Argentina Travel Guide: San Miguel de Tucuman

Often ignored by the throngs of tourists heading to Salta, San Miguel de Tucuman is the capital of the small northern province of the same name and has a lot to offer both in culture, history, gastronomy and landscape. It’s a hidden gem that offers some of the nicest atmosphere and friendly people in Argentina in an intimate setting and well worth your time to visit. Read on for all information on the best tours to Tucuman, Argentina.

Located about 800 miles from Buenos Aires, it’s actually the fifth biggest city in Argentina after the national capital itself, Cordoba, Rosario and Mendoza and by far the most important city in Northern Argentina with some 800,000 inhabitants in the greater urban area. Lying in a climatic transition zone, summers are hot and long and winters are extremely dry and pleasant

Founded in 1565 and moved to its present site in 1685, the city is home to a number of sights including the House of Tucuman where the Argentina declared independence from Spain in 1816, the baroque styled Government Palace and the Timoteo Navarro Museum of art that houses more than 600 works by some of the most important Argentine artists such as Berni and Spilimbergo

The prestigious National University has made Tucuman into one of the most lively and cultural cities in the country as well with very good restaurants and nightlife. Il Postino (25 de Mayo and Cordoba streets) is a local favorite for Italian fare, but the city is also known for its spicy empanadas and locro and has some of the best ice cream stores in the country, thanks to the ever warm weather.

Good hotels include the Amerian and Metropol, both very close to Independence Square and the 4 star Hotel Presidente that’s not much further away and has a great outdoor pool, that may be very welcome during your visit as part of one of the best tours to Tucuman, Argentina

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Argentina Travel Guide: Beaches

With almost 5,000 kilometers of coastline, it’s no wonder that Argentina has some of the nicest beaches around. Most of them are located in the southern half of Buenos Aires Province, combining the clear waters of the Atlantic with warmer temperatures. Why not enjoy sun and sea for a few days with our guide to the best beaches and seaside resorts in Argentina.

Mar del Plata

The biggest of them all and the main tourism destination for Argentines. Every January more than 2 million visitors descend on the beaches in Mar del Plata. La Feliz as the city is lovingly known offers affordable and sometimes noisy entertainment if you’re not afraid of the crowds. The huge number of accommodation on offer means that outside of January some very good deals on hotels and apartments can be had. 

Cariló

The upper class destination. Argentina’s answer to Martha’s Vineyard, Cariló is a small village with beautiful cabins surrounded by pine trees and some first class restaurants. Founded by a wealthy land owner and then expanded by later generations, until some years ago access to the town was restricted to approved guests only. Tranquil and with a world class golf club, this is the place in summer to meet the Argentine political and financial elite and their families.

Villa Gesell

Affordable and with a lively nightlife, but without succumbing to the mass development of Mar del Plata, this is a popular choice with younger visitors. The city itself is filled with some innovative buildings and good bars and restaurants, but very quiet beaches are to be found just outside of town as well. Also known for its great quad and 4x4 possibilities.

Punta del Este

Uruguay’s main beach resort is also a very popular choice with Argentineans, as there are very good connections by both plane and ferry. This summer hang-out for the rich and famous attracts stars from all over South America and is host to all the hot summer parties.

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Race cars on the streets of Buenos Aires

Next month, Sunday the 31st of March, the noise, flames and all around excitement of Super TC2000 race cars will come to downtown Buenos Aires again. While last year the inaugural city race was held on and around the famous Avenida 9 de Julio, this year the organizers have chosen the nearby neighborhood of Recoleta for the race.

Starting in front of the main offices of the Argentine Automobile Club (ACA) on Avenida Libertador, the cars will race a broad triangle with a total length of around 2 miles. The circuit layout actually has great historic significance as this is the same street circuit that was used for the first Argentinean F1 GP's in the 1950's with such legendary pilots as Ferrari legend Froilan Gonzalez and 5 time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.

The exact layout of the track can be seen on the Google Map below.


Super TC2000 is one of the most popular race series in Argentina. The cars are lightweight widebody look-a-likes of popular local production cars not unlike series such as the DTM in Germany and Australia's V8 Supercars. The cars use V8 engines developed by British sportscar maker Radical that are loosely based on Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle technology. This allows the engines to produce around 430 horsepower whilst weighing only around 90 kilos/200 pounds. Motorcycle technology also means the engines can rev to around 10,500 rpm, making for a more than spectacular sound on passing. Earplugs come recommended ;-)

Here is some video from last year to give you an idea:


Should you be in or near Buenos Aires next month, make sure you visit this unique event. Entrance is free to all spectators, but make sure you get there very early or to get access to a VIP lounge. Autosport is very popular in Argentina and last years' edition drew almost a million visitors, so you have been warned.

