where you can close your eyes and imagine the roar of the passionate crowd.
Address: Brandsen 805, Buenos Aires CP 1161, Argentina
From $ 15
Puente del Inca
The area surrounding Mendoza, Argentina is of great historical importance, having been used as an important pass connecting the east and west parts of the South American continent. There is a natural bridge called Puente del Inca, not far from Mendoza (towards the Andes) over the Río Mendoza, that used to have a hot spring. It is hypothesized that the bridge itself was formed by the accumulation of sediment over ice, such that the sediment petrified, and when the ice melted, it left the orange, yellow and ochre-colored bridge behind. The bridge was given its name due to the presence of the Inca people in this area, and the belief that they would have visited the springs for the curative qualities of the water.
The bridge itself sits at about 9,000 feet, and is closed to the public, due to some instability in the structure, but it is still very photogenic. The area surrounding the bridge is spectacular, and includes views of several major peaks surrounding Aconcagua, including Tupungato, which tops out at 6,650 meters. Also nearby is the Cementerio de los Andinistas, built in homage to mountain climbers, both those who perished in the Andes, and those who had tremendous respect for the mountains.
Practical Info
Crossings in this area are tricky in winter months, due to blustery weather at the pass. Keep a close eye on weather conditions, and plan your trip for days with stable weather.
Address: Argentina
From $ 69
Esmeralda Lagoon (Laguna Esmeralda)
The Esmeralda Lagoon hike is a popular afternoon and evening activity just outside of Ushuaia. Set in a wide valley in the Fuegian Andes, Esmeralda Lagoon is ringed by native cohiue and lenga forests.
The hike traverses several peat bogs, which cover much of Tierra Del Fuego’s low-lying lands. After a 2-3 hour hike, visitors arrive at the shore of Esmeralda Lagoon, but the main attraction is hard to choose. Both the emerald-green glacier water and the beavers that ply its waters are equally stunning. Other native fauna, including guanaco, foxes and condors are commonly sighted along the hike to and from the lake.
Helicopter tours also depart Ushuaia airfield and fly across the Fuegian Andes, past Olivia Mountain to Esmeralda Lagoon.
In the winter months, the lake freezes and the Southern Andes are covered in snow. Tours still hike into the lake; however, it’s less about the destination and more about experiencing a rare winter wonderland.
Practical Info
The Esmeralda Lagoon Hike begins at the Tierra Mayor Valley, 20 km north east of Ushuaia. December to March is the best time to visit the lake; however, tours do operate year-round.
Address: Ushuaia, Argentina
Hours: Year-round
From $ 76
Estancia Cristina
Patagonia, Argentina, is a place that makes people want to pack up their bags and move to this natural paradise. Estancia Cristina, an old sheep ranch (estancia) dating back to 1918, makes that a possibility. In 2005, the site opened its doors as an inn, as well as an agro-tourism day trip destination.
A visit to the estancia provides background information about the history of how Argentine Patagonia was settled, in addition to explaining the functions of the farm. A Patagonian barbecue is a highlight of the region and to this site specifically, which normally features spit-roasted lamb, often accompanied by a glass of Argentina’s iconic Malbec wine.
Access to Estancia Cristina is on a boat from Puerto Bandera, itself only a 40-minute drive from El Calafate. It is easy to combine a trip to Estancia Cristina with a visit to the Upsala Glacier, one of the most active in the area.
Other activities from the estancia include horseback riding with local gauchos, hiking to waterfalls and a canyon hike with fossil spotting. Keep your eye out for Andean condors, a species of bird with a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet. They can often be seen coasting on thermal updrafts in the late afternoon.
Practical Info
Estancia Cristina is accessible via boat from Puerto Bandera, which itself is a 40-minute drive from El Calafate. The two-hour-long boat ride is on the milky blue waters of Lago Argentino, Argentina’s largest source of fresh water, whose color is influenced by glacial silt that calving icebergs and glaciers deposit into the lake.
Address: 9 de Julio 57, El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 160