As Mark Twain said, 'One must travel to learn’. At don Quijote, we are perfectly aware of the importance of exploring and discovering new cultures and ways of seeing the world, especially when we want to learn a foreign language and truly master it. For this reason, we want to dedicate today's blog post to propose a fascinating road trip through the Patagonia of Chile and Argentina, a trip to awaken all the senses, as well as a perfect opportunity to escape winter and learn Spanish in Latin America.

Continue reading or switch to the Spanish version and practice your reading skills.

We have designed this road trip for all those who want to have an unforgettable experience full of adventures and challenges to overcome, an experience full of paths to travel and landscapes to admire. We have prepared a travel itinerary with 8 stops in some of the best destinations to visit in the Patagonia of Chile and Argentina. It is highly recommended to take this trip at this time of year (between the months of December and March), since they are in summer and temperatures are much more pleasant.

But Chile and Argentina are huge, so it would be too long to take a road trip through all their territory. For this reason, we have focused our route on Patagonia. We will cross the borders of both countries on different occasions, being able to enjoy a great variety of scenarios: from inhospitable places with majestic glaciers, to bustling metropolises and wonderful mountain landscapes.

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina, a place that gives off a contagious energy, a city that spreads fascinating enthusiasm to the millions of people who visit it every year. It is the cultural heart of the country, but also the birthplace of tango and the world capital of theater. Take advantage of this stop to meet the sociable porteños —the “people of the port” in the Buenos Aires region— and enjoy a total immersion in the language and culture of this vibrant metropolis.

2. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

After a long (but fascinating) drive from Buenos Aires, we will arrive in San Carlos de Bariloche. Located in the province of Río Negro and next to the Andes mountain range, it is the most populated and visited city in Patagonia. The main attractions of Bariloche are its incredible natural reserves, full of forests and lakes, and its well-known ski resorts. In addition, Bariloche was declared "world capital of adventure tourism" in November 2012 and has one of the most important scientific and technological centers of the American continent.

3. Puerto Varas, Los Lagos, Chile

And, through the wonderful landscapes of the Puyehue National Park, we move to Puerto Varas, in the Los Lagos region, southern Chile. It is a beautiful city of German colonial style that is located on the banks of the great Llanquihue lake, and from which we can enjoy spectacular views of the still active Cabulco and Osorn volcanoes.

4. Chiloé Island, Los Lagos, Chile

Taking a ferry in Puerto Coronel, we will reach Chiloé Island, within the same region of Los Lagos, in Chile. Castro, its capital, offers a great group of churches that were declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2000; as well as the characteristic palafitos, a type of construction carried out on a kind of wooden pillars by the sea.

5. Punta Arenas, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena, Chile

After one of the longest journeys on our route, we will arrive at Punta Arenas, very close to the so-called “end of the earth” (excursions are made to Antarctica and nearest deserts).  Located in the Strait of Magellan, where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean meet, it is the southernmost point of Chilean Patagonia. You will admire the monument to Hernando de Magallanes, located in the famous Muñoz Gamero square; as well as the interesting Nao Victoria Museum, where you will contemplate a replica of one of the galleons of the Portuguese explorer and navigator.

6. Puerto Natales, Natales, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena, Chile

Puerto Natales is a port city located in the southern part of Chilean Patagonia, on the banks of the Señoret channel. In the city, we can visit the Municipal Historical Museum, where some history and tools of the indigenous population of the area are exposed. In the northern area, we can explore the impressive Milodon Cave, an important settlement during prehistory. In addition, Puerto Natales is the main entrance giving access to Torres del Paine National Park, as well as the port from where ferries crossing the Patagonian fjords leave.

7. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

It is a National Park known for its impressive mountains; its turquoise blue lakes; its majestic glaciers; and its golden-colored meadows, home to different endemic species of South America (such as the guanaco, a kind of alpaca typical in the area). Some of the main attractions in Torre del Paine are the construction composed of three white granite towers giving name to the park, and the popular horn-shaped peaks, known as “Cuernos del Paine”.

8. El Calafate, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

Once again, we cross the border, this time to reach Calafate, in the Argentine region of Santa Cruz. It is a city near the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. In this park, you will admire the impressive Perito Moreno glacier. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore the interpretive center called Glaciarum, which serves as an introduction and presentation for the numerous glaciers of the place.

As you can see below, in the route that we have designed especially for you, we have marked the path to return to the city of Buenos Aires, place from which we started this wonderful trip. We hope you love today's blog post, and, above all, that you are fortunate enough to make this exciting road trip through the Patagonia of Chile and Argentina. Just don't forget to share all your experiences!

Thinking about winter, what first comes to mind for many of us are sweaters, snowmen, and quiet talks near the fireplace. In previous posts, we have talked about holiday traditions that celebrate Christmas and top ski resorts in Spain. However, there is one place that can add a twist to the conversation: Argentina.

If you live in North America, Europe, or Asia, this time of the year you are probably already tired of feeling cold. Would you like to escape from low temperatures? In order to enjoy a summer climate where you can also learn Spanish in Argentina, this is your best choice.

