Argentina
Argentina is a huge country and we will have to return to explore so much more that it has to offer. On our trip to this beautiful South American destination, we visited Buenos Aires, took a day trip to Uruguay, and then flew to El Calafate, the heart of the Argentina side of Patagonia. Here we took in everything the region had to offer, from the bucket list hike, Fitz Roy, to visiting the areas jaw-dropping glacier views.
Things To-Do
Buenos Aires: Take a free a walking tour through the elegant Recoleta and Retiro districts. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where you will see elaborate tombs and mausoleums housing the remains of many notable figures, including Eva Perón. Head to the Palermo district, known for its bohemian atmosphere and vibrant parks. Here, visit the Evita Perón Museum, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of one of Argentina's most iconic figures. Wrap up your day by taking an empanada cooking class.
Day Trip to Uruguay: From Buenos Aires, take a simple day trip to the delightful town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Board a 75-minute ferry across the Río de La Plata to arrive early, allowing you ample time to wander the cobblestone streets, join a walking tour, shop in the quaint downtown area, and savor a delicious meal.
El Chalten and & Fitz Roy: Laguna de Los Tres via Monte Fitz Roy is a bucket list hiking destination. Located in the tiny town of El Chalten, the hike is known for its glacial lake, surrounded by majestic mountains, including the iconic Fitz Roy peak. The trek to the lake, which marks the turnaround point, is challenging and requires a good level of fitness.
El Calafate: El Calafate is a good home base for seeing the area's famous glaciers. While staying in town, go birding at the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. This reserve offered a variety of birds in a compact area, making it ideal for beginners like us.
Take a Glacier Boat Ride: Approximately an hour from El Calafate, Argentina, lies a collection of massive glaciers within Glacier National Park (Los Glaciares National Park). A great way to get relatively near these stunning ice formations is by embarking on a boat tour with Solo Patagonia. Although this full-day excursion is not inexpensive, it is truly worthwhile to witness this magnificent site up close. If you've been doing some hiking, in this famous hiking destination, it's also a nice way to sit back, relax, and spend time with the family while watching endless gorgeous views.
Ice Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier: On this fantastically beautiful day, we went on a mini ice trekking adventure on Perito Moreno Glacier, a stunning natural wonder situated near the town of El Calafate in Patagonia, Argentina. The combination of fresh air, stunning scenery, and the thrill of this unique hiking experience, made this day truly unforgettable. Our only regret was not choosing the longer option!
Where We Stayed
El Chalten: In El Chalten, there are limited options for lodging, ranging from high-end resorts to very modest hostels. We stayed at this simple, affordable, AirBnB apartment in central El Chalten. It was very clean but did have some wear and tear so skip this one if you're expecting something new.
El Calafate. Like El Chalten, lodging is limited and the cost can be very expensive. We found this affordable apartment in central El Calafate that was perfect for our group of 5. It was recently remodeled, spacious, and definitely workable for most families.
Where We Ate
Argentina is known for its food scene, in particular, Asado (Argentina BBQ). The food also has Spanish and Italian influences due to the large influx of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since our group doesn't typically spend money on fine dining, we aren't the right place to find all the best restaurants. However there are two spots we recommend when visiting El Calafate, namely, an ice cream place called Grido Helado, and Nativa, a restaurant with lots for picky eaters.
Blog Posts - Argentina
