Destination: Argentina

You may know it as the land of Gardel and his Tango, Evita and Peron, or as the country that hosts the amazing and beautiful city of Buenos Aires, but Argentina offers tourists a land of diverse and amazing adventures.

Located in South America, Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, which makes it the second largest country in South America. Because Argentina is located in the Southern Hemisphere, its winter occurs in June and its summer in December allowing tourists from northern nations to enjoy the beach during Christmas break or ski in the Andes during the summer. One of Argentina’s main characteristics is the contrast between its fantastic Iguazu falls and rainforests in the north, vast eastern plains, impressive Andes mountains to the west and the magnificent glaciers in Patagonia in the southern part of the country.

Argentina boasts a magnificent flora and fauna. In fact, Southern Argentina is home to the Puma, huemul, pudú (the world’s smallest deer), and wild boar. The coast of Patagonia is rich in animal life: elephant seals, fur seals, sea lions, and species of penguin. The Iguazu Falls, located on the northeast of Argentina, have a good infrastructure for travelers and plenty of activities offered in the area. The falls and the area surrounding are part of the Iguazú National Park that preserves the local subtropical rainforest ecosystem. The most impressive of the Iguazu falls is known as the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo), shared with Brazil.

Where to stay?

Looking for a cosmopolitan city? head to Buenos Aires. Once considered the “Paris of the Southern Hemisphere,” Buenos Aires offers all kinds of cultural activities. You can choose a night visit at a tango place and dinner at one of the many restaurants that offer the traditional asado (Argentine steak). Due to the exchange rate (1 Argentine Peso = 0.33 USD as of November 2006), its shopping centers are frequently visited by tourists looking for the latest fashions.

Looking for a nice relaxing time at the beach? Pack your bags and head to Mar del Plata where the “Mar del Plata Film Festival” takes place. Just remember that the seasons in Argentina are the opposite from the seasons in the northern hemisphere, therefore beach season starts in December and ends in March.

A wide range of accommodation possibilities are available in Buenos Aires and the rest of the country. You can choose from student hostels to bed and breakfasts to luxurious palaces and modern five-star hotels. You can also find lake-side lodges in the Patagonia region and cabanas close to the mountains. 

Visas and Documentation

Citizens of the UK, US, Australia, Canada, EU countries and most South American countries do not require tourist visas for stays of up to 90 days. The cost of a Tourist visa is US$28 and the cost of a Business visa is: US$47. Passengers requiring visas for transit only should still apply for tourist visas. The cost of visas varies monthly depending on exchange rates. Please contact the Argentine consulate in your area for further information.

South American Commercial Real Estate

The continent of South America is the fourth largest continent in terms of land area, spanning more than 17 million square kilometers. It is bordered by water in almost all sides, specifically the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast, the Pacific Ocean in the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the northwest. The South American continent also lies near the Panama Canal, making it very accessible by water routes. The only land along its border is North America to the north.

The continent of South America is made up of a number of countries. These include Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Chile and Bolivia, among others.

There are numerous tourist attractions all over the continent of South America. Topping the list are the various natural wonders in the continent. South America is home to the world’s 2nd longest river, the Amazon. The Amazon Rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world with an unmatched biodiversity, is also found in the continent. It is also home to one of the highest peaks in the world, the Andes. Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, can also be found here. South America is also composed of deserts, such as Atacama, and several islands, including Easter Island and Galapagos Island.

Aside from natural wonders, man-made creations are also popular destinations in the continent. These include ancient ruins, such as Easter Island’s Moais and Peru’s Machu Picchu. Rock paintings, such as in Serra de Capivara, are also favorite attractions. Certain events are also celebrated in the continent, such as the Carnival I Rio de Janeiro and the Vendimia in Argentina.

There are several places in the South American continent with a booming commercial real estate industry. Most of these areas are metropolitan areas. Sao Paulo, Brazil, being the world’s 5th largest city, is one of them. Sao Paulo is also known as the center of finance in the entire continent. Other cities include Buenos Aires in Argentina, Bogota in Colombia and Rio de Janeiro.

The South American continent thrives on tourism as one of its primary industries. This provides a lot of opportunities for investors who wish to conduct business in the area, and results in a flourishing commercial real estate industry. In recent years, there has been a trend shift in the kinds of travelers that visit the area. Nowadays, more affluent tourists frequent the area instead of the previous budget travelers. More and more high-end accommodations, including hotels and rest houses, are being created in the area.

The wide variety of tourist destinations and the low cost of living in the South American continent is attracting, not only visitors, but also immigrants in the area. The soothing environment has resulted in an increased demand for retirement homes in the area. The retiring population is actually one of the bigger target markets for business and for commercial real estate in South America.

If you’re planning to start a business in an area with lush surroundings, abundant natural resources, world-famous tourist attractions and a rich history, try looking into commercial real estate in South America!