In the next lines, we are going to travel to Argentina and leave winter behind. Let us show you where to go to make the most of the Sun of May.

Click here if you want to read this post in Spanish and discover what the land of asados and tango has to offer you in the summertime.

January at the beach

Yes, it might sound weird. But January is the peak of the summer season at Argentinian beaches. With a coastline more than 3,000 miles long, this country offers a variety of beaches from north to south on the Atlantic Ocean.

The shore has locations to suit every taste. Mar del Plata is one of the liveliest spots, with an almost infinite variety of food and festivities. If you prefer bigger waves, Miramar is a preferred surfing destination. To disconnect from urban stress and enjoy quiet green landscapes, we recommend you visit Cariló beaches.

For mountain lovers

When we talk about going on vacation, there are always people who confess they prefer the mountains to the beach. Summer is the best time of the year to enjoy camping in the forest, riding river rapids, or going climbing. In Argentina, you can do all this in January!

Cordoba is one of the best provinces to experience these kinds of adventures. Some cities, like Villa Carlos Paz, double their population during the summertime. Rafting, trekking, and hiking are great options in this amazing destination for adventure tourism.

Cosmopolitan summer

Strangely enough, the warm months are a very good time to do intensive tourism in the capital. We won’t deny that Buenos Aires has pretty high temperatures from December to March. However, this inconvenience has a big plus: its streets are significantly emptier because many inhabitants leave town in search of cooler areas.

This will allow you to visit the city’s monuments and take part in its festivals in a more relaxed way. Outdoor movies, Buenos Aires Playa, and the ecological reserve are just some of the best ways to enjoy being outside. You can also take advantage and visit the most popular museums of the capital without standing in line!

If you are up to trading your scarf for a swimming suit, Argentina is waiting for you! Besides an incredible vacation, you can live a unique linguistic immersion and improve your Spanish level with our programs in Buenos Aires and Cordoba.

We are waiting for you!

Close to the border triangle with Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, where the Iguazu and Paraná rivers mingle, you will find one of the largest waterfalls in the world and stunning nature that says "you". This park bears the name National Park Iguazu and is also one of the areas with the highest biodiversity of any national park in South America. This extraordinary natural park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1986 and was also chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This park is characterized by its extraordinary waterfalls and subtropical rainforest where the most extraordinary and extravagant flora and fauna coexist.

• Iguazu National Park is located in the northeastern province of Misiones near the tri-border point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and has a total area of 67,000 hectares.
• The bird that received the honor of appearing on the park's logo is the swift.
• Groundbreaking are the sustainability and environmental standards the park is implementing. The fact that the park is highly accessible to the disabled is also a mark of class.

National Park Iguazu is found the northeastern part of the province of Misiones in Argentina. With a total area of 67,000 hectares, of which 53,000 hectares is national park and the rest is protected nature reserve. The climate is subtropical and therefore the humidity is high: between 75% and 90%. Around February the average temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius and around June and July around 15 degrees Celsius. The climate and excellent temperatures make for exceptional flora and fauna, but Iguazu's most famous feature is its impressive waterfalls. Over a length of 2,700 meters and a height of 80 meters, these waterfalls are considered the natural separation between Argentina and Brazil. Of the as many as 275 waterfalls, one section that really stands out is the one where the waterfall almost seems to close. This is also called the devil's throat, garganta del diablo. The pictures already look spectacular, but to really see this you must have been there. The many hiking trails and footbridges that have been specially constructed for this purpose will lead you the way to this natural wonder.

Surrounding these falls is the subtropical rainforest with as many as 2,000 plant species. The national plant of Argentina, the seibo is a type of coral flower that is also represented here. Besides plants, the park is known for the bird species that fly and reside here. With 400 bird species, this is almost half of all the species found throughout Argentina. The swift is the most famous bird here and is therefore common. This swallow soars over the water and flies right past the falls and is therefore depicted on the logo of National Park Iguazu with the falls behind it.

Not only will you find birds and animals that abound here, it is also home to certain animals and plants that are in danger of extinction. The jaguar, tapir, black-masked gouan, anteater and certain eagles are some examples. National Park Iguazu is very conscious of protecting and preserving this natural area. This has also been one of the reasons why the area has been declared a national park, as sustainability and the environment are obviously high priorities here. This is reflected in the various ISO standards it has been allowed to receive in terms of environmental monitoring, and here they are the first in all of South America. Ultimately, this should help minimize and preserve the area, keeping the park ecologically balanced and allowing future generations to enjoy it to the fullest.

Besides protecting the park's flora and fauna, what makes it special is its high level of accessibility for the disabled. Throughout the park there is a train that also fits wheelchairs. This consumes less energy and blends in completely with nature. The same goes for the deaf, blind and visually impaired, they can explore the park with a guide. This makes National Park Iguazu accessible to all and so even the disabled can simply enjoy all this natural beauty.

This blog is to help you learn about where Argentina is located, discover places to visit while you travel in Argentina and view an Argentina map of our suggestions. This is a comprehensive article for anyone thinking about doing tourism in Argentina.

