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Travel Guide Argentina

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Travel to Argentina and you’ll be rewarded with natural wonders and one of the world’s most stylish capital cities, Buenos Aires . Stretching from the Tropic of Capricorn towards the tip of Antarctica, Argentina encompasses a staggering diversity of terrains. You’ll find everything from lush wetlands to the end-of-the-world archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. Its most emblematic landscapes are the flatlands of the Pampas and the dramatic steppe of Patagonia. Read our guide to Argentina for everything you need to know before you go.

Argentina travel facts

Where to go in argentina, best time to go to argentina.

  • How to get to Argentina

How to get around in Argentina

Best places to visit in argentina, argentina travel itineraries, argentine culture, activities in argentina.

Size: Argentina is the world’s eighth-largest country by area.

Population: With a population of around 45 million Argentina is one of the least densely populated countries on the planet.

Origins: Some 97 percent of Argentines are of European origin, largely of Spanish or Italian descent.

Exports: Best known for its beef, Argentina is also a leading producer of wine, wheat, fruits and vegetables.

Nobel Prizes: Argentines have twice been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Carlos de Saavedra Lamas, in 1936, for his peace efforts in South America, and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, in 1980, for his defence of human rights.

Ancient history: The remains of the largest-known dinosaur – the Patagotitan mayorum , were discovered by chance by a farm worker in Patagonia in 2008.

Movies: Argentina has a vibrant film industry and has twice carried off an Oscar for best foreign language film. La historia oficial (The Official Story) won in 1985 and El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes) in 2010.

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Typical colorful houses and facades in the famous La Boca district in Buenos Aires, Argentina © Peter Zaharov/Shutterstock

Argentina has many beautiful sights: the waterfalls of Iguazú; the spectacular Glaciar Perito Moreno; whale-watching off Península Valdés; the handsome lakes and mountains around Bariloche. If you’re planning to travel to Argentina, bear in mind the long distances between key destinations – it’s a huge country.

Patagonia

Many of Argentina’s most rewarding destinations are also its least well known. These include the Ibera Wetlands (Esteros del Iberá), a huge network of lagoons offering close-up encounters with cormorants and caymans. Likewise the Antofagasta de la Sierra, a remote village set amid frozen lakes mottled pink with flamingos; or Laguna Diamante, a high-altitude lake backed by a volcano. Climate and distance mean it’s more sensible and rewarding to concentrate on one or two sections of the country when planning your travel.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is likely to be your point of entry, as it has the country’s main international airport, Ezeiza. It is an exciting, vibrant city, with an intriguing blend of European architecture and a local flair. You can round off a day’s sightseeing with a tango show, dinner at one of the dozens of fabulous restaurants, or a hedonistic night out.

The Litoral

Due north lies the Litoral , bordering Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. Here you’ll find the Iguazú falls.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

A highlight in the country’s landlocked northwest is the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a fabulous gorge lined with rainbow-hued rocks. Nearby, in the Valles Calchaquíes, a chain of stunningly scenic valleys, high-altitude vineyards produce the delightfully flowery torrontés wine.

Sprawling across Argentina’s broad midriff are the Pampas, arguably the country’s most archetypal landscape. This subtly beautiful scenery is punctuated by small towns, the occasional ranch and countless clumps of pampas grass (cortaderas). The Pampas are grazed by millions of cattle and planted with huge soya and wheat fields.

They are also where you’ll glimpse traditional gaucho culture, most famously in the charming pueblo of San Antonio de Areco. Here, too, are some of the classiest estancias, offering a combination of hedonistic luxury and horseback adventures.

Central Sierras and Cordoba

As you head further west, the Central Sierras loom: the mild climate and beautiful scenery of these ancient highlands have attracted holiday-makers since the late nineteenth century. Within reach is Córdoba , the country’s colonial-era second city.

Keep going west and you’ll get to the Cuyo, with the highest Andean peaks as a snow-capped backdrop; here you can discover one of Argentina’s most enjoyable cities, the regional capital of Mendoza , also the country’s wine capital.

Argentina is home the lion’s share of the wild, sparsely populated expanses of Patagonia (the rest belongs to Chile). It also possesses y the most populous half of the remote archipelago of Tierra del Fuego . These are lands of arid steppe hemmed by the southern leg of the Andes – a row of majestic volcanoes and craggy peaks interspersed by deep glacial lakes . For many people, Patagonia is the first page they turn to in any guide to Argentina.

On the Atlantic side of Patagonia, Península Valdés is a must-see for its world-class marine fauna, including southern right whales, elephant seals and orcas. You may like to trace the region’s associations with Darwin and his captain Fitz Roy in the choppy Beagle Channel off Ushuaia. You could track down the legacy of Butch Cassidy, who lived near Cholila, or of the Welsh settlers whose influence can still be felt in communities like Gaiman, Trelew and – further inland – Trevelin.

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Ushuaia Harbor, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina © artincamera/Shutterstock

Discover more places in Argentina

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  • The Litoral and the Gran Chaco Travel Guide
  • Mendoza and El Cuyo Travel Guide
  • The Northwest Travel Guide
  • Patagonia Travel Guide
  • Tierra del Fuego Travel Guide

In this section of our Argentina travel guide we’ll look at the best times to visit.

Spring is perhaps the best time to go to Argentina. The weather in Argentina in spring (Sep-Nov) is perfect almost everywhere, although icy weather is still possible in the far south.

Summer (Dec–Feb) is the only time you can climb the highest Andean peaks, such as Aconcagua. It's also the most reliable time of year to head for Tierra del Fuego, though it can snow there at any time. Buenos Aires is usually hot and sticky in December and January. You should also avoid parts of the north, as temperatures can be scorching and roads flooded by heavy storms.

Autumn (March and April) is a great time to visit Argentina – particularly Mendoza and San Juan provinces for the wine harvests. Visit Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego to see the beech groves as their leaves change colour.

The winter months of June, July and August are obviously the time to head for the Andean ski resorts. Blizzards can cut off towns in Patagonia in winter, and many places in the region close from April to October. Temperatures in the north of the country should be pleasant at this time of year, though Buenos Aires can be bleak in July and August.

A final point to bear in mind when it comes to Argentina travel: many locals take their holidays in January, around Easter and in July. Transport and accommodation can get booked up fast and rates can double. Read more about the best time to visit Argentina .

Though some people travel to Argentina overland, the majority of people arrive via Buenos Aires’ international airport, Ezeiza.

In general, airfares to the country tend to be quite high, but they do vary depending on the route and the season. The highest fares for travel to Argentina are between December and February, around Easter and in July and August. You’ll get the best prices during low season: March to June and September to November. Note also that flying at weekends means higher prices.

Flights from the UK and Ireland

Several airlines travel to Argentina from the UK. British Airways and budget airline Norwegian are the only airlines that fly direct from London. Iberia via Madrid skimps on creature comforts but is often cheap.

There are no direct flights from Ireland to Argentina. If you’re trying to keep costs down, consider flying to London with an economy airline and making a connection. Or, you can fly direct to New York or Miami and catch an onward flight from there.

Some routes allow you to take stopovers on the way – sometimes for free. Potential stopovers include Bogotá, Rio and São Paulo in South America; Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Newark, Los Angeles and Washington DC in the US; and Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Rome in Europe.

Flights from the US and Canada

Several airlines, including American Airlines, United and Aerolíneas Argentina, offer daily non-stop flights from the US to Buenos Aires. Flying times to Buenos Aires are around 11 hours from New York and Chicago, and nine from Miami.

There’s less choice if you’re planning to travel to Argentina from Canada, with Air Canada offering the only flight into the country – from Toronto via Santiago de Chile. Consider looking for connecting flights with a US carrier.

Flights from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

The best flight deal to Argentina from Australia and New Zealand is offered by Air New Zealand. In Australia, flights to Argentina leave from Sydney or occasionally Melbourne. There are no direct flights from New Zealand, so you will need to connect elsewhere.

Flights from South Africa to Argentina leave from Cape Town and Johannesburg and usually go via São Paulo; Airfares depend on both the season and duration of stay.

This section of our Argentina travel guide will help you plan your travel around the country.

Getting around Argentina takes longer than you might think; distances are huge, and you are likely to spend a considerable part of your budget on travel. Ground transport (mostly by bus) will give a true impression of the scale of the country and a chance to see the landscape. If you’re planning to cover big distances when you travel in Argentina – especially around Patagonia – domestic flights can save a day or more. The inter-city bus network is extensive but services in remote areas can be poor; in these places, it is worth considering car rental. Train services are run-down and limited and not generally a viable method of traveling in Argentina.

Seven Patagonian lakes – their sparkling waters emerald, ultramarine, cobalt, turquoise, cerulean, sapphire and indigo – linked by a rugged mountain road: a magical route best explored in a 4WD.

Known simply as the Cataratas, the world’s most awe-inspiring set of waterfalls is set among dense jungle, home to brightly coloured birds and butterflies.

The undisputed highlight of La Rioja Province is a World Heritage Site dominated by giant cliffs of deep pink sandstone. Once home to dinosaurs, it’s now the protected habitat of condors, guanacos and foxes.

A visit to one of the world’s few advancing glaciers is a treat for the eyes and the ears; count the impossibly varied shades of blue as you listen to a chorus of cracks, thuds and whines.

The shimmering lagoons of these vital wetlands attract myriad birds, from tiny hummingbirds to majestic herons.

A prehistoric mural, an early finger-printing exercise or ancient graffiti? Whatever it is, this delicate tableau of many hands is one of the continent’s most enchanting archaeological sites.

The prestigious resting place of Argentina’s great and good – even Evita sneaked in – this cemetery is one of the world’s most exclusive patches of real estate.

Take a stroll down the cobbled streets of this bohemian barrio full of tango bars and antique shops, talented street performers and decaying grandeur.

Despite frigid temperatures and extreme altitude – 6,959m – the highest peak outside the Himalayas can be climbed with the right preparation and a knowledgeable guide, making for a world-class mountaineering experience.

Rugged gauchos, nodding pampas grass and herds of cattle are the famous inhabitants of Argentina’s most archetypal landscape.

Whitewashed settlements nestled against polychrome mountains, dazzling salt flats, lush valleys and cactus forests, windswept steppe and deep gorges – some of the planet’s most incredible scenery.

Once Argentina’s most feared penal colony, now the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia sits proudly on the Beagle Channel, backed by serrated peaks and within striking distance of Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Take a boat or paddle a kayak around the swampy islets and muddy creeks of Tigre. This subtropical town on the capital’s doorstep acts as a gateway to the continent’s second-largest river system.

The world’s biggest dinosaurs once roamed Neuquén Province. Nothing will convey their immensity more than standing underneath their skeletons or seeing their giant footprints in the rock.

Perhaps the most beautiful city in Argentina, Salta La Linda (Salta the Fair) boasts well-preserved colonial architecture, a backdrop of soaring peaks and some wonderful places to sleep and eat.

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Mountain Plateau La Puna, Northern Argentina © Galyna Andrushenko/Shutterstock

We’ve expanded our Argentina travel guide to include the following itineraries. They will take you to every corner of the country – and you’ll learn plenty about Argentina no matter which one you choose. You’re unlikely to complete the list, but it will give you a flavour of travel in Argentina and what we can plan and book for you with our Tailor-Made Trips service www.roughguides.com/trips .

Meet your Argentina local travel expert

Anahi, Local Expert

10 days  / from 2650 USD

The Great Lakes and Glaciers of Argentina

Experience the great outdoors, Argentina-style! Marvel at jaw-droppingly beautiful Patagonian landscapes, walk the shores of deep-blue lakes guarded by snow-capped mountains at Bariloche, explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier – experience all of this, and much more, with this unique trip!

From Chile to Argentina, across the Andean Lakes

13 days  / from 3180 USD

From Chile to Argentina, across the Andean Lakes

Travel from Chile to Argentina across the stunning Andean Lakes, also known as the Lakes District. Beginning in Santiago, you will travel to Puerto Varas, in Chile, and then across the lakes to Bariloche, Argentina, taking in the stunning mountain scenery, before ending your trip in Buenos Aires.

An adventure across three countries: Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay

14 days  / from 1933 USD

An adventure across three countries: Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay

A trip filled with history, culture and nature spread out over three beautiful and unique countries, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Visit some of the most stunning sites, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Iguazu Falls and UNESCO World Heritage site Colonia del Sacramento, during this 14-day trip.

Argentinean Patagonia: from the Coast to the Andes

13 days  / from 2581 USD

Argentinean Patagonia: from the Coast to the Andes

Explore the region's most fascinating corners: sea life in Puerto Madryn awaits before you head to the most southern city in the world: Ushuaia. Discover Tierra del Fuego before heading out to El Calafate and Bariloche, really soaking in the Argentinean vibes.

Unforgettable Argentina

16 days  / from 3585 USD

Unforgettable Argentina

Argentina has a lot to offer travellers, in this itinerary you will explore the highlights in just two weeks. From busy Buenos Aires you will fly to Iguazu to marvel at the majestic waterfalls before heading south to Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia and El Calafate. Unforgettable Argentina awaits!

Magical Patagonia and Cultural Buenos Aires

Magical Patagonia and Cultural Buenos Aires

Combine exploring the contemporary city of Buenos Aires, with all its luxuries and grand, historical buildings, together with the wild, rugged land of Patagonia. Take in the culture and observe the landscape and wildlife to gain a complete picture of the true Argentina.

Andean Triangle - Chile, Bolivia and Argentina

16 days  / from 5050 USD

Andean Triangle - Chile, Bolivia and Argentina

Start your South American adventure in Santiago de Chile before exploring the wonders of the Atacama desert. A short hop across the border and you'll find yourself in the middle of the Bolivian salt flat. Afterwards, you'll continue to Argentina with Salta and Buenos Aires.

Argentina: Tango and Glaciers

13 days  / from 2500 USD

Argentina: Tango and Glaciers

Visit the grand, edgy and famously seductive Argentine capital of Buenos Aires for tango and culture; then head northeast to see the thundering Iguazú Falls. Finally, it’s off to the end of the Americas to deepest Patagonia for adventure, glaciers and limitless horizons.

Wild Patagonia

13 days  / from 6800 USD

Wild Patagonia

Argentina has lots to offer its visitors: a glacier the size of a city, sizzling tango, fashionable barrios, artisan towns, ranches with horses and gauchos and wild untamed natural beauty. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, you’ll get to see it all in this adventure-laden vacation.

Tango & Wines in Argentina

7 days  / from 1400 USD

Tango & Wines in Argentina

Argentina is known for its dances and gastronomy scene, both to be discovered on this trip. Explore Buenos Aires on your own and with a guide, including its famous nightlife before heading to the vineyards of Mendoza, one of the most developed wine regions in the country.

Multi-country adventures from salt flats to the Andes

14 days  / from 2271 USD

Multi-country adventures from salt flats to the Andes

South America is full of wonders and this trip packs Argentina, Chile and Bolivia into 2 weeks. Bustling Buenos Aires, beautiful valleys around Salta, the surreal looking surroundings of San Pedro de Atacama, the salt flat of Uyuni as well as Lake Titicaca are all part of this itinerary.

South American Wines Trail

10 days  / from 2120 USD

South American Wines Trail

All wine lovers unite! Start your tour in Buenos Aires before heading to the wine region of Mendoza. Sample some of Argentina's finest wines and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Afterwards, continue to Santiago de Chile with a day trip to Valparaiso.

Argentina and Chile: Dazzling Cities and Magical Landscapes

13 days  / from 2756 USD

Argentina and Chile: Dazzling Cities and Magical Landscapes

Santiago is an emerging city, whilst Buenos Aires has long been a busy metropolis. Both offer historical buildings to admire, a local gastronomy scene to savour and sensuous dances to learn. Not to mention the mountainous terrain and desert landscapes outside the cities waiting to be explored.

Southern Argentina & Antarctica

14 days  / from 7857 USD

Southern Argentina & Antarctica

Explore the Antarctica on an intimate cruise from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Start in Buenos Aires before spending a few nights in El Calafate and Ushuaia to then board your cruise. 4 nights in the Antarctic are the highlight of your trip before heading to Chile's capital Santiago.

A city escape to Buenos Aires

4 days  / from 420 USD

A city escape to Buenos Aires

Soak in the unique atmosphere of Buenos Aires on this 4-day tour premium tour. Stay at one of the most exclusive hotels and discover Argentina's capital on bike during the day and in style at a Tango show at night.

Argentina and Chile - Wine Country Explored

Argentina and Chile - Wine Country Explored

Get a taste of the wines of Argentina and Chile on this tour of the country's best bodegas. Sway to the rhythm of tango in Buenos Aires before you head to high altitude towns and absorb stunning mountain scenery. Then it's across the border into Chile to sample Santiago's historic delights.

Self Drive on the Atlantic Patagonia Blue Route

14 days  / from 3075 USD

Self Drive on the Atlantic Patagonia Blue Route

Travel across wild Patagonia in your own rental car. Full autonomy and freedom means being able to truly go off the beaten track. You'll come across plenty of wildlife like whales and penguins, as well as following Darwin's footsteps across the steppe.

Argentina's Northern Highlights

13 days  / from 2600 USD

Argentina's Northern Highlights

Your journey begins in Bueno’s Aires, the Argentine capital and the home of tango, colonial buildings and cobbled streets. Explore museums, churches, and stunning mountain valleys; be awestruck by the roar of the Iguazú Falls; then explore the wineries of the Central Valley.

From the city to the jungle

From the city to the jungle

Visit two of the most fascinating parts of Argentina: First, the electrifying capital of Buenos Aires in all of its glory before heading out to Puerto Iguazu to discover the majestic Iguazu waterfalls.

South Argentina and the Ends of the Earth

10 days  / from 2600 USD

South Argentina and the Ends of the Earth

This trip goes to the southernmost point of Argentina and to the ends of the earth. Begin in Buenos Aires, then travel south to El Calafate and explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, before continuing to the southernmost city on earth, Ushuaia, and the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Classic Antarctica from Chile

11 days  / from 15375 USD

Classic Antarctica from Chile

Start and end your trip in Chile and discover the Antarctica on an intimate, Boutique-style expedition boat. Cruise the Drake Passage, visit Cape Horn and fly back to Punta Arenas before returning to the capital Santiago.

Islands & Waterfalls: Ihla Grande and Iguazu

12 days  / from 2500 USD

Islands & Waterfalls: Ihla Grande and Iguazu

A mesmerizing journey through Brazil and Argentina, starting with the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro. Explore the pristine paradise of Ilha Grande, then step back in time in the colonial gem of Paraty. Finally, marvel at the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls.

Argentina Itinerary 1: Wonders of Nature

Much of Argentina’s nature highlights are in Patagonia, but there are unmissable sights further north, too, if you can spare a month or so.

Watch whales, seals and sea lions basking in the cool waters off this peninsula in northern Patagonia .

The biggest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America is a delightful sight, and the trip there will likely take you past guanacos, armadillos and more.

Situated on the Beagle Channel, teeming with birds, sea lions and king crabs, Ushuaia provides a base for exploring nearby Tierra del Fuego national park.

One of Argentina’s most visited sights. Watch enormous chunks of blue ice calve off the city-sized glacier or don crampons to walk on top of it.

The northern section of Los Glaciares national park provides some of the country’s best trekking, among jagged peaks and turquoise lakes.

Up in the dry northwest, the multicoloured hues of the Humahuaca make it the pick of the region’s sights.

The enormous Iguazú waterfalls on the Argentina-Brazil border, set in subtropical rainforest, make a steamy, stunning contrast to the icy southern sights.

An enchanting, little-visited ecosystem in Corrientes Province whose marshes are filled with an array of wildlife.

A surprisingly verdant river community, just outside Buenos Aires. It makes for a gentle but impressive end to a tour of Argentina’s natural highlights.

Argentina Itinerary 2: Ruta 40

Like Route 66 in the US, Argentina’s Ruta 40 has earned legendary status, inspiring songs, books and of course road trips. It’s the country’s longest highway, running from Patagonia to Bolivia. Count on six weeks if you want to take in all 5224km of “la Cuarenta”.

Ruta 40 starts here, by the Strait of Magellan. It’s a zigzagging route through windswept Patagonian steppe.

Just off the Ruta 40, in the Patagonia wilderness, this World Heritage Site is one of South America’s finest examples of ancient rock art.

This picturesque city is the gateway to the Nahuel Huapi park and Argentina’s Lake District, home to pristine alpine-like scenery, dramatic mountain lakes and ancient trees.

A remote land of rosy lava, ebony gorges, deep karstic caves and flamingo-flecked lagoons in Mendoza Province.

Often inaccessible, this lagoon rewards the adventurous. Enjoy a picnic on the banks of a crystalline brook as you admire the silhouette of Volcán Maipo.

The road in La Rioja Province winds through polychrome mountains that contrast with the verdant vegetation along the riverbanks below.

Stop off at this Catamarca highland village for a top-notch poncho – methods of weaving have been maintained since pre-Hispanic times.

Ringed by mountains, this area of snow-white salt flats is a good place to spot llamas and vicuñas.

Argentina Itinerary 3: Wine and Dine

Travel to Argentina, and you can find excellent-quality food and drink anywhere. Beef plays a part, of course, but there’s more to the country’s culinary offering. Allow two to three weeks for this foodie guide to Argentina.

The country’s capital has the most cosmopolitan selection of restaurants – including its famous puertas cerradas – with inventive cooking at reasonable prices.

Stay on an estancia to enjoy the best barbecued beef you’ll taste anywhere, right in the fertile heartland where it comes from.

  • Mendoza Spend your days – and nights if you wish – at a bodega, tasting fine malbec wines with the snow-streaked Andes as a backdrop.

A good place to try the distinctive northwestern cuisine, including the classic empanada, a pasty filled with meat or vegetables, or locro stew.

Vibrant and stylish Rosario overlooks the Río Paraná and is an excellent place to dine on the local river fish, such as dorado, boga and surubí .

The capital of Argentine Tierra del Fuego is the best place to sample centolla (king crab), plucked fresh from the Beagle Channel.

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Cathedral in Cordoba, Argentina © diegorayaces/Shutterstock

Travel advice for Argentina

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Argentina

  • Eating and drinking in Argentina
  • Getting around Argentina: Transportation Tips
  • Travel Tips Argentina for planning and on the go
  • Best time to visit Argentina

Our travel tips for Argentina will help you enjoy a stress-free trip to the country.

