Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, a proud cultural element of Argentina’s national identity.

The passion of the South American lifestyle is fully reflected in the vigor and liveliness of the tango, an iconic dance which hails straight from the heart of Argentina: Buenos Aires. Danced in places from family homes to hidden milonga venues to straight on the streets, the sultry tango lies in the very blood and soul of an Argentine. Today, it is one of Argentina’s most known cultural exports, and the annual Buenos Aires Tango Festival is a celebration of its best qualities.

A great addition to your Argentina holiday if traveling in August, the festival brings together some of the best tango dancers in the world where they showcase exactly what the dance is all about. The intensely choreographed moves diffuse a smoky sense of lust rarely seen otherwise in public, all emoted by a swift swing of the leg, a hand down the back, and quick dip before coming back up for a near-kiss. From the brisk swirl of the female dancer’s traditionally vibrant red dress and lipstick to the commanding leading motions of her partner, there are few dances more sensual than the tango.

The city’s La Boca district is always alive with the spirit of tango.

Despite its popularity in modern times, however, tango has not always been so well-received. With origins in the mid-1800s, the dance was once an activity only for the lower classes—Argentina’s African slaves and working European immigrants—who needed an outlet after their long days of labor. The pure carnality of tango’s characteristic moves and the brashness of its musical lyrics made it inherently disgraceful almost to the point of being immoral. It wasn’t until the middle of the 20^th century that the dance slowly came to be accepted in the wider Argentine culture when respected singer Carlos Gardel turned in into an international phenomenon. The rest, as they say, is history, and tango is now beloved as one of the most basic components of Argentina’s national identity.

At the annual Buenos Aires Tango Festival, visitors are able to watch the best dancers show off their moves for free! That’s right, all of the events are free of charge except for some special classes or seminars. Otherwise, spice up your Argentina trip and Buenos Aires tour just by watching the professionals to see how it’s really done, and even jump right in if you think you’ve got what it takes!

At the 2012 Buenos Aires Tango Festival, watch professionals show off their moves, or jump right in yourself!

If you unfortunately cannot make it to the capital city in August, there are always still other opportunities for experiencing the tango on your trip to Argentina. In 2012, February 9-12 brings the Misterio Tango Festival to Buenos Aires for 4 days with many shows all around the city, and March 11-18, the CITA (Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino) rules Buenos Aires for 1 week. Otherwise, the bohemian and very diversified La Boca district always has many performers boasting their dancing talents along the river’s pedestrian walkway, and the historic Boedo neighborhood also has countless tango houses and theaters.

To learn more about how to tango in Buenos Aires on your Argentina vacation, contact one of our travel advisors at Argentina For Less.

Why not use your South American vacation to rejoice in the good and bad of the old year and get a vigorous jump into the fresh one? Who knows, you might even get to check off a few New Year’s resolutions ahead of time!

The mainly Catholic Christmas traditions of the continent below the equator, where the seasons are inverted with those of the northern hemisphere, have flair of their own. Generally, the major festivities with friends and family are held on Christmas Eve. After mass at the local church, neighborhoods ring with traditional music and food-filled parties (centered on an immense turkey) that continue until the early morning. Fireworks are also shot off in the dark of night. On Christmas Day however, much of South America is closed for rest. That means you get to explore your destination in a unique atmosphere of peace and quiet!

Here are our top suggestions for the best places in South America to spend your holiday season.

Doesn’t Paraty, Brazil look like the perfect place to spend your holidays and launch into the New Year?

Paraty, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro might steal the spotlight the rest of the year, but come New Year’s Eve, it’s Paraty’s time to shine. The ocean waters are pristine cerulean, the nearby jungle gives way to an exotic escape, and the fully developed region has all the modern comforts and indulgences for ending 2011 in style. Travel to Brazil for the ultimate New Year’s where dozens and dozens of nightlife options, from the trendiest clubs to the finest restaurants, await. When you begin to seek some new sights, just venture up and down the brilliant Brazilian coast to other beachside corners such as Ubatuba and Trindade.

Wake up to the dawn of a new year in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Full of life, laughter, and soul, Buenos Aires is the cultural capital of Argentina and arguably the entire continent. Its nickname as “The Paris of South America” draws from its cosmopolitan air, charming wide avenues with sidewalk hangouts, and chic population. It’s the ideal place to spend the end of the year surrounded by fashion and style. But to party where the Argentines are on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have to take a short trip to one of the nearby beaches, particularly Punta del Este. Dress in your fanciest, drink, and dance at some of the glitziest clubs and bars in the area. Learn to dance the tango, a must-do on any Argentina trip, and then spend the rest of the first day of the new year resting as the locals do.

