3. Argentina Centre Region 15º edition

CENTRE REGION Known as the land of the gauchos, the Pampas plains are amongst the richest areas in Argentina. Northwest of these plains are the Sierras de Córdoba. The highest peak, Mount Champaquí, towers some 2,790 m high. Its fertile valley contrasts with deserts and salt flats creating a dramatic landscape. Towards the north, scattered chapels and “estancias” begin to appear. These constructions date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and many are a legacy of the Jesuits.

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LA PLATA LA PLATA La Plata is located 60 km from Buenos Aires city, only an hour away by bus. It’s a university city with great architectural, sporting and cultural heritages, as well as excellent gastronomy, theatres and nightlife. :: Astronomic Observatory & Museum of Natural Science: It is considered one of the most important museums of the world because of the valuable pieces it conserves. :: The Cathedral: It is America’s tallest cathedral (112 m). In 1994 it was recognized as one of the ten most important cathedrals of the world, and its name was inscribed in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. :: Children’s Republic: A theme park of 53 hectares, where everything has been built to scale: castles, oriental palaces, public buildings, a chapel, a lake, a train and much more. :: Buildings with amazing architecture: The Teatro* Argentino (with international shows), the Coliseo Podestá Theatre, Ciudad* de La Plata Stadium (one of the most modern in South America), Pasaje Dardo Rocha, and the Municipalidad (City Council), among others. :: Meridiano Vº: A traditional neighbourhood located in the south of the city, where the cobblestone streets, nostalgic bars and old lamp posts will take you to the past. Visit the old train station for its interesting cultural centre.

LA COMARCA HOSTEL

Calle 13 Nº 1314 (between 59 & 60 streets) This big house from the turn of the (0221) 4894987 century has six heated bedrooms (one lacomarcalp@gmail.com private, 5 dorms, all w/shared bath) all www.lacomarcahostel.com.ar adjoining to a large central patio where travellers congregate for weekly asados* by the BBQ and to hang out with other backpackers. Guests can also use the kitchen and there’s a living room with cable TV, as well as tourist information, lockers and a laundry service available. The English and Portuguese speaking owners are always on hand and organize regular outings to folkloric nights and tango classes. The hostel is located in the centre of La Plata, right in the heart of the bar district and only five blocks from the main plaza. The homely feel means that even 10% off though you may only plan to stay one or with Get South two nights, most guests end up staying for much longer!

La Comarca Hostel

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MAR DEL PLATA MAR DEL PLATA Mar del Plata is the popular beach resort town, just five hours south of Buenos Aires, which gets a huge population boost in the summer.

You will have to wade through a sea of Argentineans before reaching the sea at the popular downtown beaches Bristol, Playa Chica and Playa Grande. For a more tranquil experience, head to one of the southern beaches like Punta Magotes.

You can’t miss the Havanna building, with their trademark “alfajores” or the landmark restaurant Manolo for their “chocolate con churros”.

If you’re not the beach-lounging type, Mar del Plata also offers many adventure options. Try your skills and nerve surfing, long boarding, wake boarding, wind surfing, scuba diving, paragliding and skydiving.

Outside of town you can trek, rock climb, rappel, kayak and horseback ride at the Sierra y Lago de Los Padres.

Get to know the local maritime culture by boating around the bay, visiting the Museo del Mar or strolling around the port to see the day’s catch come in and the resident sea lions playing in the water.

After midnight, head to Mar del Plata’s booming nightlife along Constitución street.

HOSTEL PLAYA GRANDE SUITES

Alem 3495 corner 1ra Junta (0223) 4512396 reservas@hostelplayagrande.com.ar www.hostelplayagrande.com.ar

Located in one of the most exclusive areas of the Marplatense Coast, this big house is two blocks from the sea in Playa Grande so you can be sure to do all your water sports, as well as being close to the nightlife and convenient shopping of Alem. The hostel has their own surf school and can also organise scuba diving, kite and wind surfing, rock climbing, parachuting, paragliding, yachting, golf, treks, horse and bike rides. Playa Grande Hostel’s own bar ‘La Barra’ is a great place to meet other travellers and you’ll find typical dishes prepared with natural ingredients and a variety of craft beers and drinks.

Stay in a private double or shared dorms (all en-suite), and enjoy the TV room, fully equipped kitchen, garden and their Wednesday and Saturday pizza nights!

Hostel Playa Grande

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3rd night free with Get South! (except on long weekends and high season)

MAR DEL PLATA HOSTEL LA PERGOLA

Hipólito Yrigoyen 1093 (corner Balcarce) (0223) 4933695 info@lapergolahostel.com.ar www.lapergolahostel.com.ar

The house of La Pérgola is historically protected by the city because of its exquisite medieval style design and cool inside decoration like their spiral staircase, stone fireplace and mosaics. They have a terrace with grill looking onto sea views, a well stocked kitchen and a plush DVD room with more than 300 films. It is located only 1 block from the sea and close to all the necessities of the city. Take your pick from their rooms for 2, 4, 6 or 8 people, most with shared bathrooms. The well travelled owner make special efforts to maintain a positive energy environment and offer Asian herbal teas, meditation by the seaside and energy harmonisation. If you have any energy left you can spend it hanging out with the other travellers for 10% off their asado or pizza nights, foosball with Get South championships or a game of footie.