Accommodation in Argentina

Accommodation in Argentina runs the gamut from campsites and youth hostels to fabulously luxurious estancias (ranches) and opulent hotels offering every conceivable amenity. Between these two extremes you’ll find a whole variety of establishments, including charming old colonial houses with balconies and dark and seedy hotels that lack so much as a window. Informal room rental is also common in towns with seasonal influxes of tourists but too few hotels to cope.

In terms of newspaper circulation, Argentina is Latin America’s most literate nation, and it has a diverse and generally high-quality press. Its television programming is a rather chaotic amalgam of light-entertainment shows and sports, and its radio services tend to fall into one of two categories: urban mainstream commercial channels or amateur ones designed to serve the needs of local rural communities.

Economy and exchange rates

The economic situation in Argentina has been volatile in recent years, and it is advisable to check the latest before you travel. Note that hotels and other types of commerce, especially at the luxury end of the market, often quote prices in US dollars rather than Argentine pesos.

Costs and Money

Notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 denominations, while 1 and 2 peso coins and 50, 25, 10 and 5 (rare) centavo coins are in circulation. Ask for small denomination notes when exchanging if possible, break bigger ones up at places where they obviously have plenty of change (busy shops, supermarkets and post offices).

Travel to Argentina doesn’t raise any major health worries. Make sure you have the standard vaccinations or updates – tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A. There have been outbreaks of dengue fever in the far north; other mosquito-related illnesses to be aware of are yellow fever, malaria and (in the far north) zika.

The tap water in Argentina is generally safe to drink, if sometimes heavily chlorinated, but you may prefer to err on the side of caution in rural areas. Mineral water is good and widely available.

Altitude ( puna ) sickness is a condition encountered at anything over 2,000m, but most serious at altitudes of 4,000m and above. It’s a common ailment for travellers entering high altitude areas of the country. Mild symptoms can include headaches, nausea, dizziness or insomnia. However, more severe symptoms can arise, in which case you should seek medical advice. Read more about altitude sickness in Argentina .

It is a good idea to take out an insurance policy before travelling. In Argentina, insurance is more important to cover theft or loss of belongings and repatriation than medical treatment – the country has a state medical system that is free for emergencies.

LGBTQ travellers in Argentina

Thanks to progress in recent years, including the equal marriage law passed in 2010, the attitude in Argentina towards LGBTQ people is quite open. Violent manifestations of homophobia are rare. However, rural areas of the country still do their best to act as if homosexuality doesn’t exist, so it’s best to act a little more discreetly there.

Travel visa requirements for Argentina

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and most European countries do not need a visa for trips to Argentina of up to ninety days. All visitors need a valid passport. At international airports you will have your thumbprint and photo digitally recorded on arrival.

If you are planning to travel to Argentina alone with a child you must obtain a notarized document certifying both parents’ permission for the child to travel (check with the embassy). When leaving the country, you must obtain an exit stamp.

Travel safety in Argentina

With the effects of economic crises in 2001 and 2009 still lingering and poverty at 25 percent, Argentina has lost its reputation as a totally safe destination. However, any concerns you have should be kept in perspective. For the majority of those who travel to Argentina, the chance of falling victim to crime remains small. Most of the more violent crime (concentrated in the big cities) tends to be directed at wealthy locals rather than foreign visitors.

In Buenos Aires, the vast majority of visitors have no problems. Follow the basic rules and only carry only what you need for that day, and conceal valuable items such as cameras and jewellery. Always be cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Remember that pickpockets most commonly hang around subte (subway) stations and bus terminals (particularly Retiro in the capital), and on crowded trains and buses.

Car theft is a common occurrence; if you are renting a car, check the insurance will cover you, and always park in a car park or where someone will keep an eye on it. When driving in the city, keep windows closed and doors locked.

Drug use, particularly of marijuana and cocaine, is fairly common among the younger generation, but the penalties for using either are stiff. We strongly advise against buying or using them – quite apart from the risks inherent in the substances themselves, doing so may bring you into contact with some very dangerous people.

If you are unlucky enough to be the victim of a robbery ( asalto ) or lose anything of value, you will need to make a report at the nearest police station for insurance purposes. Check that the police add the date and an official stamp ( sello ).

Argentina’s mores reflect its European ancestry. Apart from getting used to the late dining hours, most travellers from the West will have little trouble fitting in.

One area of etiquette that will probably be new to you is the very Argentine custom of drinking mate. Mate comes with its own set of rules, but foreigners will be given lots of leeway here, as in other areas of social custom – a faux pas is more likely to cause amusement than offence.

Sexual harassment and discrimination

Women planning on travelling alone to the country can do so with confidence. Some machista attitudes do persist but few people will find it strange that you are travelling unaccompanied.

When greeting people or taking your leave, it is normal to kiss everyone present on the cheek (just once, always the right cheek). Shaking hands tends to be the preserve of very formal situations, though some Argentines may offer a hand rather than a cheek if they know you’re foreign.

Tipping is not widespread in Argentina, with a couple of exceptions. It’s normal to give hairdressers and beauticians a five to ten percent tip and you should add a gratuity of ten percent to restaurant bills if service is not included.

The bulk of Argentina’s festivals are found in the Northwest, owing to its attachment to tradition and high proportion of ethnic communities. Pre-Columbian revivals, Catholic and secular celebrations are observed. On the whole, holidays such as Christmas and Easter are more religious, family-focused occasions than they are in Europe and the US. Although some European traditions – such as eating chocolate eggs at Easter – are starting to take off, the festivals are generally a lot less commercial.

When shopping in Argentina there’s no real tradition of haggling, although you can always try it when buying pricey artwork or antiques. Expensive services such as excursions and car rental are also obvious candidates for bargaining, while hotel rates can be beaten down off-season, late at night or if you’re paying in cash ( en efectivo ).

Argentines suffer an incurable addiction to sport, and you’ll hear informed and spirited debate in bars on subjects as diverse as tennis, rugby, basketball and the uniquely Argentine equestrian sport of pato .

Outdoor activities

Argentina is a highly exciting destination for outdoors enthusiasts: world-class fly-fishing, horseriding, trekking and rock-climbing opportunities abound. In addition there’s white-water rafting, skiing, ice climbing and even expeditions onto the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap.

Top image: Fitz Roy, Argentina © Dmitry Pichugin/Shutterstock

Criollo culture

Most closely translated as “creole”, criollo refers to a way of life born in the Americas, but with Old World roots. In Argentina, it is a byword for that which is absolutely Argentine – the culture of the countryside and the gaucho. Key aspects of this include the food – asado barbecues, of course, but also maize-based stews like locro ; clothing – such as baggy riding trousers called bombachas and the espadrille-like alpargatas ; horses – be they for rounding up cattle or playing polo; and a decidedly anti-authoritarian streak in the national character. Even the wealthiest city-dweller is usually keen to prove that he or she is fundamentally a criollo , never happier than when sipping a mate by the fire.

Tango, Argentina’s blues

Tango is not only a dance, or even an art form, it is a powerful symbol, closely associated with Argentina around the world. Essentially and intrinsically linked to Buenos Aires and its multicultural history, it nonetheless has ardent fans all around the country. Rosario and, to a lesser extent, Córdoba, the country’s two biggest cities after the capital, have a strong tango culture, complete with milongas (tango dance halls) and shops to buy the right garb and footwear. And don’t be surprised to find villagers in some remote hamlet, hundreds of miles from Buenos Aires, listening to a scratchy recording of Carlos Gardel – the 1930s heart-throb still regarded as the best tango singer. Some experts argue that tango’s success can be put down to its perfect representation of the Argentine psyche: a unique blend of nostalgia, resignation and heartbroken passion.

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Andy Turner

written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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The 25 Best Places to Visit in Argentina: For Hikers, Sightseers and Wildlife-Lovers Alike

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 24th January 2024

Argentina, one of the popular gateways to South America, plays host to some of the southern hemisphere’s most dramatic landscapes: think vast, millennial-old glaciers, historic bodies of water, and the weather-chiseled ridge of the Andes Mountains separating it from its neighbor, Chile. 

But Argentina isn’t just a place defined by its natural magnificence.

It’s also home to one of the most bewitching capital cities – an unmissable destination for foodies and football lovers alike – as well as curious Welsh settlements, chaotic colonies of animals, and sunkissed vineyards producing world-class wines.

I’ve had the fortune to explore practically the entire country, traveling slowly along the length and breadth of Argentina as part of multiple trips spanning a couple of months in total.

Off the back of that research, here are what I consider to be the best places to visit in Argentina. 

Click to navigate this article:

The multicoloured Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon in Argentina

Northern Argentina

1. track rare wildlife in the world’s second-largest wetlands, the esteros del iberá .

Home to the world’s second-largest wetland in the world, the Esteros del Iberá (Iberá Wetlands), are a remote, pristine, and hugely important ecosystem in Argentina.

Comprising a 13,000-km 2 nature reserve in the north-central province of Corrientes, this protected area is one of the most important freshwater reservoirs in South America and houses an abundance of wildlife. 

A fierce-looking Jaguar by a tree in Pantanal, Brazil, one of the most remote destinations to visit in South America.

Over 320 bird species are resident here, making it a top destination for birders, while capybara, maned wolves, giant anteaters and even a thriving population of jaguar – reintroduced in 2021 by conservationists – make the Esteros del Iberá one of the best places in Argentina to spot wildlife.

Situated a three-hour journey from the nearest airport, getting here is part of the adventure and explains why it remains such a remarkably untouched and unvisited part of Argentina. 

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2. Appreciate one of the world’s natural wonders, Iguazu Falls

Step aside, Niagara Falls: there’s a much more impressive set of waterfalls awaiting in Argentina. Comprising 275 cascades and spanning an area 2.7 kilometers wide, Iguazu Falls are a remarkable 195 meters high – dwarfing Niagara, which is a measly half the size. 

Iguazu falls, one of the new seven wonders of nature and one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

Though you cannot see all of the falls that make up this vast fury of water from the Argentine side – you’ll need to cross into the Brazilian side to tick off them all – visiting Parque Nacional Iguazú (Iguazu National Park) in Argentina will still grant you spellbinding views of these dramatic falls.

Hike through the dense jungle of the national park – where toucan and brown capuchin monkeys might be glimpsed – to the Garganta del Diablo (the Devil’s Throat), where a platform perched above this fall gives you utterly unforgettable views as the water cascades down with a deafening roar. 

3. Road trip to the land of “white gold”, Salinas Grandes

Neighboring Bolivia might take the crown for the world’s largest salt flats , but Salinas Grandes in the Argentina puna remains a dreamlike destination and a worthy place to visit in Argentina. 

Argentina economy update

The Argentine economy is a huge mess at the moment, with inflation expected to hit 200% this year. Using Argentine pesos can therefore be a nightmare – and mean you lose a lot of money. The blue dollar (an unofficial exchange rate that gives you a better conversion than the official rate) is around, but if you want to avoid carrying lots of cash, you can now pay using your credit card and get an exchange rate similar to the blue dollar rate. You must choose to pay in Argentine pesos (not USD!) to secure this rate.

Both Mastercard and Visa give you what is called the MEP rate, which is almost as good as the blue dollar rate. Mastercard will charge you the official rate but refund you the money a few days later; Visa will charge you the MEP rate from the beginning.

If you do want to have some Argentine pesos for paying in cash (which I highly recommend as you will need them for some restaurants and attractions), it’s best to use Western Union, whereby you send cash to yourself using the Western Union app and then withdraw it in Argentine pesos from one of their branches in Argentina. Bear in mind, those in El Calafate and Ushuaia can run dry of notes, so it can be easiest to do this in Buenos Aires.

Additionally, you can bring USD (unmarked and untorn hundred dollar bills), which you can exchange at “cuevas” (unofficial exchange houses). These will be able to give you the blue dollar rate and any hotel owner will be able to tell you where your nearest one is. Souvenir shops in most parts of the country will be able to give you pesos in exchange for dollar bills – although they might not give you the best rate.

Avoid cash machines. Currently, the maximum withdrawal is the equivalent of $15 USD in Argentine pesos and it will cost you $10 USD in fees.

Spanning more than 500 kilometers and with salt melting away into the distance as far as the eye can see, this curious, high-altitude landscape lends itself to comical perspective photography. Visit by hiring a vehicle or taking a tour from Purmamarca, Jujuy, or Salta; en route, you’ll catch dazzling views of splendid lagoons and walnut plantations. 

4. Photograph the rainbow hues of the Quebrada de Humahuaca

Argentina’s northwestern provinces are packed with otherworldly sights and the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Canyon) is no exception. This 155-kilometer-long mountain valley is famous for its vibrantly colored rock formations as well as for its historic, Quechua-speaking villages. 

The Quebrada de Humahuaca, a mountain of many colours in the north of Argentina and one of the best places to visit in the country.

To the south, the  Cerro de Los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours) lives up to its name with a magical rainbow of hues caused by the mineral content of the soil and towers over the colonial village of Purmamarca.

Adobe houses rub shoulders with the centuries-old Iglesia de Santa Rosa, while a daily market on the town square makes this an excellent place to purchase sweaters and blankets wove from llama wool. 

5. Discover the enchanted village of Iruya

Still within Quebrada de Humahuaca, but miles away from the typical tourist trail, the enchanting village of Iruya lies within the sheer walls of the canyon, with many of its adobe houses built up into the valley sides.

The setting is dramatic; clamber up to the Mirador de la Cruz to appreciate the full magic of this village or head to Mirador del Condor to catch sight of Andean condors, which typically take to the sky around 3pm.

6. Appreciate colonial architecture in Córdoba

As the country’s second-largest city, Córdoba is an easy pick when it comes to choosing the best places to visit in Argentina. You can feel both the pre-Hispanic and colonial influences in much of this pretty city, which houses some of the best-preserved colonial buildings in the whole of Argentina. 

A beautiful view of the inner-courtyard patio at a Jesuit Missionary Building in Cordoba, Argentina.

Crowned the Cultural Capital of the Americas in 2006, Córdoba thrives on its blend of old and new. With three universities in the city, it’s no wonder there’s plenty to do here.

Browse one of its four municipal galleries – covering everything from fine art to contemporary work – and spend an evening in the Güemes neighborhood, where independent craft stores and crowded bars attract students and visitors alike.

7. Tour Talampaya National Park in a 4WD

The dusty stone pillars of Parque Nacional Talampaya (Tamlampaya National Park), chiseled away by millennia of rain and wind count as some of the most surreal rock formations you’ll find in Argentina.

Scenic mountains of Talampaya National Park.

Lying in the eastern province of La Rioja, this desert landscape is best explored by 4WD and you must take a guide; visit Talampaya’s official website to arrange a tour.

Most head directly to the Cañón de Talampaya, where guanaco, rhea, and condors can be sighted, as well as its focal point, the Cajon de Shimpa, a deep gorge with towering, 80-meter-high walls that are only seven meters wide at its base.

8. Learn about Andean cultures in Salta

Much of Argentina’s northwestern regions have more in common with Bolivia than they do Argentina. Salta is a fine example. While its handsome buildings and ornate church, the Iglesia San Francisco, belie its colonial origins, this city is packed with museums dedicated to the pre-Columbian cultures that came before. 

One of the best is the Museo de Arequeología de Alta Montaña , which specializes in the Inca and their child sacrifices – with the bodies of three such children discovered on a nearby mountain peak now, controversially, on display in this museum. 

There’s so much to see and do in the city, and our comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Salta will see you adding it to your Argentinian itinerary in no time.

Northeastern Argentina

9. get familiar with argentine literature in san antonio de areco.

Located about an hour and a half northwest of Buenos Aires, the town of San Antonio de Areco is the perfect day trip from the capital. Known as the National Capital of Tradition, it’s rich in the history and culture of the Argentine countryside and blessed with a wealth of museums, including the Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes .

Dedicated to the author Ricardo Güiraldes, it also covers the culture of the local gauchos, the name for the cowboys who are both a folk symbol and a typical feature of pampas life in Argentina.  

10. Drink, dance, and dine in Buenos Aires

Most visitors to Buenos Aires pass a few days in its dazzling capital, home to Parisian architecture and Latin passions.

Unsurprisingly, Buenos Aires is home to many of Argentina’s top and most well-known tourist attractions , and it’s remiss to spend time in this city without dancing in a tango hall ( milongas ), dining like a king in a local steak house ( asado ) or making pilgrimage to the Cementerio de la Recoleta to track down Eva Perón’s grave . 

A Tango performance in San Telmo, Buenos Aires

In the south, the working-class neighborhood of La Boca has transformed into a prime tourist destination.

Wander through the open-air museum of El Caminito, where tenement shacks have been transformed with a lick of brightly colored paint, before catching a beautiful game at La Bombonera, where legendary team Boca Juniors play. 

For a truly porteño experience, don’t miss the Feria de San Telmo, a weekly Sunday market hosted in one of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods. Craft stalls and tables groaning beneath the weight of countless antiques await, while you can even catch music performances and impromptu tango dancing, too. 

11. Surf the waves of Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata, a city 415 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, is a popular escape for porteños during the hot, summer months. With its beachside hotels and 47 kilometers of beaches, it’s got everything for a spot of relaxation – although, during summer, you’ll find it’s got too many other visitors, as well.

However, surfers have found their Mecca, particularly as the best surfing conditions are found between April and October.

Head to Playa Grande for the most consistent breaks and, if you’re new to surfing, sign up with one of the many surf schools to guide you in choosing the location and practicing your moves before you hit the water. 

Northwestern Argentina

12. summit the lofty peak of volcán aconcagua.

The highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, Aconcagua invites adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies looking to summit one of the “Seven Summits” – the highest mountains in each continent.

Just a few thousand people try to reach its 6,960-metre peak every year and even the easiest route – the route up the Northwest Ridge – isn’t technical but still poses a real challenge due to the altitude. 

All hikers must apply for a permit in nearby Mendoza and travel with experienced trekkers or, better still, a guide, is highly recommended. 

13. Go wine tasting in viticulture capital Mendoza

With its vine-slung valleys fed by a clever system of irrigation and backdrop of snowy Andean peaks, Mendoza is itself a remarkable place to visit in Argentina. However, oenophiles from across the globe head here in order to sample the region’s most famous export: malbec. 

Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina with a backdrop of mountains

Local wineries abound and those in nearby Maipú can be easily visited either on a wine tour directly from Mendoza or using public transport. Head further afield to the wineries of the Valle de Uco or Luján de Cuyo to encounter those at the forefront of Argentine wine production.

Southern Argentina (Patagonia)

14. conquer the summit of volcán lanín.

Lying in the far west along the ridged backbone of the Andes Mountains, Parque Nacional Lanín (Lanín National Park) is another of Argentina’s most spectacular protected areas .

If you’re keen to summit a volcano but don’t quite have the expertise – of the lungs – for Aconcagua in the north of the country, the perfectly conical Volcán Lanín might be the perfect alternative. 

A breathtaking view of the Lanin Volcano, an iconic landmark in South America.

Set within forests of southern beech typical to Patagonia and with other easier hikes available, the route to the 3,776-metre summit of Volcán Lanín normally follows the north face and takes two days.

While it remains a challenging activity and one for which it’s highly recommended to use the services of a local guide, hiking to the top of this mountain – and absorbing the incredible panoramic views of lakes and mountains from its peak – will be utterly unforgettable. 

15. Drive the Ruta de los Siete Lagos

Ruta 40, the highway that slices down through Argentina from the very northern tip of the country to the far south, is considered one of Patagonia’s finest road trips . But the section dubbed Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Route of the Seven Lakes) is perhaps the most picturesque of all. 

Connecting San Martín de los Andes in the north with Villa La Angostura 108 kilometers south, this drive takes you along the banks of seven shimmering lakes, with the scenery tied to the seasons.

Drive it in summer (December through February) for landscapes vibrant green or travel here in autumn (March and April) when the trees turn burnt umber. 

16. Go hiking and biking from Swiss-inspired Bariloche

Sitting at the heart of the Argentine Lakes Region and within the mountain and lake-scattered landscapes of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi (Nahuel Huapi National Park), Bariloche (sometimes known as San Carlos de Bariloche) attracts visitors in their droves.

Summer is peak season for visitors, who head to this town on the banks of Lago Nahuel Huapi to enjoy everything this capital of adventure has to offer. 

Autumn colours in Lake Gutierrez, near Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina

Whether you’re keen to mountain bike on lakeside gravel paths or head up into the snow-dappled peaks of Cerro Catedral (which becomes the region’s most visited ski destination in winter), Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi has it all.

Best of all, Bariloche, with its Swiss-inspired architecture, surprisingly good craft beer, and even more surprisingly fantastic chocolate, make this a town where you won’t regret whiling away a good few days. Be aware that Bariloche can be packed in the summer months between December and February.

17. Go wildlife watching in Península Valdés

Considered one of the best places to see wildlife in Argentina (and South America), the Península Valdés has been recognized by UNESCO for its abundance of wildlife, which includes everything from sea lions and elephant seals to Magellanic penguins.

But it’s the fact that the waters off this peninsular are the habitat for the largest breeding population of southern right whales in the world is what makes this region so unique. 

Eubalaena Australis, asouthern right whale, breaching the surface of the Atlantic Ocean close to the Península Valdés in Argentina.

Between June and mid-December is when these mammals arrive to reproduce and the best way to catch sight of them is as part of a boat tour , which can be arranged in nearby Puerto Madryn or on the peninsula itself at Puerto Pirámides. Between mid-February and mid-April, orcas can also be seen at high tide on the beaches snatching sea lions from the shore.

18. Meet Welsh settlers in Gaiman

You’ll likely be surprised to learn that Argentina has the highest number of Welsh speakers outside of the United Kingdom. It’s all down to the Welsh settlements found in the Patagonian steppe, where 153 hardy arrivals from Europe landed on the shores of the Chubert Province in 1865. 

Now over a hundred years later, these remain the epicentre of Welsh-Argentine culture. Tours from Trelew (itself an attractive but useful base) take you to quintessentially Welsh Gaiman where you can indulge in a very Welsh activity – afternoon tea – in one of the traditional teahouses dotted around the town.  

