Argentina – Vamos Abroad

Argentina is one of the fastest growing destinations in popularity for study-abroaders across the country. With its diverse geography, welcoming people, and dollar-friendly currency, it’s a place that’s pretty hard to beat. Studying abroad in Argentina will likely take you to the capital, Buenos Aires, or one of two other major cities, Rosario or Córdoba.

Where to Study

Buenos Aires

Most students will find themselves in Buenos Aires. Better known as “El Paris del Sur”, “La Ciudad”, or “Capital Federal”, Buenos Aires is a massive metropolis that is home to more than 13 million “Porteños”, or Buenos Aires locals. Like any major city Buenos Aires offers something for anyone and everyone, and then some. Throughout the 48 barrios of the city, numerous universities host students from across the globe. With its international student flavor and the friendly, outgoing Porteño culture, don’t be surprised to see many a sunrise after a night on the town in a city that truly never sleeps. 

Córdoba 

With less than 2 million residents, Córdoba is a lot smaller than Buenos Aires, but is the second largest city in the country. It is definitely more rural than the other two major cities. Córdoba ranges from modern metropolis to Colonial town, as it spreads towards the vast countryside of central Argentina. If you’re around in the fall and like beer, a good time, or traditional German folk music don’t miss “La festival Nacional de Cerveza”, Oktoberfest, in Villa General Belgrano, right outside of Córdoba. 

Central Cathedral in Cordoba

Rosario 

The country’s third largest city, Rosario sits on the river, a couple hours north of Buenos Aires (by car). Rosario is smaller, and cheaper than the often ultra-hip and politically active crowds you will find in throughout Buenos Aires, but don’t be mistaken, Rosario boasts a great variety of fun-loving people who happily reside far away from “la locura” of Buenos Aires. It also proudly claims to have the most beautiful women in the world, which of course is in the eyes of the beholder. 

Getting Around

Buenos Aires is the heart of the country, without a doubt. But getting out into “El Interior”, also known as anywhere that’s not Buenos Aires, is an important and readily available option for travelers looking for literally anything mother nature has to offer. Rain forests, deserts, mountainous lakes, flat prairie lands of the Argentine cowboy, ski resorts, ice bergs, resort beaches, and of course penguin and whale watching are all a bus, plane or train ride from La Ciudad. 

Obelisk of Buenos Aires & the City Porteña financial district.

If you are already outside of the city, don’t worry. Every major city has an airport and the bus routes are as extensive as they are user-friendly. Every city has numerous bus stations where all the major lines make their stops to pick up road-warrior students or a group Argentines just going on to the next town. 

By Plane 

Flying is the easiest and most costly form of travel. Argentina has airports throughout the country to get you just about anywhere you would want to go. Larger international flights most often come in and out of Ezieza Airport, about 45 minutes outside of Buenos Aires.  Right in the northern tip of the city is Jorge Newbury Airport, which will take you to domestic locations. Remember, when flying to different countries, US citizens are often charged a fee just for entering and exiting.  This rule applies to those going to Chile, Peru, and especially Brazil where you have to go through a process that costs some $300 before gaining access to the country. 

By Bus 

A highly economical and efficient way of travel buses are for anyone and go anywhere in Argentina. Numerous companies will take you where you need to go for competitive prices that will make you think twice about getting that plane ticket.  Many buses are overnight affairs. Mind you, these aren’t school bus seats. Busses range in a comfort level from 1 to 5, five rivaling the best fully reclined luxury airline seats you can imagine, with comparable service too! If you go the more economical route, make sure to bring a snack and a drink to enjoy before bed.  

Everybody in Buenos knows of El Retiro, the major bus and train station of the city. Easily accessible via the subway or the public bus, El Retiro is the center of travel in and out of the city. As always in crowded areas, but especially here, WATCH YOUR POCKETS AND BAGS! 

The Train 

The train is a limited, yet valid option for some travel in Argentina. Most of the trains are still running short treks outside the city. The train can be used to get out to Tigre on a scenic river track that is reminiscent of Old Argentina. 

Where to Go

The options are endless in Argentina and there is certainly something for everyone, from experienced backpackers to experienced sun bathers. Below are a couple of the main sites that students will make it out to during their time in Argentina, but don’t let anyone’s guidebook limit you, Argentina is full of more places than there are pages to describe them. 

