From the cafes of Buenos Aires, where impassioned tango dancers swirl through the night, to the grand peaks of the Andes, towering magnificently over the central valleys, and from the breathtaking wilderness of deepest Patagonia to the legendary open-pit barbecues of the north, Argentina offers an experience unmatched anywhere in the world. Lovers of the outdoors will come for the mountains and lakes, the coast and the valleys, where they can hike, trek and fish.
Lovers of good food will explore the labyrinth of old Buenos Aires, where the culinary legacies of Spanish, Italians and gauchos collide unforgettably. Those with romantic hearts will find passion in the tango cafes and streets of Buenos Aires, a European capital in the heart of South America. Every sensation in one nation: Argentina.
Argentina's Information
Argentina, as with other areas of new settlement such as Canada, Australia, Brazil and the United States is considered a country of immigrants. The majority of these immigrants came from Spain and Italy.
Most Argentines are descended from colonial-era settlers and from the 19th and 20th century immigrants from Europe, with around 86 % of Argentina's population self-identifying as of European descent. Recent studies suggest that Europeans contributed about 79 % of Argentina's genetic makeup, Amerindians about 17% and Africans, about 3%. An estimated 7 % of the population is mestizo. The last national census, based on self-identification, counted around 600,000 Argentines (1.6 %) of Amerindian heritage. A further 3-4 % of Argentines were of Arab or East Asian heritage.
Following the arrival Spanish colonists, over 6.2 million Europeans immigrated to Argentina from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. The largest contribution to this immigrant wave was Italy. Italians arrived in Argentina from the Piedmont, Veneto and Lombardy regions, initially, and later from Campania and Calabria. A nearly equal number came from Spain (mostly Galicians and Basques). Large numbers also arrived from Poland, Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Sizable numbers of immigrants also arrived from Croatia. There is a large Armenian community and the Chubut Valley has a significant population of Welsh descent.
Destinations in Argentina From the cafes of Buenos Aires, where impassioned tango dancers swirl through the night, to the grand peaks of the Andes, towering magnificently over the central valleys, and from the breathtaking wilderness of deepest Patagonia to the legendary open-pit barbecues of the north, Argentina offers an experience unmatched anywhere in the world.
Combined Programs Argentina is a land of contrasts, from the vast plains of the east to the Andes in the West where Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Western Hemisphere at 6,959 m, towers above the other mountains. The variety of landscape ranges from the high plateau of the Northwest –with its deserts, valleys, gorges and brightly colored hills- to the lakes, forests, glaciers, steppe, mountains and cliffs of Patagonia. From the wetlands, lagoons, waterfalls and subtropical rainforest of the Northeast, to the expanse of flat Pampas in Buenos Aires Province and the rolling hills of Cordoba.
We invite you to discover the Argentinean diversity through this interesting proposal, which combines the best of our landscapes, culture and traditions!!
Fixed Departures Metropolitan Touring Argentina offers fixed departures to let your guests experience the best destinations of the country. Every date is confirmed, thus all these departures are guaranteed.
Extraordinary Programs A simple journey can turn into many at the same time. Flavors can lead travelers to unimagined places, where each experience is marked by a dish, a place or a feeling. Patagonian lands challenge adventure lovers to walk on the glaciers, climb colorful mounts and explore virgin landscapes. Interaction with local communities is one of main motivation of many travelers that appreciate the intangible heritage of living cultures.
At each step, at each road, there is something that will make you stop,watch and be part of the spectacle of nature.
Active Tourism Everybody knows about the wonders of Argentina, but not many are aware of the new ways to access to them.
Visitors don’t want to be only spectators, they want to be owners of what they see, reaching, at every beat of the heart, the adrenaline flowing by the views of the imposing works of the nature.
Argentina has a wide variety of climates and geographies, giving place to amazing landscapes to enjoy being in touch with Nature. This is the perfect destination to enjoy practising different activities because it allows living experiences full of adrenaline in the sea, rivers and lagoons, as well as flying over wonderful landscapes or climbing some of the highest peaks of South America.
