Argentina

Argentina, Latin America’s largest Spanish-speaking country, can seem overwhelming to visit because of its massive size and the resulting distance between tourist hot spots. However, with a little planning, you can craft a perfect itinerary for exploring the magnificent wonders of this vast nation. Argentina has South America’s highest peak at almost 7,000 m (22,900 ft), the tropical Iguazú Falls of the north, the museums and culture of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, excellent ski resorts in the Andes region, and the famous Patagonia and End of the World region with its arctic climate.

And while the secret’s out, prices for tourism are still a pretty good bargain following several years of economic disaster and inflation. An above-average tourist infrastructure makes Argentina an especially attractive South American destination.

Some spots not to miss on your trip to Argentina:

— Buenos Aires is arguably the most beautiful capital city in Latin America, with super hip nightlife, cafes on every corner, and almost as many museums and cultural buildings.

— Iguazú Falls boasts 270 waterfalls rushing into a giant gorge on the tri-border of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil which span over 2km of lush jungle and has waterfalls as high as 70 m (230 ft).

— Mendoza is home to Argentina’s wine region and is certainly worth a trip. Aside from sipping fine Malbec, the city boasts an assortment of plazas and parks, gourmet restaurants, and an emerging arts scene. This funky atmosphere is cradled by white-capped mountains and fast-moving rivers which serve as a playground for all the traveling outdoor enthusiasts attracted to this quaint city.

— The ski resort at Bariloche near the Chilean border up in the Argentine Andes could almost compete with Swiss ski resorts… at least in breathtaking views! Other good resorts include Mendoza, Villavicencio, and Las Leñas.

— The Perito Moreno Glacier in Glaciers National Park is one of the few places on earth you can see an advancing glacier. Hike around this UNESCO World Heritage site and view the awesome blocks of ice colliding and crashing as the ice below melts in a setting of jagged mountains and southern beech forests.

–Cordoba is the second-largest city in Argentina and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. It features some lovely colonial architecture, a university founded in 1613, and a good launching place for day trips in the area.