Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in

Argentina Travel Guide

Patagonia - Fitzroy

With this travel guide I try to gather in one place the main information you need to travel more and better.

It aims to prepare you to arrive at this new destination, knowing everything you need to have a smooth, safe trip and avoid the vast majority of problems that every traveler faces.

With this information you will be able to make the best decisions, transforming your view as if it were a place.

Here you will find the main places to visit, what the costs are, a great way to save money, recommendations on places to stay, restaurants, transport tips and safety advice.

Even with different ways of traveling, from backpacking, or on a family vacation, cruise, two week vacation, around the world trip.

Here you will find everything you need to travel more, better, longer and cheaper.

If you do not find any information, do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to answer.

About Argentina

Argentina is a very large country, with diverse topographies from high mountains to beaches.

Each region has its peculiarities.

To the north, we have the coast bordering Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay, where you will find the Iguazu Falls.

Buenos Aires, which is the main gateway, is a vibrant city with an intriguing mix of European and local architecture.

With the famous Argentine tango as a backdrop, great restaurants, the best meat and wine.

Pampas.

The pampas cover the vast central region of Argentina, arguably the country’s most typical landscape. This beautiful scenery is punctuated by small towns, spaces inhabited by millions of cattle and planted with huge fields of soybeans and wheat.

It is the center of traditional gaucho culture, most famous in the charming pueblo of San Antonio de Areco. Here are also some of the most elegant resorts, offering a combination of luxury and adventure.

In the Northwest, we have the Quebrada de Humahuaca, which has a combination of wonderful landscapes, rocks in rainbow tones, traces of pre-Columbian peoples, small historic towns, and a lot of culture along its mountains.

The valley almost borders southern Bolivia and northern Chile, where we find the Atacama Desert.

Moving west, the central mountains and Córdoba appear with a mild climate and the beautiful landscapes of these ancient highlands have attracted tourists since the end of the 19th century.

Within reach is Córdoba, the country’s second colonial-era city.

The cuyo

Keep going west and you’ll reach Cuyo, with the highest Andean peaks in the snow-covered backdrop; here you can discover one of the nicest cities in Argentina, the regional capital of Mendoza, and also the wine capital of the country.

Patagonia

In Patagonia, we have the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, whale watching in Peninsula Valdes, and beautiful lakes and mountains around Bariloche.

Most of Patagonia is on the Argentine side, it is a wild and sparsely populated land. Half of the remote archipelago of Tierra del Fuego is also part of Argentina.

These are arid steppe lands surrounded by the southern Andes – a string of majestic volcanoes and craggy peaks interspersed with deep glacial lakes.

For many people, Patagonia is the first page of any guide to Argentina.

On the Atlantic side, Península Valdés is known for its marine fauna, including southern right whales, elephant seals, and killer whales.

Nothing is more spectacular than the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia.

The region is always remembered for the story of Darwin and Captain Fitz Roy.

Where it is?

Argentina is located in South America bordering Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Chile.

The Argentine coast is bathed by the Atlantic, with a very mountainous relief in its western portion, due to the Andes mountain range; and is formed by coastal plains to the east, by the presence of the Atlantic Ocean. There are still extensive plains in its central region and large plateaus, including the presence of glaciers, in its southern region.

Spoken language

The official language of Argentina is Spanish. However, there are several minority languages, reflecting the diversity of Argentina, with tribes and first-nation people living happily alongside the descendants of European settlers.

English is becoming more and more widely spoken throughout the country, especially in Buenos Aires and in the main cities

Climate

As it is located below the Tropic of Capricorn, the temperatures of the seasons are very marked. Very cold winters, with snow in some places and in summer the heat gets to be very hot, with thermals of up to 50º.

Argentina’s climate varies from polar, in the extreme south of the country, to subtropical, in the north of the country, with important portions of temperate climate. The vegetation follows the same logic as the climate distribution, with vegetation covering pampas, temperate forests and tundra. The main rivers in Argentina are the Prata, Paraná, Uruguay and Iguazú.

Time zone

Argentina has traditionally maintained a single time zone, which is -03:00 GMT, the same as Brazil all year round.

Money

The Argentine Peso, acronym ARS, is currently made up of $5, $10, $25 and $50 coins, and $2, $10, $20, $50, $100, $200 and $500 bills.

But with the economic crisis the currency really worth is the dollar.

You must change a few amounts of money at a time, US$100 due to the instability of the local currency and the exchange rate changes every day, always of course in favor of the dollar.

Changing the few decreases the possibility of being left with a lot of weight at the end of the trip, which is not good because you can only exchange the maximum amount of US $100.00 for dollars if you keep the exchange receipts.

ATM box.

