BUENOS AIRES

Buenos Aires is the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America. This great metropolis has managed to preserve European traditions in the new world and earned itself the nickname 'the Paris of South America'. Choose how you would like to enjoy this unique city on your vacation.

Located by the Rio de la Plata, the widest estuary in the world, Buenos Aires is the capital of tango and soccer, of the gaucho and the asado (Argentine-style barbecue). It offers its visitors assorted alternatives to satisfy all wishes. In the "city that never sleeps", there is time and space for everyone.
Buenos Aires is one of the most populated cities in the world, counting a total of thirteen million inhabitants in both the city and its suburbs, surprisingly large in a country with such a reduced population. It is a modern and dynamic city that still keeps some of its old traditions. It is known as the most cosmopolitan city in South America what is clearly apparent in the heterogeneity of its people (called "porteños" -inhabitants of the port-), their customs, and its architecture.

Each corner in the city presents quite a diverse aspect, easily changing as the different districts are visited. To catch the spirit of the city, it is necessary to walk around: to stroll along the streets downtown, to do some shopping in its elegant boutiques, to have a coffee in a sidewalk café or to visit the residential neighborhoods, where old buildings alternate with modern crystal skyscrapers. It is also interesting to underline the enormous quantity and variety of restaurants offering Argentine food, as well as excellent international cuisine. Another unmistakable example of its assorted ethnical composition.

Language

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken, with some French and German too.

Climate

Due to the extension of the country, its geography and diverse latitudes and altitudes, Argentina shows differentiated weather characteristics along its many regions.

As in the rest of the South American countries below the equatorial line, the winter in Argentina is from July to October, while the summer season extends from December to March. The winter is cold, rainy and with shorter days; visits to the north and northeastern zones are recommended, for the rains and the heat lessen during this season. The summer is hot and humid and the days are longer; visits to the Patagonia and the southern Andes are recommended during this period.

The ocean works as a thermal regulator in most of the country's coastal cities, so there is not much difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures. This is the case of Buenos Aires.
Many people believe spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Argentina, for the weather remains relatively warm during these months.

Temperatures and Precipitations

The average temperatures and precipitations (minimum / maximum) for the year in the main cities are:

Buenos Aires 5° C / 29° C 51 mm / 123 mm
Córdoba 9° C / 23° C 6 mm / 125 mm
Corrientes 15° C / 27° C 40 mm / 701 mm
Rosario 11° C / 24° C 30 mm / 111 mm
San Juan 8° C / 25° C 1 mm / 17 mm
San Miguel de Tucumán 12° C / 25° C 9 mm / 190 mm
Santiago del Estero 12° C / 28° C 5 mm / 105 mm
Ushuaia - 6° C / 9° C 23 mm / 54 mm

WHEN TO GO

Remember that the seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the northern one.

High season in Argentina is during the months of January and February (summer vacations) and July (winter vacations). There is plenty of local tourism during these periods and prices are usually higher.

Buenos Aires can be enjoyed all year round, though it is very hot during the summer (January and most of February)

SKI

July and August are the most convenient months for the practice of ski at the various winter resorts the country possesses.


It is the most extensive region, with a much colder weather accentuated in the southern part. The west is mostly constituted by a mountainous landscape scored by spectacular woods, lakes and glaciers; it has an arid plain in the centre, and long beaches with varied marine fauna to observe to the east. The south end of this region is the southernmost point in the world except for Antarctica, of course.

Argentinean Cuisine

The dining options in Buenos Aires are endless. This is a city that takes dining seriously, and meals can easily last a few hours. Like the national norm, nobody here really starts eating until 9pm. Main courses usually consist of an asado, a barbecue of excellent quality beef. Beef is dominant, and it also comes in the forms of bife de chorizo (sirloin steak) or empanadas (meat pies). The local wine is also good, especially the reds. You also might want to try mate, the traditional gaucho drink. The national deserts are dulce de leche, a milk jelly, and alfajores - Argentine sweets made from dulce de leche.

Buenos Aires Night Life

Buenos Aires is never more alive than it is at night. It is what you'd expect from a city that invented tango. Avenues come alive with people on their way to restaurants and theaters, especially Puerto Madero or Recoleta. People like to dress up and stay out until dawn, and anyone who visits the city should go and see a tango show. There are several major venues, most of them in San Telmo. After dinner or a night of dancing, Porteños like to grab a coffee at one of the city's myriad cafes, chat, and perhaps watch the sunrise.