Choose from 191 Fun Things to Do in Argentina
ShowingFilter 81-100 of 191 listings.
Laguna Torre
There’s no doubt the small town of El Chaltén has incredible scenery. Located about three hours from the city of El Calafate, it is known as the hiking capital of Argentina, with the trail to Laguna Torre as a hard-to-beat spot.
The trailhead is easy to find and begins with a gentle uphill walk through native beech forests. The Fitz Roy River flows alongside, and just 15 minutes into the hike, you’ll come to the first viewpoint over the Cascada Margarita waterfall. The hike continues uphill for a couple of hours, until the final ascent up the steep moraine that arrives at the Cerro Torre Mirador lookout. From this point you can see Cerro Solo, the Adela range, the 10,000-foot, near-vertical Cerro Torre with its distinctive surrounding “mushroom” of snow and also Mount Fitzroy.
To get closer, continue to the DeAgostini base camp. After about another 15 minutes in, you will come to Laguna Torre itself, which sometimes has icebergs floating in it.
Practical Info
The weather is very turbulent in this area, and snow is possible even in summer. Photos of the sunrise over the spires are especially sought after, because of the astounding colors.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 1,088
Lake Escondido
Lago Escondido, which translates to Hidden Lake, is surrounded by the Fuegian Andes just north of Ushuaia, Argentina. Many tourists choose to visit on a day-trip from Ushuaia; however, Hosteria Petral provides a lakeside basecamp for anybody interested in taking advantage of its status as a popular sport-fishing destination.
Brown and Rainbow trout can be caught in the lake itself, while brook trout are most often landed near stream inlets or around the many beaver dams that surround the lake.
Other popular activities in the area include horseback riding along the lakeshore, boat and kayak tours on the crystal-clear waters, and, oddly, Canadian-style wildlife watching. Lago Escondido is an excellent place to watch Canadian beavers, which were introduced to southern Patagonia in 1946 with false hope to spur a declining fur trade.
Practical Info
Lake Escondido is located 60 km north of Ushuaia. The route is paved between Ushuaia and Paso Garibaldi, where a 4-km gravel access road reaches the lakeshore at Hosteria Petral.
Address: Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina
From $ 61
Onelli Glacier
Visits to the Onelli Glacier are usually part of a longer cruise of Lago Argentino that includes the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers as well. The Onelli Glacier is currently receding, like all others in the area, other than Perito Moreno, and visitors witness the extraordinary glacier by boat, navigating the milky-blue waters of Lago Argentino.
The glacier in particular does not feed into Lago Argentino proper, but instead drains into Onelli Lake, which is accessible via a walk through a native beech forest from Onelli Bay. The lake offers views of three glaciers: Bolados, Agassiz and Onelli, which is eight miles long, covering 32 square miles.
Upsala glacier is famous for its activity and the Spegazzini for its towering height (nearly 45 feet), but Onelli has its own charm. Because visitors approach the glacier by foot (via a mile-long walk), there is a different sense of Patagonia here. You can see, hear and smell the forest atmosphere in the same way explorer Clemente Onelli did before the glacier was named after him. He found himself visiting the area in the 1880s to determine the precise location of the Chile-Argentina border.
Practical Info
Expect cool temperatures and wind on the boat and strong UV radiation at any time of year. Warm clothing and high-SPF sunscreen are a must.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
From $ 128
Quebrada de las Conchas
The first 30 miles (50 km) of the road from Cafayate to Salta in northwestern Argentina has become a tourist destination in its own right, in large part due to the spectacular scenery of Quebrada de Las Conchas (Canyon of the Shells). The site comprises a series of red rock formations eroded into various shapes that have earned each their own nickname.
The most famous of the formations include Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), El Anfiteatro (the Ampitheater) and Los Castillos (the Castles), but many of the other fancifully named formations are just as photo-worthy.
Practical Info
The best way to see Quebrada de las Conchas is by hired car. The scenic drive along RN 68 can be done in as little as a few hours, including time to hop out for pictures.
Address: Quebrada de las Conchas, Salta, Argentina
Hours: Daily
From $ 39
Lake Fagnano
Lake Fagnano sits directly above the Magallanes-Fagnano Fault, which marks the boundary between the Scotia and South American tectonic plates. The 98km long lake also sits upon the Chile/Argentina border; however, the majority of the lake belongs to Argentina. It’s also the largest lake on Tierra del Fuego.