Closed May-June

CORDOBA Córdoba is Argentina’s second largest city. Downtown you can find the Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit quarters), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. While you are there, visit the cathedral, the University of Córdoba (the oldest university in Argentina), the cabildo (town hall), Montserrat College, and the churches of the Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco and San Roque. Hopping nightlife is in the youthful Nueva Córdoba neighborhood. Close by is Sarmiento Park, the largest park in town, home to the zoo and the fine art museum. :: Alta Gracia: 35 km from Córdoba city you can find the Jesuit Estancia (World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and the “Che” Guevara House and Museum. :: Quebrada del Condorito National Park: this v-shaped deep canyon is a protected wildlife area and is great for hiking or condor watching. :: Los Gigantes: located 90 km from Cordoba city in the Sierras de Córdoba, these pure granite formations have steep rock walls and are very popular amongst climbers and rappelers. :: Villa General Belgrano: this picturesque German-influenced town, 90 km from Córdoba city, has a quaint downtown and an October beer festival. :: La Cumbre: located 98 km from Cordoba city, it’s a beautiful town due to the rugged mountain landscape, filled with winding roads and big stony English houses. West of La Cumbre is Cuchi Corral, a hill with a vast natural balcony with views over the Río Pinto valley. One of Argentina’s top spots for paragliding!

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CORDOBA MORADA HOSTEL

Humberto Primo 532 (0351) 4262238 info@moradahostel.com www.moradahostel.com

If you are looking for a great place to stay in Córdoba, close to all tourist attractions in the city, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, with a friendly and cool staff, Morada Hostel is an excellent option. They have bedrooms for six to eight people and different types of private rooms (single, double, triple, quadruple and quintuple) with private or shared bathrooms. Their price includes quality accommodation with breakfast, towels, bedding, fully equipped kitchen, terrace with barbecue, cable TV, Wi-Fi in the rooms and free Internet, lockers, luggage store and 24 hour reception. They also offer different tours 10% off (trekking, skydiving, paragliding, horseriding in the beautiful mountains of Córdoba and with Get South more) that will make your stay in Córdoba a lot of fun!

Hostel Morada

TURNING POINT HOSTEL

BBQ every Friday!

Entre Ríos 435 (0351) 4221264 This hostel is run by a cool, bilingual info@turningpointhostel.com staff in a large historic house with www.turningpointhostel.com three gorgeous internal patios. It has Also onsite you can get help private rooms and dorms (most with on bus ticket sales, shared bath) and it is located just currency exchange, hostel 3.5 blocks from the bus station reservations, Spanish and 4.5 blocks from Plaza classes, ATV rentals and San Martín. While you’re excursions and tours there, take advantage of like trekking, horseback the video arcade with riding, skydiving and Nintendo Wii, Saturday paragliding.

BBQs, choripan* Tuesdays and free tickets to Turning Point Hostel Cordoba’s best dance clubs on Thursdays, Free welcome beer with Get South!

Fridays and Saturdays!

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CORDOBA BABILONIA HOSTEL

Simón Bolívar 462 (0351) 4218054 babilonia.hostel@gmail.com www.babiloniahostel.com

This is a starting point to get to know the real Córdoba. Feel inspired by the colonial style architecture with its light, airy rooms, array of musical instruments, two patios, garden and rooftop terrace with BBQ area. Babilonia Hostel even has a communal art book and materials where you can draw, paint and scribble down your thoughts to share with other travellers. The hostel has dorms for up to six people with lockers, and private doubles, all with shared bathrooms. Right next to San Juan Boulevard, you are within arms reach of shops, pubs and restaurants. In house you can enjoy art exhibitions, music, books and films, themed food nights and asados* every Tuesday and Friday. If you want to get out and about the friendly and smiley staff can help 10% off you with info about tours, adventures and with sports in and around Córdoba.

Get South

Babilonia Hostel

CORDOBA HOSTEL

Ituzaingó 1070 Córdoba Hostel is much (0351) 4687359 / 153593971 more than just a place to sleep... info@cordobahostel.com.ar www.cordobahostel.com.ar This hostel is located in Nueva Córdoba, MSN: cordobahostel@hotmail.com a safe area with an active nightlife near loads of student bars, just 600 m from the bus station and 200 m from the main park. Set in a comfortable 4 storey house, it has a broad range of accommodation to suit every need, ranging from single, twin or double, triple, quadruple and dorms, most of them ensuite. There's something for everyone!

Feeling chilled? Then laze around their swimming pool, play unlimited table tennis, foosball and pool, or relax in the kitchen or by the BBQ patio. They grill every Friday!

15% off your first night with Get South!

Only hostel in Córdoba with a swimming pool!

Cordoba Hostel

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