During our recent trip to Patagonia with stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Montevideo, Uruguay, Santiago and Puerto Varis, Chile, we learned a lot about the history of the sexy and sublime Argentine tango and the coy and colorful Cueca folk dance.

Tango originated in the late 1800’s along the River Plate and the colorful port town of La Boca, Argentina. Slaves, brothels, and men first danced together to the pattern beats of the bandoneon. Over time, the dance was accepted by middle class and is seen today throughout this part of South America.