Lake Fagnano is surrounded by virgin Patagonian forest but there is still a striking landscape change between the south and north shores. The south is marked by the steep Fuegian Andes, while the northern shore is much gentler as Tierra de Fuego transforms into rolling steppe. While boat trips and sport fishing are popular on the lake, most visitors still opt to visit Lake Fagnano the same day they visit Lake Escondido, on a lengthy daytrip from Ushuaia.
The small town of Tolhuin sits on the lake’s easternmost point. Although little more than a stopping point between the two larger cities of Ushuaia and Rio Grande, the Panaderia La Union bakery has become famous. Its walls are lined with autographed photographs of Argentinean and international celebrities who’ve visited as they traveled through the area.
Practical Info
Lake Fagnano is located just 100 km north of Ushuaia, Argentina, along Ruta Nacional 3.
Address: Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina
From $ 61
Lago Lácar
With its shimmering blue waters and forest-lined shoreline, Lake Lacár is one of the most popular attractions in San Martin de Los Andes. In the peak of summer, when the temperature can regularly reach 70 degrees and the sun hangs high in the sky, bask on a beach beneath snowcapped peaks over 200 miles from the ocean. Enjoy the 15-minute stroll from the center of town to dramatic Bandurrias Lookout, and then continue on foot for 30 minutes to La Islita beach. Hire a canoe and paddle the waters surrounded by mountains and silence, or hop on board a sightseeing cruise to motor past islands and virgin forest towards the neighboring Chilean border.
On a full day cruise, disembark at the port of Chachín to hike 30-minutes to Chachín waterfall as it powerfully spills through the forest. On the ride back towards San Martin de los Andes, admire a shoreline pockmarked with caves where the indigenous Mapuche once thrived, and soak in the vistas that arguably rank as some of the best in Patagonia. Or spend a day at Quila Quina on the lake’s southern shore, a lakeshore village that’s full of watersports and native Mapuche crafts.
Practical Info
Bandurrias Lookout is 1.5 miles from San Martin de los Andes, and the summer months of December-February are the most popular times to visit. The lake water is cold throughout the year, although each February there’s a swimming race that crosses the width of the lake. Aside from touring the lake by boat, it’s also possible to drive Route 48 along the winding northern shore.
Address: Lago Lacar, Neuquén Province, Lake District, Argentina
From $ 108
Palais de Glace
The Palais de Glace, French for “ice palace,” was built in the early 20th century as an ice skating rink and social club catering to the city’s high society at the time. As the popularity of ice skating waned, tango quickly became the new trend, and the circular building was converted into an oak-floored dance hall, where some of the most important orchestras of the time performed.
Today, the Belle Époch building in the Recoleta neighborhood houses an always-changing selection of cultural, historical, musical and artistic exhibitions, as well as the National Visual Arts Exhibition (Salon Nacional de Artes Visuales). The building has been listed as a National Historic Monument since 2004.
Practical Info
Palais de Glace is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 8pm, and admission is free.
Address: Posadas 1725, CABA, Argentina C1112ADE, Argentina
Hours: Tue-Sun Noon-8pm
From $ 37
Otway Sound & Penguin Reserve
Travelers can find close encounters of the penguin kind on a visit to Otway Sound and Penguin Reserve in Punta Arenas, where wooden walkways wind through the animal’s natural habitat. Travelers warn cold winds blow most any time of year. And while visitors have to stay in designated areas, penguins and other wildlife roam close and roam freely, making it a truly unique outdoor experience.
Roughly 5,000 warm weather penguins make their way to the shores of the Otway Sound each September and begin laying eggs in October. By November, travelers can find plenty of fluffy gray chicks wandering the sound, which makes it one of the best times of year to visit.
Practical Info
The Penguin Reserve is located about an hour drive from the airport and 40 miles northwest of Punta Arenas. It takes about three hours to navigate the gravel road between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. Travelers planning to spend extra time at the penguin reserve may want to pack their own food, since nearby café options are limited and expensive.