Argentina invites you to be part of the nature and to challenge your dreams in organized circuits with different levels of difficulty and, of course, in company with specialized tour guides.
Spa Programs Argentina is the wellness land par excellence. It has a great diversity of spas, medical and esthetic centers with highly qualified professionals and latest generation technology. These centers are specialized in beauty treatment, esthetic surgeries, anti-stress programs, weight loosing therapies, among others, and constitute an ideal option for those willing to combine travelling with the chance of improving physically.
Estancia Programs An estancia is a big establishment that was once, or still is, destined to the breeding of sheep and cattle. Generally they are plot of land with big extensions of land that have a big house, from back several centuries, silos, stables and wineries, among others.
Nowadays you can visit these big estancias to know the customs and lifestyle of the gaucho, a peasant characteristic of Argentina. There you can do some activities such as walks, hayrides or sulkys, horseback riding and spend a nice evenings next to the fire.
Honeymoon A special moment, as unique and unrepeatable as the Honeymoon deserves to be carefully planned. Argentina is an exceptional destination that surprises couples who visit the wide range of cultural, entertainment and dining as well as the enormous amount of experiences to share on each of the regions to be visited.
Buenos Aires Cultural Program Argentina has many peculiarities that have traveled the world by word of mouth with the people who have visited the country. The outgoing personality of its people, who are friendly, fun and effusive; the typical cuisine which includes asado, mate, regional dishes, and dulce de leche treats; the traditional dances like tango, a couple dance with a 2 x 4 rhythm, which was born in Buenos Aires during the 19th century and today has reached an international level, or folklore, with different choreographic forms, according to each area; the passion for football; typical games like truco, a card game in which luck and the ability to trick or deceive the opponent are the most important things, or horse riding games in the outskirts of the city which reveal the powerful Spanish influence and the persistence of old traditions; and, of course, the personality that each special region knows how to maintain and strengthen as time goes by.
Sports Programs Sports are a symbol in Argentina. People loves watching them on TV, listening on the radio or even follow the games on the news or in the internet. But what they most love is playing them. Argentineans are passionate about sports. They use it as an excuse to meet with their friends and spend a great moment between sports, friends and good company.
Most of the sports lovers in Argentina are men. In fact, women love sports but they prefer watching them on TV or to comment one or another thing that may happened on the games, but, most of them, are not great sports players.
2013 Events Schedule Metropolitan Touring Argentina invites you to live the football with passion, vibrating with the roaring engines of the World Rally and challenge your limits in the marathon in Buenos Aires. You will experience the adrenaline of the sport and enjoy stunning landscapes, exquisite cuisine, the best cultural shows, and our high quality of service that will make your trip a unique experience.
Season Programs Throughout the year, several events takes place in Argentina: Carnival, Easter, Corpus Christi, the Winter season, the arrival of Spring, the celebration of Christmas and New Year Eve, among others. They represent unique opportunities to learn more about our landscape, our history, our cuisine and to enjoy the hospitality of our people.
Special Offers The best options for families, promotional fares, special discounts, great opportunities.
And always the best quality of services
We will ensure that you have a pleasant and unforgettable experience suitable for every budget.
Why travel with us Metropolitan Touring is one of South America’s best-known and respected Travel Corporations. Founded in Ecuador in 1953, Metropolitan Touring has been turning dreams into memories for decades, providing first-class service to thousands of visitors.
Because of longitudinal and elevation amplitudes, Argentina is subject to a variety of climates. As a rule, the climate is predominantly temperate with extremes ranging from subtropical in the north to sub-polar in the far south. The north of the country is characterized by very hot, humid summers with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts. Central Argentina has hot summers with thunderstorms (in western Argentina producing some of the world's largest hail), and cool winters. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones. Higher elevations at all latitudes experience cooler conditions.
