Argentina: Fishing, Golf, Polo - A unique activity

Fishing

Argentina Fishing: There is excellent fishing all over Argentina: from Tierra del Fuego to the subtropical North West; from the River Plate in the East, to the rivers of the Andes in the West. Argentina is most well known for its fly fishing. The country’s vast rivers, picturesque lakes and extensive coast are home to over 250 species of fish and attract fishermen from far and wid. 

Patagonia is one of the world´s best fly fishing destinations. Trout (Rainbow, Brown and Brook) and salmon inhabit these southern waters, from the Lake District down to the Tierra del Fuego steppe. Lakes Villarino and Huechulafquen in Neuquén; the Limay and Correntoso rivers in Río Negro; and Los Alerces National Park in Chubut are idyllic spots for fly fishing. Steelheads can be caught where the Santa Cruz river meets the Atlantic, in southern Patagonia.

The star of Argentina´s rivers is the Río Grande, that flows gently through Tierra del Fuego’s desolate and windy steppe. The Río Grande´s easy to wade, rock free river bed and sea run brown trout (weighing up to 12 kg) make it a Mecca for fly fishing enthusiasts.

The Paraná Medio and Uruguay rivers in the North East, are home to fine specimens of dorado, Argentina´s most popular sport fish.  The dorado is a golden coloured predator, that can weigh up to 25 kg. Catch-and-release dorado fishing is practiced in Corrientes and the Esteros del Iberá – a protected area of astounding natural beauty. This is also the region for surubí, patí, pacú, manguruyú and boga fishing. 

Golf

The expanse of flat land around Buenos Aires and the Pampas, make it an ideal golf destination. Of the 150 or so golf courses in the province of Buenos Aires, Olivos Golf Club, the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires Golf Club and the Martindale Country Club stand out. Many estancias have golf courses within their grounds. Visitors can play a quick round during their stay, or dedicate their entire holiday to golf, depending on their preferences and the time available.

Argentina Golf: this country has 275 golf courses located in spectacular settings. Golf can be played throughout the country: from the Patagonian courses surrounded by lakes, snow-capped mountains and thousand-year-old forests, to the greens of the rolling hills of Cordoba, or the exclusive golf clubs at the foot of the Andes in the North West. 

In Patagonia the legendary Llao Llao golf course with its magnificent views across deep blue lakes and the Andes, attracts golfers from far and wide. Argentina’s other main golf destinations are Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, Iguazú and Tierra del Fuego. 

Argentina leads Latin America in golf thanks to players like Roberto De Vicenza, Ángel Cabrera and Eduaro Romero. Ángel Cabrera, from Cordoba, is helping to put Argentina on the global golf map. On 12th April 2009 Cabrera became the first Latin American to win the green jacket at the Augusta Masters (USA). Two years earlier, he won the US Open at the Oakmont Country Club.

Polo

The Palermo Open, the most important polo championship in the world, takes place between November and December in Buenos Aires. The final is considered to be one of Argentina’s biggest sporting and social events and subsequently attracts famous faces and large crowds. 

Argentina Polo: Argentine polo is widely acknowledged as being the best in the world. Polo was introduced to Argentina by English farmers at the end of the 19th century and was quickly adopted by the locals. Argentine polo players are famous the world over and Argentine horses are highly sought after for their quality, speed and resistance.

For those looking to learn to play or improve their polo during their stay in Argentina, there are various options. A number of companies, estancias and hotels organise polo holidays and polo clinics for riders of all levels. In the province of Buenos Aires, less than two hours by car from the city, polo can be played in the areas of Cañuelas, Lobos, Open Door and Pilar, to name just a few. There are also established polo clubs in the Lake District, Cordoba and the North West.