Address: Chile
Admission: Fee charged to enter Reserve
From $ 69
Laguna Nimez Reserve
The Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is an important conservation spot and stopover for many migrating bird species. It’s also home to dozens of Patagonian bird types, and in all, there are about 80 species that can be seen here. Most notable are the flamingoes and black-necked swans, but visitors are also likely to see geese, silvery grebes, ibis and hawks, among others.
The reserve has a walking path of about a mile and a half that runs in and out of vegetation with full vantage of the two lagoons in the middle. There are two shelters from which you can observe the birds in relative secrecy, and the reed-filled areas of the lagoons are almost always bustling with activity. The best time to visit this area is very early in the morning or later in the evening around sunset, when birds return to rest for the evening.
Practical Info
Assume that a visit to Laguna Nimez will take about an hour or longer if you’re a serious birder or photographer. Written guides and binoculars are available on request, and from the reserve, you also get a good view of Cerro Calafate.
Address: El Calafate, Argentina
Admission: AR$2
From $ 51
Puerto Madryn Cruise Port
With a population around 50,000, Puerto Madryn is one of the fastest growing cities in Argentina. While it was originally founded by Welsh settlers, little remains of that Welsh heritage today. Instead, it has become a major tourist destination for visitors looking to enjoy the beaches, wildlife and outdoor activities of the nearby Valdes Peninsula.
How to Get to Puerto Madryn
Cruise ships dock about four miles from the center of town. Taxis are metered and are the best way to get into the city if you are not participating in a shore excursion organized by your ship.
One Day in Puerto Madryn
Visiting Puerto Madryn is really more about exploring the surrounding area than the city itself. It is the jumping off point for excursions to the nearby Valdes Peninsula, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine life. Visit sea lion colonies, spot sea elephants, drive past guanacos, foxes, armadillos and ostriches or hop on a boat to go whale watching. If you enjoy snorkeling or diving, head to Punta Pardelas Beach, one of the best scuba diving areas in the country. Hiking or biking are also great ways to spend a day on the Peninsula.
Another option is to join an excursion to the Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve, about two-and-a-half hours from Puerto Madryn, to get an up close view of Magellanic penguins and llama-like guanacos.
If you’d like to get a feel for the area’s Welsh roots, arrange a trip about 90 minutes out of Puerto Madryn to Gaiman, one of the few villages in the area to still maintain Welsh traditions.
If you do decide to stick around town, you might start your visit with a stroll along Almirante Brown Boulevard. Enjoy a variety of cafes, shops, beach activities and sweeping ocean views. Then, climb up to the Tehuelche monument for even better views of the entire area. Learn more about the flora and fauna of the region by visiting the Ecocentro, the Provincial Oceanographic and Natural Sciences Museum or the Paleontological Museum.
Port Information
The local language is a form of Spanish known as Castellano. While the official currency is the Argentinian peso, US dollars and Euros are widely accepted. Money can be changed at banks around the city and ATM's are available throughout town as well. Credit cards are also generally accepted, but it may be difficult to cash traveler’s checks.
How to Get to Puerto Madryn
Cruise ships dock about four miles from the center of town. Taxis are metered and are the best way to get into the city if you are not participating in a shore excursion organized by your ship.
One Day in Puerto Madryn
Visiting Puerto Madryn is really more about exploring the surrounding area than the city itself. It is the jumping off point for excursions to the nearby Valdes Peninsula, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine life. Visit sea lion colonies, spot sea elephants, drive past guanacos, foxes, armadillos and ostriches or hop on a boat to go whale watching. If you enjoy snorkeling or diving, head to Punta Pardelas Beach, one of the best scuba diving areas in the country. Hiking or biking are also great ways to spend a day on the Peninsula.
Another option is to join an excursion to the Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve, about two-and-a-half hours from Puerto Madryn, to get an up close view of Magellanic penguins and llama-like guanacos.
If you’d like to get a feel for the area’s Welsh roots, arrange a trip about 90 minutes out of Puerto Madryn to Gaiman, one of the few villages in the area to still maintain Welsh traditions.
If you do decide to stick around town, you might start your visit with a stroll along Almirante Brown Boulevard. Enjoy a variety of cafes, shops, beach activities and sweeping ocean views. Then, climb up to the Tehuelche monument for even better views of the entire area. Learn more about the flora and fauna of the region by visiting the Ecocentro, the Provincial Oceanographic and Natural Sciences Museum or the Paleontological Museum.