19. Discover the 10,000-year-old cave paintings at the Cueva de las Manos

Tucked into the recesses of a large cave lie one of Argentina’s most significant prehistoric discoveries. Now known as the Cueva de las Manos – the Cave of Hands – this site is covered by around 800 handprints, which are thoughts to have been marked on the wall around 7370 BCE. 

Cueva de las Manos, 10,000-year-old hand prints in a cave near Perito Moreno and another must-do thing when In Argentina

You can take a tour from Perito Moreno or Los Antiguos or drive yourself here with a hire car ; one-hour tours ($12 USD) depart from the entrance to the site. 

20. Stretch your legs in Los Glaciares National Park

Those who crave adventure should add Los Glaciares National Park to their Argentine itinerary. Situated deep into Argentine Patagonia near the Chilean border, this national park stretches north to south along the eastern edge of the incredible hielo sur , the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

In fact, a quarter of this national park sleeps beneath ice, with much of it high above ground level and caught in the granite spires of the mountains that dominate this terrain. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Patagonia and Argentina as a whole.

Laguna de los Tres, an unmissable hike accessible from El Chalten in Argentine Patagonia and an essential stop on a one week or two week Patagonia itinerary

The most iconic is the 3,405-metre Monte Fitz Roy, beneath which sits the glacier-meltwaters of Laguna de los Tres – and to which hikers make their pilgrimage along a challenging one-day trek. This hike departs from the nearby town of El Chaltén, which is considered the national trekking capital.

Other paths abound for nature lovers and trekkers alike, including the 70-kilometre Huemul Circuit, while visitors will fall swiftly in love with the park’s glorious blend of high-altitude mountains and low-elevation steppe, that’s punctuated by freshwater lakes and rich in wildlife, including Andean condors, rare huemul deer and even pumas. 

21. Stay at a traditional Patagonian ranch

Sheep ranching in the late 19th century saw both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia become some of the most important sheep farming areas in the world. Ranches built to house the farmers are some of the only remaining relics of this boom and you can even stay in one of these historic, and often remote, homes. 

One of the best is Estancia La Estela , a family-run ranch that sits on the shores of Lago Viedma equidistant between El Calafate and El Chalten and offers horseback riding excursions, as well as traditional lamb barbecues. 

22. Catch calving icebergs at the Perito Moreno Glacier

Glacier El Perito Moreno is Argentina’s most famous glacier , sitting within the mountainous terrain of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Los Glaciares National Park) in Patagonia and one of the reasons why Argentina is among the best countries in South America for dazzling natural landmarks .

Situated just a short bus journey from the town of El Calafate, this ice giant kneels in the grey-blue water of Lago Argentino – one of Argentina’s most stunning lakes – covers an incredible 25,000 hectares and calves egg-blue icebergs at a remarkable frequency from its frigid tongue. 

Argentina’s most iconic glacier: Perito Moreno

The best way to catch this remarkable phenomenon is from the boardwalks situated a few hundred metres from its snout; late afternoon after the ice has warmed during the day is the most likely time to see it happening.

23. Go to the ends of the earth in Ushuaia

Right at the very tip of the South American continent sits Argentina’s southernmost city: Ushuaia.

Described by many as at the very ends of the earth, Ushuaia has a magical quality, aided no end by its spellbinding scenery: situated at the edges of Tierra del Fuego island, it’s hemmed in by the Beagle Channel in the south and snow-heavy mountains in the north. 

Hikers climbing up to Glaciar Martial near Ushuaia

Founded as a penal colony, Ushuaia has a curious history. There’s no better place to learn about it than at the vast and fascinating Museo Maritimo y Museo del Presidio , which is set in the city’s former prison. 

Alternatively, head for the White Continent from here to go to the true ends of the earth: expedition cruises to Antarctica leave from here, many of which visit Cape Horn along the way. 

Need some advice for choosing an Antarctica cruise? I highly recommend Swoop Antarctica, whose staff have extensive, first-hand experience of sailing to Antarctica and, because they sell cruises for all the well-known companies, can give you handy, impartial advice for choosing the one that best suits you.

Check out their cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula – for a chance to set foot on mainland Antarctica and explore some of the most beautiful parts of the continent – and to South Georgia and the Falklands – for a wildlife bonanza.

We’ve also explored when’s the best time to visit Antarctica – which I highly recommend reading before you start considering a trip. The Antarctica travel season is short and the experiences in different months vary wildly.

24. Hike in the superlative scenery of Tierra del Fuego National Park

West of Ushuaia lies another of Patagonia’s finest national parks. Packed with day hikes that take in stupendous views across dense forests of southern beech and onto the watery depths of the Beagle Channel, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park) is one of the must-visit destinations in Argentine Patagonia. 

Views across the Beagle Channel from the top of the Cerro Guanaco trail in Tierra del Fuego National Park, near Ushuaia.

You’ll find plenty of birdlife, including condors and albatrosses, as well as the Southern Fuegian Railway.

Better known as the Train to the End of the World , this 500 mm gauge steam railway was originally used to transport prisoners working to chop timber and now takes you deep into the national park on the final seven kilometers of track. It’s a bit of a tourist trap, but if you love your railways, then it’s a must-do activity. 

25. Visit Tierra del Fuego’s first estancia

Founded in 1886 by Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges, Estancia Harberton takes the title of the island’s first ranch. Now operated by Bridges’ descendants, and with the excellent Museo Acatushún that showcases the area’s marine mammals and bird species at its heart, it’s a worthwhile place for a day trip. 

Boat tours from Ushuaia take you via the Beagle Channel, the 240-km strait separating Tierra del Fuego from Chile, and where colonies of fur seals, Magellanic penguins, and cormorants can be spotted. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins in the water. 

FAQs about Argentina

What is the most beautiful part of argentina.

Patagonia is arguably the most beautiful part of Argentina. Some would not agree, as much of it is wild and barren, but it’s these qualities that equally make Patagonia so enchanting. In this vast region, you’ll find towering glaciers, vast, unspoiled lakes, and endemic wildlife, with renting a car and taking a road trip around Patagonia , as well as hiking in the region’s national parks , two of the best ways to dive into the region’s beauty. 

Is Argentina safe to visit?

Argentina is ranked 68th in the 2021 Global Peace index and third among the safest South American countries . With that said, it’s best to keep some safety considerations in mind. For instance, avoid dark alleys at night and don’t wear anything flashy when wandering the city’s streets. Read our guide to safety in Buenos Aires for more information.

Is Argentina expensive to visit?

On average, the cost of living in Argentina is lower than in the US or Western Europe, meaning Argentina is affordable for travelers. However, flights can be expensive (considerably more so than in neighboring Chile ), with long-distance bus travel often a much more affordable way to cover large distances. Staying on a budget is not impossible here; cooking your own meals, not dining out often, and using public transportation can help trim down your expenses. Learn more about traveling to Patagonia on a budget .

Is English widely spoken in Argentina?

Many people in Argentina speak English, although only a small percentage speak it fluently. In cities familiar with tourism, such as Buenos Aires and Mendoza, you can get by with English as most restaurants provide English menus and museums have English-speaking tour guides. This may not be the case in a small town deep in Patagonia. In that case, we recommend learning basic Spanish so you’ll be able to ask for directions and prices, hire a local guide, or join a group of experienced travelers.

Most Popular Cities

Best National Parks

Top Things to Do

Best Places to Hike

Skiing in Argentina

Things to Do in Mendoza

Things to Do in Bariloche

Things to Do in Ushuaia

Guide to Iguazu

Argentina's Glaciers

Every Food to Try

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Airports in Argentina

Driving Guide

One-Week Itinerary

Top Places to Visit

The Top 15 Places to Visit in Argentina

Buenos Aires is home to cobblestone boulevards, sensual tango halls, century-old cafes, and designer boutiques. If you venture to the east, the Atlantic Ocean offers surfing and the chance to see whales, and penguins. To the north, explore mountains, cactus forests, and lunar landscapes that give way to subtropical jungle, wetlands, and waterfalls. And in the south, Patagonia is filled with the adventure of snow-capped peaks and turquoise glacial lakes. Including both city and countryside, these are the top 15 places to experience Argentina in all of its richness.  

Buenos Aires

A cosmopolitan hub that’s both gritty and glamorous, Buenos Aires is a huge city the size of four Chicagos and is composed of many manageable barrios (neighborhoods). San Telmo is the bohemian historical district filled with cobblestone streets, picturesque old bars such as El Federal, and a tango scene with clubs like El Viejo Almacen. Palermo is filled with cute cafes, some lovely vegetarian restaurants (not easily found elsewhere in this red-meat-loving country), shopping, and an abundance of charming boutique hotels such as Fierro and Home Hotel. Recoleta is a refined old-money neighborhood with upscale shops and the ultra-luxury hotels Alvear Palace, Palacio Duhau, and the Four Seasons. 

Museums in Buenos Aires are inexpensive or free—art lovers should not miss MALBA, the contemporary art museum. Buenos Aires comes alive at night, with dinners beginning around 9 p.m. and drinks lasting until the early hours of morning. Hit up iLatina restaurant in Chacarita for an exquisite Latin American food experience and follow it up at a speakeasy such as The Harrison or Floreria Altantico. 

At the very southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia is a starting point for most Antarctica trips. A rugged land filled with glaciers and towering mountains, the best of this destination lies outside of the city center. Tierra Turismo is the most reputable guiding company for trips into the National Park, to kayak or to off-road, and for visiting nearby Harberton to see the penguins. Foodies should make a reservation at Kalma , where chef Jorge Monopoli celebrates the native wild foods of the region, or stop into the casual and quirky Volver for local king crab or other fresh seafoods. For even more perspective, travelers can scuba dive the chilly Beagle Channel with Ushuaia Divers or get an aerial view with Heli Ushuaia. 

Peninsula Valdes

In what feels like another world from nearby bustling cruise-hub Puerto Madryn, wildlife lovers will appreciate this tranquil haven set on a jutting peninsula where southern right whales, orcas, and penguins can be seen in abundance.  Oceano is the go-to hotel in Puerto Piramides, set right on the beach so at certain times of the year guests can laze in bed with coffee and watch whales breaching in the morning. There is a small sandboarding hill, incredible mountain biking through the dunes and along the beach, and scuba diving with sea lions (this is the scuba diving capital of Argentina, after all). 

Giving Napa Valley and the wine regions of Italy and France a run for their money, Mendoza is known for its sunny skies, highly Instagrammable vineyards right at the foot of the Andes, and Malbec, Argentina’s national varietal. Horseback ride with Nino Masi from El Viejo Manzano, fly fish with Trout and Wine, or raft the nearby Mendoza River. There’s even hot springs nearby en-route to Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak. 

Vineyard tasting rooms range from tiny and cute (Carinae), eclectic and poetic (El Enemigo), homey (Matervini), to large and modern (anything in the Clos de los Siete complex). If budget permits, a stay in a villa at the Vines of Mendoza with dinner at Francis Mallmann’s onsite open-fire restaurant Siete Fuegos is the ultimate Mendoza experience.

Looking more like the Swiss Alps than Latin America, Bariloche is a town in northern Patagonia set on the coast of Lago Nahuel Huapi and bordered by the Andes that are dotted with wildflowers. It is known for its chocolate (here’s looking at you, Mamushka and Rapa Nui!) and its microbreweries (Blest is a local favorite). It’s an outdoor paradise with some great day hikes and multi-day treks, kitesurfing, and Cerro Cathedral for skiing in the winter months of July to September. Bariloche gets crowded with tourism in the middle of summer and winter, so a visit in spring when the wildflowers bloom or in autumn when the leaf colors begin to change is recommended. 

Piedra Parada

Still relatively unknown outside of serious rock-climbing circles, Piedra Parada is about an hour and a half from Esquel and a few hours south of El Bolson. It’s Argentina’s sport climbing paradise in the desert of rural Chubut Province and has some of the continent’s best single pitch sport routes going all the way up to 5.14d (very difficult). Nearby climbing hotspots include Cochamo in Chile or Frey in Bariloche, but Piedra Parada has much easier access. There’s a campground, or for more comfort, there is Hosteria Mirador Huancanche in the nearby town of Gualjaina run by a wonderful couple who can not only recommend routes, but can teach about the history, wildlife, indigenous culture, and unique geology that makes this place so special.

El Bolson has one of the most spectacular artist markets in South America (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and around half-capacity on Sundays). Drink the local microbrew (the raspberry beer from Cerveceria El Bolson is delicious), or devour Argentina’s most revered gelato at Jauja, where everything is organic and all-natural, with no artificial flavors or colors. Hike the Cajon de Azul, ski the super relaxed and family-friendly Cerro Perito Moreno, or grab a bus or hitch to nearby Lago Puelo where locals flock in the summer to swim in the gorgeous yet chilly lake.

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is a modern and developed resort city on Argentina’s Atlantic coast. It is the second most visited city in the country after Buenos Aires, due mostly to its 10 miles of sandy beaches like the wide Punta Mogotes and the popular Playa Grande with its surf breaks. It is a cross between a seaside escape and a bustling city, with museums, an aquarium, and a vibrant nightlife. While Argentina is famous for its red meat, seafood fresh from the ocean rules here. Right around the port there are a ton of reasonably priced restaurants to try the day’s catch. Mar del Plata is family-friendly but also home to a raucous party vibe that enjoys clubbing and drinking until the wee hours of morning, so it definitely has a little something for everyone.

Just an hour by train from the center of Buenos Aires, Tigre is the ideal day trip to get out of the city. This town is home to its delta of hundreds of islands and waterways. There is even a museum of yerba mate, the herbal drink that Argentines are crazy about. The best way to experience Tigre is by small boat or kayak (recommended is Sudeste Paseos), as these can go down the smaller, less traveled waterways where there is a better chance to spot wildlife.  

Villa La Angostura

In the picturesque Lakes Region, this is a main town along the Siete Lagos drive. Most activities revolve around the lake, as Lago Nahuel Huapi is a center point here. There’s sunset sailing, fly fishing in Correntoso (the world’s shortest river), and gorgeous hiking in myrtle (arrayan) forests. It is local legend that Walt Disney was so inspired by the magic of the forests in the region that he based the scenery of Bambi on them.

This place is like Avatar, if only the land in the movie Avatar was overrun by tourists with cameras. But no matter how many tourists crowd the walkways, it’s still worth a visit. Iguazu National Park has some of the most stunning waterfalls on this planet, and these are accessible from both the Argentine side and the Brazilian side of the border. There are around 275 falls in total, ranging from gentle trickles to full-on powerhouses like Devil’s Throat. Walk the trails, explore up close and personal from a boat tour, or if there is cash to spare, do a fly-over in a helicopter.

If Argentina has some of the world’s best waterfalls, mountains, and deserts, why shouldn’t it also get a huge glacier that puts on a show every time it calves in thunderous breaks?  While the town of El Calafate is overpriced and not that interesting (nearby El Chalten is much more charming), it happens to have the draw of the National Park that has one of the country’s most visited attractions, Perito Moreno glacier. For those really into that sort of thing, there are multi-day boat tours that get to lesser-known and even more stunning glaciers.  But for those with the time or budget to just see one, an adventurous trek atop Perito Moreno with crampons is the way to go.

TripSavvy / Maria Ligaya

In the northwest of the country, this is the place to unwind and experience live folkloric music, some of the best empanadas in the country, and local varietals of wine, such as Torrontes, in droves. Salta city is colonial and cultured—take time to see the world’s most well-preserved mummies, the Children of Llullaillaco, on exhibit at the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology. Heading just north of town are laid-back pueblos such as Tilcara and Purmamarca, where the famous seven-colored mountains can be hiked and photographed in all their glory.

Bahia Bustamante

Bahia Bustamante is a private sheep farm in Patagonia sprawling over about 210,000 acres. It welcomes up to 18 guests at a time from August through May, who mostly come for the unique wildlife experience. It's a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) due to its diversity of both seabirds and marine mammals.

In full transparency, the town itself is congested and leaves much to be desired. But it makes the list for one strong reason: dinosaurs. The Ernesto Bachmann Municipal Museum exhibits the remains of Giganotosaurus carolinii (the name means “great lizard of the south”), considered to be the largest carnivorous dinosaur of all times. And the Argentino Urquiza Palaeontological Museum has the most complete Titanosaur in the world. In San Patricio del Chañar, an Aeolosaurus (wind lizard) was discovered during the building of Familia Schroeder Winery. It's currently on display in one of its rooms.

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50 Incredible Pictures of Argentina to Inspire Your Next Vacation

The Glaciers of Argentina

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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Argentina

15 Places to Go Hiking in Argentina

Your Trip to Argentina: The Complete Guide

10 Amazing National Parks in Argentina

10 Top Things to Do in Bariloche, Argentina

12 Trips Every Traveler Should Take Before Turning 50

Los Glaciares National Park: The Complete Guide

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Nahuel Huapi National Park: The Complete Guide

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Top 15 things to know before you travel argentina.

The Top 15 Things to Know Before you Travel Argentina

Oh Argentina, the stuff many an exotic travel dream is made of.

And yes, there’s no denying I was beyond excited when I finally realised an adventure in this much-fabled country was going to be within my grasp.

Which was back in 2019. In the good old travel days!

While I had 6 whole weeks planned to journey the length and breadth of Argentina – from Salta in the north (after I crossed the land border from Bolivia), right down to Patagonia (the most epic hiking destination) in the south – suddenly everything changed when I found out I had been shortlisted for a British Travel Award (top blog *cough cough*) and so, in order to attend this rather prestigious London event, I had to return earlier than planned to the UK and, sadly, cut my time in Argentina short.

Thankfully I did win the award (yes you are reading the words of the Best British Travel Blogger here… I know!) which made the returning home and the cutting of the time in Argentina well worth it!

And thankfully, I still did get 3 full weeks travelling across the north of the country, which was certainly enough to learn a lot about the things you need to know before you embark on a trip here.

There’s no question I’ll be returning to travel Argentina (especially explore the south of this magical land) just as soon as this annoying pandemic does one, but until then, I’m bringing you my list of the 15 crucial things to know before you hit up this destination.

Because when it comes to what to pack, the issues around money, solo female travel and how to survive as a vegetarian out here, I’d definitely got my fair share of experience!

So here goes….

Argentina, Palermo Soho, Street Art

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  • 5 Best Places to Visit in Argentina
  • 55 Top Things To Do in South America
  • Ultimate 10 Day Argentina Itinerary

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#1 How to Travel to Argentina?

South America, Argentina, Carts

So first up, it’s probably a good idea to discuss how you’re going to get to Argentina to begin your travels there.

If you’re already in South America, then it’s good to know Argentina has pretty straightforward land border crossings with Chile, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay (although the quickest way to this last country is actually via a ferry crossing!)

Most of these countries have several land borders with Argentina – yes that’s just how huge all the nations are in South America –  and I personally have crossed the border from near Uyuni in Bolivia as well across the border into Brazil from Iguazu Falls .

As long as you plan visas, make an early start and are prepared in advance, these borders shouldn’t present any problems.

Alternatively, if you’re arriving into Argentina from further afield, it’s likely you’ll touch down in the main international airport in Buenos Aires – Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE).

This airport is located just over 22km outside of the city centre, but you can use Uber to get either to your accommodation in the city or to another domestic airport in the capital if you are immediately flying off to another region.

As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best deals on international and domestic flights in Argentina. See more in #7 of this article.

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#2 Visas for Argentina Travel

Argentina, Cafayate, Winery

Most travellers from Europe, the UK, North America, Australia and New Zealand do not require visas to travel Argentina.

You simply get an entry stamp in your passport on arrival, which normally gives you 90 days to explore this country – a good amount of time.

After this point, do make sure you leave the country however, as immigration officials here are very strict when tourists overstay their allocated time and I heard from several travellers that have been banned from re-entering Argentina for a year after not leaving the country on time.

As always, and no matter the passport you hold, I do recommend checking your travel rights in Argentina with your local embassy or foreign office website well in advance of your intended arrival date.

#3 What to Pack?

Argentina, Iguazu Falls National Park, Walk

Argentina is one mighty diverse land, which I’ll cover in more detail in the next point, but suffice to say if you are travelling to several destinations in this country you’ll need a range of clothes and essentials to keep you comfortable across all climates.

This is especially true if you are heading down to the south of the country and / or you plan on doing some serious hiking here, which you certainly should FYI!

I give a complete item by item inventory of exactly what I recommend packing for your Argentinian travels in this complete checklist , so do check it out for more info.

This list was put together after my own travels in Argentina, and more broadly throughout South America, so it certainly has everything you should need, whilst also keeping things light and simple if you’re backpacking like I always am!

#4 Getting to Grips with the Diversity

South America, Argentina, Cactus

So yes, as I mentioned above, Argentina is a mighty diverse country.

Perhaps, thanks to its size and the different climates it straddles, it can actually be seen as one of the most diverse nations on the planet.

Form the dry, dusty high altitude deserts in the northern provinces like Salta to the lush, humid and tropical climates around Iguazu Falls , through to the seasonal zones like Buenos Aires and finally the great glacial lands of Patagonia, this country packs it all in.

Which is why it certainly pays to know a little about your travel plans for Argentina in advance.

Knowing which regions you’re likely to travel to, what time of year you plan to visit and what sort of activities you aim to enjoy while you’re there (such as camping and hiking etc) will help you greatly when it comes to knowing the type of weather you can expect and help you pack accordingly!

Remember forewarned is forearmed, and all wise travellers know this!

#5 How to Plan Your Trip?

Argentina, Humahuaca, 14 Colour Mountain

Another key part of your planning stage, should be setting out a basic itinerary for your travels in Argentina.

Now don’t freak out, I’m not suggesting here that you should have every day of your trip planned out to the nth degree (because trust me, I hate the idea of this just as much as the next freewheeling budget backpacker), but what I am saying is that I would highly advise having a rough itinerary planned out for your travels in Argentina.

Not only will this help with your packing (as outlined above) but it will also help you ascertain whether you can actually fit your intended plans into your intended timeframe!

Yes, when you realise just how long it takes to get between the different regions of this country, and just how much there is to do in each one, you may well need a rethink!

Indeed lots of people, including myself, completely overfill their Argentina itineraries and then, once they look at flights or buses around Argentina and the amount of time these take, do they quite often have to cut down their intended plans by a significant amount!

So, if you want my advice when it comes to Argentina travel plans, less is definitely more.