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Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Airports

On first arriving in Argentina most visitors will land on the larger international airport of Ministro Pistarini, commonly known as Ezeiza after the small town it’s closest to. Buenos Aires has a smaller airfield in the city itself as well however and here most national flights land and take of from. In this article we tell you all you need to know to make sure no airport stress can ruin your perfect vacation in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

On landing at Ezeiza and after passing customs your first goal will probably to get transport to the city. The fastest, safest and most expensive way is to book a taxi from the official stand you will see in front of you as soon as you enter the main arrival hall where people wait for their friend and relatives arriving. Somewhat slower but still relatively fast and safe as well is to make a u-turn to the right and buy a ticket from the Manuel Tienda Leon window. Easily recognizable by their lion head logo, they offer shared minivans and buses to the city center at affordable prices which leave when full. 

If you are on a very tight budget, public buses 33 and 45 in front of the airport exit will take you to downtown as well for little over 1 Argentine peso, but be aware that the trip takes over 2 hours and passes through some decidedly dodgy neighborhoods. Probably best reserved for Spanish speakers as is the common practice of walking directly outside of the terminal and making a deal with a BA city taxi. These can drop people off at the airport but not get in line to pick up a passenger towards the city as this is reserved for the Ezeiza taxis. As they have to drive back towards the city normally anyway, you can often negotiate a friendly rate. 

Jorge Newbery, the smaller airport in BA itself, is so close to the city center that a taxi is relatively inexpensive and probably your easiest option, though if you absolutely want to at least 10 different bus lines service the airport from different parts of the city. Remember that most flights towards famous destinations like Iguazu and El Calafate leave from this airport, so always make sure to check which airport your flight is actually leaving from to avoid ruining the perfect vacation in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Panoramic Views

In such a large and sprawling city, it can sometimes be hard to get your bearings. To get a better feel for the layout of the city and just to enjoy the views in general, nothing beats a vantage point up high when first getting to know the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. Here are 4 places that grant you a wider view of the city during the best vacations to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Sky Bar

One of the only open-air rooftop bars in the city. Located on top of the luxury Pulitzer Hotel in the heart of downtown with nice views but also beautiful people and very good cocktails. DJ’s on most Thursday nights. A great place to spend early summer nights before heading into town. Open to non-guests as well.

(Maipu 907)

A222

This good and not too expensive restaurant with fixed 3 and 4 course lunch and dinner options is located on the top floor of the historic Comega building in the Microcentro. It offers spectacular views, especially towards Puerto Madero, the Ecological Reserve and the Rio de la Plata beyond.

(Corrientes 222)

Palacio Barolo

A unique office building, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. When completed in 1923 its 22 floors made it the tallest building, not only in the city, but also in the whole of South America. The lighthouse at the top of the building can be seen all the way from Montevideo, Uruguay and regular tours give you the opportunity to get up there yourself. An integral part of the best vacations to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

(Avenida de Mayo 1370)

Palacio Barolo, photo from Wikipedia

Panamericano Hotel

Just a block from the Obelisco, the 23rd floor of this luxury hotel has a nice bar with a 270 degree view of the city towards Recoleta and Barrio Norte plus all the landmarks along Avenida 9 de Julio.

(Carlos Pellegrini 551)

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Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Monuments and Landmarks

There are many monuments and landmarks in Buenos Aires, Argentina and many of those are of considerable historical or artistic interest. Here are 5 unmissable sights to visit during the perfect tours to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Obelisco

Built in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of the city, the Obelisk is nowadays certainly the most recognizable landmark in the city. Hard to imagine now that in 1939 it was almost demolished for aesthetic and public safety reasons, only a few years after its construction.

(Avenida 9 de Julio and Corrientes)

Teatro Colon

The Teatro Colon was heavily inspired by the Scala in Milan and is one of the foremost opera houses ever since its official opening in 1908. It took twenty years to build and has almost 2,500 seats. Daily tours take you behind the scenes

(Cerrito and Tucuman)

Club de Pescadores

Opened in 1937, the Fisherman’s Club is located on a pier stretching out into the Rio de La Plata. It also houses one of the best seafood restaurants in the city, El Muelle, with romantic views over the river

(Costanera Norte)

Cabildo

The Cabildo was the original seat of the city government and dates back to 1610, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. Though half of it was destroyed on purpose in the early 20th century to make room for the new Avenida de Mayo, in 1940 the remaning half was reconstructed with its original colonial features.

(Plaza de Mayo)

National Library

The National Library is the largest library in Argentina and one of the most important in the Americas. Founded in 1810 in an old Jesuit mansion, since 1971 it’s been housed in one of the most controversial buildings in the city. A Brutalist design in concrete and glass from 1961 that was heavily influenced by the then director, Argentina’s most famous writer, Jorge Luis Borges. Love it or hate it, the National Library is certainly an important stop during the perfect tours to Buenos Aires, Argentina 

(Austria and Libertador)

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