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Destinations of Argentina for self driving
Where to travel in Argentina? What is the best Itinerary for you?
Argentina has some of the most well visited destinations in the world. But which is the best destinations for you to visit? Argentina with 59 national protected areas, 4 national natural monuments, that cover about the same size as the whole of Costa Rica, in addition to local and provincial reserves, Argentina is the land of huge adjectives when it comes to nature and protected areas. With 6 UNESCO World Heritage Natural Reserves (Iguazu Falls, which is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Los Glaciares National Park, Valdes Peninsula, among others), besides 6 UNESCO World Heritage Cultural sites (Jesuit Missions of the Guarani, Humahuaca Gorge, the Andean Road System, and others) you can start to understand why Argentina has some of the best road trips in South America and even the world.
Which is the Best Destination? A brief introduction.
Each region of Argentina has something to show you. It all depends on the type of trip you wish to have. Level of adventure, timeframe and budget will determine your trip, but more important your interests.
Argentina is a country with an intense history. It has been inhabited by mankind since the Paleolithic era. It was invaded by the Incas in the north during the XIVth century and colonized by the Spaniards from the east since the XVI century. There were attempted invasions by the British twice at the beginning of the XIXth century. And it was later filled with European immigration by the arrival of the XXth Century. Argentina is a cultural melting pot. Worldwide known for soccer, tango, Evita – our cultural icons that attract over 4 million tourists a year.
Argentina is the land made of silver, as it’s name refers to but also a land full of contrasts. During the second half of the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s, people from all over the globe came here to start a new life. Argentina was and still is the land of opportunities for thousands of immigrants that come every year. What makes this the land of opportunity? You have to see it to believe it.
Central Andes
Buenos Aires & Cordoba
Northeast
Northwest
Patagonia
So, What is the Best Itinerary to travel in Argentina?
Argentina’s length (north to south or vice versa) of almost 5000 km stretches from the Tropic of Capricorn until the Southern Ocean, a vast and varied stretch , considering this is more than the entire horizontal width of the Continental United States. As the 8th largest country in the world by surface area, it has only 45 million inhabitants which mathematically relates to huge expanses of unpopulated natural environments, the long scenic roads with very little traffic, small cozy countryside towns that contrast with its modern, cosmopolitan capital city, Buenos Aires..
Argentinians love to drive. And if they don’t drive they still travel by road, taking a long distance bus. Traditionally the middle classes take very comfortable long distance buses to the beach or to the mountains. This not only saves money on the flight but also an overnight, and being able to enjoy the landscapes, becomes a big part of travelling through Argentina.
At Argentina Self Drive we give you the opportunity first to manage your own pace, your photo stops along the way, your timing, there will be no departure or arrival time. We also offer you the freedom to blend in, to be a local, to go as the locals go, to do what the locals do. To make this possible, not only will you have the flexibility of your own means of transportation, also an updated digital handbook created by our local team with all the “local’s advice” on each destination and route descriptions. Having a local vehicle gives you the opportunity to go off the beaten path, to go to the local spots and enjoy that unique meal, or stay at that unique property.
Find below a description on each region so you can have a clear idea on which you might be more interested on or which suits you more!
What do I need to know before I start planning my Argentina trip.
Faq’s.
Argentina Self Drive Tours offers a variety of trips in order to suit everyone’s interest. Our Itineraries are divided by region and length but if any of them are partially of interest and you would like to make some changes, we are flexible and willing to help you out.
Each region of Argentina has its own unique beauty, rhythms, weather patterns and outdoor activities, so look into them to see which is the right one for you!
We have divided Argentina into 5 regions, this doesn’t mean you can’t overlap them or request a tailor made itinerary that flies from one to another region, but to simplify, and based on the most common requests of our clients, we have come up with the geographical / biome based regions.
You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Argentina and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations not to enter Argentina but to get back to your home country, since Argentina does NOT require any vaccination. As a guide tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis A are strongly recommended. A yellow fever vaccination is also recommended.
Do I need anti-malaria tablets for Argentina?
Certain areas of Argentina have a very low risk of Malaria including the northern Salta province (along Bolivian border), but locally malaria tablets are not necesarily suggested. Extra care should also be taken to avoid mosquito bites as cases of the Zika or Dengue virus in the areas this have been reported. Sleeping under a mosquito net at night is advised as is using a strong repellent containing at least 50% DEET. For more information on the malaria risk in Argentina visit the NHS Fit to Travel page or the CDC Traveler’s Health page.
Argentina is overall a “low” country. But when you travel along the northernmost sections of Argentina from the Central Andes towards the border with Bolivia, you will occasionally drive at heights that exceed 2.000 meters (6,560 ft) above sea level. Once you go above that elevation, you may begin to feel the first symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness or (AMS). Also known as altitude sickness or, in Spanish “Apunamiento” or “Soroche“. We will give you tips on how to mitigate its nasty effects. As it is a serious issue, it would be a good idea to talk it through with your personal physician.
This “sickness” is about your body’s response to the lack of oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure in high-altitude environments. The key to prevent serious issues is to acclimatize.
Gaining high altitudes very quickly is one of the causes of altitude sickness. The wonderful part is that the human body adapts and adjusts to lower amounts of oxygen after a few days.This Acclimatization is provoked by some small changes in your body. You breathe deeper because your body produces more red blood cells to carry oxygen more efficiently. It produces larger quantities of an enzyme that mediates release of oxygen from red blood cells’ haemoglobin into surrounding tissue.
As it is a sickness which can have serious negative consequences, it should not be taken lightly. So, as stated before, you should visit your physician before traveling to a place located at high altitude.
Argentineans are well used to preparing meat thanks to their flesh-filled cuisine so, generally speaking, meat will be safe to eat and cooked properly. Salads and fruit are fine to eat, and water is safe to be drunk in almost all of Argentina but it’s also inexpensive and avoids your body having to adapt to local micro flora, to drink bottled water. As always, if food doesn’t look or smell right, or might have been left out in the sun for too long then stay away from it.
Argentinians do eat late, both lunch (average 12:30 to 2pm) and dinner (9 to 11pm) so don’t expect many restaurants open before 7:30 or 8pm. Eating out Argentinias like to have bread and butter so it is standard in most places to have it placed on the table. Many times this has an extra charge, called “cubierto”. You can ask for it to be removed beforehand but most likely it’s an inexpensive item on your bill.
Although Spanish and Italian inmigration shaped the culinary aspects of Argentina, locally you will find each region to have it’s own dishes and customs. We will provide you with recipes and deeper knowledge about this aspect in each region you choose to travel.
Generally you can’t really barter in Argentina unless you’re shopping in handicrafts markets or street stalls, however, it’s possible to negotiate lower prices on specific items, specially made by the person selling them but not so much on retail products. Asking politely will get you to know right away if it’s possible or not.