In Buenos Aires alone, you can easily spend 4-5 days, and that’s without 2-3 days in Iguazu Falls, 4-6 days for the Salta province, not to mention Bariloche, Mendoza and Patagonia… and that’s just the main highlights!

In terms of things you do need to book in advance of your Argentina travels, I would include guided hikes, domestic flights, long distance bus journeys and accommodation in Patagonia in this list because all of these things book up and sell out fast, especially during high season.

#6 Ideal Argentina Travel Itinerary

South America, Argentina, Salta Region

And this moves us nicely on to my crucial tip here about your Argentina itinerary.

Of course, the time you have to travel this country will drastically alter how much you can fit in, but with anything less than 2 weeks I wouldn’t even think about trying to see the whole country, instead, I would choose half of it (either the north or south) and stick to that.

Because ultimately, not trying to cram everything in will lead to you having a better trip, and isn’t that the point of travelling after all?!

Plus Argentina will always be there for you to return to if you need!

With 2 weeks in the north, I’d concentrate on Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Salta Province and possibly the student city of Cordoba if you have time.

If you’re coming across to Argentina from Chile, it may make sense for you to skip Salta (which will be sad, because this region is amazing) but possibly replace it with the equally sublime lake and hiking destination of Bariloche and the famous wine region of Mendoza.

Both of these lie closer to the Chilean border and coupled with Buenos Aires, will take you from west to east across Argentina.

Otherwise, if you’re seriously into your hiking and you time your trip right (namely some point between November and February), then it’s hard to beat Patagonia as a destination in itself for at least a week or 2.

This vast and unique natural landscape boasts incredible scenery, glaciers, wildlife as well as remote outdoor action and should not be missed.

Of course, if you have longer to travel Argentina, say 3 weeks+, you can start to combine some of these itineraries to create an epic journey across the country.

Just don’t plan to do too much!

#7 Using Domestic Flights

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Pink Building

Not that I’m a fan of too much flying as regular readers will know (there is a climate crisis y’all), but I do accept, that most travellers in Argentina will take at least one domestic flight during their travels here.

And that’s simply because, as I’ve already said at least 3 times in this article (so sorry if I sound like I’m rabbiting on about the same point!) the distance between destinations in Argentina is huge.

For those on a tight timeframe, domestic flights are basically a necessity and if you’re thinking of heading to either Patagonia or Iguazu, they’re basically a done deal because the bus journeys to either of these places, from the nearest other major destinations are at least 24 hours… if not more!

Learn more about how to get to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires in this post I wrote.

In general, I recommend booking domestic flights at least 2 weeks in advance, more in high season, because the most popular tourist routes sell out fast.

The good news is that there are budget airlines that offer good prices on domestic flights within Argentina and you can compare them all over at Skyscanner – my fav site for finding the best flights deals.

#8 Taking Domestic Buses / Coaches

Argentina, Puerto Iguazu, Bus Station

If you’re not flying, or trying not to fly everywhere in Argentina (and good on you), then long distance buses or coaches are the best way to get between destinations.

Luxury liners services destinations across Argentina and are used by many locals and travellers alike.

In general, standards are good, but you do get for what you pay for i.e. the more luxury services with comfier seats etc will cost more. I recommend paying a bit more for night buses especially.

Taking night buses is a good way to save on a night’s accommodation and shuffle you between destinations without wasting an extra day of your trip – key if you’re on a short trip and wanting to see as much as possible.

A good travel pillow as well as excellent earplugs and a decent eye mask are a must for long distance night buses in South America FYI!

I took long distance buses several times in Argentina, both during the day and night, and found the services very good and secure.

Buses can be booked in person at the central stations you’ll find almost every town. This tends to be where all the bus departures leave from, and each company (and there’s a lot) will have their own window / ticket booth where you can buy tickets.

You can also buy tickets online in advance, which I would suggest doing at least 1 week in advance of any major journeys, such as overnight voyages.

I recommend Bookaway for this purpose, as they allow you to compare flights and buses, book securely online and make everything easy to read in English!

Just remember to keep a bit of spare change as you’ll have to tip / pay for the luggage handlers to load your bag each time you get on a bus in Argentina – this is not really optional.

#9 Travel Safety Issues

South America, Argentina, House

And talking about catching buses in Argentina leads me nicely onto discussing safety in this country more generally.

Throughout my time travelling in Argentina I felt entirely safe – even when staying in budget accommodation and catching overnight buses, my travels were hassle and worry-free.

The only place I would advise you maybe are a bit more wary is in major cities, especially Buenos Aires, where crime against tourists can occur, in particular robbery and mugging.

That said, I visited and walked around Buenos Aires by myself without any problems, but was careful to not have my phone out on the street or to walk around by myself after dark.

I also made sure I based myself in a more upmarket area – trendy Palermo to be specific – which I highly recommend you do too.

Taking free walking tours in this city (of which there are many) is a great way to see the capital and feel safe even as a solo traveller.

Learn more about the best itinerary for visiting Buenos Aires in this post I wrote about the city.

Buying a tourist SIM card is another great way to feel safe in Argentina because this allows you to keep in touch with people at home, use live maps to orientate yourself and also book or contact accommodation / tours / guides etc when you are out and about.

Keep your phone on you, but not in a pocket – a bumbag slung across your shoulder and front of your body is a great idea here.

In case you are the victim of any crime in Argentina, or worse have an accident or need medical assistance, then a key safety tip is to buy travel insurance for your trip to this country.

travel argentina

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

#10 Solo Female Travel in Argentina

Argentina, Quebrada De Las Conchas, Me

And getting a SIM card when you are in Argentina is also one of my top tip for solo females travellers in this country.

Although I don’t recommend whipping your phone out on display at every opportunity, especially not in major cities here, having a phone with you, especially when it comes to being able to navigate yourself, is a great idea.

It always makes me feel safer and knowing I can contact people wherever I am, definitely brings peace of mind.

Also be careful going out alone at night – although again this only really applies to cities – as I felt very safe wandering out for dinner of an evening in almost any smaller Argentina town I visited.

I even went out in Buenos Aires of an evening too – at one point not making it home until 6am, although that’s a different story – but was always with other people, using Uber rather than walking, and never alone.

Yes, taking an Uber is a great option after dark in the capital… or at anytime!

Picking up a bit of Spanish can make you feel safer too in Argentina, as can staying in hostels where it’s easier to get local advice and to meet other travellers.

It’s all common sense really.

If you think learning a bit of Spanish sounds like a good idea, then check out the great free language learning app – Duolingo – and also the Latin American Spanish Lonely Planet phrasebook.

I found this very helpful.

Just don’t forget the language they speak in Argentina is very different to a lot of the Spanish you may recognise elsewhere in this continent or in Europe!

#11 Costs of Travelling in Argentina

Argentina, Street Food, Tortilla Rellenos

And now we come to the big one – how much does it cost to travel Argentina?

Well, honestly that depends when you are reading this post and when you are planning to visit, because the one thing you should know when you plan to travel Argentina, is that the economy of this country has a habit of being a bit unpredictable.

When I visited in 2019, they were again suffering a terrible economic recession, which tends to happen more regularly than it should here.

The Argentinian Peso was almost in freefall and while this made the country very cheap foreigners, it was very hard on local people.

Many restrictions had been bought in, which meant accessing money could be difficult for all parties, which leads me into my next point.

#12 ATM Fees

South America, Argentina, Trail

Because of the highly erratic and worrying value of the Argentinian Peso when I was in the county, there were big restrictions on how much local people could withdraw from the ATM on a daily basis.

At one point this was really low, barely enough to survive on

In some places, this also translated to tourists, which meant many travellers found themselves without enough cash to pay for their accommodation etc.

My tip therefore, is to strongly check the state of the Argentina economy before your travels and also to familiarise yourself with any restrictions there may be in advance.

Bring cash, and plenty of it too, as that never fails.

It’s also useful to know many Argentina ATM machines charge foreign cards a crazy fee to use them.

#13 Western Union App

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Centre

For this reason, and because they gave incredible rates when I was there, one of the best tips I can give for when you travel in Argentina is to download and use the Western Union app .

This is a global app that worked brilliantly in Argentina and was used by almost every traveller on the circuit when I was there because the news of it spread like wildfire!

The basic way to use the app is to load currency from your bank account onto the Western Union app, convert this from your home currency into Argentinian Pesos at a great rate, and then go into a Western Union office in Argentina to collect your cash.

The fees are much lower, the amount you can take out much larger than the ATMs and the exchange rate is better too.

You’re welcome! …. and no, this is not sponsored, it’s just a great piece of advice!

#14 Drinking

Argentina, Iguazu Falls, Devils Throat

You can’t really come to Argentina and not try at least some of the amazing wine this country is famous for, preferably within the place it’s made.

Mendoza is the main spot, but the smaller town of Cafayate is also delightful.

Both allow you to rent bikes and cycle to nearby vineyards to savour the produce with some seriously epic natural backdrops.

Craft beer is also taking hold in Argentina and trendy Palermo in Buenos Aires is the spot to try many of the news ones.

Otherwise, the other local tipple is Fernet – lethal stuff that is usually served after a meal but may also be served mixed into coffee.

You can blame the Italian influence in the country for this one!

It’s good to know tap water is safe to drink in most parts of Argentina.

That said, I still like travelling with my trusty Lifestraw Filter Bottle , an amazing bit of travel technology that makes it safe to drink tap water anywhere in the world by filtering out 99.9% of harmful bacteria.

#15 Eating & Dietary Requirements

Argentina, Salta, Market

And finally we come to the food factor!

Of course Argentina is known for its steak and if you eat the meat you should probably try this when you are here.

If you don’t however, you need not fret.

I found it easy to travel in Argentina as a vegetarian, especially in major cities and towns where the food scene is quite progressive.

Bread is served with most meals, so gluten-intolerant people however, may find they have a slightly harder time.

Local markets and supermarkets sell an array of fresh products and western goods, which means you can generally get your hands on whatever you need!

The Italian influence in this country also means Italian food here can be sensational. Some of the best pizza I ever had was in the capital, BA, no joke!

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15 Crucial Tips If You Want to Travel in Argentina

So there we have it, my list of the top 15 things to know before you travel Argentina.

Have you visited this epic South American country?

Do you have any advice to add to this list?

Please join the discussion in the comments box below…

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Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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Argentina Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 19, 2024

The stunning, towering mountains of Patagonia, Argentina under a pristine blue sky, with a large glacier in the foreground

Argentina is one of the most popular countries to visit in South America. Whether you’re backpacking the entire country or just visiting on a short holiday looking to drink wine, eat steak, and do some hiking, Argentina will not disappoint you. I love the place to death.

From the relaxed café culture of Buenos Aires to the natural beauty of the massive Iguazu Waterfalls, the stunning Perito Moreno glacier to the charming vineyards of Mendoza , Argentina is a wonderfully beautiful country with world-class landscapes to match the delicious steaks, award-winning wine, and lively and welcoming people you’ll find here.

Argentina blew away all of my expectations.

This travel guide to Argentina can help you plan your trip, stay safe, stay on a budget, and ensure you make the most of your visit here.

Note : Argentina suffers from incredible inflation and prices vary widely and increase without notice. The prices here might be accurate as of the day we publish but could be dramatically different by the time you get there. Keep that in mind as you plan your expenses.

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Argentina

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in argentina.

The waterfalls of Iguazu Falls, surrounded by lush greenery, in Argentina

1. Enjoy the culture of Buenos Aires

Nicknamed the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is an amazing and fun city with a lot of culture, fantastic nightlife, food, and shopping. Stay in the trendy Palermo neighborhood and walk the tree-lined streets, visit the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires (aka MALBA), and explore Palermo Soho which has a more youthful vibe and is crammed with cool shops and boutiques.

Additionally, on the southern border of Palermo is La Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most atmospheric graveyards on the planet and home to several famous Argentines, including Eva Peron, several past presidents, patriots, poets, and other VIPs of Argentine history. El Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the National Museum of Fine Arts, is nearby as well. Opened in 1895, the museum houses works by Goya, Monet, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and many other masters.

2. Marvel at Iguazu Falls

With 450,000 cubic feet of water thundering down the 275 cascades every second, it’s easy to see why this massive waterfall is so popular. The water plunges below in a powerful and sensational flurry of white water and mist with rainbows stretching above it all. The uneven cascades are also some of the tallest in the world, as they measure between 62-85 meters (210-269 feet). A sturdy wooden walkway allows visitors to wander out to get a closer, face-to-face look at the falling water. Some might remember the falls played a supporting role in the films Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Captain America: Civil War, and The Mission, among many others.

You can find several types of guided trips leaving from Buenos Aires or just go on the local bus yourself. Stay in Argentina and get drenched on a boat ride around the falls or spring for a tour that includes Brazil on the opposite shore. The view from Brazil is arguably better, since you’re on a narrow ridge surrounded by the falls in Argentina. The entry fee for Iguazú Falls National Park on the Argentine side is 20,000 ARS.

3. Wander Salta

Located in the northwest of the country, Salta is a small city with outstanding museums, plaza-side cafes, and a lively folk music tradition. The colonial architecture of the city is well preserved here too. The most popular museum is Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM), opened in 2004 for the mummies of three children sacrificed by the Inca and discovered in 1999. Don’t miss the Teleférico San Bernardo, a cable car that glides through the air to a hilltop with a gorgeous view of the whole city. A round-trip ticket for San Bernardo is 8,000 ARS.

4. Learn the tango

Argentina is famous for its national dance, the tango. You’re bound to run into it everywhere you go with people quite literally practicing in the streets. Throughout the country there are studios that offer lessons if you want to learn and free public places to watch the locals dance away. In Buenos Aires, splurge on a tango show at the historic Teatro Tabarís or Gala Tango. A more budget option is the outdoor shows in Plaza Dorrego, where the best dancers can be found every Sunday afternoon.

5. Explore Mendoza

Other things to see and do in argentina, 1. take the train to the clouds.

Sure, it’s a train built for tourists and super overpriced, but taking this train through the clouds and lush forest is so breathtaking I don’t mind. This is a 400-kilometer (250-mile), 16-hour round trip into the Andes from the town of San Antonio de los Cobres. You can buy the train ticket with the bus ride between Salta and San Antonio de los Cobres included, or via just the train. Consider buying just the train ticket so you can spend a little time checking out the Andean culture (and llamas) in San Antonio. As the train climbs to 4,200 meters (13,779 feet), you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views overlooking mountains, forests, and valleys. It only operates seasonally and on specific days of the week, so be sure to check the schedule before you go. The website only shows prices once you pick a date for the reservation.

2. Climb Cerro Aconcagua

At almost 7,000 meters tall (23,000 feet), Cerro Aconcagua is not only the country’s highest mountain but also the highest in the Western Hemisphere. This climb isn’t for the faint-hearted as it’s estimated to take a couple of weeks to acclimatize to the altitude and reach the summit. However, it’s a challenging hike, not a technical climb. Many hikers set their sights on part of the mountain, without risking the dangers of oxygen deprivation near the summit. If you love a challenge and are a practiced hiker, it’s an adventure worth considering! Due to the instability of the peso, many trekking companies post prices in USD. Guided summit hikes cost around $5,000 USD while an 8-day trek around the mountain (not to the summit but around the various camps) costs around $2,000 USD. The most popular option is a 4-day hike around the mountain, which costs $700 USD per person. Not into hiking? Nearby Los Horcones Lake is only 2,900 meters (9,514 feet) above sea level and a popular fishing destination.

3. Explore Valle de la Luna

Translated as “Valley of the Moon,” this dramatic landscape dates to the Triassic period. Winds and rain have carved the rocks into strange formations that give this place the look of a lunar landscape. Despite the arid conditions, the area is great for wildlife spotting as it’s home to foxes, owls, armadillos, condors, and guanacos. A wild cousin of the llama, guanacos will give your landscape photos a decidedly South American flair. The unique geological formations and fossil beds have earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the Museo de Sitio William Sill, built over impressive dinosaur fossils where you can watch archeologists at work.

The best way to explore the park is via a rental car. Once you have that, you can take the 25-mile circuit tour, stopping at five different points along the way, each one offering stunning sights and views of the park. The circuit should take approximately three hours. There are also hikes through the park. One of the most popular is the trek up to Cerro Morado, the tallest mountain in the park at nearly 1,900 meters (6,000 feet). The walk takes about three hours and, once at the top, offers wow-inducing views of the natural landscape below. Admission to the park is 5,000 ARS.

4. Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier

Located within the expansive Los Glaciares National Park is the impressive Perito Moreno glacier. At almost 4,570 meters (15,000 feet) wide and 61 meters (200 feet) tall, it’s one of the coolest sights I’ve ever seen. You can hike on the glacier (which is an epic experience) or walk on the metal platforms constructed a stone’s throw from the massive wall of ice. You’ll need a licensed guide, ropes, and crampons to hike on the glacier but you can take the bus from El Calafate and do the platform walk on your own. Boat rides to Perito Moreno get you even closer and can include other nearby glaciers like Spegazzini and Upsala. Depending on the season, a full-day tour including a boat ride costs around 99,000 ARS. Austral summer, from December to February, has higher prices.

5. Day trip to San Rafael

Located a few hours from Mendoza, this tiny little town is a wonderful place to see wineries. Try the local Malbecs and other reds that go perfectly with an Argentine asado. Like Mendoza, this is a great place to go on a bike ride through the picturesque vineyards. Don’t miss out on the nearby stunning Atuel Canyon, where you can go whitewater rafting in the summer. San Rafael is a charming little place to relax and slow down to enjoy the local pace of life. A bus from Mendoza to San Rafael costs 2,500 ARS for a one-way ticket.

6. Visit Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world and the largest city in Tierra del Fuego. This is a very popular town for travelers coming to the end of their South American journey, or for those traveling to Antarctica. This is the launch point for all Antarctica cruises, as the continent is only 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) away. Plan at least three days here to go hiking in the national park, walk among the penguins on Hammer Island, and try one of the local tea houses. The most popular is La Cabaña, at the foot of the Martial Glacier ski resort. If you’re there in winter, visit one of the three local ski resorts or go on a dog-sledding tour. Overall, it’s an adventure travel hub that deserves a few days before or after your other adventures.

7. Go whale watching

From June to December, whale watching season in Patagonia is at its peak as the whales make their way to the coast to mate. Whale watching is an expensive excursion, but it’s well worth it during migration time as you’re guaranteed to spot a few whales. The Valdes Peninsula is the best place to go on a tour. Only six companies are allowed to operate here so as not to disturb and overwhelm the whales. Expect to see orca, humpback, southern right whales, and blue whales. This is a remote area of Patagonia and the best place to stay nearby is Puerto Madryn. Due to the instability of the Argentine peso, most tour agencies post prices in US dollars. A full day wildlife and whale watching tour costs $145 USD.

8. Discover Quebrada de Humahuaca

The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a 155-kilometer-long (96 mile) valley carved out by the Rio Grande. The deep valley is covered in unique rock formations and has been populated for at least 10,000 years, making the area rich in ancient Incan history and culture. Visit the ancient Inca ruins at Tilcara and see just how much Andean culture still permeates the area. Explore the colonial streets and architecture of the tiny town of Humahuaca, with its bright orange mountain backdrop or walk around behind the mountain on an easy one-hour hike to see dramatic red and purple cliffs.

9. Visit Cajon del Azul

Located in El Bolson, a bohemian town near the Andes Mountains, The Blue Canyon boasts beautiful translucent turquoise waters flanked by rustic suspension bridges, alcoves, and cliffs. It’s a little more deserted than other nature reserves in Argentina, though it’s growing in popularity amongst climbers and fly fishers. If you go, it’s worth spending at least a few days in this area taking advantage of all the outdoor activities.

If you want to hike, there are a myriad of trails you can take, all of varying degrees of difficulty and length. The trails also have the most amount of refugios, or huts, than anywhere else in South America. This means you can plan a single-day trek or a multi-day hike, going from one hut to another for several days until you want to trek back to El Bolson. Before you head out on a hike, though, make sure you stop into the Mountaineering Information Office, or Oficina de Informes de Montañas, to get information about the hike you’re doing. It’s the best way to prepare for a trek here. There’s also a Tourist Information Office that should be helpful too.

10. See Casa Rosada

Dominating the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires is Casa Rosada, the Office of the President and arguably the city’s most notable landmark. The distinctive pink color is said to be due to the mixing of cows’ blood into the paint, to preserve the building. First Lady and labor activist Eva Perón (aka Evita) famously addressed crowds of workers from the building’s balcony (there’s a 1996 film starring Madonna based on her life).

Easily accessible on the city’s Subte metro system, the area around the Casa Rosada is worth visiting for its colonial architecture and famed masterpiece mural by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siquieros in the Casa Rosada Museum. There are, in all, 11,000 pieces of art in the museum. Admission is free but you must register and pick a time and date for your visit.

11. Stroll La Recoleta Cemetery

It might seem a bit morbid to visit a cemetery for pleasure, but Recoleta is one of the city’s most visited attractions. The cemetery is the final resting place of many of the city’s most notable citizens, including Eva Perón and the Paz family. Also worth seeing is the tomb of Rufina Cambaceres, who was tragically buried alive according to legends. It’s open daily from 8am-6pm. Afterwards, walk along Calle Vicente Lopez on the southwest side of the cemetery. It has become one of the hotspots in Buenos Aires for micro-breweries and is a great place to rest your feet after all the walking through the cemetery.

12. Discover San Ignacio Miní

Located in San Ignacio, these 17th-century mission ruins are the most complete in Argentina, with a significant amount of carved ornamentation still visible. Constructed in the Spanish Baroque style and heavily influenced by indigenous designs, the ruins are a beautiful and distinctive reddish color. The visitor center has a lot of background information on the fascinating history of the old mission, and the ruins have interactive panels for more information as well. San Ignacio is the perfect place to stop on your way to or from Iguazú, which is only four hours away. The town is on the Paraná River, near Posadas, where you can easily hop the border to Encarnación in Paraguay. Admission is 1,000 ARS.

13. Take a dip in the Termas de Colón

Located north of Buenos Aires not far from the border with Uruguay, the hot springs here have been a hot secret with in-the-know Porteños (people from BA), for many years. There are 10 different pools to choose from, each one a different temperature and health benefits. If you have kids the Termas de Colón also features kiddie pools and various water slides. The drive from Buenos Aires takes about four hours, making this either a very long day trip or a multi-day trip to the north to relax in the charming town of Colón.

