Top 10 Activities

#1. San Telmo
The shopping district of San Telmo in Buenos Aires is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Argentinean culture. You'll find colorful, exotic boutiques lining the quaintly cobbled streets as well as plenty of great food in the café districts too. When the sun goes down, the nightlife really heats up. On Sundays, the Plaza Dorrego is filled with stalls and stands selling local handcrafts and arts and in the evening the historic square transforms into a giant tango dance called a milonga.

#2. Iguazu Falls
Take a day trip out to Iguazu Falls and view these massive, breathtaking falls. Iguazu Falls are wider and taller than Niagara Falls, so you have more than 2 ½ miles of falls to explore. The sheer beauty of all that churning white water falling so far is a favorite with many visitors.

#3. Mar del Plata
At the Mar del Plata seaside resort you can take a tour to swim with the seals. These playful, curious mammals are happy by nature and you can often see them frolicking in the waters. When they're in the water they're graceful and nimble, but once on land they become the funny lumbering, awkward creatures that waddle along the sands.

#4. Perito Glacier
Take a tour to the Los Glaciares National Park and walk right up to the Perito Glacier. The Perito Glacier is 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide and rises 240ft (74 meters) above the surface of the water in Lake Argentino. The glacier is one of the largest reserves of fresh water in the world.

#5. Whale Watching
Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the Valdes Peninsula to watch the migrating whales and orcas as they come to the waters around the peninsula to give birth and raise their young. While you might be there to view the whales, you'll also be delighted by the penguins, dolphins and elephant seals in the area.

#6. Tango
Buenos Aires is a great place to take some tango lessons and really get a feel for this sensual dance. When you've finished your lesson, go to one of the 'milongas' to watch or join in with the tango shows put on by the more experienced dancers.

#7. Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo is the centerpiece of the Buenos Aires. Book in for a walking tour and you'll be taken past some of the more historic locations around Buenos Aires, including the Casa Rosada where the president has his offices and where Evita performed her speech. You'll also see plenty of demonstrations at the Plaza where the Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Mothers of Plaza de Mayo) gather weekly on Thursdays to mourn their lost loved ones from the 'Dirty War'.

#8. Recoleta Cemetery
In the suburbs of Recoleta is a wonderfully atmospheric and historic cemetery. Take the cemetery tour and see the final resting places of Evita Peron as well as Presidents, dictators, legends, heroes and villains alike. The stunning sculptures and impressive carved vaults and mausoleums are considered architectural masterpieces.

#9. Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón is a masterpiece of acoustical design and stunning opulence. Even if you're not into classical music or opera, the theatre is well worth a day tour just to view the structure. The Teatro Colón houses one of the most extensive stage costume collections anywhere in the world.

#10. Manzana de las Luces
La Manzana de las Luces was constructed by the Jesuits in the early 1800s. It was originally built to be an enclave meant for higher learning and eventually became the home for the University of Buenos Aires in the 19th century. Beneath the buildings run historic tunnels that link several churches in the districts to the Cabildo and the port. Whether these tunnels were intended for easy escape or for smuggling is still uncertain.

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Argentine Cuisine

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Best Time To Visit

The summer months in Buenos Aires are considered 'peak season' and you'll find that when the weather is warmer the prices are higher too. Buenos Aires can get very hot and humid during January and February, so you'll fine October and November to be milder or March through May.

From June through to August is winter in Buenos Aires and the weather becomes much colder. If you're headed to Patagonia for some skiing, this is the time to travel for you.

When you're searching for the best Argentina travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

Each of the neighborhoods throughout Buenos Aires offers a huge variety of boutiques, galleries and antique shops. If you're seeking European quality items at South American prices, then this is an ideal shopping spot for you.

Just outside the San Telmo markets, you'll find plenty of reputable antique shops to browse, while the weekend in San Telmo sees the weekend Flea Markets. The Avenue Florida is the largest shopping street in Buenos Aires and is lined with stores offering boutiques, clothing, sporting goods, electronics, leather and some wonderful bookstores nestled among the restaurants and cafes.

The Recoleta is the ritzy part of the city and this elite neighborhood offers a more upscale shopping experience with some very high quality items available.

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Festival Events

January – The Argentine Crafts and Traditions Fair is held every Sunday offering craft workshops and plenty of local vendors selling silver, wood textiles, handcrafts and art, along with free dance entertainment and plenty of music.

February – Throughout late February you can view the Buenos Aires Tango Festival, where more than 150 dancers present over 100 free dancing shows and concerts.

April – The Buenos Aires Book Festival draws massive crowds of book-lovers from all over the world every year. Held in La Rural Exhibition Complex, this is a must-do for book-lovers.

May – The Feria de Galerias de Arte is a celebration and showcase of some of Argentina's finest artists. Featuring works from painters, sculptors, photographers and other artists, the Feria de Galerias de Arte is held at the Predio Ferial de Palermo.

August – August is Argentina's ski season and the Snow Carnival is a highlight of the season including torch lit ski parades, ski jumping and other snow sports and activities.

October – The World Tango Festival is a week-long tango celebration featuring performances and concerts from some of Argentina's most accomplished dancers as well as lessons and workshops for visitors.

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Basic Spanish Phrases

Hello – hola

Goodbye – chau

Please – por favor

Do you speak English? – Fala inglês?

Thank you – Gracias

Yes – si

No – no

Can you help me? – Puede ayudarme?

How much is it? – Quanto cuesta?

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