Study Spanish in Argentina

• Cuyo & the Andean Northwest: This region, which surrounds the Andes Mountain Range, was originally a Peruvian colony. Today however, only a handful of herders and miners continue occupying the rugged area which features volcanoes, salt-water lakes and blue skies. The region of Cuyo extends over San Luis, San Juan and Mendoza provinces, where a mestizo population reflects Chilean influences. Huddled against the towering Andes, the area is famous for its wines and many wildlife refuges. It attracts countless visitors each year who enjoy hiking, climbing or visiting wineries and mountain villages tucked away in the hills.
• Mesopotamia & the Northeast: Mesopotamia is a broad, swampy plains-land that lies in northern Argentina between the Uraguay and Parana Rivers. The area is wet and in the summertime it gets extremely hot. Misiones province to the north, bordered almost entirely by Paraguay and Brazil, includes a part of scenic Iguazu Falls.

The Chaco: This dry western province is a part of Gran Chaco, a vast expanse of land shared by Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. The Chaco features thorny forests, extensive grasslands and Restistencia, also known as "the city of sculptures" (with more than two hundred of them). Resistencia serves as an important cross-roads for trekkers making their way to the north west. Campo del Cielo is a field of craters created by iron meteorites which date back some six thousand years.

The Pampas: This region is mainly made up of agricultural land. It is famous for its cattle ranches, horse breeding traditions and also the surrounding beaches. It extends over the provinces of La Pampa, Buenos Aires and some areas of Cordoba and Santa Fe. Two fifths of Argentina's population resides in the enormous metropolitan city of Buenos Aires, where delicious cooking traditions, a vibrant night life and a lengthy list of attractions help make it one of South America's most exciting capitals. Visitors can experience the bright colour of the La Boca neighborhood, the historic Plaza Mayo and La Casa Rosada among many other places of cultural interest. In the summer time, residents head to the beach at Mar del Plata, where older mansions that recall an exclusive past stand next to more recent and modest resorts which cater to the area's middle-class. Cordoba is Argentina's second largest city and Buenos Aires eternal rival as the country's cultural, economic and political center. Its compact downtown offers visitors the chance to explore a collection of wonderful colonial buildings including the cathedral, the old market and the Church de la Compañia.  

Patagonia and the Lake District: Patagonia (which overlaps into Chile): this southernmost region of the South American continent is characterized by extreme geography and unpredictable climate patterns. Here you can find deserts, glaciers, extensive plains and granite cliffs. The area also extends to the coast, which is home to sea lions, seals, penguins and blue whales. Tourists have been visiting the Lake District since the 18th century to experience its dramatic natural beauty, which served as a source of inspiration for the Lake Poets, a generation of celebrated poets that included Wordsworth.

Tierra del Fuego: The Land of Fire is really an archipelago that includes La Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (located in both Chile and Argentina) and a number of smaller islands. The south is a mountainous region with wooded areas and glaciers while Isla Grande to the north offers terrain similar to the flatlands of Patagonia. The two main towns here are Rio Grande and Ushuaia while fishing and hiking are two of the area's main tourist attractions. Trekkers can experience the island's diverse wildlife along with rivers and lakes. Despite frequent storms and the area's intimidating name, the climate usually remains mild the entire year.

Remember that Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere, where the seasons occur at opposite times of the year as they do in the northern hemisphere. Although Argentina generally enjoys a mildly warm climate, there is a sizable subtropical zone in the north while the weather is cold in the south. While the economic and political situation is currently experiencing challenges, the country is a safe tourist destination for foreigners. A December 2001 "state of siege" is no longer in effect and protesting has mostly been limited to peaceful, middle-class crowds banging on pots and pans. The people are frustrated with their government, not with foreigners. Visitors are still encouraged however to exercise caution and avoid large-scale gatherings that may have the potential to become violent.

Currency: Peso ($)

Meals

• Economy: US$4-10
• Middle-range: US$10-20
• Top-end: US$20 and up

Lodging

• Economy: US$20-30
• Middle-range: US$30-40
• Top-end: US$40 and up

Argentina was, until recently, an expensive tourist destination. It used to be such a spendy place to travel that Argentines would often spend holiday time in "economic" destinations such as the United States. Under the one peso to one dollar economic policy, prices remained high, but effectively controlled inflation.

The peso however has recently lost much of its value, which changes that situation. The peso is currently valued at about half of one US dollar, and it seems difficult to predict how much lower it could drop when banking restrictions are eased. If inflation stays under control, great bargains could be in store for travelers. The government is now encouraging businesses to not raise prices, since a new wave of heavy inflation would devastate the delicate economic situation. Inflation in the 70s and 80s steadily surpassed 100% each year, and in 1989 it reached a staggering 5000%. Considering the country's economic history, travelers are advised to keep an eye on news related to its current economy and possible changes in the exchange markets.

American dollars are officially not accepted anymore, however shops are often happy to take them. Rates are better at official exchange points but expect to queue for up to a few hours.

Tourists are strongly encouraged to avoid Argentina's thriving currency exchange black market, which is not only illegal, but also puts people at risk for ending up with counterfeit pesos. It is best to bring your own currency and exchange it for pesos a little bit at a time. A good way to keep up on the changing value of the Argentine peso is by looking at cash machine withdrawals that show the exchange rate.

Mastercard and Visa are the most accepted credit cards, but lately some travelers have been reporting that vendors are unwilling to accept credit cards and traveler's checks. It is costomary to tip in restaurants (about 10%) and bargaining is not common (except in artisan market places in the northwestern Andean region).

Argentine culture often looks to Europe for influence. The country's literary tradition has inspired a mutual transaction of influence producing internationally acclaimed writers such as Julio Cortazar, Jorge Luis Borges, Ernesto Sabasto and Manuel Puig. Many Argentines have been educated in Europe, and Buenos Aires in particular seems to have made a conscious effort to emulate the artistic, musical and architectural trends of Europe, resulting in a broad variety of art galleries and museums and a vibrant theater scene. The cinema of Argentina has also gained international critical attention, and filmmakers have effectively used film to expose the rest of the world to the horrors of the Dirty War.

The most famous element of Argentine culture is probably tango, which refers to both a dance and its accompanying music. Tango's sensual moves and often melancholy lyrics have appealed to romantics around the world. Another thriving genre in Argentina is folk music.

Sport is of extreme importance in Argentina, and football here is more an obsession than just a game. The legendary footballer Diego Maradona is Argentina's most famous cultural figure since Che Guevara, and the never-ending drama surrounding his personal life has kept fans and observers intrigued for years. Roman Catholicism is the country's official religion, however a number of popular beliefs such as veneration of the dead and spiritualism, diverge from official doctrine. Pilgrimages to relatives' and even to famous peoples' final resting sites are common.

Although the official language is Spanish, some immigrant communities continue using the language of their country of origin, a practice which serves as an important source of identity. The largest immigration group is Italian, and the language is widely understood, while the British community retains BBC English. Seventeen indigenous languages include Quechua, Guarani, Mapuche, Matacos and Tobas. Beef is a dining mainstay in Argentina, where parrilladas, or mixed grills, serve up cuts from almost every different section of the animal including the udder and organs. Popular dishes such as the Italian gnocchi offer vegetarians and light meat-eaters a refreshing alternative. The delectable ice cream of Argentina also reflects the influence of Italy. Mate is a popular beverage made from leaves related to holly that Argentines share and drink with nearly ritualistic observance.