Mapping Out Argentina

As the second largest country in South America (and the 8th largest in the world), Argentina has a lot of ground to cover - literally.  When planning my trip, it was really important to me that I get a mix of city and nature, to hit a few must-have destinations while still leaving room for things a bit off the beaten path. Loaded up on tons of visual inspiration (thanks to my VoyJoie Pinterest Boards), my first round of editing allowed me to narrow down my choices to 5 key destinations: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Iguazu Falls, Mendoza & Patagonia.

I was fortunate to have 12 days in Argentina but I also wanted to ensure I spent a minimum of 2-3 nights in each destination so it didn't feel like I was constantly moving around.  So I rolled up my sleeves and started looking into what each location had to offer...

Buenos Aires, being the capital, is the largest and most densely populated city in Argentina.  The city is sprawling but the key neighborhoods that one would stay and spend time in are relatively close to each other and easily accessible by the subway system.  Though there are no major iconic sites in Buenos Aires, the city is bursting with amazing architecture, fantastic restaurants, beautiful parks, and many neighborhoods that deserve a slow stroll through.

Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina and has a vibrant student culture as it is home to one of the largest universities in South America.  Cordoba is in the heart of the Pampas region and though the city has colonial architecture in the city center, the real draw to this region is the Estancias (ranches) nestled in the mountain ranges surrounding Cordoba.  This is where to head for a taste of authentic gaucho life.

Located in the northern most tip of Argentina, Iguazu Falls is uniquely surrounded by 4 countries - Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and of course Argentina. This natural wonder literally has hundreds of waterfalls (in less than a 2 mile distance) and was recently chosen as one of the 'new' 7 natural wonders of the world.  The surrounding tropical forest and humid climate makes Iguazu a completely unique experience to the rest of Argentina.

Wine lovers are usually quite familiar with delicious Argentinian wine and more specifically the wine region of Mendoza.  The valleys of Mendoza are famous for producing Malbec and there are loads of wonderful wineries for not only tastings but also extended stays.  Mendoza is also close to the Andes so one can partake in horseback riding through the gorgeous landscapes.

Nature in all its glory, Patagonia is truly the ultimate destination for outdoor lovers.  Located at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this shared region with Chile is very sparsely populated.  The area is vast and you are spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful vistas, crystal blue lakes and melting glaciers.  The most popular choice is to join trekking groups that can help you navigate the expansive terrain.

True confession - I tried my best to see if I could squeeze in all 5 destinations and I did not succeed. There were a couple of factors that got in the way.

1. Getting from one location to the next is not easy.  Argentina is known for having a fabulous bus system (I'm talking luxury buses with meals and sleeper seats) that can take you from any Point A to Point B.  The only issue is that most trips take anywhere from 15 - 20+ hours and that is not the way I am interested in spending my time.  Fortunately, there has been a slow increase in local airlines (LATM & Aerolineas) but largely you are not going to find more than 1-2 flights a day so you are limited to when you can travel.
   
2. Heading to Patagonia, though December is warmer than most of the year, requires a completely different set of things to pack in terms of clothing, gear, etc.  In the end, as much as I have been craving to see Patagonia, I decided it was best to make it a separate trip in order to give it the amount of time it deserves.  I also felt that combining a trip to Chile would be the best way to see all that Patagonia has to offer.
   
3. I had to make a choice between horseback riding in the Pampas region of Cordoba versus the Wine region of Mendoza and the long pampas grasses won out! 
   

So where did I finally end up going? Drum roll please...

It was a great trip and the timing in each area worked perfectly for me.  I felt like I got a great sense of each destination and left Argentina fully satisfied with how much time I had there.  I was also blown away by the country so I knew that I would be back for more...

Here is my final itinerary for my trip to Argentina:

• Day 1: Land in Buenos Aires
• Day 2: Explore San Telmo, Buenos Aires
• Day 3: Explore Centro & Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires
• Day 4: Visit Recoleta, Buenos Aires
• Day 5: Explore Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Day 6: Fly to Cordoba
• Day 7: Estancia life in Cordoba
• Day 8: Fly to Iguazu Falls
• Day 9: Visit Iguazu Falls, the Brazil Side
• Day 10: Visit Iguazu Falls, the Argentina Side
• Day 11: Fly back to Buenos Aires
• Day 12: Fly Home

Keep checking the VoyJoie blog all this month as I show you the great places I stayed, the amazing food I ate, and the wonderful people I met along the way.  If you haven't already planned a trip to Argentina, I am hoping I have peaked your interest!

**Click on any image to be directed to the Pinterest source