Argentine culture has significant European influences. Buenos Aires, considered by many its cultural capital, is often said to be the most European city in South America, as a result both of the prevalence of people of European descent and of conscious imitation of European styles in architecture. The other big influence is the gauchos and their traditional country lifestyle of self-reliance. Finally, indigenous American traditions (like yerba mate infusions) have been absorbed into the general cultural milieu.
Subtropical plants dominate the north, part of the Gran Chaco region of South America. The genus Dalbergia of trees is well disseminated with representatives like the Brazilian Rosewood and the quebracho tree; also predominant are white and black algarrobo trees (prosopis alba and prosopis nigra). Savannah-like areas exist in the drier regions nearer the Andes. Aquatic plants thrive in the wetlands dotting the region.
In central Argentina the humid pampas are a true tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The original pampa had virtually no trees; today along roads or in towns and country estates (estancias), some imported species like the American sycamore or eucalyptus are present. The only tree-like plant native to the pampa is the ombú, an evergreen. The surface soils of the pampa are a deep black color, primarily mollisols, known commonly as humus. This is what makes the region one of the most agriculturally productive on Earth; however, this is also responsible for decimating much of the original ecosystem, to make way for commercial agriculture. The western pampas receive less rainfall, this dry pampa is a plain of short grasses or steppe.
Most of Patagonia in the south lies within the rain shadow of the Andes. The flora, shrubby bushes and plants, is well suited to withstand dry conditions. The soil is hard and rocky, making large-scale farming impossible except along river valleys. Coniferous forests grow in far western Patagonia and on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Conifers native to the region include alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides), ciprés de la cordillera (Austrocedrus chilensis), ciprés de las guaitecas (Pilgerodendron uviferum), huililahuán (Podocarpus nubigenus), lleuque (Prumnopitys andina), mañío hembra (Saxegothaea conspicua) and pehuén (Araucaria araucana), while native broadleaf trees include several species of Nothofagus including coigüe or coihue, lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) and ñire (Nothofagus Antarctica). Other introduced trees present in forestry plantations include spruce, cypress and pine. Common plants are the copihue and colihue (Chusquea culeou).
In Cuyo, semiarid thorny bushes and other xerophile plants abound. Along the many river oasis, grasses and trees grow in significant numbers. The area presents optimal conditions for the large scale growth of grape vines. In the northwest of Argentina there are many species of cacti. In the highest elevations (above 4,000 m or 13,000 ft), no vegetation grows because of the extreme altitude.
Many species live in the subtropical north. Big cats like the jaguar, cougar, and ocelot; primates (howler monkey); large reptiles (crocodiles) and a species of caiman. Other animals include the tapir, peccary, capybara, bush dog, raccoon and various species of turtle and tortoise. There are a wide variety of birds, notably hummingbirds, flamingos, toucans and swallows.
The central grasslands are populated by the giant anteater, armadillo, pampas cat, maned wolf, mara, cavias and the rhea (ñandú), a flightless bird. Hawks, falcons, herons and tinamous (perdiz, Argentine "false partridges") inhabit the region. There are also pampas deer and pampas foxes. Some of these species extend into Patagonia.
The western mountains are home to different animals. These include the llama, guanaco, and vicuña, among the most recognizable species of South America. Also in this region are the fox, viscacha, Andean Mountain Cat, kodkod and the largest flying bird in the New World, the Andean Condor.
Southern Argentina is home to the cougar, huemul, pudú (the world's smallest deer), and introduced, non-native wild boar. The coast of Patagonia is rich in animal life: elephant seals, fur seals, sea lions and species of penguin. The far south is populated by cormorants.
The territorial waters of Argentina have abundant ocean life; mammals such as dolphins, orcas, and whales like the southern right whale, a major tourist draw for naturalists. Sea fish include sardines, argentine hakes, dolphinfish, salmon, and sharks; also present are squid and spider crab (centolla) in Tierra del Fuego. Rivers and streams in Argentina have many species of trout and the South American dorado fish. Outstanding snake species inhabiting Argentina include boa constrictors and the very venomous yarará pit viper and South American rattle snake. The Hornero was elected the National Bird after a survey in 1928.
