'Pushing Patagonia' - Short Story Contest Submission
Recently I submitted one of my Argentina travel stories to the world famous Tom Howard / John H. Reid Short Story Contest. The results are now in!

From over 1,200 world wide entries, I was delighted to receive a prize after being voted in the Top 15 finalists. My winning entry is titled Pushing Patagonia

I retain full copyright ownership on my submitted story. So please contact me if you wish to republish 'Pushing Patagonia' in any form. Thanks.

Highlights

Buenos Aires (and suburbs Boca and Tigre)
Mendoza (wine tours, adventure sports)
Bariloche (lakes, mountain treks, skiing)
El Calafate (Moreno Glacier)
El Chalten (trek Mount Fitzroy)
Iguazú Falls (visit in Argentina & Brasil)
Puerto Madryn (whale watching)

When to Go

If you want to see a game of soccer in Buenos Aires (eg Boca Juniors) check the Argentina soccer league schedules.
Bariloche has excellent summer trekking and winter skiing.
Southern Patagonia is best visited during the warmer months September to March. It is a very long bus trip from Buenos Aires - getting an internal flight to/from El Calafate is an option if you are short of time.
Whale watching from Puerto Madryn is seasonal - best months to see whales are usually September and October.
Iguazú Falls can be visited all year round. The best times to go are either the Spring or Autumn (Fall). Summer is tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is considerably lower.

Popular tours in Argentina

Click here to search for various Argentina tours. Below are the Argentina tours I'd recommend for best value. Please make sure you confirm tour dates availability on the booking link forms (some tours are seasonal).

Patagonia

El Calafate, El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, Laguna Nimes, Upsalla Glacier, Torres Del Paine National Park (Chile), Pehoé Lake, Salto Chico, Paine's Horns and Grey Lake.

Patagonia 5 day tour
Patagonia 7 day tour
Patagonia 9 day tour
Patagonia 13 day tour
Buenos Aires includes Plaza de Mayo, San telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero, Recoleta, Palermo. Excellent city tour.
Iguazu Falls departs from Buenos Aires and includes Puerto Iguazu, Argentinean falls, visit to the amazing Devils Throat, Brazilian falls. Spectacular. One of my favourites!
Mendoza departs from Buenos Aires and includes Cordillera de Los Andes, Aconcagua (the highest peak in Western World), Puente Del Inca, Uspallata, bodegas (the famous Argentinean wine cellars). The Mendoza wine tour was a highlight.

In the vault - Wine Tour, Mendoza (Argentina)

Las Bodegas (vaults). Wine Tour in 'Mendoza'

Accommodation Options

Search and compare extensive Argentina accommodation options here. Select 'Argentina' from the country list. Then select the location city or town. Through this search link you should be able to find Hostels and Hotels starting as cheap as US $5 per night.
In Buenos Aires I recommend the Hostel Suites Obelisco. On their information page see if they have any special deals. Breakfast should be free. They sometimes run a special deal that if you stay 3 nights you get the 4th night free. You may also be able to get a City Tour and Tango Show for free depending how long you stay.

2007 South America Travel Advice