Port Information
The local language is a form of Spanish known as Castellano. While the official currency is the Argentinian peso, US dollars and Euros are widely accepted. Money can be changed at banks around the city and ATM's are available throughout town as well. Credit cards are also generally accepted, but it may be difficult to cash traveler’s checks.
Address: Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, Argentina
From $ 103
Lake Gutierrez
Because its waters are warm and teem with fish, Lake Gutierrez is one of the most popular destinations near the Argentinean resort city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Situated within Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina’s oldest protected land, the lake has two common access points that sit on opposite shores.
Villa Los Cohiues is the closest access point to the city and it’s where most people access the lake. Swimming, kayaking, and sport fishing are popular on the lake itself, while both hiking and horseback riding offers visitors the chance to explore the surrounding forests.
Fishing is best at the opposite end of the lake, where the Torrontegui river flows into Lake Gutierrez. Declining fish populations encouraged the national park service to restock the lake, so rainbow, brown and brook trout are plentiful once again. Two seabirds—the Kelp Gull and Blue Eyed Cormorant—also live on Lake Gutierrez and throughout Nahuel Huapi National Park. It’s an unknown curiosity, as this region is the only known fresh water habitat for either species.
Practical Info
Lake Gutierrez has two access points: Villa Los Cohiues is located 15 km west of Bariloche, while the southern access is located at km 28 of the Ruta Nacional 258.
Address: Gutiérrez Lake, Río Negro Province, Argentina
From $ 75
Quebrada del Toro
Quebrada del Toro is a gorge northwest of Salta, Argentina. It is along the famous narrow-gauge railway, Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) that runs between Salta and San Antonio de los Cobres, a small mining town at the top of the gorge. The gorge is surrounded by dense forest, imposing rock formations, and colorful varieties of cactus that make for some awe-inspiring scenery. The gorge is named after the nearby river, Rio Toro, which is a calm trickle most of the year. But in the spring its waters are often raging.
The train's path, as well as the path that tour buses take, runs through the Valle de Lerma and climbs to higher elevations, eventually reaching Quebrada del Toro and San Antonio de los Cobres at an elevation of 12,300 feet. Along the way, visitors can see the ruins of a pre-Inca village called Santa Rosa de Tastil, as well as several bridges and viaducts.
Practical Info
Quebrada del Toro and San Antonio de los Cobres are located approximately 100 miles northwest of Salta. It is best reached with a tour.
Address: Salta Province, Argentina
From $ 52
Quila Quina
On the south shore of Lake Lacár in San Martin de los Andes, Quila Quina exists as a fusion of holiday homes and culture. Here on this string of sandy beaches looking out at Lanin National Park, modern lakefront vacation homes combine with the Mapuche village of Curruhuinca for an Andean village like no other. On a sunny day, take the ferry from San Martin de los Andes to the happening Quila Quina port, where shops sell wooden, handmade crafts from native Mapuche residents. Hire a kayak or windsurf board and brave the chilly lake temps, or bask on one of the sandy beaches that dot the winding lakeshore. A number of short walks lead out from the village towards secluded beaches and coves, and you can even access some mineral springs just a short hike from the village. Before catching the ferry back to San Martin de los Andes, sit on the dock with some coffee or chocolate and watch as the sun fades gently behind the snow-capped Andean peaks.
Practical Info
Most visitors travel to Quila Quina by ferry, but should you choose to drive or bike, the 12-mile road to Quila Quina is winding, narrow, and steep. The lake temperatures are cold year round, although the summer months of December-February have warm temperatures for soaking up the sun on a Quila Quina beach.
Address: Quilaquina, Neuquén, Argentina, Argentina
From $ 236
Lago Roca
Completely surrounded by the Guanaco and Piramides Mountain Ranges, both sub ranges of the Andes, Lago Roca is a stunning emerald-green lake protected by Argentina’s Tierra Del Fuego National Park.