The cuisine of Argentina is influenced and derived predominantly from the cuisines of Spain, Italy, as well as Germany, France and other European countries, and also from the culinary heritage of the indigenous Amerindians. Besides many of the pasta, sausage and dessert dishes common to continental Europe, Argentines enjoy a wide variety of indigenous creations, which include empanadas (a stuffed pastry), locro (a mixture of corn, beans, meat, bacon, onion, and gourd), humitas and yerba mate, all originally indigenous Amerindian staples, the latter considered Argentina's national beverage. Other popular items include chorizo (a spicy sausage), facturas (Viennese-style pastry) and Dulce de Leche.
Argentine barbecue, asado as well as a parrillada, is one of the most famous in the world and includes various types of meats, among them chorizo, sweetbread, chitterlings, and morcilla (blood sausage). Thin sandwiches, sandwiches de miga, are also popular. Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the world.
The Argentine wine industry, long among the largest outside Europe, has benefited from growing investment since 1992; in 2007, 60% of foreign investment worldwide in viticulture was destined to Argentina.The country is the fifth-most important wine producer in the world, with the annual per capita consumption of wine among the highest. (Malbec has become a representative variety from Argentina). Malbec grape, a discardable varietal in France (country of origin), has found in Province of Mendoza an ideal environment to successfully develop and turn itself into the world's best Malbec. The city of Mendoza is one of the eight wine capitals of the world,[97] and Mendoza accounts for 70% of the country's total production (all varietals considered). "Wine tourism" is important in the Province of Mendoza, with the impressive landscape of Cordillera de Los Andes and the highest peak in America, Mount Aconcagua, 6952 meters high, providing a very desirable destination for international tourism.
There is a sales tax added to the buying price. Hotels and restaurants include in their bills the sales and services taxes. Moreover, there is a departure tax added at the airport when leaving the country. It is paid in American Dollars.
Everybody is required a passport valid for six months, except those people born in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador, who are allowed to travel across these countries with their national IDs.
Electricity in Argentina is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Argentina with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Argentina's video system is PAL N.
Due to its extension, 2,791,810 sq Km (1,072,163 sq miles), Argentina is the second largest country in South America, forth in the American continent and eighth in the world. Its continental territory occupies most part of the south part of the continent and limits to the north with Bolivia and Paraguay; to the northeast with Brazil; to the west and south with Chile and to the east with Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Por su extensión, 2.780.400 km², es el segundo estado más extenso de América del Sur, cuarto en el continente americano y octavo en el mundo. Su territorio continental americano, que abarca gran parte del Cono Sur, limita al norte con Bolivia y Paraguay, al nordeste con Brasil, al oeste y sur con Chile y al este con Uruguay y el Océano Atlántico.
The New Argentinean Peso has been the national currency of the Republic since 1992, when the former currency, Austral, was changed. Nowadays, there are coins for 5,10,25,50 cents and 1 peso. Bills are for 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos.
Fundación Galápagos has been chosen by Coca Cola to participate in the campaign “Every bottle has a story” for its commitment to making a positive difference to the Islands
Metropolitan Touring is one of South America’s most known and respected travel companies, providing unrivalled service to our guests for nearly 60 years. Along with our operations in Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, we also own and operate the finest ships for Galapagos Island cruises - the M/V Santa Cruz, Yacht Isabella II and Yacht La Pinta - as well as the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Come explore with us!
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Destinations in Argentina
Combined Programs
Fixed Departures
Extraordinary Programs
Active Tourism
Spa Programs
Estancia Programs 
Honeymoon
Buenos Aires Cultural Program
Sports Programs
2013 Events Schedule 
Season Programs
Special Offers
Why travel with us
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