14. Attend a fútbol match at La Bombonera

Visiting the legendary soccer stadium of Boca Junior, one of Buenos Aires’ two professional teams, in the La Boca district is a local experience you won’t want to miss. If they’re playing cross-town rivals, River Plate, even better, but if you’re in town during the soccer season, go to see La Boca playing any team. It’s a lively and sometimes crazy experience. Expect to spend a couple hundred dollars on tickets if you want to see a match. There are also tours of the stadium available too, though those also aren’t cheap at around 82,000 ARS.

15. Browse for books at a world-class bookstore

In Buenos Aires’ Barrio Norte, you’ll find El Ateneo Grand Splendid. Housed in an old theater from 1919, this bookshop has plenty of remnants left over from its days in the performing arts, such as murals on the walls and ceilings, and even balconies. The books on the shelves are mostly in Spanish, though there’s a small English-language section. That said, shopping for a good read here is not really the point. Just stroll around and admire the high ceilings and ornate design of the place. It’s one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

  For more information on specific cities in Argentina, check out these guides:

  • Mendoza Travel Guide
  • Buenos Aires Travel Guide

Argentina Travel Costs

Colorful houses along a waterfront lined with docks in the village of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina

Accommodation – Hostels are widespread throughout the country. Expect to pay 15,000-30,000 ARS for a 6-8-bed dorm room in Buenos Aires, depending on the neighborhood. In smaller towns like Mendoza, expect to pay 8,000-20,000 ARS depending on amenities. Private rooms in a hostel with a shared bath are generally double the price of dorm rooms, costing 20,000-50,000 ARS per night.

Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities.

Hotels cost 40,000-60,000 ARS and always include free Wi-Fi, though other perks are generally pretty limited. At a two- or three-star hotel in Argentina you can expect TV (sometimes with international channels), daily housekeeping, bathroom toiletries, and, in some cases, an in-house restaurant, to varying degrees of quality.

Airbnb no longer posts prices in Argentine pesos, but averages $20-$50 USD per night for a private room and $30-$80 for an entire apartment.

Camping is widespread all around the country (including the world-famous Patagonia region), especially near the national parks. Expect to pay around 12,000 ARS for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Argentine food is a mix of Mediterranean influences: first from Spanish colonizers, and later European immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially from Italy and Spain. Empanadas, pizza, polenta, and pasta all heavily feature in Argentine cuisine.

Argentines are famous for their asado (barbeque) and tremendous consumption of beef, especially steak and ribs. Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, eggplants, squashes, and zucchini are the most common vegetables. Dulce de leche , a caramel sauce made from condensed milk, is a popular sweet.

Yerba mate is the favorite national drink. It’s a caffeinated herbal drink that is prepared in a traditional gourd. It is consumed in social settings by passing around the gourd and its accompanying metal straw.

Overall, food is fairly expensive in Argentina, especially in popular resort and outdoor adventure towns. Take advantage of eating breakfast and lunch specials to get the most out of your money. Breakfast deals go for 1,000-2,000 and usually consist of a coffee and two media lunas, which are like a bready croissant.

Lunch specials vary greatly but are generally around 3,500-4,000 ARS. Meals at a cheap cafe begin at around 2,000-3,000 ARS for a light lunch of a sandwich or salad.

In terms of street food, empanada, choripán (sausage on bread) stands, and local hole-in-the-wall burger and pizza shops are economical and tasty. Empanadas go for around 700 ARS each, choripán for 1000 ARS, and fast food pizza or burgers for around 1500-2000 ARS. Fast food (think Mcdonald’s) is around 2,000 ARS for a combo meal.

In major cities, a dish at a Chinese takeout restaurant is around 8,000 ARS, while a dish at a sit-down Indian restaurant is around 8,000-12,000.

At a nice traditional Argentinian steakhouse, expect to pay 20,000-25,000 ARS for a good steak and wine. At more casual restaurants, steaks cost around 10,000-15,000 ARS, while vegetable-based pasta dishes cost 7,000-8,000 ARS.

In terms of drinks, beer is around 3,000 ARS while a glass of wine is also 3,000 ARS. A cocktail is around 4,000-5,000 ARS and a cappuccino is 3,000 ARS.

If you’re going to grocery shop, expect to spend about 25,000-35,000 ARS per week for groceries, including bottles of wine. This gets you basic staples like rice, beans, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Argentina Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker’s budget, expect to spend at least 31,500 ARS per day. On this suggested budget, you’re staying in a hostel dorm, eating out at the cheap food stalls, cooking most of your meals, using public transportation, limiting your drinking, and doing mostly free activities like hiking and taking free walking tours.

On a mid-range budget of at least 70,000 ARS per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, hotel, or private hostel room, enjoy a few drinks and eat out more, take the occasional taxi, and do whatever tours and activities you want, such as wine tours and dance lessons.

On an upscale budget of at least 135,000 ARS per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, go hiking in Patagonia, fly between cities, and do whatever else you want to do. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in ARS.

Argentina Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

While Argentina’s hyperinflation works in most travelers’ favor, it makes certain things in this country more expensive. Tours, food, and alcohol add up quite a bit. There’s a lot of price instability in the country. Here are a few hacks to cut down your costs and not let inflation ruin your fun:

  • Use discount cards – Student and teacher discounts can get you incredible savings. You can also use the La Nacion Club and La Nacion Premium Club Cards, associated with La Nacion Newspaper, for discounts. Every week, the La Nacion Club Card website lists participating establishments that give discounts to cardmembers. This is good for travelers spending a long time in the country as you have to sign up for the newspaper.
  • Hitchhike – While not common in the north of the country, if you’re in Patagonia, you’ll see many locals and tourists alike hitchhiking, as long-distance buses in that part of the country can be very expensive and infrequent. It’s simply more convenient to hitchhike. This common way to get around is highly recommended.
  • Travel off-season – March-June and September-November are the low season when you can find cheaper accommodations and enjoy fewer crowds at attractions.
  • Find the cheap eats – Empanada, choripán (sausage on bread) stands, and local hole-in-the-wall burger and pizza shops are your best options for cheap eats. It’s not the healthiest food, but it’s economical and tasty!
  • Rent a bike – You can rent bicycles from hostels and rental shops for around 12,00 ARS per day in most major cities. This is especially useful when you’re in Mendoza’s wine country and you’re trying to get from winery to winery.
  • Bring a tent – As you start to travel south to Patagonia, accommodation costs get expensive. Hostels are often 20,000 ARS or more a night here (as opposed to as cheap as 10,000 ARS a night in Buenos Aires). Look for camping opportunities as often as possible. When you aren’t in the national parks (where you can obviously camp), many hostels let you pitch your tent for a small fee.
  • Stick to wine – 2,000 ARS bottles of wine in the supermarket is a phenomenal deal. Grab a bottle, drink it up. It’s really good too!
  • Pack a water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe to drink so bring a water bottle with a filter to save money and reduce your single-use plastic usage. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
  • Explore the outdoors – Hiking is free, and throughout the country, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy this and other outdoor activities since Argentina is blessed with many city parks and nature reserves where you can spend the day wandering around and relaxing. (And, of course, there are a plethora of national parks where you can do multi-day treks!).
  • Don’t fly domestically – Thanks to a tax on foreigners, airfare in Argentina for non-residents is quite expensive. Unless you are in a rush, don’t fly. Take the overnight buses. It’s slower but affordable (and often a lot more comfortable).
  • Dance for free – If you find yourself in Buenos Aires on a Sunday, you can find free tango events in San Telmo. (On Monday nights, there’s the famous La Bomba de Tiempo, a music and dance event that is well worth the minimal price for admission.)
  • Take a free walking tour – There are a number of free walking tours in major cities. They are the best way to get the lay of the land on a budget and connect with a local guide. Just remember to tip your guide at the end. Two companies to try out in the capital city are Buenos Aires Free Tour and Free Walks Buenos Aires.

Where to Stay in Argentina

Looking for budget-friendly accommodation? Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Argentina:

  • Milhouse Hostel (Buenos Aires)
  • Up Viamonte Hotel (Buenos Aires)
  • Sabatico Travelers Hostel (Buenos Aires)
  • Villaggio Hotel Boutique (Mendoza)
  • Gorilla Hostel (Mendoza)
  • Alto Andino Hotel (Ushuaia)
  • Cruz del Sur Hostel (Ushuaia)
  • Antarctica Hostel (Ushuaia)

How to Get Around Argentina

A vintage bus drives along a road against a dramatic mountainous backdrop in Argentina

Public transportation – Buenos Aires is the only city in Argentina with a subway system (the Subte). The subway runs from 5:30am-11:30pm on weekdays, 6am-midnight on Saturdays, and 8am-10:30pm on Sundays.

Public buses are the most common way to travel within the cities. In Buenos Aires, a one-way fare is around 1,000 ARS per trip. In Mendoza, fares start at 800 ARS.

In Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Mar del Plata you need a transit card to use the public transit, while smaller areas take cash. You can find these cards at kiosks all over the place.

Taxis – Taxis are very affordable in Argentina. Prices start around 500 ARS and go up by around 300 ARS per kilometer. That said, public transportation can usually get you anywhere you need to be so you can likely skip the taxis here.

Buses – Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long-distance bus network. It is common to have food served on board as well as Wi-Fi and alcohol on long-distance buses. For example, the ride from Buenos Aires to Mendoza takes about 14.5 hours and tickets begin at 10,000 ARS. A 10-hour trip from Bariloche to El Calafate (in Patagonia) starts from 20,000 ARS, while the bus from Buenos Aires to El Calafate is 50,000 ARS.

A “shorter” journey like Mendoza to Salta in 7 hours costs about 35,000 ARS. You can take the overnight bus and then save on accommodation since you’ll be sleeping on the bus.

Flying – Flying around South America isn’t very cheap, and Argentina is no exception as fares are taxed highly for foreigners (it subsidizes cheap fares for residents). However, it might be worth it for you if you’re short on time as those 14-hour bus rides are not an efficient way to travel. Argentina’s two most popular airlines are Aerolíneas Argentinas (the domestic carrier) and LATAM.

You can fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate for 340,000 ARS return, or Buenos Aires to Bariloche for 190,000 ARS return. You’ll get better deals the further out that you book your tickets.

Train – Argentina’s rail system only goes to three places: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Rosario. The train from Buenos Aires to Cordoba costs about 28,400 ARS. There are also train journeys aimed specifically at travelers, like the epic Train to the Clouds that begins in Salta and passes through the Andres. It’s one of the highest railways in the world. There’s also La Trochita, the Old Patagonian Express between Esquel and El Maiten for 30,000 ARS.

Hitchhike – Argentina is easy and safe for hitchhikers. You can find rides throughout the country, and Argentines are naturally curious about foreigners. There’s a good chance you’ll end up crammed into a car with an entire family! Hitchwiki has information on hitchhiking in Argentina if you want to give it a try.

When to Go to Argentina

Argentina is enormous. The best time of year to visit entirely depends on what regions you plan on traveling around.

Argentina’s spring is from September to November. This is one of the best times to visit overall (although it’s still very cold in Patagonia). Average temperatures range from 14°C (57°F) in the center, 8-14°C (46-57°F) in Patagonia, and about 20°C (68°F) in the north.

Summer is from December to February. This is the best season for spending time in the Andean mountains. It’s also the best time to travel to Tierra del Fuego, although there still might be snow. The north is a lot warmer, and Buenos Aires can get hot and sticky. Temperatures can get as high as 26°C (79°F).

Autumn (March-April) is another great time to visit, especially in the San Juan and Mendoza regions for the wine harvests. Temperatures here are 6-14°C (42-58°F). Patagonia is stunning this time of year with its bright autumn colors as well.

Winter is from June to August when temperatures dip to 8–13°C (46–55°F). This is the ideal time to visit if you’re a skier hoping to hit up the ski resorts. It’s not a great time for visiting Patagonia, however; bad weather can leave you stranded, and a lot of places are closed from Easter to October.

How to Stay Safe in Argentina

Argentina is a safe place to backpack and travel. While violent crime here is rare, petty theft and pickpocketing is on the rise so you’ll need to be vigilant. Don’t flaunt expensive jewelry or belongings while you’re out and about and always keep your wallet secure and out of reach. Cell phone theft is incredibly common and thieves sometimes literally snatch the phone right from your hand in broad daylight so be on guard and never bring your phone out in public. If you need to use it, step inside a shop just to be safe.

If taking an overnight bus, lock your bag and make sure your valuables are secure. If you rent a car, always keep it locked and never store anything in it overnight as break-ins can occur.

Female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (don’t walk around at night intoxicated, never leave your drink unattended at the bar, etc.). Whenever possible, avoid walking around at night (especially if you’re alone). Even during the day, it’s best to walk around in groups when you can as you’ll be less of a target that way. If you’re carrying a purse, wear it across your chest so it can’t easily be snatched (a backpack is a better/safer choice, though).

When taking out money from an ATM, make sure to use a machine inside the bank so that you can safely access your money without prying eyes or people ready to rob you.

Scams here are rare, but they can occur. To avoid getting ripped off, read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Always check the weather before you go hiking and make sure you dress appropriately and bring enough water.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Argentina Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Argentina Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Argentina travel and continue planning your trip:

18 of the Best Spots in Patagonia

18 of the Best Spots in Patagonia

Patagonia: Thoughts on Getting Offline and Trying to Camp

Patagonia: Thoughts on Getting Offline and Trying to Camp

12 Ways to Save Money in Argentina

12 Ways to Save Money in Argentina

16 Amazing Photos from My Visit to Torres Del Paine

16 Amazing Photos from My Visit to Torres Del Paine

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Argentina Travel Tips: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

British clocktower in Argentina in Buenos Aires

Argentina’s everchanging landscape and colourful lifestyles stole my heart. It’s a huge country offering endless experiences ranging from penguin spotting to tango dancing. Yet, there are plenty of things to catch first-time visitors off-guard. With this in mind, we created this Argentina travel guide and filled it with Argentina travel tips to keep the surprises to a minimum and the good days to a maximum.

Honestly, I found Argentina as enchanting as our daughter made it sound during her year-long stay as an exchange student. It’s an easy country to visit if you remember a few of the Argentina travel tips below.

Where is Argentina?

Argentina is located in southern South America, separated from Chile by the Andes mountains. To the north, it borders Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay . Covering 2.78 million square kilometres, Argentina is the world’s 8th largest country, accounting for nearly 16% of South America’s landmass.

The flag of Argentina in Buenos Aires with the British-style clock tower in the background as part of our Argentina travel guide

Argentina travel guide: quick reference

  • Emergency numbers: Police and general emergencies : 101 & 911 or *31416 on mobile Fire : 100 Ambulance and medical : 107
  • Official Language : Spanish, but be warned, it is spoken with an Argentinean accent that has the double l “ll” and “y” pronounced as a “sh”. Also, the “vosotros” verb form is not used.
  • Currency : Argentine peso (ARS)
  • Credit cards : Carrying cash is a good idea in Argentina. Although Mastercard and Visa are accepted at hotels, many smaller places require a minimum spend to use a credit card or don’t accept them at all.
  • ATM Machines : Only found in the larger cities, they do not always work, and charge high fees.
  • Electricity : 230V 50Hz Type I connectors (same as used in Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay).
  • Telephone country code : +54
  • Water : Tap water is considered safe to drink in most parts of the country, but ask in smaller towns.
  • Capital city : Buenos Aires.
  • Population : just over 44 million people.

Views of Petito Moreno Lake while hiking on Sendero Arrayanes trail in Bariloche. Walking here is one of our many Argentina travel tips

Travel tips for Argentina: Best time to visit

Located in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has four seasons, with hot and humid summers and cold winters in most of the country, although it is always warmer in the north than in Patagonia. The table below generalizes the country’s weather and is useful for people planning on visiting multiple regions during their visit.

Casa Rosada, the presidential palace of Argentina in Plaza Mayo in Buenos Aires Argentina

Argentina Seasons

December to February – Summer

  • Hot and humid with abrupt rain and lightning storms
  • (Patagonia is cool and dry).
  • Peak Season.
  • More crowded.
  • Requires booking ahead, with plenty of planning for Patagonia.

March to May – Autumn

  • Autumn is mild.
  • Swing season.
  • Fewer tourists.
  • Lower prices.
  • Less planning is required.

June to August – Winter

  • Moderate days and cool to cold nights for most of the country.
  • Rainstorms are lighter than summer but longer lasting.
  • Good time to visit the North.
  • Snow in elevation.
  • (Extreme cold in Patagonia, and many places closed).

September to November – Spring

  • Springtime is mild.

Argentina holidays that affect travel

While there are plenty of national holidays in Argentina, most won’t significantly affect travel. The two times of the year when Argentineans are travelling are in December and July.

  • Christmas and New Years fall in the height of summer; therefore, the peak travel times. Public transportation can be limited. Travel destinations are crowded, and advanced booking is required.
  • School holidays in July also increase travel and require additional planning.

Native wood carvings of two people in front of the Nahuel Huapi Iglesia Cathedral in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Argentina travel tips: know before you visit

Entry and argentina visa.

Argentina offers visa-free tourist entry to passport holders of over 80 countries. Check the official government site to see if you need a visa.

Argentina Safety (Is Argentina Safe?)

Argentina may rank as one of the safer countries in South America, but don’t let your guard down, especially in some areas of Buenos Aires where petty theft, pickpocketing, and robbery are far too common. Remember to carry your belongings hidden, especially expensive items like your phone and camera. Also, carry your bag tucked under your arm rather than on your back.

Walking around alone at night OR during siesta hours when the streets are empty is not recommended. And, if you come upon a demonstration (common in Buenos Aires), turn and walk away, as they often turn violent rather abruptly. We highlighted the best practices for safety while travelling in South America here .

Obelisk in Buenos Aires Argentina

Medical care and emergencies

Also, as I found out first-hand when I got dengue fever , if you get really sick and require a hospital while in Argentina, there is no charge at public hospitals. Had we known there were private hospitals in Argentina, we might have done things differently.

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* World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

I am on a gurney in the hallway of Hospital San Bernardo in Salta Argentina

What to bring to Argentina

We always travel light, yet we have everything we need. For Argentina, we dressed sporty in the daytime and either similar or smart casual for evenings. We had a good pair of walking shoes.

Layers are our secret. Our basic kit needed nothing extra for Argentina unless you are including Patagonia, where you might want an extra warm layer. You can get a free copy of our packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.

Cash and credit cards

Although there are plenty of ATMs in the big cities, they often charge high fees and have limits, allowing only $200-300 USD equivalent. If you know where to look, there is an unofficial exchange market that can help you turn your cash into pesos .

Top places to visit in Argentina

Best places to visit in argentina.

We visited several key regions of Argentina, but do need to go back to visit Southern Patagonia and the wine regions of Mendoza.

Buenos Aires TG5 1050126

Buenos Aires

The cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is one of my favourite cities in the world. Exciting, colourful and elegant, Buenos Aires has it all. The mix of modern and colonial architecture is just the beginning; it is the food and tango that really enchanted me. Everything here intrigues me, and there is plenty to do.

cordoba argentina P1110013 2

Córdoba

One of Argentina's oldest cities, Córdoba is has a modern beat. The city boasts six universities, including the oldest university in Argentina.

Argentina's second-largest city by population, Córdoba is situated at the foothills of the Sierras Chicas. It has a youthful atmosphere and is a generally fun place to spend some time. The eclectic architecture mixes modern and Jesuit historic sites.

Iguazu Brazil TG5 080039

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls are one of the most impressive natural wonders I have seen. Situated at the border corner between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, they are hundreds of waterfalls tumbling along a 2.7-kilometre stretch of the Iguazu River. It has created the world’s largest waterfall system. I found myself spellbound. Visiting Iguazu Falls is worth the effort it takes to get there.

Rosario 1130161

Rosario is home to the first Argentinian flag, a claim to fame that put it on the map and one which draws thousands of visitors. It’s Argentina’s third-largest city after Buenos Aires and Córdoba. It's also the birthplace of Che Guevara and Lionel Messi.

View from Cerro Campanario untitled 1160307

San Carlos de Bariloche

Nature at its best, San Carlos de Bariloche is a Swiss-influenced, quaint mountain town in Argentina’s Lakes District, famous for many things including chocolate. This northern Patagonia city sits along the shores of glacial Lake Nahuel Huapi. We visited in summer and enjoyed hiking. It is even more popular as a winter skiing destination.

Quebrada de las Conchas Argentina PC110463

Salta to Cafayate

Just over the Andes from the driest desert in the world, Salta is nature's canvas painted in rich pastels. The drive from Salta to Cafayate is filled with unusual natural formations. And once at the other end, we stayed at a winery that grows the grapes for the famous and smooth Malbec wine.

Argentina travel tips – a few random things that might surprise you

  • The pedestrian traffic light for “go” is white (not green).
  • People kiss twice, once on each cheek (although it is an air kiss without actually touching).
  • Mobile phones are very expensive, but pre-plans are quite affordable. Bring your phone and change the SIM card, don’t plan to buy a phone in Argentina.
  • Public bathrooms are uncommon, often have a fee, and don’t smell very nice as used toilet paper goes into the rubbish bin alongside the toilet.
  • The mosquitos are so big you can feel them land on you, an advantage as you know they are there before they bite, but really who wants to see giant mosquitoes?
  • Before you hop on public transportation in most cities, pick up a SUBE card and save up to half the costs. You can get one at a convenience shop (Kiosco).
  • Street dogs are so common it feels like they are everywhere. They generally won’t bother you, but always take caution should you come across a pack of dogs.

Knowing that there are stray dogs like these three is one of the many Argentina travel tips

Meals, siesta, and other travel tips for Argentina about the local food and drinks

The daily schedule for locals varies quite a bit from that of a tourist, although commercial hours require some adjustment. In contrast, when my daughter lived here , she fully adapted to breakfast, followed by morning activity (in her case, school), and then a big family lunch.

Lunch is the largest meal of the day, generally served at home, followed by family time, then a siesta (which could be described as nap time). As a result of everyone being asleep, many businesses and most retail establishments are closed in the heat of the day, often for as long as 1 pm to 5 pm. Then, shopping returns. Dinner is a late-night affair, often starting at 9 or 10 pm. Some restaurants don’t open until 8 pm.