Although a great milestone for celebrating the holidays, Machu Picchu is great any time of the year.

Machu Picchu, Peru

This may seem a most unconventional location for spending your holidays, but that’s exactly what makes it so amazing! Machu Picchu is great at any time of the year, but what better place to spend Christmas and ring in the new year than by gazing at and wandering the grounds of the more than 600-year-old Inca citadel? The archeological site is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, and as such, regularly tops lists for being the ultimate travel destination. It will likely give you the inspirational boost you might be looking for! If seeing the ruins isn’t enough for you, then also look into climbing Huayna Picchu, the iconic peak that lurks in the background of most Machu Picchu photographs. However, you probably won’t be the only ones hoping to get here during the holidays, so make sure to book your Machu Picchu travel packages as soon as possible in order to snag a ticket.

The massive fireworks display of Valparaiso, a colorful Chilean town along the Pacific coast, makes it the ultimate celebration spot.

Valparaiso, Chile

Although the capital city, Santiago, might be your first stop in Chile, the real place to be for Christmas is Valparaiso just 1.5 hours by vehicle. On New Year’s Eve, the streets of Valparaiso come alive with a major carnival and spectacular, out-of-this-world fireworks display, guaranteed to add some “oohs” and “ahhs” to your Chile vacation. Almost a million audience members have been known to come out to see the presentation, so get there early if you want to find a good spot to watch the show. The next day as you are regaining your energy, relax on the hot beaches and go for a dip in the Pacific Ocean.

Jed likes to call himself “El Capitan” (The Captain) of the 20-person team over at LandingPadBA.com, an all-inclusive online guide to Buenos Aires that covers everything including news, tips, events, expat info, and so much more about Argentina’s restless capital city. As an almost 7-year resident of Buenos Aires since moving there from North Carolina in January 2005, he sure knows what he’s talking about. Also, in the time he’s found available to spend outside of the capital, Jed has spent time elsewhere in Argentina such as Mar de Plata, Mar Azul, Villa Geselle, Mar de las Pampas, Pina Mar, Tandil, Olavarria, Gualeguaychu, Iguazu, San Antonio de Arueco, and many more destinations.

Let’s see why he’s so stuck on Buenos Aires!

Buenos Aires is has become one of South America's top cultural urban destinations in recent years.

1. What was 1 thing about Buenos Aires that surprised you when you first got there?
One of the first things that surprised me when I first arrived to Buenos Aires was the accent and heavy use of local slang (lunfardo) from the Argentineans in Buenos Aires. The double L is pronounced as a “sha” rather than a “ya” which would seem like a fairly minor detail until you add all sorts of expressive body language, increase the speech pace by 10 fold, and add in all sorts of odd lunfardo twists—it can be daunting and quite entertaining.

2. What is it about the city that keeps you there?
There is a general, sort of organized chaos here. It can be very advantageous and at other times hindering. This can really frustrate foreigners that have decided to live here long term as bureaucracy and simple tasks can become challenging. If you are not patient or if you have not really done your research, a 5 minute process can transform into your arch-nemesis. This Buenos Aires hurdle makes it challenging to live here. One minute everything is fine and then suddenly there is a massive protest blocking the widest avenue in the world. Yet, the city continues to breath, function, and grow. New restaurants, bars, and things to do just keep popping up. This city is growing quickly and you never know what to expect!

3. What would you see and do for you idea of a perfect day (and maybe night) on the town?
My ideal day would be a warm Sunday. Start the day off with a cafe con leche and medialunas at a nice, rundown corner cafe in Villa Crespo or on the edge of Palermo. Head down to San Telmo early before the crowds arrive and spend a couple hours sifting through the antiques and street fair.

Once things start to get busy, head over to Puerto Madero and relax with a nice lunch by the waterfront. Strolling around this area is ideal on Sundays—especially near the nature reserve and impromptu flea market that sets up in the park. Lots of open space, green parks, and nice views of the delta.

A bit of mate and migas (Argentinean tea and tea sandwiches) would be a nice treat for a late afternoon snack. Heading over to the Floralis Generica or the law building on Libertador is a perfect place to get some sun and relax.

