TrekkingArgentina’s vast landscapes, alpine parks, lakes and deserts offer spectacular opportunities for walking and trekking. The best trekking areas are the
Andean Lake District, the
Sierras de Córdoba, the
Sierra de la Ventana (in Buenos Aires province) and
Patagonia, a huge and sparsely populated region, dotted with glaciers and lakes, and home to several of Argentina’s most popular national parks (see the
Where to Go section). One of the most popular tourist towns for starting excursions to the area is El Calafate.
MountaineeringThe Wild West frontier
town of El Chaltén is a popular starting point for mountaineering trips to the
Fitzroy Range. Good climbing is also possible at
Aconcagua (near Mendoza) and the
Sierra de la Ventana (for experienced climbers only).
SkiingThere is excellent skiing on the eastern slopes of the Andes, with an increasing number of ski resorts and runs. The season is generally from May to September.
Bariloche is the oldest, most established and best-equipped ski resort. The runs at
San Antonio,
San Bernado,
La Canaleta,
Puente del Inca and
Las Cuevas on the border of Argentina and Chile also offer exciting skiing. Other resorts include
Caviahue,
Cerro Bayo,
Cerro Chapelco,
Vallecitos,
las Leñas and
Esquel. Visitors are advised to book accommodation in advance.
WatersportsThe rivers descending from the Andean ranges are attracting an increasing number of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Some of the most popular include
Río Mendoza and
Río Diamante (Cuyo region);
Río Limay and
Río Manso (near Bariloche); and
Río Hua Hum and
Río Meliquina (near San Martín de los Andes). Swimming can be enjoyed in rivers, lakes and small resorts along the Atlantic coast; water-skiing along the
San Antonio River in the Tigre Delta Region; scuba diving in Patagonia; yachting and boating along the
River Plate; and fishing on the Atlantic coast off the piers. Freshwater fishing (for trout and salmon) is particularly good along the
Paraná River and in Argentina’s many artificial lakes.
OtherBy far the most popular spectator sport is football, which is followed obsessively throughout the country.
Palermo Park in Buenos Aires has a golf course as well as public and professional polo grounds. The polo season is from October to December. Rugby is also practiced by the immigrant population.
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