In South America, pampa means grasslands or prairie. And although Spanish-Speakers understand its meaning instantly, it is actually a loan word from the original Quechua, meaning “flat space” or “flatness.” When it comes to the Pampas in Argentina, the word evokes a romantic notion of living off of the land, rough and tumble gaucho culture, and raising some of the best cattle in the world!

In this article, we want to show you all the magical aspects of this unique swath of Argentina. So why are the Argentina Pampas famous? When should you plan a trip to the Pampas? And which activities are worth including in your itinerary, and why?

What are The Pampas in Argentina, and why is this region famous?

The Argentine Pampas extend from the Atlantic coast near the Buenos Aires’ border all the way to the Andean foothills in the northwest corner of the country. This breathtaking natural expanse spans 295,000 square miles and comprises two distinct zones – the dry area to the west and the wetlands to the east.

The Pampas region of Argentina is famous for a couple of reasons, which are inextricably linked with the culture and history of Argentina. First, much of Argentine folklore since the Spanish conquest centers around the both mythic and authentic gaucho figure, who still work these fertile plains to this day on some of the private estancias (ranches). Second, in addition to cowboy life on the estancias, the Pampas are home to some intriguing up-and-coming vineyards in all of Argentina.

When is the best time to go to The Pampas grasslands in Argentina?

There’s truly no terrible time to visit the Pampas of Argentina due to the pleasant climate year-round. The austral summer months from December to February are the hottest reaching the lower-eighties in Fahrenheit, while the winter months between June and August are relatively mild, never dropping below mid-fifties, for the most part.

This said, we highly recommend visiting this region of Argentina in the spring from September to November because the temperature is just right, and the sprawling spring blossoms make the already impressive landscape even more captivating.

Must-see places to visit in the Argentina Pampas

Activities in the Pampas of Argentina satisfy nature lovers, culinary connoisseurs, culture enthusiasts, and history buffs alike! You can be as active as you want to be, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, etc. At the same time, spend some quality relaxation time with one of the most precious natural backdrops and incredible local fare.

1. Visit San Antonio de Areco

Just a short 70 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, San Antonio de Areco remains one of the steadfast “gaucho towns” in the Pampas. Home to some original Argentine estancias turned all-inclusive accommodations, visiting San Antonio de Areco promises one of the most romantically rustic experiences you can have in all of Argentina.

Here, you will also find several exciting museums highlighting some essential details about gaucho history and culture, such as the Museo Gauchesco and the Museo Las Lilas de Areco. We also encourage everyone to visit the Old Bridge of Areco, originally built in 1857 and one that has become an iconic architectural feature in Argentina.

2. Taste of the Pampas: the traditional Asado meal

Asado is essentially Argentine barbecue and also a cornerstone within Argentine identity as the national dish. Each cut of meat is treated with the utmost care, and expert asadores are highly respected. Considering the Pampas have provided the ideal conditions for raising high-grade grass and grain-fed cattle and sheep, this is also the geographic epicenter for Asado.

You can find some of the most authentic Asado in Tandil, a small town in the southern Pampas known for its excellent cheese and cured meats. If you stay in one of the estancias here, trying the Asado is a full-day affair. The asadores start preparing the meat at about 9:30 in the morning for a 12:30 feast that lasts 2-3 hours or more depending on the types of meat and the amount of wine served!

3. Explore the Pampas on horseback with the gauchos

You can enter into the gaucho mindset for yourself riding horseback across the still mostly wild Pampas. Practically all of the estancias offer horseback riding as either full-day or half-day experiences, guided by gauchos who still work the ranches.

You can opt to traverse the multitude of dusty trails through fields of wheat and alfalfa, join the gauchos in their daily cattle drive, or even play some Polo! The Pampas also are home to some of the best Polo players in the world; for those versed in the sport, there is no better place to “bowl-in!”

4. Meet the native wildlife

In addition to the roaming cattle and sheep, plenty of wild fauna inhabits the Argentina Pampas. Here you will find herds of wild guanacos (a type of Andean camelid slightly smaller than llamas but bigger than alpacas), foxes, bush dogs, viscachas (in the chinchilla family), hawks, waterfowl, and a feline resembling the long-lost cousin of an angora housecat called the Pampas cat.

5. Tour through Campos del Tuyú National Park

Campos del Tuyú National Park lines the northeastern flank of the Pampas along the Atlantic coast. Its 3,040 hectares encompass woodlands and salt-grass prairies that shelter the endangered Pampas deer. Birdwatchers would especially find this protected area interesting due to the over 100 unique bird species.

6. Take a wine tour in the Pampas

Argentina is also known for its exemplary wines and vineyards, many of which belong to the Mendoza province, including the Pampas region to the east. The largest concentration of vineyards lies at the base of the Andes in Mendoza; however, there is now a surge of vineyards closer to the grassy plains of central Argentina as well.

On the northern border with Patagonia, La Pampa province has become one of the country’s leading producers of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay. There is also a new area of vineyards of interest in the Pampa húmeda (wetlands) of the Buenos Aires province along the Atlantic Coast. Here the Pampas towns of Tandil, Tornquist, and Médanos have some fabulous vineyards offering a taste of these new “oceanic wines.”

Can you picture yourself on horseback, the wind rushing through your hair, as you wind your way through the wild Argentine countryside, and then indulge in a well-earned cut of beef? Then, don’t hesitate to contact us to get the planning started on your next trip to the Pampas of Argentina!