The Lago Roca hostel and campground is the easiest starting point to explore this section of the national park. Fishing is popular on the lake, while several trails lead around the lake and into the surrounding mountains. The Cerro Guanaco Trail is a steep climb to a mountain summit. The views from the top are massive, overlooking Lago Roca, the Beagle Channel, and across the border into Chile.
It’s a lake with an identity crisis, too, as Lago Roca – named for former Argentinean president Julio Argentino Roca - is just the most recognized of its three names. The western most portion of the Lake crosses the international border into Chile, where the lake is known as Lago Errazuriz, after Chile’s former President Federico Errázuriz Echaurren. Roca and Errazuriz share a history in Patagonia, as both were recognized for the Abrazo del Estrecho (the hug of the Strait of Magallanes) when they met in Punta Arenas to find a friendly solution to conflicting Patagonian land claims.
Prior to being renamed Lago Roca and Errazuriz (depending on which side of the border you visit), the lake was known as Lago Acigami, the yagan native name.
Practical Info
Lago Roca is located in Tierra Del Fuego National Park, just over 12 km from Ushuaia. Throughout the summer, hourly buses make the round trip between the Park Administration office (Maipú and 25 de Mayo, Ushuaia) and Lago Roca.
Address: Santa Cruz, Argentina
From $ 53
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero, once a lackluster cargo port, is now one of Buenos Aires’ most fashionable districts, teeming with upmarket restaurants and glitzy nightclubs. Marooned from the mainland by the Rio de la Plata estuary, the largely pedestrianized island is celebrated for housing some of the city’s most architecturally stunning buildings.
The Basics
Many visitors come to Puerto Madero for the drinking, dining, and dancing—the twinkling lights after sundown create an atmospheric setting for an evening out. The neighborhood features on many city sightseeing tours, and one of the city’s top tango shows, Rojo Tango, is staged at the island’s Faena Hotel. If you’re interested in the city’s diverse architecture, consider a themed bike tour that includes a pedal along the Puerto Madero waterfront.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Puerto Madero is a must-visit for architecture buffs, night owls, and foodies.
- Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk; there’s a lot of ground to cover in Puerto Madero.
- Dinner and tango shows in the neighborhood typically last around three hours and often include round-trip transportation to your hotel.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Puerto Madero via public transportation is to take the subte B Line to L.N. Alem station. From there it’s a short walk to the island.
When to Get There
The best time to visit this trendy neighborhood depends on the experience you want to have. By day, the island’s Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is a popular spot for outdoor recreation. The rest of the neighborhood truly shines after dark, so plan at least one nighttime visit.
Puente de la Mujer
Of all the architectural gems in Puerto Madero, none is quite so recognizable as the Woman’s Bridge (Puente de la Mujer). This swing bridge connecting Puerto Madero to Plaza de Mayo on the mainland was designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who drew inspiration for the design from the tango.
Address: Teniente General Juan Domingo Peron and Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo, Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero, Argentina
From $ 15
Lago Argentino
If you’re visiting El Calafate, there’s no way to miss the vast Lago Argentino. The city sits on the shore of this massive lake, the largest freshwater source in Argentina. It covers 566 square miles and is a result of glacial meltwater, which causes its milky blue color. The lake is part of Argentina’s Glacier National Park and is home to one of the area’s only advancing glaciers, Perito Moreno, which calves into Lago Argentino.
But Perito Moreno is not the only thing to see at Lago Argentino, and many visitors choose a full day of sightseeing on the lake, starting from El Calafate. Visits up the north arm to Upsala usually give visitors a chance to see calving glaciers up close, and the Spegazzini Glacier is the tallest one in the area, at almost 450 feet. Most visits also include the Onelli Glacier, and visitors are sometimes allowed to disembark along the shores and hike among native beech forest and red-blooming firebush. On clear days, the glaciers spear stark and white, while overcast days show off their bluer tones.
Practical Info
From El Calafate, drive about 40 minutes to Puerto Bandera on the lake’s shore to go sailing and visit a few different glacier fronts, depending on conditions. Temperatures are cool most times of year, so dress accordingly.