To finish the day, enjoy dinner in a closed-door restaurant. There are several of these that have developed over the past couple of years; cuisine ranges from specialty Asian curries to Argentinean fusions. There are no signs and most are reservation-only so you must know where to go!

No trip to Argentina would be complete without a taste of mate tea shared around a group of friends.

4. What is one Buenos Aires (or Argentine) dish/drink that a first-time visitor cannot miss?

If you are not a vegetarian, there are a ton of odd beef cuts that are hardly served outside of Argentina. Entrana or Vacio are both quite tasty. If you are not feeling too adventurous, a good starting point is the bife de chorizo (NY Strip).

Drink-wise, everyone has to try a frothy fernet and coke.

5. What is your favorite 1-day or weekend trip destination from Buenos Aires, and why?
A quick and easy trip from Buenos Aires is Tigre. A nice quaint city located on the banks of a large river delta, it’s just a pleasant 1-hour train ride from Buenos Aires. A massive artisans market shadows Argentina’s largest amusement park all lining the River Parana. Rent a bike or a kayak, hire a boat taxi, shop for cow skin rugs, play a hand of blackjack in the casino, or just take it all in on one of the many benches on the riverbank.

Amazon, Brazil: The United Nations have declared 2011 the International Year of the Forest. Sounds like the perfect time to hug a tree. As global warming and deforestation continues, the chances to spot fascinating wildlife in the rainforest become smaller so hurry to the beautiful region before it is too late.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina: This force of nature is made up of 275 separate cascades which thunder over basalt rock down 250 feet. Be splashed by the powerful cascade’s mist at this unforgettable sight. Iguazu Falls are set on the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay so you can easily make it to at least three countries before the apocalypse.

Iguazu Falls

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: As Charles Darwin did some 200 years ago, marvel at the creatures found nowhere else on earth. These rough and rocky isles are home to a wonderfully strange, abundant, and extraordinarily fearless wildlife.

Machu Picchu, Peru: Follow the path of the Incas into the Sacred Valley to the sun gate outside of Machu Picchu, or take the train through the cloud forests. In an almost impossible location high in the Andes, you can admire the mysterious and well preserved site. Machu Picchu survived the Spanish conquest, and it may not be a bad place to hide out in December 2012.

Machu Picchu

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The highest and largest salt lake in the world is at a dizzying altitude of 3,650 meters. Driving across it may be one of the most peculiar experiences around. If the bright blue skies contrasting with the white salt crust aren’t enough for you, visit the striking soda lakes. The red Laguna Colorada and the jade green Laguna Verde are located in a surreal desert landscape.

Easter Island, Chile: Nearly 2,500 miles west of Chile’s coast is one of the world’s most legendary sites. Easter Island is a nature and culture lover’s dream destination in the Pacific Ocean. Be amazed by the 20,000 archeological sites, rich culture of the Rapa Nui, volcanoes, marine wildlife, and white sand beaches.

Patagonia, Chile: In South America’s southern frontier, nature grows wild, barren, and beautiful. On this crowded planet it is strangely satisfying to encounter silence, large spaces, jagged peaks, and pristine waters. Get away from it all and enjoy the serenity of the spectacular infinite landscapes of Patagonia.

Torres del Paine in Patagonia

La Paz, Bolivia: Have your breath taken away by the highest capital city in the world. This city’s eccentric beauty sets it apart from other South American cities. Fly into the world’s highest commercial airport, golf at the highest golf course, and ski on the highest slope, just to say that you did.

Lake Titicaca, Peru: While you’re making your round of the “highest” destinations, be sure to hit up the highest navigable lake in the world. Shared by Peru and Bolivia, this shimmering blue lake is home to fascinating native communities living on floating reed islands in complete isolation from the rest of the world.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: The most attractive capital in South America, Buenos Aires is a bustling and cosmopolitan city with countless attractions and a unique atmosphere. Be transported in a whirl of thrills as you explore the buzzing capital of tango.

To start planning your Latin America travel adventure contact one of our expert travel advisors who can help customize your travel plans.

From August 13-31^st, the Dance World Championship and the Festival de Tango offer thrilling performances, exhibitions, classes, concerts, films, vintage radio shows, and just about everything else related to that sizzling and sensual dance, the tango – and many of the events are free.

Participating theaters include the 25 de Mayo, the Alvear, the De la Ribera, the Coliseo, the Luna Park, La Trastienda, the Recoleta Cultural Center, the Planetarium, and the Punto de Encuentro on Bartolome Mitre Street. Tickets are free and you can pick up one or two at the Casa de la Cultura on Avenida de Mayo.

