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Sport & Activities
Trekking: Argentina’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 Resorts & Excursions section). One of the most popular tourist towns for starting excursions to the area is El Calafate.
Mountaineering: The 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 Fentana (for experienced climbers only).
Skiing: There 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.
Watersports: The 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.
Other: By 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 practised by the immigrant population.
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