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Argentina Ecotourism:
You Like It?
They Dish It Up!
Argentina, given its mass and its sprawl across many climates and geographical draws, offers everything under the sun for green travelers. While Argentina ecotourism and adventure travel are alive and well with world-class trekking, mountain climbing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, horseback riding and snow sports, as well as amazing colonial and native cultural attractions, one of the phenomenal treats to enjoy is the food. Heavily influenced by European cuisine, you can taste Spanish, German, Italian and French notes mingling with native dishes. With the preponderance of cattle in the country, be prepared for lots of beef.
If you're a vegetarian traveling in Argentina, bring some protein bars.
In fact, Argentines enjoy the distinction of consuming the most red meat in the world. Asado, or Argentinian barbecue, is internationally famous. Also an important wine producer, be sure to sample some of the local reds in Mendoza, in the heart of wine country and one of the eight wine capitals of the world. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Argentina's chocolate capital, Bariloche, a popular getaway in the Lake District near the ski resorts, but also impressive for its production of fresh chocolate. Yum.
Argentina: The Lay of the Land
The Argentine Republic is the second largest South American country and eighth largest country in the world. It is encircled starting from the west and moving clockwise, by
Chile,
Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided into 23 provinces and the autonomous capital city, Buenos Aires, which feels quite European in culture and architecture. But generally, you can section the country into four distinct areas: the Pampas in the center of the country, which is the fertile agricultural center; the Andes mountain range to the west, bordering Chile; to the north, the sparsely populated and semi-arid Gran Chaco; and to the south, Patagonia.
Culturally, Argentina is bursting with activity and art. Argentine cinema is avidly produced, attended and is routinely awarded in international circles. Opera, ballet, telenovellas, literature, the tango, and classical, folk, and Argentine rock are enjoyed nationally. Not to mention football (or soccer), and all other competitive sports such as rugby, tennis, basketball, field hocky and motorsports.
Argentines are extremely literate and enjoy an amazing array of daily newspapers and a flourishing publishing industry. Argentina was also the pioneer in radio broadcasting, with the world's first radio station offering an operatic performance in 1920 to about 20 homes in Buenos Aires.
Argentina: Green Highlights
The National Park System in Argentina is almost as old as the radio broadcasting system. Two years after the initial crackling of the airwaves, the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the Lake District close to Bariloche, was created. Once a retreat for the elite, it is now a destination for snow sports enthusiasts because of its proximity to the slopes.
One of the newest townships in Argentina is El Chalten, at the northern entrance to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, which is a great spot for trekking in the Fitz Roy Range of the Andes.
If warmer climates are more to your liking, perhaps the colonial city of Salta would be a good fit. It's a good base for excursions to the subtropical forests in the Parque Nacional El Finca Rey.
If you're really looking for a superlative adventure, check out Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. A gateway for sailing to Antarctica, it also offers first-rate mountain trekking and skiing in the surrounding mountains.
Interested in exploring Argentina Ecotourism first-hand? Please check out Budget Ecotravel to get the most gusto for your green.
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