Where is Argentina? That may sound like crazy question for many people, but according to Google, "Where is Argentina?" is one of the most searched for Argentina terms in the USA. I am not judging anyone here. Many Americans are geographically challenged and this is not because we (yes, we) are stupid. I prefer to use the word "sheltered", yes, we are very sheltered from the world. What do I mean by this? Well, many people may not know where is Argentina because they simply lack exposure.

One geography class 20 years ago was not enough, the local news doesn't often mention the "world", local newspapers are lucky to have an extensive international section even national papers lack on the "foreign news" front. My point is that Americans can literally live their whole lives not knowing where Argentina is, let alone the rest of the countries of the world.

So where is Argentina? Argentina is located where the map ends, on the southernmost tip of the planet, at the end of South America. It is a large country, the second largest in South America dominating the major part of the continent. However, compared with the US, Argentina is a bit less than three-tenths the size with a total area of 2,766,890 km² (1,068,302 mi²). Argentina is 3,650 km (2,268 mi) long from North to South and 1,430 km (889 mi) across from east to west.

On the north, Argentina is bounded by Bolivia, to the northeast by Paraguay, to the east by Brazil, Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean, and to both the south and west by the long nation of Chile. In total, Argentina has over 9,665 km (6,000 mi) of border.

Now that we know the answer to "where is Argentina," we can take a look at this vast and beautiful country filled with adventures, mighty waterfalls, high mountains, vast plains, impressive ice glaciers, unique cities, tango, natural charms, amazing food and nice people.

If you are planning on traveling to Argentina or traveling through Argentina, it is a good idea to get familiarized with the country so that you can plan your trip accordingly.

The following is a map of Argentina with the top 10 places to visit while you are traveling around Argentina. This Argentina map is available online and is interactive.

1- Buenos Aires is known to be a very European feeling cosmopolitan city. The population descends mainly from Italians and Spaniards giving the city a rich cultural heritage and unique architecture. Don't miss a good tango class, the bohemian San Telmo neighborhood, the famous Recoleta cemetery where Eva Perón is buried. Study with don Quijote's partner school in Buenos Aires, marked on the Argentina map with a special symbol, to really discover the unique Argentine accent and culture.

2- The "pampas" are not marked on our Argentina map because the Argentine pampas are great plains located around the capital city of Buenos Aires. Famous Argentine "gauchos", or cowboys, can be found working the land that is also spotted with many lovely 19^th century homes. This beautiful area is open for tourism.

3- Peninsula Valdes is home to some of the world's best wildlife reserves in Argentina. Tourists traveling to Argentina often head to this area to watch whales breeding off shore. Sea lions, elephant seals, Orca whales and penguins are also common sights.

4- Ushuaia, as you can see on the map of Argentina, is located at the very tip of South America in Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and is the southernmost town in the world. From this point in the world, you can board an excursion to Antartica!

5- Patagonia glaciers & Mount Fitz Roy: Some of the world's largest advancing glaciers are located in the Patagonia region of Argentina. If you are traveling through Argentina, make sure to stay a night in one of the several towns located in the area to cater to visitors who come to see the Perito Moreno glacier and the Upsala glacier. The Patagonia region is marked on the Argentina map below. Mount Fitz Roy is located about 130 miles to the north of the famous Patagonia glaciers. This peak is a must see for adventurists, often described as the most amazing and breathtaking mountain peak in the world.

6- Lake District - Bariloche: Bariloche, located in the Lake district, is a charming town and home to one of the most impressive ski resorts in South America. It is also the location of another don Quijote Spanish partner school located on our Argentina map. The Lake District area is often compared to the mountainous region of Switzerland and contains many charming towns like Villa La Angostura and San Martin de los Andes. El Bolson is another village known for its crafts while Esquel is famous for the Old Patagonian Expressway.

7- Mendoza - Argentine Wine: Head to the city of Mendoza in the Andes, marked on our map of Argentina, home to Argentina's famous Malbec wine. You can tour the wineries and participate in wine tastings. While you are in this area traveling through Argentina, head to Aconcagua, just a short drive from Mendoza, where you can marvel at the world's highest peak after the Himalayas.

8- Salta & Jujuy: These two southern villages are known to be colorful and indigenous feeling. In Salta you can catch the famous Train to the Clouds, the highest railway in the world and fropm Jujuy you can visit cloud (fog) forests and other small unique villages.

9- Iguazu Falls in Argentina is a spectacular set of over 275 falls between Argentina and Brazil. The power of Iguazu Falls is unrivaled by any other, not even Niagara Falls or Victoria Falls. Devil's Throat, one of the main attractions, dumps over 10,000 gallons of water a second from a height of over 230 feet.

10- Córdoba is the second largest city in Argentina and is home to another don Quijote partner school. The city, indicated on the Argentina map, is famous for its preservation of historical monuments from the times of Spanish colonialism. Several 17^th century buildings have been declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

So now you have the answer to the question: Where is Argentina?, you have many really good reasons to travel to Argentina. We hope you find our suggestions and Argentina map useful to plan your tourism in Argentina.

View this INTERACTIVE Argentina map on Google

Want to study Spanish in Argentina?

Study in don Quijote's partner school in Buenos Aires.