Address: El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina
From $ 42
La Ventana Tango Show
There’s a sultry, sleek, and sexy beauty to Argentinian tango, and no place does is better at capturing that mood than the tango halls of San Telmo. Here in the old, cobblestoned barrio of downtown Buenos Aires, tango went from a local dance to a passionate craze that circled that globe and gripped a generation. Today that flare for the dance lives on, and La Ventana tango show combines an evening of sleek performance with succulent local cuisine. Set inside a conventillo, or historic tenement building, La Ventana has entertained audiences since 1982. More than just simply a tango, however, the evening features a look at traditional gaucho life in the mountains, and also includes an inspired tribute to the leader, Eva Perón. To absorb even more of the Argentine flavor, opt for a show that also includes a 3-course dinner and wine, before kicking back and losing yourself in the passionate beats of San Telmo.
Practical Info
The evening lasts 3 or 4.5 hours, depending on if you include dinner. Dinner and show are offered daily.
Did You Know? Since tango was formed by lower class residents, wealthier residents looked down upon tango as scandalous and a sinfully beneath them. The dance was virtually outlawed in the city from the 1950s to the 1980s, when conservative politicians felt it fomented revolution.
Address: Balcarce 431, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Admission: Varies depending on type of show
From $ 55
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Following the Rio Grande Valley through northern Argentina and all the way to Bolivia is the beautiful Quebrada de Humahuaca, a colorful, craggy gorge with walls striped in shades of pink, red, lavender and gray. The multi-hued landscape is so unique that it earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list, but its natural beauty isn't the only reason to visit.
This river valley cutting through an otherwise arid landscape has likely been used as a major trade route for some 10,000 years. Remnants of various area inhabitants can be seen in the hundreds of archaeological sites dotting the valley, alongside a series of tiny, dusty pueblos with old adobe churches at their centers. Unlike some of the more developed tourist centers, like Salta and Purmamarca, these picturesque villages offer a more authentic glimpse of a typical Andean town, complete with local restaurants serving locro and llama.
Practical Info
Quebrada de Humahuaca is located 37 miles (60 km) north of San Salvador de Jujuy and 56 miles (90 km) north of Salta, near the Bolivian border.
Address: Quebrada de Humahuaca, Humahuaca, Salta, Argentina
Hours: Daily
From $ 49
Purmamarca
Considered one of Argentina’s most postcard-worthy towns, Purmamarca lies in the province of Jujuy just north of Salta, beneath the shadows of the spectacular Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). The area's collection of adobe houses and 17th-century Spanish colonial church are pretty in their own right, but the backdrop of jagged hills displaying layers of red, purple, yellow and orange makes for a particularly vivid sight in the early hours when the rising sun illuminates the natural tapestry.
Within the town itself sits one of Argentina’s oldest and prettiest churches, the centuries-old Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima, constructed from adobe and thistle wood and dating back to 1648. The sleepy pueblo serves as a favored base from which to explore some of the region's other natural attractions, including the equally spectacular Salinas Grandes and Quebrada. Spending a night in the pueblo also means you can take advantage of the dry air and high altitude by doing some stargazing.
Practical Info
If you’re already planning a trip to Salinas Grandes from Salta, do yourself a favor and stay the night in Purmamarca on the way there or back.
Address: Purmamarca, Salta, Argentina
Hours: Daily
From $ 49
La Leona Petrified Forest
Before Patagonia was peppered with glaciers and jagged, snow-capped peaks, it was a vast plain of lush forests where dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Granted, that was 100 million years ago, and Patagonia today is vastly different from those early days of its founding.
At La Leona Petrified Forest, however, visitors have the chance to literally walk through prehistoric Patagonia. This 2,000-acre depression in the Earth is amazingly frozen in time, where massive trees and dinosaur bones still lie on the dusty Earth. There’s an enveloping silence in the desert plains, and only the wind and crunch of your boots seem to break the eerie silence. Nearby, at La Leona Hotel, even more mystique is added to the visit by viewing a place where legendary outlaws hid to escape the law. The towering peak of Mt. Fitzroy can often be seen in the distance, and from walking past fossilized dinosaur dung to hiking in a lunar landscape, this easy daytrip from El Calafate can seem like another world.
The La Leona Petrified Forest is approximately 70 miles—or 1.5 hours—from the town of El Calafate. Since the forest is located on private land it’s only accessible by tour. The best months for visiting are October-April, and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and shoes for the unforgiving terrain.
Address: Argentina
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 124