1. The atmosphere and character of the landscape are both diverse and unique (pampas, glaciers, colorful mountains and deserts)
2. Buenos Aires’s multifarious districts, the relaxed atmosphere, and bustling nightlife
3. The locals are laid-back, extroverted, and cheerfully diffuse
4. Great food, especially steaks, and many charming cafés
5. Immersing yourself in the world of the tango in the milongas, or dance clubs
6. Bariloche, the ‘Switzerland of South America’
7. Salta, in the northwestern highlands, and Tigre
8. If you use your common sense, you’ll have no trouble navigating the metro system
9. The fact that the Andes, Tierra des Fuego, Ushuaia, Patagonia and Río de la Plata are all in one country
10. The roads are good, even in mountainous areas
1. Without good Spanish or a prepared itinerary, it isn’t easy for an individual traveler to ‘process’ this vast country
2. The effects of the economic crisis which hit Argentina between 1998 and 2002 can still be seen in some run-down areas
3. In many cases foreign tourists have to spend more that locals do for the same product
4. You do have to be aware of your personal security in Buenos Aires, though the situation isn’t really so bad
5. The laid-back attitude of Argentinians means that service is not always of the highest quality
6. The 14-hour flight time from Europe
7. A lot of trash and dog doo on the streets, and the sidewalks are cracked and potholed
8. Many stray dogs on the street, and it’s unpleasant the way they come begging for food at restaurant tables
9. If you’re already acquainted with Southern Europe then many places (particularly the capital) may not seem so exotic
10. Good-quality dining can be fairly expensive, especially if you’ve exchanged money at the official rate
Errar es humano!

Argentina - Cataratas Del Iguazú, Misiones - ochlophobia - g.k. photo