Backpacking Argentina
Backpacking in Argentina is a wonderful adventure. Travel Amazing Argentina, this travel site, was founded after I backpacked for 18 months in Argentina. I can give you some tips on how to make the most of your trip if you're going to backpack in Argentina.
Map of Argentina
A good first introduction before backpacking in Argentina is getting familiar with the map of Argentina. The continent is huge, distances enourmous. Before embarking on your backpack adventure in Argentina you can start by mapping out a basic itinerary.
I backpaced all the way from Caracas (Venezuela) to Ushuaia (Argentina) and yes, it's a long way. Get familiar with the map. It's a good start to get a first impression of how big this amazing continent is and which country, or countries, you want to visit.
Are you into mountains (I've climbed the highest active volcano in the world. Cotopaxi, a breathtaking mountain. You can read my story in the Ecuador section) or is a tropical beach your way of life (I've spend 5 months in Brazil, plenty of white sand beaches with palm trees).
How to Start
The following information is a good starting point for backpacking Argentina.
1. Common Sense
We all hear the unpleasant stories and Argentina has a fame of being dangerous.
I backpaced 18 months, thousands of kilometres, cities, jungle, islands, mountains,
carnival, spend 6 weeks in a street child care center in the
favelas of Salvador da Bahía (Brazil)... nothing.
I repeat, nothing happened. Use your common sense. Avoid badly lit streets at night and if your
sixth sense is giving you the "something's wrong" sign then take a taxi to your destination.
- Safety for Women Travelers
Argentina is the home of the "macho" culture. During my journey through the continent I met a lot of solo women travelers. They always joined little groups (don't forget you'll meet lots of fantastic people).
If you get an invitation from a "guide" to join him for a starry night on an amazing island; by all means go but take somebody with you! It's better to be safe than sorry. Enjoy the journey but use your common sense.
2. Argentina Travel Guide Book
The first thing that you will need on your backpacking adventure in Argentina is a travel guide book. It will be your best companion in your search
for adventure. I can highly recommend:
- Lonely Planet´s Argentina
to get you started. This Argentina book covers all you need to know to get the most out of your trip and is ideal to plan your journey ahead. I've used the guide extensively while I was backpacking in Argentina. Their guides are the most popular among backpackers. - The Rough Guide to Argentina
- Argentina Handbook
Note: Ideal, but not practical (you want to travel light), would be to enjoy the adventure
with a Lonely Planet and either the Rough Guide or the Handbook as your Argentina book.
---
3. Spanish
The most rewarding thing for me was the fact that you can travel in a huge country like Argentina
with only 1 language. Spanish. If you plan to backpack just for a few weeks you can invest
in a Spanish Phrase Book
English is not widely spoken and even a basic knowledge of Spanish makes the trip so
much more rewarding (they're extremely willing to help you, so don't worry, be happy).
If on the other hand you're planning to backpack for a few months I can highly recommend taking
a language course. Ideal would be in a school in Argentina.
Please note that Spanish in Argentina has, besides using a lot of lunfardo (slang), a very unique sound. You can read more here about Spanish in Argentina.
Note: I have awesome "free lessons" available if you're just too anxious and want to get your Spanish in shape without delay.
Why don't you have some fun with the Free "Learn Spanish Today" Lessons and
impress the locals with full sentences.
---
4. Walking Shoes
Do yourself a favour and invest in quality walking shoes with Gore-Tex.
Your feet will be more than grateful as they will carry you around day after day, week after week, month after month, year after... no, I'm exaggerating.
Excellent walking shoes are a must when backpacking in Argentina.
---
5. Health
- Vaccinations Yellow Fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon Basin), Typhoid (consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart), Diphtheria-Tetanus, Polio, Cholera (only when necessary), Smallpox
- Medical Kit Depending on what you plan to do you can include the following:
Antiseptic cream, aspirin, lomotil for diarrhoea, antibiotics, throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, antacid tablets, motion sickness medication, alcohol swabs, water purifier, lip salve, foot and groin powder, thermometer (in a case), surgical tape, assorted sticky plasters, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures, scissors and last but not least, first-aid booklet
Note: malaria pills are required in the amazon basin, please be aware that those pills are very strong and you should check with your doctor before departure
(I had the pills with me but didn't take them as I was hearing some horror stories of possible side effects).
---
6. Travel Gear
- Backpack
A high quality backpack is obviously a must.
Choose the backpack type that has different compartments that can be opened separately. Very handy if you need something quickly.
I used the Creek backpack you see on the picture on my 18 month trip in Argentina.
Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack is destined to undermine your traveling pleasure. - Clothing
Depends on where you go. If it's the mountains and the jungle, get some quality clothing from home. If it's the beach, buy your t-shirts there (cheap). - Camping and Climbing Gear
You can rent camping and climbing material in Argentina but the quality may be questionable. Always check the material. Bring your own gear if possible. I backpacked 18 months with my own tent and various camping utensils.
Note: I rented a sleeping bag in beautiful Huaraz, Peru, when I did a 4 day hike. There was a very prosperous
flea community living in that sleeping bag
---
7. Photography
Pictures are something personal. Some people just want some snap shots, others want to publish in the National Geographic.
All my pictures were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera.
I had two zoom lenses, a 35-80 mm. and a 70-210mm. I also dragged a tripod and an excellent
flash with me. I used FUJI slides (100 ASA) but you definitely need 200 to 400 ASA if you plan to go to the jungle.
Note: a polarize filter enhances the colours tremendously on sunny days. Another filter that is of use is a u/v filter.
Do
© All photographs by Mark Van Overmeire
