Puentes is proud to offer internship and study abroad programs and immersive trips in two of the most culturally rich and geographically diverse countries in the world.
While we try not to be biased… Argentina and Uruguay are as breathtaking as it gets.
ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
With stunning landscapes, intense personalities and passions, and talented professionals across numerous industries, Argentina has something to offer for just about everyone. Home to tango, iconic futbolistas, gaucho culture, and magnificent world wonders, you may want to stay here forever.
URUGUAY 🇺🇾
Seen as an underdog for quite some time, Uruguay is gaining a positive reputation fast, popping up more and more on the radars or travelers and expats alike. The progressive and stable country offers unforgettable experiences, from its gorgeous coastline beaches to its quaint colonial towns.
The following key locations are where the Puentes team, and our internship site partners, are based. Our immersive trips can take place in these locations, as well as other regions of each country.
Buenos Aires
Montevideo
more argentine and uruguayan highlights:
Bariloche
Perhaps the most well-known tourist destination in Patagonia, Bariloche is located on the southern shores of the Lake Nahuel Huapi in the western extreme of the Río Negro province. Surrounded by majestic mountains and lakes, it is the preferred vacation spot for many Argentines. If you visit during winter, skiing and snowboarding is not to be missed, and during summer, you’d be remiss to not drive or hike around the famous seven glacial lakes.
El Calafate
In the extreme south of Patagonia, Argentina, in the province of Santa Cruz, is the tourist destination of El Calafate. It is situated on the southern border of Lago Argentino. The city is known as a jumping off point for visiting different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the jaw-dropping Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Fitz Roy, and Cerro Torre.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, lies at the tip of the continent between the Martial Mountains and the famous Beagle Channel. Part of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is best enjoyed outdoors, whether it be skiing, hanging with penguins, or snapping photos at the “fin del mundo”. It’s also the jumping off point to Antarctica, and also known as a center for technological manufacturing and tourism.
Iguazú Falls
Taller than Niagara Falls and four times as wide, with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazú River, the Iguazú Falls offer an unforgettable experience and a spectacle of nature. Upon seeing Iguazú’s sheer beauty, the United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!”
Salta and Jujuy
Nicknamed “La Linda,” Salta is known for the beautiful, natural scenery of the valleys in the region. Salta is situated in the Andes Mountains in the southernmost region of what was once the Inca empire. It has a strong Spanish tradition, which mixed with the Argentine “gaucho” (cowboy) culture, creates a unique identity, rich in folklore and filled with striking, colonial architecture.
Mendoza
Mendoza is set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and famously lodges Mount Aconcagua (pictured here), the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, so its culture is closely tied to nature and thrilling outdoor activities. Try your hand at rafting or paragliding in Luján de Cuyo, hiking through different trails of the Andes mountain range, horseback riding in Maipú, and even skiing in the winter months. If you enjoy photography, you’ll never tire of snapping shots of Mendoza’s jaw-dropping landscape.
Colonia del Sacramento
Just across the Río de la Plata river from bustling Buenos Aires, tranquil Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay seems worlds away. Its “Barrio Histórico” (historic quarter), which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is constructed of winding cobblestone streets and colorful houses, reminiscent of the port city’s Portuguese roots.
Mar del Plata
This most popular of Argentina beach destinations, filled with skyscrapers built without much planning, also has charming, older neighborhoods from the beginning of the 19th century. In the natural environment of the ravines and sierras, Mardel – as it is commonly called – hosts not only attractive beaches, but also interesting museums, aquariums, seafronts, restaurants, and pubs.
Tigre
A pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, Tigre is a popular weekend jaunt for “porteños” (Buenos Aires residents). Riding the vintage mahogany boats through the inter-connected rivers and streams, you can have an incredible time visiting the “Puerto de Frutos” (fruit port and crafts fair), antiques shops, riverside restaurants and pubs, and charming neighborhoods of Tigre.
Interested in interning?
Check out our Immersive Trips:
“Whether I was shopping at an open market, learning to dance tango, catching a performance at the Teatro Colón, or riding horses at the foot of the Andes in Mendoza, I quickly grew fond of the rich traditions and customs of Argentina. Not only did I vastly improve my Spanish and dancing abilities, I also savored every moment of my adventure and hope to return to beautiful Buenos Aires soon.”