San Telmo · Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina Travel Guide
One of the most geographically diverse countries on earth, stretching from the subtropical north to the end of the world in the south.
Argentina is a country full of pride, culture, nature, and excitement. The country spans 3,700 kilometers from the Bolivian border to Cape Horn, and the difference between its regions is not subtle. Buenos Aires is a city of European architecture and late-night culture. Patagonia is open wilderness. The northwest is indigenous, ancient, and arid. Mendoza is wine country. Iguazu is one of the most extraordinary natural features on the planet. The more of the country you visit, the more you discover how diverse and expansive its offerings are.
Kevin and Melina have personally traveled Argentina extensively, spending time in Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy, Bariloche, Ushuaia and the Valdes Peninsula. Every itinerary and recommendation on this page comes from traveling within those regions. This guide covers where to go, how long to spend, what to know before you arrive, and how to navigate Argentina once you are there.
Argentina at a glance
Language
Spanish
Capital City
Buenos Aires
Currency
Argentine Peso
Budget Range
price
Best time to visit
This completely depends on where you're going. October to November and March to April are the sweet spots that work across most of the country with shoulder season pricing, manageable weather, fewer crowds. Patagonia specifically runs December to February for summer weather. More detail in Planning your trip below.
Typical Trip Length
Two weeks allows you to discover one or two regions. And consider spending three to four weeks in Argentina to combine the Patagonia region, Buenos Aires, and a third area without feeling rushed.
Most nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Some passport holders require a visa in advance so check your country's requirements before booking. Some passport holders require a visa in advance so check your country's visa requirements before booking.
Quick Resources to Plan Your Trip to Argentina
Regions of Argentina
Buenos Aires
The capital and the country's entry point. European architecture, distinct neighborhoods, and a food and tango culture that runs late into the night.
Entry point for most trips
Mendoza
Argentina’s wine country, sitting at the foot of the Andes. The place for Malbec, bodegas, and some of the highest-altitude vineyards in the world.
~2 hr flight from Buenos Aires
Salta & Jujuy Region
The northwest. Ancient indigenous culture, adobe villages, salt flats, and the extraordinary color of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, visually and culturally unlike anywhere else in Argentina.
~2 hr flight from Buenos Aires
Iguazu Falls
One of the largest waterfall systems on the planet, shared with Brazil. The Argentine side is the better side with more trails, more viewpoints, more time inside the falls themselves.
~2 hr flight from Buenos Aires
Patagonia
Roughly a third of Argentina, and four distinct regions rather than one destination. Most first trips only see the southern glaciers and mountains, which is a shame, because the other three are quieter and just as good.
Northern Patagonia
Bariloche, the Seven Lakes and Esquel. Greener, warmer and more accessible.
Atlantic Patagonia
Península Valdés and Punta Tombo. Whales, penguins and elephant seals.
Southern Patagonia
El Calafate, Perito Moreno and El Chaltén. The glaciers and the trekking.
Tierra del Fuego
Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel and the park at the end of the road.
~2-3 hr flight from Buenos Aires
Featured destinations
Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital and cultural heartbeat. A city of European architecture, late-night dining, tango, and neighborhoods distinct enough to spend a few days exploring without covering the same ground twice.
Ushuaia
The southernmost city in the world, where the Andes meet the Beagle Channel. Glaciers, remote wilderness and end-of-the-world atmosphere that makes Ushuaia unlike anything else in Argentina.
Bariloche
Northern Patagonia’s Little Switzerland, set on the edge of a deep glacial lake. European mountain architecture, world-class chocolate and mountain scenery that makes it one of Argentina’s most rewarding stops.
Mendoza
Argentina’s wine capital, where the Andes and Aconcagua mountain ranges frame vineyards sitting at some of the highest altitudes in the world. The food scene and the Alta Montana tour make it far more than just wine.
Itineraries
Every itinerary below was built from personal travel. Kevin and Melina have done each route themselves, from the Buenos Aires neighborhoods to the end of the world in Ushuaia. Use the region sections to find your destination, or reach out if you need help building a full trip.
reach out to us
Buenos Aires Area
Mendoza
Salta + Jujuy
itineraries coming soon
Iguazu Falls
Planning your trip to Argentina
When is the best time to visit Argentina?
It depends on the region, because Argentina is so large and long. For Buenos Aires and Mendoza, October to November and March to April are the sweet spots. Southern Patagonia opens properly in November and peaks December to February, with long days and the best trekking conditions.
Buenos Aires
October to November and March to April. Avoid January if heat is a concern: locals leave for their own holidays and small businesses may close.
Mendoza
October to November and March to April, for manageable temperatures and fewer crowds.
Southern Patagonia
December to February for long days and the best trekking. July to September brings snow, a great time for lodges and estancias (ranches).
Bariloche and the north
Year-round, and most spectacular in autumn (March to May) when the foliage turns. Summer for the lakes, winter for skiing.
Traveling to Patagonia in summer: everything you need to know
How many days do you need in Argentina?
Two weeks is the minimum to do Argentina justice across two or three regions.
2 weeks
Buenos Aires (three to four days), one Patagonia destination (four to five days), and Mendoza or the northwest (three to four days)
Best for a first trip
3 to 4 weeks
A few more regions around the country, including Bariloche, Iguazu Falls, and the northwest.
Best for seeing it all
Good to Know
The distances are real: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is a three-hour flight, and some destinations without airports need a bus. Trying to cover more than three regions in two weeks means spending more time in transit than in place.