Iguazu Falls 

Veiw of one secton of the Iguazu Falls

A must see for any study abroad student in Argentina, Iguazu is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, and is not a site you will soon forget. Iguazu is accessible by plane or bus and has a wealth of  lodging options from Hostels to 5-star resorts right in the park. Iguazu also hosts a number of fun hikes and trails with great wildlife like toucans, monkeys, and of course the ever-elusive Puma. Note, the amount of water flowing down the falls varies from season to season. Sometimes the island viewing area and even the largest single fall in the park, La Graganta del Diablo, is closed due to the high rates of water coming over the falls. As the rainy season wanes, the water level will get a lot lower, giving the falls a very different look. Either way, Iguazu is a must see but check out what’s open or closed before you make the trek! 

Puerto Pañuelo, a small port on Lago Nahuel Huapi, near the village of Llao Llao, and the city of Bariloche. The Hotel Llao Llao is seen in the distance.

San Carlos de Bariloche

Bariloche is a year-round hotspot. August, the height of argentine ski season turns this lakeside city into a thriving winter resort.  January brings warm and breathtaking treks up to the glacier-covered mountains of Cerro Tronador or throughout the siete lagos, a series of lakes (there are more than seven) each glistening a different shade of blue with picturesque reflections of Andes mountains towering above.  Miles of mountainous trails or even just leisurely treks make Bariloche a great place for anyone to visit.    

Vicuña Crossing!

Salta

The Salta province offers a different taste than what you might expect from Argentina. Huge cacti and rough mountains populate this high desert in the northern mountains of Argentina. Here you can find “el cerro de siete colores” a colourful rocky region and of course the salt flats, which lie deep up in the mountains. Look out for a pack vicuña, the mountain dwelling relative of the llama, and don’t be afraid to try coca tea or chew the leaves and pack them in your lip like the locals do to cope with the altitude. Remember, the flats are at 14,000 feet and the air is THIN. 

Mendoza 

Mendoza is at the base of the menacingly beautiful Andes, which tower over this small city. But a different part of nature is what those who visit Mendoza are usually concerned with. The grape is what truly makes Mendoza famous, the malbec grape to be exact. Argentine wine is notoriously tasty (and cheap!)   

Mendoza is also the gateway to Chile via road. If you take the bus across the mountains, you bypass the cross-border fee you would pay if you entered Chile via plane. One common route to Chile is to fly to Mendoza and take the 6 or so hour bus straight to Santiago, which is cheaper and offers a unique view of the Andes. 

El Calafate, Patagonia

A true testament to the natural wonders of Argentina, El Calafate gives visitors a little bit of everything. The wide expanse on the roads sprawling out across Patagonia is almost as worthy a site as some of the key destinations in this part of the country; principally Glacieres National Park and Cerro Chalten, also known as Mount Fitz Roy. Glacieres offers a breathtaking vista of the receding Argentine ice sheet with a mixture of blues and icy whites that must be seen to be believed. Cerro Chalten is a crag of a mountain jutting into the sky with haphazard peaks, that provide a stunning view for those who hike on or all around it. 

A panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina.

Summer at La Plata

La Plata

This beach destination is truly at its finest during the summer months, especially as the kids start to get out of school. It’s a quick bus from Buenos Aires but can also be reached from anywhere else you may be.  They are nice, but the crowds can be serious! This can either be good or bad, depending on what you’re looking for. 

Tigre 

Tigre is a great river destination that, like La Plata to the south, brings more crowds in the summer hoping to escape the humidity of the city.  Reachable by bus or train, La Plata is a great day trip outside of Buenos Aires, whenever you feel like a change of atmosphere. Numerous hostels and other lodging sites are available here. 

Uruguay

Uruguay is a great trip to make from Buenos Aires or from the northern regions via bus/car. If in Buenos Aires, simply head to the ferries in Puerto Madero and take the quick trip across the river to Colonia, a fun and relaxing colonial town with a fort in the historic center that dates back to the 1600s, when the first settlers who made their way up the river. From here you can also take 4 or so hour bus to Montevideo, a hip and fun capital city that always has something going on but once more is a little more tranquillo than Buenos Aires. 

No matter where you go or what you see, Argentina offers something for everyone. The culture is open and welcoming and there is never any shortage of activities or sites. Keep your wits about you, have an open mind, and of course have a great time in this amazing country.

Posted by Mike Miller, a student at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.  He is a fluent Spanish speaker (and struggles in Portuguese!), and Argentina is one of his favorite destinations in Latin America.