Featured concerts and musicians include Rubén Blades and the Leopoldo Federico orchestra, set to play salsa on August 30 in Luna Park, plus Horacio Salgan and the Real Quintet.

Milongas, or ballrooms, all around the city will host couples eager to dance their way to the championship in the Tango Capital of the world. Between August 6-16, qualifying couples who make it through 10 rounds will make their way into the semifinals, to be held August 19-20. The winning round will be held on the 22 at Teatro del Colegio San Jose.

If you are planning a Buenos Aires tour after August, you are sure to find Porteñas and tango houses bustling with pairs of passionate dancers. The Esquina Carlos Gardel is an especially popular tango house located in the barrio of Abasto, where the famous singer Carlos Gardel spent much of his life. During a delicious Argentine dinner, you can watch tango dancers performing the dazzling dance.

Buenos Aires, the city that never sleeps

After breakfast in your Buenos Aires hotel you should head out to explore this huge city.

For a first time visitor, Buenos Aires can be overwhelming, as the city is packed with hundreds of excellent restaurants, dozens of museums, art galleries, and on-going exhibitions.

You should start by making your way to Plaza Mayo, which is where Casa Rosada and the Central Cathedral is located, and was the famous place where Eva Peron spoke to crowds before her death.

From Plaza Mayo you can head up Av. Diagonal Norte to Plaza de la Republic, which is graced by the grand Obelisk. Av. 9 de Julio, the largest avenue in the world, cuts through the heart of Buenos Aires.

By this time, you’re probably thinking about lunch. Nearly every street corner in Buenos Aires has a gourmet restaurant. If you walk up Av. Honduras towards Palermo Hollywood you will find plenty of terrific restaurants. Plaza Serrano, which is at Av. Serrano and Av. Honduras in Palermo, is a nice place to find somewhere to eat.

The trendy Palermo district is split in two by train tracks. The SoHo side is home to Buenos Aires’s young middle class. In Palermo Hollywood are Argentina’s movie and TV studios, as well as a number of smaller cafes and bars. Venturing over the train tracks is definitely recommended.

After lunch spend some time exploring the streets before you head off to the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA)? on Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta. The museum houses an interesting collection of modern as well as pre-Columbian art.

Nearby is the Museo Evita (Av. Lafinur 2988) which is dedicated to the life of Eva Peron, who was immortalized in the movie Evita and was played by Madonna. The film shows what Argentina achieved in the post-war period to tackle poverty, fight inequality, and improve education, as well as the horrible story about what happened to the body of Eva after her death.

A short walk up the street with take you to Plaza Italia which is next to the Buenos Aires Zoo, which is open till late, especially in the summer months. You can spend time meandering the expansive park.

If you are looking to spend the night like a typical porteño, going out late and dancing you should head to Av. Cornel Niceto Vega and Av. Humbolt. Vega Avenue is lined with chic clubs open all night long. Av. Humbolt has a number of restaurants, a cinema, and a British/style pub.

If you happen to wake early after a late night out in the city and it is a Sunday morning, you should make your way to the street market in San Telmo (Av. Defensa) where they sell a range of market goods, food, and what San Telmo is famous for, antiques.

The area of San Telmo is very artsy, with the main plaza in San Telmo having tango and dance shows put on by locals every week. The plaza is also a good place to find something to eat and a small bar to listen to some live jazz.

After exploring the streets around San Telmo, you should make your way over to the residential area of Recoleta.

Recoleta is home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the resting place of the Argentine high society. Some of the graves are more like monuments and it is worth having a look around.

From the cemetery you can walk to the nearby chapel and then down to the Recoleta Design Center which is more like a mall, selling the very latest in fashions from Argentina and the world.

There are some great lunch spots around here, just see what you can find. But for a quick lunch, you can pick up an Argentine empanada, a meat-filled sandwich available on nearly every street corner for only a few pesos.

You can then walk down to the Museo Nacional de Bella Artes (Av. Libertador), the museum of fine arts in Buenos Aires.

No trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without exploring the stuff that runs through the blood of every Argentine – a passion for soccer.

When the Boca Juniors play in La Bombadero stadium, the city stops and everyone’s attention centers on the game. The stadium, located in the district of La Boca, also has a museum that tells the history of the team and its famous Buenos Aires players.

