New Year's in Argentina: the best things to do

Travelling to Argentina for New Year’s? Spoilt for choice and can’t decide how to celebrate Año Nuevo on your travels? We thought we’d dedicate this post to giving those lucky tourists travelling to Argentina over the festive season, an overview of the best things to do for New year's in Argentina.

Take advantage of the deserted cities!

You'll be forgiven for thinking that Argentina’s cities and above all its capital Buenos Aires, is where Argentina’s New Year’s celebrations convene. However a strange thing happens in Buenos Aires over New Year; Due to the high summer temperatures and many Argentineans taking advantage of their yearly festive days off work, Argentina’s urban areas seem deserted, as most people flock to the coast and other popular tourist hot spots in Argentina. This is great news for foreign tourists travelling to Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza – Argentina’s largest cities. Calmer city centres make for perfect sightseeing conditions and getting around the city is easy, as the normally overloaded public transport systems run without interruptions.

Empty streets of Buenos Aires / Source

On New year's in Argentina, many hotels, restaurants, folklore and tango show houses put on special nights. This means a tourist celebrating New year's in Argentina - in any other metropolitan area - is not going to be short of things to do, as most of the cities’ deluxe hotels and restaurants open their doors for the celebrations, offering special programs with delicious festive dishes and surprises.

Join the thousands of Argentineans who flock the coast.

As Argentina is on the Southern hemisphere, New year's in Argentina is generally hot - really hot! - unlike most parts of the world where New Year is synonymous with indoor celebrations and cold and long winter nights. Because of the favourable weather, many Argentineans bring in the New Year at the beach, travelling either to neighbouring Uruguay or beach cities such as Mar del Plata along the Argentine coast. If you are in Buenos Aires and the city is a bit too quiet for your liking, join the locals and cross the river on a short boat ride, to Uruguay’s beach resorts.

Many travels to Argentina's coast for New Year's Eve. / source

Bring the new year in Argentina's tranquil, spectacular natural landscapes

For those tourists who prefer a quieter celebration and want to bring in the New Year in some of the world’s most unique landscapes, Argentina has plenty on offer! The Northern Province of Salta has many highlights, however in December and January temperatures can soar to 40°C. Which makes the end of December, the perfect time of year to travel to Argentina’s South. Spectacular Patagonia is one of Argentina’s top travel destinations. And what better way to start off the New Year, than spending a relaxing vacation amidst incredible wildlife and breath-taking natural scenery a brim with lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and Andean mountain ranges? Argentina’s destinations El Calafate, Bariloche and Puerto Madryn offer just that!

However, if you’re planning on booking tours and activities on the 31st December or 1st January, make sure you double-check with your travel agency or tour provider beforehand, as availability and schedules during this period may vary.

Imagine bringing in the New Year, sitting back enjoying a view like this one in Patagonia! / Source

…A few of Argentina's curious new year's traditions you might come across

Argentineans have many New Year’s traditions and superstitions. Some of the more interesting and curious ones we’ve come across are: Eating beans on New Year’s Eve, which is meant to bring you luck in your career. Also running around the house with a suitcase means, you will travel a lot in the year to come. And if you carry your suitcase around the block, your chances are you’ll travel to even further-flung destinations. And then there’s the tradition of wearing specifically coloured underwear as the clock strikes twelve. Theories vary, but most famously, girls wear pink undies on New Year’s Eve, for luck in love in the coming year. Yellow lucky pants will ensure prosperity and a healthy financial income, while white will ensure 2019 will be a peaceful year for you!

Grab your suitcase - it'll mean more travels for you in the new year! / source

Have a look at our site Argentina4u for more information on Argentina’s top destinations and a selection of the most popular tours and activities throughout the country.