With things starting to open up and people starting to think of travel again, you may be planning for your next trip to include more remote destinations rather than large cities. In Argentina, some of the more well-known spots include the big city of Buenos Aires, as well as more popular areas such as Patagonia and Iguazu Falls. While these are incredible places to visit, you may find that they are also a bit more crowded than many may be comfortable with at the moment. Lesser-known areas such as Salta, Argentina are the perfect answer for those looking to avoid crowds, but who still want to explore the world as soon as possible. So where is Salta, and what is there to do there?

The Salta region of Argentina is located in the Northwest part of the country, right in the middle of South America. Its capital, also called Salta, is a beautiful, colonial city with incredible Spanish architecture and a slower pace of life. In the town itself, there is plenty to see and do, such as visit the Catedral Basílica de Salta, take in the Plaza 9 de Julio, try some of their famous empanadas (Salta claims to be their original home, after all), or wander one of their many fascinating museums. Suppose your aim is to get away from the city, however. In that case, Salta is surrounded by a wealth of natural landscapes, vineyards, mountains, and valleys, just begging to be explored.

Cafayate’s Wineries

When you think of wine in Argentina, Mendoza may come to mind, which is the country’s most famous wine region. The region of Salta has its own wine region as well, near the town of Cafayate. The wineries in this region produce the famously Argentine Malbec as well as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a wine made with the local Torrentés grape. These wineries have tours and tastings. For the more active and adventurous, there is a biking route to visit different wineries. The restaurants in Salta also feature local wines, so you can test different options before deciding which to see!

Salinas Grandes Salt Flats

Though Uyuni in Bolivia is the largest and most well-known salt flat, it is not the only option in South America. As a day trip from the city of Salta, you can visit the Salinas Grandes, which is what remains of an ancient salt lake. The salt found here is mined for use in the surrounding areas. These flats are at a high altitude, becoming visible after a long uphill drive through incredible mountain landscapes. While all salt flats are broad and extensive, this one is much less well known. Therefore, you will be even less likely to contact other people while exploring this surreal landscape.

Cerro San Bernadino

For an incredible panoramic view above the city, you can’t beat the Cerro San Bernadino or San Bernadino Hill. You can either take the stairs – approximately 1,000 stairs up, or ride the teleférico (cable car) to the top. Once you get there, you will be able to enjoy the fantastic view by day or take in one of the most impressive sunsets you’ll ever see before heading back down.

These are just a few of the activities that you can enjoy in the Salta region of Argentina. If you’re looking to travel soon, but are looking to avoid large amounts of people, the lesser-known destinations, like Salta, are the way to go. For now, enjoy visiting the countryside destinations, and then visiting the city destinations down the road!

A playground for adrenaline junkies, Argentina has its rough and varied geography to thank for that. It’s a country of extremes, home to the highest point (Mount Aconcagua, 6,960 m/22,834 ft) and the lowest point (Laguna del Carbón, -105 m/-344 ft) in the western hemisphere, as well as the hottest (120.4 °F at Villa Maria) and coldest (−38.2 °F at Valle de los Patos Superior, San Juan) temperatures in all of South America.

Trust us, a trip to Argentina means a breadth of adventure at your fingertips, no matter where your custom Argentina itinerary takes you. Here are 5 extreme adventures to be had on your Argentina holiday.

1. Paragliding with Condors in Córdoba

Paragliding is an adventure in and of itself, but your Argentina trip could include paragliding with these famous Andean birds of 3-meter wingspans. Though there are a few different sites across Northern Argentina in which you can do this, Córdoba, and more specifically La Cumbre, is the place to target for your paragliding adventure. The launch site is located just outside town in the Río Pintos valley at a cliff named Cuchi Corral.

2. Kayaking in Peninsula Valdez During Whale Mating Season

Kayaking Patagonia’s crystal clear waters is spectacular enough, but sharing the bay with colossal Southern Right whales takes the experience to a different level. From fall to spring, these whales travel from Antarctica to mate in the Peninsula Valdez, making it one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, and certainly to go kayaking.

3. Zip Lining in Iguazu

Glide through the treetops of Iguaza Forest with the famous Iguazu Falls as your backdrop, keeping your eye out for toucans as you go. You’ll pass over streams and through dense jungle housing more than 2,000 plant species and 400 types of birds. This is an Argentina travel experience that will have you pinching yourself to make sure it’s real.

4. Mountain Biking Circuito Chico

Located outside the mountain town of Bariloche, Circuito Chico is a breathtaking mountain biking circuit along the pristine Nahuel Huapi Lake and beneath the soaring Andes mountains. The full circuit is about 60 kilometers, but there are options to cut it short without missing a single must-see viewpoint. Don’t leave this nature lover’s haven and active adventure out of your personalized Argentina vacation.

5. Trekking Mount Fitz Roy

If you do just one trek on your Argentina holiday, let it be Mount Fitz Roy located outside Argentina’s “trekking capital” of El Chalten in Los Glaciers National Park. The mountain itself towers 11,000 feet over the scenic lake-strewn landscape and web of hiking trails. Pick a short day hike or go for the full five-day trek. Either way, the surrounding snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes will leave you speechless (and breathless).

Plan Your Tailor-made Argentina Holiday Today

If paragliding, kayaking, ziplining, mountain biking, and trekking aren’t your variety of extreme adventure, we’ll help you find the Argentina travel experiences that are. Contact a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your custom Argentina tour package.