You can then head down the waterfront in La Boca to see the colorful houses that line the streets. La Boca is a typical ‘working class’ area of Buenos Aires and was home to waves of early immigrants to the city, a very interesting place.

Some final places to make sure you visit if you somehow find the time is the new Puerto Madero development, the newest part of the city, which backs onto the banks of the river and the Buenos Aires ecological reserve.

Also you should visit the area around Retiro station, with the grand clock tower ‘Torre de los Ingleses’ which contrary to recent Argentine British relations, was donated by the British government to commemorate the Argentine May Independence revolution and the closeness between the two nations at the start of the 20^th century.

Buenos Aires is a huge city that even residents have not fully explored. 48 hours is not enough to see it all, but you can always try!

In May 1810, Argentina’s independence movement began, culminating on the 25^th of May with the government of Rio de Plate (what is now Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia) creating its own government, separate to the one of the Spanish king, yet still loyal to the crown.

The center of celebrations for May Revolution Week will be on Avienda 9 de Julio

As news of this spread, similar home rule governments sprouted up. The Spanish king, weakened by the Napoleonic invasion, was unable to quell colonial ambitions. In the spirit of Enlightenment thought, many Spanish colonies successfully asserted their independence.

Cities around the country are preparing to host free live music concerts, parades, and shows. Tonight in Buenos Aires, a parade will kick-off the celebrations at 8pm. The parade will weave through the center of the city, passing the central obelisk and a concert stage on Avienda 9 de Julio. Other events will start at 8pm throughout the city.

On Saturday at 12pm, the military will celebrate the occasion with the “desfilódromo” parade, marching between the obelisk and Avienda Belgrano. Over

3000 soldiers in their historical Argentine military uniforms will accompany the Argentina Air Force and the cavalry.

Along the grand Avienda 9 de Julio will be stalls and markets for people to taste Argentinian cuisine typical of Buenos Aires as well as other regions.

Each day of festivities will have a musical theme. Rock music starts things off today, Saturday will be Latin music, Sunday will be folk and tango, and Monday will have performances from the National Symphony Orchestra. The festivities culminate on Tuesday, the 25^th, with a performance by the famous Argentinean musician Fito Paez.

The key events fall on the final day, with a range of political and religious events to take place in the Casa Rosada in Plaza Mayor, in the heart of the city. While you’re in the city, check out the great Buenos Aires museums, and make sure to tango. If you’re wondering where to stay in town, we’ve got you covered with a list of Buenos Aires hotels.

Whatever you decide to do, do it in typical Argentine style: stay out late and dance!

Ships on the ocean. Courtesy of Patricio Santiago.

As many of the nations of South America approach their 200^th anniversary of independence from Spain, a number of celebrations and festivals have been planned across the continent – guaranteed to add some extra excitement to a Latin America vacation!

One event is already underway: The South America Sails Regatta 2010has been circumnavigating the continent, stopping in ports along the way. This entourage of grand historical sailing ships manned by the navies of participating nations are an attraction in themselves, providing tours in each port and an insight into South America rich seafaring past.

The flotilla started its voyage in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and travelled around the legendary Cape Horn to Veracruz in Mexico. The nations of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru have all hosted the ships along special events in each of the ports. Peru has just hosted the ships in the port of Callao. Next stop: The port of Guayaquil in Ecuador, from 7^th to 11^th of May. The flotilla has yet to visit Columbia, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

The flotilla is not just made up of regional ships; in celebration of the shared nautical history of Europe and South America, the nations of Spain, Portugal and Holland have also contributed grand tall ships from their past.

Over the coming years, visitors to the region will be lucky to see an array of events and festivals in cities and nations to celebrate the rich past that unites all the nations of the region. Keep on checking the Latin America For Less Travel Blog for upcoming festivals and reviews.

Sailing ships in action on the Pacific. Courtesy of Patricio Santiago.

Chile´s Independence Day celebrations take place on the 18^th September, with this year’s festivities falling on a weekend. The President has applied to congress to make the Monday following it a public holiday, meaning it will be a wild weekend in Chile.

Independence Day celebrations take place in Peru on the 28^th and 29^th of July. The two days of celebrations involve a range of event and festivals. You can read about last year’s events on our Travel Blog.

In Argentina, Independence Day falls on the 9^th of July. Their bicentennial comes in 2016, but each year, fiestas take place across the nation which can only enrich your vacation if you’re lucky enough to be there.