Regardless of what time you eat, the traditional foods, as well as some of the specialties, will have you wishing you could eat all day without consequences. Our top food picks are asado, empanada, dulce de leche, and milanesa. And for beverages, don’t miss Fernet con coca or a glass of Malbec wine. We enjoyed the traditional food so much we had to write an entire page on it.

An asado, or Argentinian barbecue, in Santa Fe Agentina. Copyright Sarah E. Albom 2016

A few final Argentina travel tips on dining:

  • A 10% tip in restaurants is considered customary.
  • Some restaurants charge a service fee just for being there.
  • The legal age to purchase and consume alcohol in Argentina is 18; Identification is infrequently checked, and as a result, many teenagers find it easy to procure alcohol.

Maté – a shared experience

And then there is maté, a beverage that is more of a cultural phenomenon. It’s hot water poured over yerba leaves, drunk through a metal straw, and shared with friends and sometimes strangers. We were told social customs dictate always accepting maté if it is offered from a stranger, never asking for it, and smiling rather than making the face that lets people know you think it is shockingly bitter.

Friends sitting on the sidewalk and drinking maté at Paseo del Buen Pastor in Cordoba Argentina

How to travel in Argentina

Argentina is a big country; there is no getting around that fact. The distance between the regions is often huge, and travel times are long. Put in perspective, it takes 51 hours to drive from Ushuaia at the bottom of the country to La Quiaca in the north at the Bolivian border. Similarly, the drive from Buenos Aires on the east coast, due west to the Chilean border, requires 16.5 hours.

The primary ways of getting around Argentina are by air, bus, or self-drive. We did all of them at different times.

Flying within Argentina

Flying is generally the fastest and most expensive way to get between major cities or regions in Argentina. The time saved is the obvious advantage of flying. As most itineraries require a plane change in Buenos Aires, the time saved isn’t always as much as you would expect.

The two major airlines are Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM, and there are several other smaller airlines. The best way to compare flight prices is with a flight search engine like Expedia flights .

Pro Tip : If you are starting in Australia or New Zealand, check out the air passes offered by LATAM. There are rules. We had to fly in and out of South America on LATAM, but in the end, they saved us a lot of money.

3D artwork on already colourful buildings at the Centro Cultural de los Artistas, a Cominito in La Boca, Buenos Aires, on this Argentina travel guide

Self-driving in Argentina

While we flew the long distance, we chose to drive in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Salta, and Santa Fe provinces of Argentina. We rented cars locally through Rentalcars.com , and while we had no problems, we were glad to know they have English-speaking customer service had we needed it.

In Argentina, cars drive on the right side of the road. The main highways are fine, as are some of the smaller roads, though many are in a relatively worn condition with potholes. The only problem we had, and it happened to us twice, was trusting Google Maps to provide directions, as both times it sent us down an old, unpaved road rather than the nearby modern highway.

If you are going to drive, know these Argentina travel tips:

  • The speed limits on open roads are up to 120 kph (74 mph), and many have tolls. In contrast, they often drop to 60 kph (37 mph) in urban areas and 40 kph (25 mph) in residential areas.
  • Importantly, wearing safety belts is compulsory for everyone in the car.
  • Headlights must be on when you drive, even during the day.
  • It is illegal to use your mobile phone while driving unless it is hands-free.
  • Compare prices at RentalCars.com .

A good Argentina travel tip is to know that the traffic is very heavy in Buenos Aires.

Argentina bus travel

Bus travel in Argentina is quite possibly the most popular way to cover long distances. Overnight and affordable first-class options make it a viable alternative for many. While we never opted for a long-distance bus, we did take several buses intermixed with boats when we crossed the Andes to Chile .

However, our daughter took the long-distance bus several times, her longest travel over 24 hours from Buenos Aires to Iguazu. She reports them to be clean, fully reclining for sleep, supplying meals, and providing bathrooms equivalent to an aeroplane.

Find your perfect bus (or ferry) to get around Argentina here .

A quite suburban street in Santa Fe on our Argentina travel guide

VAT tax: an Argentina travel tip that will save you money

A 21% value-added tax (VAT) is paid on goods and services in Argentina. It is generally already included in the price you see. Importantly, at hotels, international visitors get an automatic reimbursement of the VAT if they pay with a foreign credit card or via bank transfer from a foreign bank. We also encountered a few hotels that offered the reimbursement if payment was made in US dollars.

Also, if you shop at stores displaying the Global Blue star, fill out the form here to get your VAT refunded. (We never did this, so we are not sure it works).

Save these Argentina travel tips for later

If you enjoyed travel tips for Argentina travel guide, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

A map overview of Argentina (displaying significant cities) showing its position relative to countries in South America

Which of these travel tips for Argentina did you find most valuable?

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Disclaimer: We worked with local tourism boards throughout Argentina. We are frequently provided with complimentary entrances, tours, or sample items to aid in the writing of Albom Adventures. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly our own.

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

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Reader Interactions

February 3, 2020 at 6:00 am

What a comprehensive and helpful guide! I love how you included details about the different pronunciations of Spanish in the area.

I’ll refer back to this when I’m leaving my trip to Argentina.

January 31, 2020 at 11:47 am

Fantastic information! I really want to visit at least Buenos Aires one day. Thanks for the table, I think visiting in Autumn would be good for less crowds and cheaper accommodation.

Erin Gustafson

January 31, 2020 at 3:00 am

Holy wow – what a resource! I love the way you break it all down into digestible sections. I would love to see Argentina one day.

California Globetrotter

January 31, 2020 at 2:49 am

I love Argentina and want to go back! I was an ungrateful 17 year old traveling with family and didn’t quite appreciate it as much as I would now. The best things we did was go to a Tango show, and a personal boat tour of Iguazu Falls! Great guide!

January 30, 2020 at 6:42 am

Very detailed and helpful post for visiting Argentina. I currently don’t have plans to visit, but if I do, I will be back. Thanks for sharing all of this information!

Jen Ambrose

January 29, 2020 at 8:09 pm

Super useful tips! I’ve never been anywhere in South America, but Argentina is high on my bucket list!

January 29, 2020 at 1:42 am

Wow, Rhonda – you’re certainly accruing frequent flyer points!

January 28, 2020 at 11:56 am

Perfect travel post on Argentina. You included so much great information.

January 28, 2020 at 4:15 am

I am shocked to hear that Argentina is considered safe. I have many friends from Buenos Aires and they all have said that they have either been hijacked while driving or attacked with guns. And I am not talking 10 years ago but months away. In any case, I think that Argentina is worth a visit even if it is only for their parrilladas y asados!

Rhonda Albom

January 28, 2020 at 10:26 am

Hi Jenn, I think you misinterpreted “may rank as one of the safer countries in South America” as being safe. The rest of the paragraph and secondary article clearly spell out the dangers, especially in Buenos Aires. That is why I offered so many safety suggestions. I completely agree with you, there is an element of trouble, especially in Buenos Aires, but worth the risk.

January 27, 2020 at 12:45 pm

wow what a super useful and helpful article! Argentina sounds amazing, I hope I get to visit some day!

January 27, 2020 at 12:41 pm

I dream of visiting Argentina, and I think that this guide is a really great resource for people like me- who haven’t had the chance to visit yet. This really gives you a good sense for what to prepare for and look forward to.

January 27, 2020 at 10:29 am

Argentina seems such a beautiful country. I hope to visit someday. Thanks for detailed information, useful tips and great photos.

Jessica Pascoe

January 26, 2020 at 10:31 pm

Where was this post 8 years ago when I visited Argentina 🙂 so helpful thanks for sharing

January 26, 2020 at 8:27 pm

Great overview! I’ve always wanted to visit Argentina, so saving this for later. My great grandfather came to the US from Italy via Buenos Aires and I’ve heard there’s a train station there named after his family.

January 26, 2020 at 3:12 pm

Argentina is high on my list to visit. This was such a comprehensive article! Thank you for sharing. I love the photos and the link to all the other cities and places to visit.

Suzanne Jones

January 26, 2020 at 11:21 am

This is such a comprehensive post – hope I get to put it to good use some time!

January 26, 2020 at 7:52 pm

Super informative! A lot of very useful and honest information shared in this post. (A bit grossed out by the used toilet paper thing). Great read!

January 26, 2020 at 8:24 am

What a lovely introduction to Argentina. I can tell you loved it. So useful to have a comprehensive summary like this.

Maria Elsa Jose

January 26, 2020 at 8:06 am

This is a real helpful, great travel tips article! Well-explained and lots of information.. and stunning photos! Keep the inspiration going!

January 25, 2020 at 9:31 am

What a beautiful place. You sure do wonderful posts on travel and everything we would need to know you have it in the post.

Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. Big hug. ♥

January 25, 2020 at 3:40 am

Hi Rhonda – can’t see me getting down there … but a really professional set of information you’ve given any potential visitor going to Argentina … and I love the photos – cheers Hilary

Juergen Klein

January 24, 2020 at 7:32 pm

A good article. One thing you forgot to mention (or I skipped over it) is the fact that Argentina has a very regulated currency market. This is again getting worse since President Mauricio Macri lost his office. ATMs are very restricted in their withdrawal amounts and charge a high transaction fee. It’s quite normal that you cannot withdraw US$200-300 in Pesos in one day. The black exchange market is also finding a revival. It called Blue Dollar in Argentina and current rates can be found on the internet. To take advantage of this you have to bring cash in high US Dollar or Euro denominations. Another way to get more cash: open a Western Union account before travelling, wire yourself funds, and withdraw for cash Pesos at any WU outlet. Bonus: you get even slightly more than the Blue Dollar rate. Other than money issues and the sometimes insanely long siesta closing times, Argentina is an interesting and varied country to travel in.

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Rebecca and the World

Places to Visit in Argentina: 15 Can’t-Miss Destinations in 2024

Photo of author

Wondering where to go in Argentina? Here, I’m sharing my absolute favourite places to visit in Argentina, researched over two years of living there.

Argentina is a country of stunning diversity. Think cosmopolitan cities, snow-capped mountains, rushing waterfalls, moon-like landscapes, delicious wines and crystal-clear lakes.

While you’re inevitably going to end up in Buenos Aires – spoiler alert, it’s number one on this list of Argentina destinations to visit – you also have to get out of Buenos Aires and head to some of the other incredible places across the immense landscape of the world’s 8th largest country.

So, from cities to natural wonders, from Patagonia to the desert, here are 15 of my favourite places to visit in Argentina. This list has been curated after living in the country for two years and travelling extensively from top to bottom. I encourage you to have a look through and think about which places you’ll be adding to your Argentina itinerary .

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Map of the best places to visit in Argentina

What's in this article (Click to view)

1. Buenos Aires

An aerial view of Buenos Aires from Palacio Barolo, showing dense, varied architecture, a large green park in the centre, and a striking red-domed building in the foreground. The background shows a cloudy sky over the urban expanse.

The seductive capital of the country and the most European of all the cities in South America, it’s easy to fall under Buenos Aires’ spell. Start your Argentina trip here to explore stunning architecture, eat juicy steak, drink full-bodied wines and watch an intimate tango show.

For a day-by-day  Bueno Aires itinerary , follow my checklist for  3 days in Buenos Aires .

The  architecture  in Buenos Aires is dazzling, and just walking along the streets will make you gasp in delight. Head inside historic buildings like  Palacio Barolo ,  Teatro Colón  and  El Ateneo Grand Splendid . Consider booking a guided tour  so you can squeeze in all the key sites.

Buenos Aires’ love of art and culture is on display in many of its museums, including the  Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes  and the  Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires .

Step back in time in the antique shops that line  San Telmo’s cobblestoned streets. Every Sunday the entire neighbourhood comes alive with a huge street market. Plan your visit so that you have a Sunday in Buenos Aires just so you can experience this market.

If you want a custom leather jacket made, stop in at one of the many tailors in Buenos Aires (check out my guide here to the  best shopping in Buenos Aires ). Do this at the start of your trip, as a leather jacket can usually be turned around in a rapid 48 hours.

No Argentina visit is complete without food, and the city is full of  restaurants for all budgets  as well as many secret bars. To learn about the culture of Argentina, sign up for a food experience with  The Argentine Experience . Or, take a  food tour  that explores the city’s famous parrillas .

End the night with a  tango show . I recommend Bar Sur for its intimate setting. The lavish Faena Hotel has a  raunchy Rojo Tango performance  – and the hotel itself is worth checking out for its eccentric design.

  • Where to stay in Buenos Aires

The city has plenty of places to stay, including:

  • BE Jardin Escondido by Coppola   was once Francis Ford Coppola’s house and is now a cosy boutique hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood. | Check rates and book online with  Booking.com or Expedia
  • The rooms at  Hotel Club Frances , in the heart of Recoleta, are spacious and some have a sauna and spa bath. |  Check out the latest rates at  Booking.com and Expedia

Here’s more Buenos Aires inspiration:

  • Buenos Aires bucket list: 101+ things to do
  • Where to eat in Buenos Aires

A neat vineyard with rows of grapevines leading to a large building with a red roof, set against a backdrop of towering mountains with snow-capped peaks and a clear blue sky. Mendoza is one of the best places to visit in Argentina for wine lovers and people who want to try adventure activities in Argentina.

If you like wine, then one of the best places to visit in Argentina is Mendoza. Home to Argentina’s famous Malbec varietal, in a few days you can easily visit several wineries, many of them set against the beautiful backdrop of the Andes.

There are three different wine regions: Maipú , Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley . Maipú is the closest to Mendoza city and therefore easier to visit, but it’s well worth going out further to taste wine in the stunning Uco Valley.

To explore the wineries, you can rent a bike, hire a private driver ( this tour with driver includes a 3-course lunch! ) or your own car (drink responsibly!) or grab a ticket for the hop-on, hop-off Bus Vitivinicola . We had fun doing a guided winery tour by bike .

When wine gets too much (but does it ever?), Mendoza is also one of the top Argentina destinations for adventure, and there’s rafting, climbing, horseback riding and other outdoor adventures. Or you can explore the city’s museums, churches and plazas. Outside of the city, there’s the famous Puente del Inca (Incan bridge) and hot springs .

Foodies will delight in the many options available, including two restaurants owned by Francis Mallmann, South America’s most well-known chef.

Where to stay in Mendoza

Bohemia Hotel Boutique   is located in the quiet residential streets of Mendoza, yet still close to the main areas. | Book your stay on  Booking.com or Expedia

3. Bariloche

A shoreline near Bariloche with clear blue water, with people sitting and exploring, some wearing orange life vests. The background features majestic mountains with snowy peaks, under a bright blue sky.

Located in northern Patagonia, Bariloche is popular year-round, with visitors flocking here for skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing.

If that all sounds a little too adventurous, Bariloche is also one of the best places in Argentina for chocolate, and it’s easy to spend hours tasting the various chocolates and ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the imaginative window displays. Rapa Nui , Argentina’s most popular chocolate brand, is a must, and I dare you not to bring home boxes of chocolate.

Base yourself here and rent a car to drive the Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Road of the Seven Lakes). The 110 kilometre route is a spectacular journey that winds through – you guessed it – seven lakes. Renting a car in Argentina is straightforward and a great way to see the country.

Just two hours by bus from Bariloche is El Bolsón , a hippy town where you can taste local craft beers and sample vegetarian and vegan food.

Where to stay in Bariloche

Design Suites Bariloche  has spacious rooms with views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. | Book a room online today with  Booking.com  or Expedia

4. San Martín de los Andes

A pebbly lakeside beach near San Martin de los Andes, with people sunbathing and walking. The water is a deep blue and the opposite shore is lined with dense, green forests. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a warm, sunny day. Chill out on Lago Lacar, a beach nearby San Martin de los Andes - one of the prettiest places to visit in Argentina.

You could be forgiven for thinking you’d somehow stumbled into a quaint Swiss ski village when you turn up in San Martín de los Andes. It’s one of the most unexpected places to visit in Argentina!

Wander around town, take a boat trip on Lago Lácar, go bike riding or head to Playa Catritre and spend the afternoon at the beach alongside Lago Lácar.

Where to stay in San Martín de los Andes

We had a comfy stay at Hosteria La Posta Del Cazador . It’s in a great location, just a hop, skip and jump from Lago Lácar. This Alpine-style hotel is family-owned and operated, and has a snack bar available all day. |  Check rates and availability at  Booking.com online now

5. Ruta de los Siete Lagos

A rustic two-story stone house with a wooden balcony, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant purple and yellow wildflowers. A tranquil lake and forested hills are visible in the background under a cloudy sky. This is some of the stunning scenery along the Ruta de los Siete Lagos - one of the best road trips in Argentina.

One of the best road trips in Argentina is the Ruta de los Siete Lagos. Stretching a stunning 110 kilometres between Villa La Angostura (near Bariloche) and San Martín de los Andes, this scenic route winds through a series of lakes, each a shade of teal or turquoise that have to be seen to be believed.

Spend a day driving the route, take a guided tour or get a bit more adventurous like we did and bike the Ruta de los Siete Lagos in a couple of days!

Where to stay on the Ruta de los Siete Lagos

You can start the route in Villa La Angostura/Bariloche and end in San Martín de los Andes or vice versa. See suggested accommodation in those sections above.

A woman (the author of the article) at a dining table preparing to eat a large, bright orange crab. Various dishes, glasses, and a smartphone are scattered on the table, capturing a lively mealtime atmosphere. Try Ushuaia's famous king crab!

Head on down to the end of the world – literally. Ushuaia is the southernmost populated city in the world and is the jumping off point for boats headed to Antarctica. Surrounded by natural beauty, it’s a great city for adventure with plenty of Argentina tourist attractions given the tourism appeal of this small city.

There are so many things to do in Ushuaia . Boats crisscross the Beagle Channel , where you’ll see birds and seals sun-baking on guano -covered islands of rocks. On land, you can go 4×4 adventuring into the forests and around the lakes, and visit penguin colonies. It’s a great place to visit in Argentina to get active and outdoors.

Don’t forget to try the enormous king crabs!

Where to stay in Ushuaia

The 5-star  Los Cauquenes Resort and Spa  will be hard to leave. With only 55 rooms it doesn’t have the feel of other large resorts. The resort has a Jacuzzi, indoor pool, sauna and Turkish steam bath. | Check the latest rates and book a room at  Booking.com  or  Expedia

7. Perito Moreno Glacier

A panoramic view of Perito Moreno Glacier flowing into a lake. The glacier's surface is a vivid blue-white, and it is surrounded by dark green foliage and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. One of the best things to do in Argentina is go ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier.

One of the reasons to visit Argentina is to experience nature at its best.

And one of the most impressive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Argentina is the chance to walk on a glacier . Strap on some crampons and make your way across the thousands-of-years-old Perito Moreno Glacier . What’s unique about this glacier is that it is advancing up to 2 metres a day.

Trekking on the glacier is one of the coolest things to do in Argentina . It can only be done on an organised tour ( book online here ), but you can visit the national park on your own and wander through the well-maintained walkways with their impressive views of the glacier. There are also great boat tours that take you up close to the glacier.

At the glacier, you’ll witness the roaring crack of the ice “calving” (breaking off) and the subsequent boom as chunks of ice the size of small cars hit the icy waters below.  

Back in El Calafate, the town closest to the glacier, the city has a glaciarium that shows how glaciers are formed and an ice bar serving drinks in ice glasses to coat-swaddled guests. At certain times of the year, you can spot flamingos on Lake Argentina.

Where to stay in El Calafate

We loved staying at  Hostería La Estepa with its stunning sweeping views over Lago Argentina. |  Check rates for this and other hotels in El Calafate on  Booking.com

8. El Chaltén

A rugged landscape in El Chalten, Argentina, featuring a mix of sharp and rounded mountain peaks, some with snowy crests. A creek winds through a valley with lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky. El Chalten is one of the best places to visit in Argentina for hiking.

El Chaltén, in Argentine Patagonia, is the base for hiking to the Fitz Roy and Torre mountains. There are a number of different hikes in the area, ranging from easy to strenuous to those that require technical skills to attempt.

Your hotel can provide a map of the various hiking routes in El Chaltén , but always check in with the park rangers for the latest conditions. The best (and busiest) time to visit is December to February; from May to September most places shutter up as icy winds and snow descend.

The small town may not have great wifi or telephone service, but what it lacks in technology it makes up for with a great food and craft beer scene. Both of which you’ll need after a long day of hiking!

Where to stay in El Chaltén

The spacious, padded dome tents at  Patagonia Eco Domes  have amazing views of the surrounding mountains. There’s no mobile phone coverage or internet, and each dome is powered by solar energy. | Book online at  Booking.com  or  Expedia

A grand, ornately decorated church in Salta illuminated at night, with its facade bathed in warm orange light against the dark sky. Its architectural details are highlighted, and a few people can be seen near the entrance. Salta is one of the many gorgeous cities in Argentina.

Known as Salta La Linda (the pretty one), Salta is a great city to visit in Argentina both for its own beauty and as a base for exploring Argentina’s vast northern region .

The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña offers a fascinating insight into Incan culture. The highlight of the museum are the mummified bodies of three children who were sacrificed on a nearby mountaintop. Their features are eerily frozen in time. The three bodies are rotated every few months to ensure they are carefully preserved.

You can take a guided walking tour or wander the city by yourself, admiring its well-preserved colonial architecture and churches. Don’t forget to sample the region’s famous empanadas salteñas : pastries filled with vegetables and meat. Ask for them fried (rather than baked).

Where to stay in Salta

Design Suites Salta  (where we’ve stayed when we visit Salta) is a modern hotel with spacious bedrooms. It’s located within walking distance of the main area of the city. |  Book your stay today on  Booking.com  or  Expedia

10. Purmamarca

A woman (the author of this article) stands with her back to the camera, overlooking a dramatic landscape of multicolored mountain slopes in shades of red, purple, and gray. A small village with terracotta rooftops is nestled at the mountain's base beneath a clear blue sky. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Argentina is Purmamarca, where you can see the Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of 7 colours).

Way north, 160 kilometres from Salta, lies the stunning Cerro de Siete Colores , a layering of pinks and purples and oranges like you’ve never seen. It’s one of the most stunning Argentina sights. You can base yourself in this tiny town with a population of a few hundred people and explore the surrounding region.

