5 Unique Places to Visit in Argentina

Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu Falls are not just one fall, but hundreds of waterfalls clustered together in a horseshoe formation, consisting of 275 drops and stretching almost 3 kilometres in width. Above the falls, islands and islets separate the river into many different flows, the tallest of which is the Garganta do Diabo (The Devil’s Throat) which drops 80 metres.

Many of the individual falls are broken midway by protruding ledges, causing the water to deflect and kick spray up into the air. This results in an array of rainbows, and a dense cloud of mist that rises about 500 feet. Millions of people flock to Iguazu National Park every year to see this magical sight and listen to the dull roar of the cascading water. In 2019, the park received around 1,640,000 visitors from all over the world.

The falls were formed approximately 120 million years ago and rest along Argentina’s Northeast border with Southern Brazil. Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park and Argentina’s Iguazú National Park were both established in the 1930s in order to ‘preserve the vegetation, wildlife, and scenic beauty associated with the falls’, and the surrounding rainforests are home to an astonishing 2,000 species of vascular plants, 400 bird species, and amazing wildlife including giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.

On Argentina’s side of the falls, there are a collection of walkways that lead above, below and behind the water, allowing breathtakingly beautiful views of the curtains of water that tuck between verdant and rich patches of luscious rainforest. A number of the individual falls – including Dos Hermanas (Two Sisters), Bozzetti, San Martín, and Escondido (Hidden) – can be observed from the winding forest paths and trails that meander beneath the rainbow hues and falling water.

Valle de la Luna

Located within the 230 square mile Ischigualasto Provincial Park, Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is home to extraordinary geographical formations that date back to the Triassic period. The site takes its name from its alien appearance, looking more like the surface of the moon than anywhere on Earth. The different rocks create a colourful touch to the vast and desolate landscape, with red, grey and earthy hues.

Millions of years ago, the area was a floodplain, where strong rivers ran through the earth and heavy rains pelted it from above. The petrified remains of tree trunks that once stood over 130 feet ‘attest to the rich vegetation that once fed the similarly giant creatures that walked among them.’ The rock deposits formed slowly over time, becoming eroded and reshaped by the fierce winds which smoothed their surfaces, creating marble-like monuments.

Today, the area stands 4,000 feet above sea level, and the only remaining vegetation in the desert is a few cactus and bushes. Travellers approaching from the road will be able to glimpse some of the magnificent formations including The Worm, The Sphinx, Red Ravines, The Bowling Field, and the Painted Valley.

The Painted Valley was formed after ‘torrential rains flooded the plains, creating a great amount of mud’ and causing a colossal mudslide. The muddy landscape became a catacomb for the dinosaurs, reptiles, plants and trees that were trapped under the earth, their remains protected by the mud for millions of years. Because of this, the Valley of the Moon is known for holding some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved dinosaur fossils. Replicas of the fossils recovered here are on display at the park’s entrance, and travellers can view originals at the Museum of Natural Sciences in the Parque Centenario.

Tours to Valle de la Luna often depart in the afternoon, allowing guests to watch the setting sun fill the valley with warm light before the stretching shadows of the rocks crawl along the landscape, eventually bringing it into darkness.

Buenos Aires

A hub of history, art and culture, and the birthplace of the Tango, Buenos Aires is Argentina’s largest and capital city. Here, travellers can experience incredible local cuisine, including Asado (Argentina’s national dish), or Locro (a stew commonly served on 25th May to celebrate Argentina’s May Revolution).

Visitors can also enjoy shopping, finding unique items at Argentina’s many independent stores and stalls. Walk through the streets of La Boca, a neighbourhood filled with brightly coloured wooden houses or ‘conventillos’, and view the amusing sculptures and elegant dancers who bring the streets to life.

The city’s districts are filled with enlightening museums, including the Evita Museum in Palermo where visitors can learn about the life of Eva Peron, an actress, First Lady, and champion for workers’ rights. Guests can view her amazing collection of luxurious clothing, her books and her films and pay tribute to a woman who ‘became an international symbol of strength and resistance’ at her mausoleum at Recoleta Cemetery. A private tour of Recoleta Cemetry is included in the Pure Breaks Argentina Discovery trip, which is followed by an exploration of other culturally significant landmarks such as Palais de Glass, the National Art Museum, Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, and the National Bibliotheque.

Valdes Peninsula