How much does a trip to Argentina cost?
A comfortable trip, including accommodation, meals at good restaurants, and activities, typically runs $100 to $200 USD per person per day, depending on region and pace. Patagonia is more expensive than Buenos Aires, particularly accommodation and tours.
Hostels and street food bring it lower; luxury lodges and private tours take it much higher. Argentina works for a wide range of budgets.
Is Argentina safe to visit?
Yes. Our safety guide covers what to keep in mind in the cities, and when walking, hiking, and driving.
How to get to Argentina
Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires is the main entry point, with direct routes from Houston, Miami, New York, Madrid, London, and several other hubs.
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most larger towns. In rural areas, Bocas del Toro, and San Blas, stick to bottled or filtered water.
Getting There
Most domestic flights leave from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), inside the city. Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM are the main domestic carriers.
check flights to Buenos Aires
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Heads Up
Do not book a domestic flight on the same day you arrive in Buenos Aires. Airlines may change the departure airport in the days before the flight, and getting between the two airports can take over an hour.
Getting Around Argentina
Argentina's distances are real, so the way you move between regions shapes the whole trip. These are the four main options, and who each one suits.
Option 1
Domestic flights
Best for long distances
The practical choice between regions. Buenos Aires to Ushuaia or El Calafate is three hours by air and two days by bus.
Option 2
Coach buses
Best for Patagonia on a first trip
Comfortable and reliable, and they go to all the highlight destinations. We recommend planning your first trip through Patagonia by bus.
Check buses on Busbud
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Option 3
Rental car
Best for remote Patagonia
Worth considering to reach some of the more remote destinations in Patagonia.
Compare rental cars
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Option 4
Uber
Best for Buenos Aires and larger cities
Works reliably in Buenos Aires and most larger cities.
Heads Up
Book domestic flights early, particularly Patagonia routes in peak season (December to February). They sell out, and prices rise significantly closer to the date.
Argentina Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Money in Argentina: cash, cards, and exchange
Argentina has been shifting toward accepting credit cards everywhere, but cash remains important throughout the country, especially for tipping. Some places give a small discount for paying in cash, and many local restaurants, markets, and smaller businesses only accept cash, so ask before you order.
Getting cash in Argentina
ATMs
The easiest option, but with a low withdrawal limit and high fees.
Exchange houses
Bring US dollars or euros in clean, unmarked $100 or €100 bills to an official casa de cambio (exchange house).
Tipping
Mostly in cash and 10% is acceptable. On free walking tours, tip $10 to $20 USD per person directly to the guide (dollars and euros are accepted).
Good to Know
You may have heard about the "blue market," an underground currency exchange. It used to offer a better rate, although illegal. Today the blue market and official exchange houses are very close, so the effort is not worth it.
Meal times in Argentina
Argentine meal times run later than most visitors expect.
Breakfast
Light, and finished by 10:00 AM
Lunch
Noon to 3:00 PM, the main meal of the day
Merienda
Around 5:00 PM: an afternoon snack, usually a pastry and coffee
Dinner
Rarely before 9:00 PM. Restaurants fill at 10:00 PM or later
We highly recommend shifting to Argentine meal times. Dining surrounded by locals is half the experience.
How to drink mate
Mate (pronounced MAH-teh) is Argentina's national drink and a cultural institution. You will see people carrying a gourd and metal straw everywhere, from parks to offices to bus stations. It is an herbal drink shared communally.
Mate (pronounced MAH-teh) is Argentina's national drink and a cultural institution. You will see people carrying a gourd and metal straw everywhere, from parks to offices to bus stations. It is an herbal drink shared communally.
- One person pours, drinks, refills, and passes it to the next person in the group.
- Drink until there is no water left, then hand it back to the person who gave it to you.
- Do not move the straw.
- When you have had enough, say “gracias” and you will be passed over on the next round.
Spanish phrases to know in Argentina
Spanish in Argentina has a distinctive accent. Argentines say "vos" instead of "tú," greetings are warm and unhurried, and "buen provecho" said to someone eating is always appreciated.
hola
OH-la
hello
gracias
GRAH-see-ahs
thank you
no entiendo
NOH ehn-tyEN-doh
I don't understand
por favor
POHR FAH-vohr
please
¿hablas inglés?
hah-BLAHS een-GLEHS
do you speak English?
¡chau!
CHOW
bye
¿dónde está el baño?
DOH-ndeh ehs-TAH EHL BAH-nyoh
where is the bathroom?
buen provecho
BWEN proh-VE-choh
enjoy your meal
Good to Know
Argentina changes dramatically between regions, and the differences go beyond landscape. If your trip covers more than one region, allow a day on each end to adjust rather than moving straight from one to the next.
Through our eyes
If someone offers you mate, it means you have made a genuine connection and they want to continue the conversation with you.
Argentina
All Argentina travel guides
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Travel Guide
A European city that keeps South American hours, where dinner starts at ten and the night is only beginning.
Mendoza
Mendoza Travel Guide
Malbec at the foot of the Andes, in vineyards planted higher than most of Europe's mountains.
Salta + Jujuy
Salta and Jujuy Travel Guide
The northwest, where the rock itself is striped in color and the culture is older than the country.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazú Falls Travel Guide
Nearly 300 waterfalls spread across two countries, and you should see it from both.
Patagonia
Patagonia Travel Guide
The areas throughout the Patagonia region and how to visit the various landscapes of the south of Argentina.