It’s a popular town to pick up local crafts including colourful blankets and hand-sewn llama dolls.

Nearby day trips include visits to the equally tiny towns of Tilcara and Humahuaca or to the Salinas Grandes , the second largest salt pan in the world.

Where to stay in Purmamarca

At the foothills of the Cerro de los Siete Colores,  El Manantial del Silencio  is designed like an old  estancia . Rooms are decked out with wrought-iron beds and terracotta tiled-floors. It’s such a beautiful place to stay. |  Check the latest rates on  Booking.com or Expedia

11. Cafayate

A close-up of a vineyard sign labeled "torrontes" attached to a tree trunk, indicating the variety of grapes grown there. Torrontes is a great white wine varietal that you can try in Cafayate, one of Argentina's best wine regions.

While Mendoza may be most well-known for Argentina wine production, Cafayate offers a different wine experience. Here, you can try the region’s Torrontés variety, a dry white wine that is one of my favourites. It’s easy to spend a few days in Cafayate , driving or biking to the dozens of wineries around the area.

Wine tasting is inexpensive and at most places it’s not necessary to book in advance. San Pedro de Yacochuya , Piattelli and El Porvenir are wineries all close to the town centre.

Wine is in everything here. Try a scoop of Malbec or Torrontés-flavoured ice cream from one of the stores surrounding the town’s main plaza.

Where to stay in Cafayate

Just a few minutes outside the wine town of Cafayate, the rooms at  Grace Cafayate have huge bathtubs and great views over the vineyards. |  Check rates at Booking.com

A sunlit, tree-lined street with white buildings and a clear blue sky. Mountains are visible in the distance, and people are scattered along the sidewalk. We loved the beautiful small town of Cachi in Argentina's north.

Cachi is a charming village in the country’s north. It’s one of the best places in Argentina to visit to chill out, relax and wander the streets, but if you’re after something more adventurous, local companies offer hiking and biking trips; ask around.

Head out to Miraluna (7 kilometres from Cachi in the small village of La Aguada) for a tour of the bodega. It’s one of the highest wineries in the world. Take a bottle (or two) of their great Malbec back to your hotel to enjoy with a picada plate (Argentina’s version of charcuterie).

We spent a few days here on our North Argentina road trip, but I could have easily relaxed here for a week.

Where to stay in Cachi

La Merced del Alto  is a white-washed adobe building with ceramic-tiled floors. The service is detailed and attentive. | Book your stay online with Expedia

13. Iguazú Falls

A view of Iguazu Falls with water cascading down multiple drops, dense green foliage, tall palm trees, and a rainbow arching across the mist. Iguazu Falls is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places in Argentina - the waterfalls are the largest waterfall system in the world.

Imagine three kilometres of waterfalls, some up to 80 metres high, some you can get right underneath, another one a wild, gushing spiral that’s so powerful you can’t see the bottom. That’s Iguazú Falls – the largest waterfall system in the world and one of the most beautiful places to see in Argentina.

Straddling the Argentina and Brazil borders, it’s possible to visit the waterfalls on both sides.

On the Argentina side, there’s a series of well-maintained catwalks that get you up close to the thunderous waterfalls. You can do it yourself or book a guided tour that includes a boat ride that zips right under the waterfalls – it’s wild fun and you will get drenched!

The biggest and most spectacular sight of the falls is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Standing over this gaping hole, listening to the roar of the water, you will appreciate the power of Mother Nature. You can take the train to Garganta del Diablo or walk 2.5 kilometres along a flat dirt road.

Where to stay in Puerto Iguazú

If you want to be located only a stone’s throw from the falls, then choose  Gran Melia Iguazú . This is where my husband and I stayed when we visited Iguazú Falls. |  Book a stay online at Booking.com  or  Expedia

14. Córdoba

A bronze statue of a smiling Che Guevara sitting on a bench, which is part of the "Museo Casa del Che" in Alta Gracia, Córdoba, Argentina, as indicated by a sign above. In Cordoba in Argentina you can visit Che Guevara's childhood home, which is now a museum.

Córdoba is just a short flight from Buenos Aires, and is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture.

Explore the beautiful cabildo and cathedral in the city centre, or have a picnic in Sarmiento Park and watch local families spending time together on the weekend. One of the best things to do in Argentina is to spend an afternoon in a park people watching! Argentines love spending time with friends and family.

In the nearby village of Alta Gracia is the Che Guevara Museum , housed in his childhood home.

If you visit Córdoba around Oktoberfest , join in the celebrations in nearby Villa General Belgrano . It’s a really fun day out with plenty of beer (we still have our huge wooden stein) and entertainment.

Where to stay in Córdoba

The very hip Azur Real Hotel Boutique has a rooftop splash pool and deck and some seriously stylish interiors. It’s located right in the heart of the city. | Check prices and book a room on Booking.com or Expedia

15. San Antonio de Areco

A street corner in San Antonio de Areco with an old-fashioned building featuring a sign that reads

One of the best day trips from Buenos Aires is a visit to the sleepy town of San Antonio de Areco .

Escape the city to gaucho territory, and you can learn more about these Argentine cowboys, go horse riding or shop for handcrafted leather goods. Chow down on an asado and then digest by wandering around the peaceful village square. This tour is a good day trip option .

Where to stay in San Antonio de Areco

Stay at one of the area’s beautiful  estancias  and experience the charms of rural life in Argentina. Estancia El Ombu  is a historic estancia  in Argentina. The huge property has plenty of outdoor activities, including horse riding, a swimming pool and asados (barbecues). | Check out the latest rates at Estancia El Ombu online

Final thoughts: Places of interest in Argentina

Argentina’s diversity is well-known, which is why this country is so exciting to visit. With so many different landscapes, cities and natural wonders, it’s a country that appeals to everyone. While Buenos Aires is a must-visit, get outside the city to explore more of Argentina’s incredible destinations. This guide has given you plenty of ideas for discovering why this country is so amazing!

Argentina destinations: FAQs

What are the most beautiful places to visit in argentina.

The beauty of Argentina is hard to contain in a few sentences! The most beautiful places in Argentina have to be Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls and the north of the country – places like Salta and Purmamarca. For architecture lovers, Buenos Aires and Córdoba are must-visits. No matter where you go in Argentina, you’ll find something beautiful.

What are 5 things Argentina is known for?

Argentina is known for its delicious food , world-renowned wine, passionate tango dances, fanatic football fans and its stunning natural wonders like the Andes Mountains and Iguazu Falls. Each region of Argentina offers something different, from Buenos Aires’ historic architecture to the colourful hills of northern Argentina and the icy glaciers in Patagonia.

When is the best time to visit Argentina?

Argentina can be a year-round destination, depending on what you want to the do. The best time to visit Argentina is the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) months for milder temperatures and fewer visitors.

Is Argentina expensive to visit?

Argentina can be both expensive and affordable, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for. Accommodation is quite affordable in smaller towns and cities, while food at local restaurants often costs around half of what you’d pay in other large Latin American countries. Budget travellers can expect to pay around $50-$75 per day, while those seeking something more luxurious should expect to pay around $150-$200.

  • Is Argentina safe to visit?

Yes, Argentina is a safe and enjoyable destination to visit . Like any large country, travellers should exercise the typical precautions, however, most tourist destinations are considered safe, and you can explore the country’s beautiful natural landscapes or vibrant cities without worry.

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

How many of these amazing places to visit in Argentina have you been or want to go to?

Related posts

Before you go… you might like these other Argentina travel blogs:

  • How to plan the perfect 2 weeks in Argentina
  • 50 best things to do in Argentina

ARGENTINA TRIP ESSENTIALS

  • Book your flight to Argentina online with Skyscanner . I like how this site allows you to find the cheapest days.
  • Find a great hotel in Argentina. Check prices on Booking.com   and Expedia online.
  • Check out the huge range of day tours throughout Argentina on GetYourGuide or Viator . There’s something for everyone.
  • Keep those bottles of wine you’ll be buying safe in these wine bags .
  • A copy of the  Lonely Planet guide to Argentina will be handy. Also pick up a Spanish language guidebook to help you navigate your visit.
  • One thing I always purchase is  travel insurance ! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

PIN IT FOR LATER:

If you’ve ever wondered what to do in Argentina, then save this guide to the best places to visit in Argentina to Pinterest so you can plan your trip later!

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About REBECCA

I'm a travel junkie who started dreaming about seeing the world from a very young age. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. A former expat, I've lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina and the United States. I share travel resources, tips and stories based on my personal experiences, and my goal is to make travel planning just that bit easier.

2 thoughts on “Places to Visit in Argentina: 15 Can’t-Miss Destinations in 2024”

Hi! Great post! Couldn’t agree more with the places you have chosen for this list! There are so many interesting places to visit in Argentina. Hugs, Becci

Hi Becci, thanks for stopping by! My heart is certainly in many of these places still!

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Argentina Tours & Vacations

Water rushing over the falls at Iguaza Falls, on a sunny day, Argentina

Leafy vineyards, eclectic galleries, char-grilled barbecue evenings and epic waterfalls make for one big tantalizing adventure.

From saucy cities brimming with bars to monster waterfalls and all the steak you can eat, Argentina promises (and delivers) good times to all who come. Drink to a good drop in Mendoza, be blown away by the aquatic thundering of Iguazu Falls , take a gondola up a mountain in Salta, or lose yourself to some hip shakin’ nights in the bars of Buenos Aires all the way to Rio de Janeiro . It’s hard to imagine the continent of  South America  (or the world) without that flaming wedge known as  Argentina .

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Argentina at a glance

Capital city.

Buenos Aires (population 15.5 million)

Argentine Peso (ARS)

(GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type I (Australian/New Zealand & Chinese/Argentine 2/3-pin)

Learn more about Argentina

Food and drink.

Like many other aspects of Argentinian culture, its cuisine has been heavily influenced by European immigration. Mix Spanish and Italian flavors with Argentina's top quality (and affordable!) beef and dairy products, and you have a combination worth jumping on that long-haul flight for. Check our guide on all things food in South America .

It’s important to keep in mind that dinner is eaten late in Argentina. Most restaurants close in the afternoon and do not reopen until 8 pm, though locals typically don't actually begin dinner until 9 or 10 pm.

Here are some must-try dishes and drinks in Argentina:

With Spanish origins, asado describes succulent barbequed meat, slow-cooked on a metal frame over an open fire or a bed of hardwood charcoal. In Argentina, asado is equal parts a dish and a social gathering – both of which you'll want to experience.

2. Provoleta

Soft provolone cheese is grilled in a skillet and topped with oregano, chili flakes or other herbs. A typical asado starter, provoleta is crisp on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside and delicious all around.

3. Chimichurri

A piquant combination of diced garlic, chopped parsley and oregano, olive oil and vinegar, this classic Argentinean condiment is the quintessential accompaniment to grilled meat.

4. Malbec wine

Argentina has one of the world’s most renowned wine regions. Malbecs from the wineries of Mendoza are famous around the world (and happen to pair well with steak), though other provinces also produce quality wines, including Torrontes from Cafayate and Syrahs from San Juan. 

5. Alfajores

Argentina’s favorite sweet biscuit. Take two round shortbreads, fill them with dulce de leche (a decadent caramel made from condensed milk) coat them in chocolate... et voila.

Argentineans take ice cream seriously. Don't miss helado de dulce de leche, the national flavor of Argentina.

7. Dulce de leche

Condensed milk is slowly reduced and sweetened to create a thick, sticky caramel. Find it in alfajores (a crumbly biscuit sandwich filled with dulce de leche), dessert empanadas, drizzled on ice cream or just eat it by the spoonful!

8. Yerba maté

This is Argentina's national drink. A caffeine-rich concoction of chopped and dried yerba maté is prepared in a gourd (maté) and drunk through a silver straw (bombilla). It's rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and has long been used by Indigenous people in South America.

Learn more about drinking mate in Argentina

Culture and customs

Argentinian culture and customs are influenced by the waves of European immigration that landed here in the 1880s and during the two World Wars. As a result of immigration, parts of the country feel notably more ‘European’ than other areas of South America.

Argentinians are famously affectionate, loud, passionate about football, and big fans of a good plate of homemade spaghetti. They have strong ties with family and friends, and the major religion is Catholicism.  

As a general guide, these are some key things you should know about Argentina:

1. A kiss on the cheek is the most common way of greeting someone

Particularly a friend, but it’s not uncommon between strangers, especially if being introduced by a mutual friend. This is true whether it’s female on female, female on male or male on male.

2. If you befriend someone, expect hugs

Expect a farewell hug and a greeting hug thereafter. Again, this is true whether it’s female on female, female on male or male on male.

3. Expect to be late

Being late for social or cultural events is almost fashionable in Argentina, but it can be an annoyance for travelers.

4. Siesta time is still common

Siestas are particularly popular in provinces such as Mendoza, San Juan, Salta. Shops may close from 1pm to 4pm and reopen until around 8-9pm.

5. Dinner is late

Dinner with locals can be very late. Having dinner at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm is perfectly normal and accepted in Argentina, but can cause a few rumbling tummies with travelers. The best thing to do is keep some snacks with you and try and fall into the local pattern.

6. Nightlife is well and truly nightlife

Pubs, clubs and events don’t kick off until 1-2am…no kidding!

7. The majority of Argentinians are Catholic

Between 70-80% of the population are Catholic, and you should be respectful when visiting churches, cathedrals and religious events. The dress code at religious sites is quite relaxed and no one will get in trouble for attending mass in t-shirts, shorts and thongs. However, closed shoes and trousers are preferred. Swimwear is a big no-no and it can be very offensive to the locals.

8. Avoid talking about the Falkland Islands War

Talking about the Falkland Islands war still evokes raw emotions amongst Argentinians and it's well-advised not to raise the topic with people you don’t know.

Geography and environment

Bordered by  Chile ,  Bolivia ,  Paraguay ,  Brazil  and  Uruguay , Argentina is South America's second-largest country. With a vast range of natural environments, traveling in Argentina presents a revolving door of terrain and landscapes.

From giant glaciers, gushing waterfalls and snow-topped granite pillars of Patagonia to the green grasslands of the Pampas (not to mention the lofty Andes of the north to the steamy wetlands of the north-east), Argentina contains a wealth of biodiversity.

Chile and Argentina both stake a claim over Patagonia. Check out our guide to help you decide which South American country to visit .

Top 5 tango spots in Argentina

1. confiteria ideal.

Be charmed by the grand building, old waiters and genuine tango classes that this Buenos Aires institution has been producing for more than 100 years. It might be a bit rough around the edges, but authenticity is guaranteed in this historic gem.

2. Barrancas de Belgrano

On the weekends, head to this leafy park at dusk to see unpretentious locals tango as the sun sets. Try out your tango steps, mix and mingle with Argentines and tourists, and enjoy the casual, fun vibe that proliferates under the park's gazebo.

3. Plaza Dorrego

This relaxed San Telmo favorite is a top spot for alfresco people-watching, tango viewing, wine drinking and socializing.

4. La Catedral

For a slice of old Argentina, head to this bewitching warehouse of kitsch where you can learn the art of tango with locals amid walls of old posters and a giant glowing, red heart. Lessons are taught in Spanish, and while the dancers here may not be technically great, their passion and love of tango are unquestionable.

5. Caminito

Purists may dismiss La Boca's showy street performers as 'tacky tangoists', but the colorful streets, flamboyant moves and suave outfits do have a bit of flair and provide quintessential Buenos Aires photo ops.

Experience a tango lesson with professional dancers on our 15 day Premium Chile, Argentina & Brazil trip

Many stores in Argentina allow travelers to shop tax-free. Look for a blue and white ‘Tax Free’ sign in store windows and make sure to ask for a Global Blue refund form when making your purchase. Get this form validated by a customs official at the airport when you're leaving the country (they’ll want to see the item and receipt as well), then take it to the Global Blue refund office to get your money back.

It’s a bit of a lengthy process, but it might be worth the effort depending on how much shopping you do.

Keep in mind that siesta is still common in some parts of Argentina. Many stores will close for a few hours in the afternoon and reopening times can be unpredictable.

Things to buy in Argentina

1. Leather goods

Leather goods are normally top of the shopping list for every traveler – and rightly so! The quality of leather products is excellent and prices can be significantly cheaper than at home. The most popular items are jackets, handbags, shoes, boots and belts. A word of warning though – be wary of cheap imitations!

2. Mate cup set

A popular tourist shop item, cups may be sold on their own with a straw, or as a set with loose-leaf mate as well. Quality and design can vary, so it pays to shop around.

A good bottle of Argentina’s famed Malbec can be bought for less than USD 10.

Festivals and events

Argentinians are a lively bunch and like to party. Below are four of the biggest festivals of the year.

1. Buenos Aires Tango Festival - August

Passion oozes from Buenos Aires’ streets as tango fills the city each August. Open-air milongas (dances), film screenings, dance classes and competitions featuring world-class dancers are all part of this sizzling two-week event.

2. Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) - March

This week-long celebration kicks off Mendoza’s grape-picking season, and it's a barrel of fun! The festival features parades, folkloric events and a grand coronation, as hopefuls vie to be chosen as the new Harvest Queen.

3. Carnaval (or Carnival) - February/March

Huge crowds turn up ready to have a good time for carnival celebrations in cities across Argentina. Like in Brazil, parades are a cacophony of colors, featuring feathered and sequined costumes and elaborate floats. Taking place right before Ash Wednesday, the best parties are in Gualeguay-chu and Corrientes.

4. Dia de la Tradicion (Day of Tradition) - November

Argentina’s beret-clad, nomadic cowboys, otherwise known as gauchos, are something of a national symbol. Each year on November 10th, they are celebrated with horsemanship shows, folk music, dancing, tons of barbequed meat and a big gaucho parade in San Antonio de Areco, the symbolic center of gaucho culture.

Must-see cities in Argentina

1. buenos aires.

Buenos Aires is an elegant metropolis of colorful buildings, charming boulevards and cobbled laneways that lead to huge street murals. This city offers something for everyone from traditional cafe bars to trendy closed-door restaurants, speakeasy bars to tango clubs, and mercados to shopping malls.

Discover the best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Welcome to the southernmost city in the world ! Ushuaia is also the gateway to the seventh continent, AKA Antarctica. After taking in the spectacular sights of Tierra del Fuego National Park, wander the craft markets or feast on delicious Fuegian cuisine

Explore Ushuaia on our 15day Patagonia Wilderness tour

Embark on the ultimate adventure on our 11 day Best of Antarctica trip

With leafy streets and direct access to one of the world's best wine regions, Mendoza has a more relaxed vibe than Buenos Aires. Indulge in the city's brilliant food scene or venture a little further to enjoy a glass of wine while the sun sets over the Andean mountain range.

Explore Mendoza on our 9 day Premium Chile & Argentina trip

Similar destinations

Inspired by Argentina but still curious about other destinations? Check out our tours to neighboring countries:

Further reading

Argentina travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit Argentina?

Spanning over 2400 miles from its subtropical north to its subpolar south, the climate in Argentina is as diverse as its landscapes. Summer (December to February) is the best time to visit Patagonia as the weather is mild and hiking trails are accessible.

In contrast, Buenos Aires can be very hot, humid and busy in summer, so autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) may be better if you don't enjoy the heat or want to ditch the crowds.

Autumn is also a stunning time of year in Patagonia and Mendoza when golden colours dominate the landscape.

Iguazu Falls is spectacular all year, but it's a sight to behold in the wet season from December to March when monsoon rains create even more powerful cascades.

If you want to do an Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, the season runs from November to March when temperatures rise and sea ice melts enough to enable access for cruise ships.

Do I need a visa to visit Argentina?

Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Argentina. This includes visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland and most other Western European countries.

Visa-exempt travelers will usually receive an entry stamp valid for 90 days on arrival. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Argentina.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 30/11/2023

Is tipping customary in Argentina?

It is customary to tip about 10% at bars and restaurants. Some restaurants will add a ‘cover charge’ to your bill, but a tip is still expected in addition to this.

What is internet access like in Argentina?

Internet is easy to access at internet cafes and hotels in large cities and towns, but is limited in rural and remote areas.

Can I use my cell phone while in Argentina?

Cell phone coverage is very good in Argentina’s cities, but may not be available in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

What are the toilets like in Argentina?

Western-style flushable toilets are the norm in Argentina. It’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are not always provided. Some hotels and restaurants might have signs asking you to not flush toilet paper – the toilets are modern but the plumbing is not and clogs easily.

What will it cost for a...?

City bus/subway fare = 6-8 pesos (0.4 USD) Bottle of beer in a bar/club = 60-80 pesos, 1lt: 120-150 pesos (3-4 USD) Glass of wine in a restaurant = 50-70 pesos (2-3 USD) Simple lunch (a sandwich and a soft drink) = 150-200 pesos (7-8 USD) Dinner at a basic restaurant = 250-350 pesos (13-15 USD)

Can I drink the tap water in Argentina?

Tap water is safe to drink in Argentina unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water and fill a reusable bottle instead.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Argentina?

Major credit cards are widely accepted in Argentina’s large cities and towns, but may not be accepted in small towns and rural areas. Make sure to carry enough cash when visiting these parts in case credit cards are not an option.

What is ATM access like in Argentina?

ATMs are widely available in larger cities but are less common in small villages or rural areas. Make sure you have enough cash before leaving urban areas.

Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Argentina?

Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.

What public holidays are celebrated in Argentina?

1 Jan: New Year’s Day

Feb/March: Carnival*

24 Mar: Memorial Day

2 Apr: Veterans and Fallen of the Malvinas War Day

March/Apr: Good Friday*

March/Apr: Easter Sunday*

1 May: Labour Day

25 May: National Day

20 Jun: Flag Day

9 Jul: Independence Day

20 Aug: San Martin Day

15 Oct: Respect for Cultural Diversity Day

26 Nov: Day of National Sovereignty

8 Dec: Immaculate Conception

25 Dec: Christmas Day

*These dates vary from year to year. See a  current list of public holidays in Argentina.

Is Argentina a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

As a whole, Argentina is a welcoming destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers. In 2010, the country became the first Latin American nation to legalize same-sex marriage and Buenos Aires hosts the largest annual gay pride parade in South America.

A number of hotels, B&Bs, bars and nightclubs catering to the LGBTQIA+ community can be found in Buenos Aires as well. Though parts of the country, particularly smaller towns, are less tolerant. When in doubt, use discretion outside of large cities.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Caution October 19, 2023

Worldwide caution, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

  • Travel Advisories |
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Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

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Argentina Travel Advisory

Travel advisory august 18, 2023, argentina - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with updates to crime information.

Exercise normal precautions in Argentina. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise increased caution in:

  • City of Rosario (Santa Fe province) due to crime .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Argentina.

If you decide to travel to Argentina: 

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
  • Review the Country Security Report for Argentina.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.   

City of Rosario – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal and narcotics trafficking elements are active in Rosario (Santa Fe province) resulting in increased crime and violence.

U.S. Embassy personnel are required to give advance notice before traveling to Rosario.

Travel Advisory Levels

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I moved out of my country by myself 5 years ago, but solo travel for pleasure still scares me

  • I moved from Argentina to the US when I was 32 years old. 
  • I had no family, friends, or a job, and was looking for a better life like my grandparents did.  
  • I'm afraid of traveling alone for pleasure, and all my vacations so far have been going back home. 

Insider Today

When I was 32, I immigrated to the US by myself. I had no family, friends, or job prospects here, but I packed whatever fit from my life in one bag and came here.

Whenever I tell this story, the response is always the same: "You are so brave."

My answer is a humble "nah, I'm not" that I believe in.

I can't really say it was bravery, but a strong conviction to try to do better brought me here. Restarting the cycle that my Italian immigrant grandparents kicked off when they left their country searching for a better life overruled fear.

However, almost five years later, I'm still terrified of solo traveling for pleasure. I haven't taken a single vacation that wasn't going home because I'm scared.

I haven't traveled alone for pleasure

I'm not afraid of flying . I have a consuming ache and curiosity for visiting new places and exploring cultures, but the thought of doing it alone has been paralyzing. Whenever I got close to booking a flight, I found an excuse not to.

I think fear of adventure is an inherent side of the female experience, as we usually find ourselves looking for adjacent factors that could be, at the very least, problematic. Walking alone , getting lost, or sleeping in someone's house doesn't easily detach from the same concerns we grew up having.

There is also an extra financial burden for singles, with no shared expenses and a trickier budget when feeling secure is top priority. But I see all the other women who can travel solo successfully and wish I could be one of them.

But even when making it as safe as I can control situations to be, the thought of a getaway makes me irrationally anxious.

How was leaving a whole life miles away easier than this, a plan that has an end date and it's supposed to be fun?

I'm afraid of feeling lonely

I wonder if I'm scared of my own company being enough to thrive in a life full of obligations with no safety net but not to create a long-lasting memory.

To be honest, I'm alone most of the time, but I'm scared that changing scenarios will make me feel lonely .

If all my self-love speeches can shake that underlying belief that not having a partner to share this experience with makes me undeserving of it. I wonder if spending the money makes sense as if I hadn't been able to make it again multiple times. Or if I don't feel smart enough to make my way in a language I don't speak. Not even to touch on the guilt of using any resources, cash, or PTO days to go anywhere but home.

As an immigrant, I'm used to living in the intersection of uncertainty and discomfort. I've gotten used to feeling lost and disconnected, to constantly missing out on birthdays, holidays, and milestones. I think that after five years, the fear of missing out on my own life is starting to outweigh the fear of adventure.

I make plans, and I say them out loud in the hopes of shedding light on the monster under the bed. I know that when I say I will travel by myself, I will hear something about how brave I am. But this time, instead of shrugging and humbling my way out, I might smile and say, "Yes. I guess I am."

Watch: TONY ROBBINS: How to get over your fear of failure

travel argentina

  • Main content

Clouds over Rio Parana Guazu, Argentina, South America

Carved up and sold off: developers plan a ‘new Miami’ in Argentina’s nature-rich wetlands

The Paraná delta has been called ‘Earth’s fourth lung’. But local people say they and the area’s diverse flora and fauna are being pushed aside in favour of private beaches, spas and helipads

S urrounded by his seven dogs, Pedro Andino sits on his dock in the Paraná delta and watches the river. Behind him, his red-stained house peeks through the wilderness, and a small fire fans away the mosquitoes.

The 80-year-old was born on this land but, for more than a decade, has been battling to stay. While islanders see the delta as the Earth’s fourth lung, real estate developers regard it as an opportunity – and Andino says local people and animals are being pushed out.

“The islands are being taken by force, and our people are being thrown away,” he says. “Little by little, they have pitted the islanders against each other.”

Gabriella Verra, 29, a member of the Isla Esperanza Cooperative

Developers from nearby Buenos Aires advertise the delta as the “Miami of the South”, filling it with weekend retreats, luxury homes, and gated communities. The land – one of the world’s largest river deltas, extending more than 17,500 sq km – has been carved up to create private beaches, spas and helipads.

Andino claims that, in the past 15 years, his father’s home has burned down, and most of his neighbours’ houses destroyed. He, too, says he has resisted multiple threats designed to make him leave.

Pedro Andino sits on the dock in front of his house.

“In 50 years, it has completely changed, even the shape of our rivers, without any consultation. Our delta, as it was, does not exist any more,” says Andino, raising his voice above the rumble of a nearby jetski. “Every year is a bit worse.”

The Paraná delta is a reservoir of wildlife; the islands are thick with twisting flora, white-necked herons, giant wood rails and pinnated bittern fly overhead, and water hyacinths tangle in the crisscrossed rivers. The wetlands also serve a vital environmental purpose: they regulate the climate, store water and act as a carbon sink.

However, scientists warn that overdevelopment of this land has had a cataclysmic impact.

Industrial waste and agricultural runoff have polluted the water, and rampant deforestation has disrupted the humidity , reducing the water flowing through its streams. Fires caused almost entirely by humans rage out of control each year and have burned 1,235,000 hectares (3,051,751 acres) since 2020 according to Greenpeace.

In recent years, much of the land has been replaced by livestock pasture and the commercial afforestation of willows and poplars, which is altering the wetland ecosystems, according to Rubén Dario Quintana, a principal investigator at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council. Pesticides are killing the bees, he adds.

A heron on a fallen tree in the Paraná delta.

Juan Carlos García, 70, is an islander and descendant of the Indigenous Guaraní people. He describes his people as “part of the delta’s nature” but says they have been abandoned.

“We are the fourth lung of the world. Our delta gives oxygen to the planet, but today, they are damaging it terribly,” says García. “A lot of chemicals run into the water from plantations, affecting our health. The fauna is changing, and the fish are dying – animals that used to exist here no longer do.”

The Paraná River is a migratory corridor for birds that use its wetlands as feeding areas and the home of animals like the capybara and the gato montés. “Because the land has changed so much, the animals cannot get in or out of the water – their highways have been cut,” says Diego Domínguez, a 50-year-old teacher, islander and member of the Isla Esperanza Cooperative, a local group resisting forced evictions.

New houses being built nearby an exclusive private community, on the Arroyo Boraso river

Building large-scale gated communities also requires dredging and bouldering, which can exacerbate the flooding of older communities nearby. “The machines have deepened the rivers, which makes the water run and leave faster. If it’s not a fire, it’s a flood,” García says, pointing to flooding underneath a warehouse on stilts belonging to the Isla Esperanza Cooperative.

Sofía Astelarra, a leading expert on the delta and professor at Buenos Aires University, says the “intense repopulation” of the islands began in 2000 and that the 12,000 population now triples each summer. About 800 hectares (1,977 acres) have been modified by gated communities, she says.

As the wealthy have moved in, utilities such as electricity have been installed – but some islanders say they have been blocked from accessing these.

Miguel Galloro (L) and Juan Carlos Garcia (R), on a boat in the Paraná delta

Domínguez points to some nearby electricity lines, which serve a gated community, and which hang over the cooperative’s communal land – its second site after its first warehouse burned down. He says his group and fellow islanders have asked for years to be connected to its grid, but their requests have been refused. “It’s unequal here. There is infrastructure like electricity for the rich but not for us,” he says.

According to Quintana, the islanders cannot access communal areas for their daily activities, such as fishing and hunting.

This ordeal has been experienced by Miguel Galloro, 55, another islander whose house was destroyed. “They wanted to pay me for my house, but I didn’t want to sell.”

He has rebuilt his home but now struggles to earn a living. “I was a fisher all my life,” Galloro says. “But I’m not allowed to fish any more. They won’t give me a permit. They took away my boat and nets. It’s very hard to get work here now.”

A yacht club in San Fernando, close to the wetlands of the delta.

“We used to live on the vegetation, but now, if we want to eat fish, we have to go to the store,” says García.

Many of the islanders who have left have ended up living on the impoverished outskirts of nearby urban areas, according to Quintana.

“Their objective is to empty the land of its people so wealthy people can come and make money. It’s to push you in a corner until you leave,” says Domínguez. “It is a constant battle.”

Representatives for the developers could not be reached for comment in response to these allegations. However, in one of the key disputes in the region, known as the Colony Park project, developers were ordered by a court to stop work due to environmental and aggravated damage . At the time of the judgement, a spokesperson defended the project’s actions by arguing they were improving the quality of life in the delta.

Across Latin America, wetlands have decreased by approximately 35% over 50 years – and globally they are disappearing three times faster than forests .

Since 2014, Argentina has been discussing a law designed to conserve its 600,000 sq km of wetlands – nearly a quarter of the country’s surface area – including the Paraná delta.

The law would require real estate projects to comply with sustainability regulations, but it has stalled in Congress, having failed to gain sufficient bipartisan support amid lobbying from industry and provincial governments.

“The deterioration to which Argentina’s wetlands are subjected year after year is the result of the fact that there is no law at the national level to protect them,” says Leonel Mingo, coordinator of the wetlands campaign at Greenpeace Argentina .

Ana Di Pangracio, a lawyer and biodiversity director at the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation , says Argentina lacks the desire to protect its wetlands. “Environmental regulation depends on the government’s political will at the moment – it shouldn’t,” she says.

Many fear that the presidency of Javier Milei, who is attempting to quash existing environmental protection laws , will further complicate efforts.

Diego Domínguez, teacher, islander and member of the Isla Esperanza cooperative

“This government will be difficult – we risk facing a regression in environmental protection, like the law on forests and the glaciers,” says Di Pangracio. “And the wetlands law has strong lobbyists against it – real estate, agriculture, mining.”

Part of the problem is that wetlands are not valued by society, says Gastón Fulquet , a programme manager at Wetlands International. “The real estate sector misunderstands them as marginal lands which can be used as something more useful,” he says.

Members of the cooperative say the islanders cannot match the money the real estate companies have to fight. “The economic powers in Argentina are stronger than the law every time,” says Domínguez. “We have no political representatives, which makes it very difficult for island people to have autonomy. We have been abandoned.”

“They take advantage of us because we are vulnerable,” says García. “It is our duty to protect this land. The delta must be the land of the people.”

  • Southern frontlines: Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Indigenous peoples

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How to get around in Argentina: be ready for some epic journeys

Shafik Meghji

Nov 19, 2022 • 6 min read

Explore some of Argentina's most dramatic landscapes by car

Argentina is a huge country with lots of transport options – here are our top tips © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images

Argentina is the eighth-largest country on Earth and, as a result, distances between destinations can be huge. For example, the drive between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego is more than 3000km (1864 miles).

Fortunately, you'll find a wide range of transport options to get you around. Whether you choose bus, boat, train, plane, bike or car, plan your route with this guide to navigating your way around Argentina.

A couple stand holding hands while they look up at the ticket office displays in a bus station

Buses are the best option for budget travelers in Argentina

Long-distance buses are the most popular and cost-effective way to travel around the country. Known as micros , they are generally modern, comfortable and reliable, with air-conditioning, toilets and reclining seats. Some even have wifi and USB ports.

Various classes of buses and seats are available, especially on popular inter-city routes, including partially reclining semi-cama (semi-sleeper), fully reclining cama (sleeper class) and bigger and more luxurious ejecutivo (executive) and "suite" buses. For long journeys, it’s worth going for the most expensive seat you can afford so you can get some rest as the miles roll by.

You can also expect an attendant serving hot meals, soft drinks and sometimes wine and beer (all of which are typically included in the fare). Many buses have TV screens showing films (often at great volume) and some even have bingo sessions with prizes. Good ear plugs, an eye mask and warm clothes for the often glacial air-conditioning are highly recommended.

Frequently there’s strong competition between companies on busier routes, so look out for promotions. Some bus stations – including Retiro, the main terminal in Buenos Aires – are in slightly shady areas, so keep your wits about you. More positively, many also have handy left-luggage services.

Hiring a car can help you get off the beaten track

Hiring a car gives you more freedom to explore independently and get off the beaten track, particularly in regions such as Patagonia , Tierra del Fuego and the northwest , and in Argentina's spectacular national parks where public transport is limited or infrequent. Although the main highways across the country are usually in good condition, roads in many rural areas are unpaved and dotted with potholes.

Rental cars and gas are generally a bit more expensive than in North America or Europe – it’s worth going for an unlimited mileage deal when you rent. And if you’re planning to drive into a neighboring country, make sure this is covered by the rental agreement and your insurance (you’ll probably need to pay an additional fee).

A train crosses a desert-like landscape in Salta at Sunset

Tourist trains are incredibly scenic

Argentina’s once extensive railway network is now sadly much diminished, with only a handful of long-distance lines still operating, but Buenos Aires has plenty of commuter services, with stations throughout the city, suburbs and surrounding province.

A handful of long-distance trains run to cities such as Mar del Plata , Rosario , Córdoba and Tucumán, and these tend to be cheaper, but slower and less frequent than buses. There are also regional lines in and around Córdoba, Salta and Neuquén, though again they aren’t particularly useful for travelers.

However, there are several popular tourist and heritage trains, including the Tren de la Costa (Train of the Coast), which runs from Buenos Aires to Tigre, the gateway to the Paraná delta , and the scenic Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) in the high-altitude northwest.

Many visitors take the scenic Tren Patagónico , which runs through the Lake District between Bariloche and Viedma and La Trochita (The Little Gauge), popularized by Paul Theroux’s classic book The Old Patagonian Expres s. Then there's the Tren de Fin del Mundo (End of the World Train), the most southerly railway on Earth, in Tierra del Fuego.

Planes are an expensive way to explore Argentina

Aerolíneas Argentinas , the national carrier, has the widest range of domestic routes, serving everywhere from Salta in the northwest and Puerto Iguazú in the northeast to Ushuaia in the far south. Across the board, flights are generally a bit more expensive than in Europe or North America, and much more expensive than taking the train or the bus.

LATAM , the biggest airline in South America, has flights to cities across Argentina and to neighboring countries, while LADE , which is operated by the air force, connects Buenos Aires with cities in the Lake District, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, notably tourist hubs such as Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia. There are also a few budget airlines with more limited routes, including JetSmart Argentina and Flybondi .

Ferries are useful for crossing into neighboring countries

There are relatively few opportunities for traveling by boat in Argentina. Daily ferries and catamarans sail across the La Plata River between Buenos Aires and Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay . From nearby Tigre, regular boats travel through the meandering waterways of the Paraná Delta, calling in at island settlements. Boats also travel into the delta from the city of Rosario. And if you’re traveling by bus or car between Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, you’ll need to cross into Chile and catch a ferry across the Strait of Magellan en route.

A man exits a subway station onto the Buenos Aires streets at night

It's best to get around Buenos Aires by subway

Launched in 1913, the Subte in Buenos Aires was the first subway system in Latin America and it remains the only one in Argentina. This is the quickest and cheapest way to get around the capital, with six main lines and frequent services.

To use the Subte, you need to buy a contactless and rechargeable SUBE card. Trains can get uncomfortably packed during rush hour, and can be uncomfortably hot during the summer. Keep a firm grip on your bags, phones and wallets, as pickpockets operate in stations and on trains.

Buenos Aires also has a vast – and sometimes bewildering – network of routes for local buses (known as colectivos ), which operate on dedicated bus lanes, reducing congestion. Other cities and towns, including Córdoba and Rosario, also have useful local bus networks.

Taxis are commonplace in Buenos Aires and the bigger cities; if you hail one on the street, make sure the driver uses the meter. Minicabs or radio taxis are known as remises , and have fixed rates for routes. If you are part of a group, it can be cost-effective to hire a remís for a day trip . Uber also operates in Buenos Aires.

A mountain biker pauses on a hillside and looks toward a distant snow-capped mountain in Argentina

Cycling is an excellent way to explore Argentina

Buenos Aires has more than 250km (155 miles) of bike lanes ( bicisendas ) and the local authorities are planning to expand the network over the coming years. The city also has a free bike-sharing scheme called EcoBici . Other cities are also improving their cycling infrastructure and bike hire and cycle tours are commonplace.

If you fancy a long-distance or multi-day ride, there are plenty of options, too, from the epic RN-40 (Argentina’s answer to Route 66) to the easygoing Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route) in the Lake District.

Accessible travel is slowly improving in Argentina

Unfortunately, Argentina is not the most accessible destination for travelers with disabilities. But the situation is slowly improving in parts of the country, particularly Buenos Aires, where most local buses, some Subte stations and many hotels (especially those built recently) are wheelchair accessible, and pavement curb ramps are increasingly common.

There have also been improvements at key attractions such as Parque Nacional Iguazú, whose main trails are now largely wheelchair accessible. For more information, check out Lonely Planet’s free  Accessible Travel Online Resources .

This article was first published October 2021 and updated November 2022

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    Northwestern Argentina. 12. Summit the lofty peak of Volcán Aconcagua. The highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, Aconcagua invites adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies looking to summit one of the "Seven Summits" - the highest mountains in each continent.

  8. The Top 15 Places to Visit in Argentina

    The Top 15 Places to Visit in Argentina. Buenos Aires is home to cobblestone boulevards, sensual tango halls, century-old cafes, and designer boutiques. If you venture to the east, the Atlantic Ocean offers surfing and the chance to see whales, and penguins. To the north, explore mountains, cactus forests, and lunar landscapes that give way to ...

  9. Top 15 Things To Know Before You Travel Argentina

    So, if you want my advice when it comes to Argentina travel plans, less is definitely more. In Buenos Aires alone, you can easily spend 4-5 days, and that's without 2-3 days in Iguazu Falls, 4-6 days for the Salta province, not to mention Bariloche, Mendoza and Patagonia… and that's just the main highlights!

  10. Top Argentina Tours

    Combine Argentina with Chile, Brazil or multiple countries. All Argentina tours are hand-crafted by our travel experts and feature must-see destinations and hidden gems. Every Argentina vacation package is customized to fit your travel style, dates, and preferences. Update: Argentina Covid-19 Travel - Argentina is open for travel!

  11. Argentina Budget Travel Guide (Updated 2024)

    A bus from Mendoza to San Rafael costs 2,500 ARS for a one-way ticket. 6. Visit Ushuaia. Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world and the largest city in Tierra del Fuego. This is a very popular town for travelers coming to the end of their South American journey, or for those traveling to Antarctica.

  12. A Perfect Argentina Itinerary For 10 Days Or More

    Argentina Itinerary #1 - 10 to 14 Days: Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Mendoza. If you are a first timer in a country, you should start with the most popular attractions. Pick this Argentina itinerary if it is your first time in the country and have just 10 days to spare. If you have more than that, you can opt for a different itinerary, or just ...

  13. Argentina Travel Tips: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

    If you are going to drive, know these Argentina travel tips: The speed limits on open roads are up to 120 kph (74 mph), and many have tolls. In contrast, they often drop to 60 kph (37 mph) in urban areas and 40 kph (25 mph) in residential areas. Importantly, wearing safety belts is compulsory for everyone in the car.

  14. Best time to visit Argentina

    Visit the north and save money during the low season (June and August) Beyond the ski resorts of the Lake District, Tierra del Fuego and Mendoza province, the winter is a quieter and cheaper time to travel in Argentina. June and August are both excellent months for exploring the north, including sites such as the wildlife-rich wetlands of ...

  15. Places to Visit in Argentina: 15 Can't-Miss Destinations in 2024

    9. Salta. Known as Salta La Linda (the pretty one), Salta is a great city to visit in Argentina both for its own beauty and as a base for exploring Argentina's vast northern region. The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña offers a fascinating insight into Incan culture.

  16. Travel Argentina

    Explore the wonders of Argentina with Travel Argentina. From tailor-made itineraries to top-rated tours, discover the best of Argentina. Book flights, hotels, activities, travel guides and more, all in one place.

  17. Argentina International Travel Information

    Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.

  18. Best Argentina Tours & Vacations 2024/2025

    Argentina Tours & Vacations. Leafy vineyards, eclectic galleries, char-grilled barbecue evenings and epic waterfalls make for one big tantalizing adventure. From saucy cities brimming with bars to monster waterfalls and all the steak you can eat, Argentina promises (and delivers) good times to all who come. Drink to a good drop in Mendoza, be ...

  19. Argentina Travel Advisory

    Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Argentina. If you decide to travel to Argentina: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Review the Country Security Report for ...

  20. I Moved to Another Country by Myself, but Solo Travel Terrifies Me

    A woman is afraid of solo travel, despite moving from Argentina to the US by herself 5 years ago. Deep down, she's afraid of feeling lonely.

  21. Carved up and sold off: developers plan a 'new Miami' in Argentina's

    Since 2014, Argentina has been discussing a law designed to conserve its 600,000 sq km of wetlands - nearly a quarter of the country's surface area - including the Paraná delta.

  22. Buenos Aires travel

    Buenos Aires. Argentina, South America. Buenos Aires combines faded colonial architecture with Latin passion, dynamite dining and a robust nightlife. Sexy and alive, this beautiful city gets under your skin.

  23. Summer Work & Travel (SWT) and Exchange Programs (J)

    ACE Argentina Cultural Exchange - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. AUCKLAND TURISMO - Provincia de Santa Fe y Provincia de Buenos Aires. BEWAT Beckett Education Work and Travel - Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires; CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. ENJOY Work & Travel - Provincia de Mendoza.

  24. Getting around Argentina

    A guide to navigating your way around Argentina by bus, train, plane, bike or car. Learn about the best options for different routes, prices, schedules and safety in this huge country with lots of transport options. Find tips for budget travelers, scenic journeys and off-the-beaten-track destinations.