In the main tourist places, there is also the possibility of ATMs, such as near Florida and Buenos Aires.

Tips for exchanging money.

Argentina has several exchange rates, but the main ones are the official and the parallel, called ‘blue exchange’. The ‘blue’ exchange rate pays almost twice as much as the official exchange rate.

There is the exchange made by the trade, where you buy something and pay in dollars and they return the change in weight

You just have to be attentive to where you are buying, because there are false weights and they cheat in change.

Now there is also another exchange method: card exchange. Foreigners can get an exchange rate just a little lower than the ‘blue’ by paying with an international credit or debit card.

Value restrictions.

Basically, there are no restrictions on the entry of values into Argentina.

A declaration is required for amounts above US$ 10,000.00

A little of history

Argentina was colonized by Spain around 1500.

Its independence movements gave rise, firstly, to the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata and, more precisely in 1861, to the Republic of Argentina.

Since then, Argentina has experienced a period of strong economic expansion and population attraction after its independence.

The country’s industrialization generated an increase in the local quality of life, the country was considered one of the richest nations in the world at the beginning of the 20th century.

However, populist and military governments generated numerous economic and political crises in the country throughout that century. In addition, the country was also involved in military conflicts, such as the Malvinas War (1982). In that war, Argentina faced the United Kingdom for possession of oceanic islands in the Atlantic and lost.

BE A SMART TRAVELER.

Enter your e-mail and receive my tips, knowledge and tools that will allow you to travel more and better.

Culture

The culture of Argentina is diverse, it has a multicultural character, mainly European, which makes up a large part of its population.

Argentine cuisine offers the possibility of tasting typical dishes with meat as the main ingredient, which is considered one of the best in the world.

The typical restaurants, called parrillas, offer the most diverse possibilities to taste the typical roasted meat, in addition to offering varied dishes.

The greatest Argentine passion is soccer, but Argentine polo is also known worldwide, both for the excellence of its players and the quality of its horses.

Tennis, paddle, hockey, rugby are activities practiced by the population.

Religion.

Argentina has 76% of the Catholic population and the country’s constitution itself supports the Roman Catholic Church.

Currently, our POPE is Argentinian. Pope Francis

In addition to Catholicism, there are more than 2,500 officially registered cults in the country and religious freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution. The second largest religion is evangelical – 9%,  Just over 11% of Argentines declare themselves atheist, agnostic or have no religion.

Gastronomy.

The gastronomy of Argentina received great influence from the Italian and the Spanish.

Meats are a fundamental part of the local cuisine. In general, they are served with fries, salad, provolone cheese, or smoked cheese.

The dishes considered typical of the country are a mirror of European influence. However, there are also traces of indigenous, African, and even Andean and Guarani cultures.

Even with such a variety of culinary customs, the Italians were the ones who most influenced local gastronomic customs. To this day, pizza is part of everyday life for Argentines, which makes the country the third largest consumer of pizza in the world.

Main dishes.


MEDIALUNA

The medialunas are similar to the French croissant, in the shape of a half moon.

In addition to having an affordable cost, it is possible to find the dish in practically all bakeries in the city, with varied fillings, such as dulce de leche, guava paste, and even some snacks.

EMPANADA.

Argentine empanadas are stuffed with various fillings including cheese and meat.

There is a dispute with Chileans about who has the best, but Chileans are usually stuffed with seafood and raisins.

As I don’t like seafood, I prefer Argentinian ones.

PARRILLADA.

It is one of the best-known typical dishes that is a type of Argentine barbecue. It consists of cuts of meat roasted in the parrilla.

Parrilla is the grid on which the meat is placed on the barbecue.

They also love to roast corn and some sausages, such as morcilla, a kind of sausage that is black in color because of the coagulated blood used in its preparation.

ALFAJOR.

Alfajor is widely recognized as an Argentine delight.

Dessert consists of a kind of soft cupcake, filled with dulce de leche and covered in chocolate.

WINES.

We also cannot fail to mention the wines that are famous all over the world.

There are rare cases where you buy bad wine anywhere in Argentina.

CHORIPAN.

Choripán is a sandwich that is easily found on the streets of the country’s main cities. It consists of bread stuffed with Tuscan sausage from the country, added cheese, salad, and vinaigrette.

DULCE DE LECHE (MILK SWEET)

Now, for me, the main thing is the famous Argentine dulce de leche, which is known all over the world. In addition to being a wonderful dessert, it is also one of the most exported products in the country, mainly to Brazil.

What to do

Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires is certainly the destination of most Brazilians.

Due to the proximity and ease of buying tickets on sale, not needing a passport makes it easier for Brazilians to go to Buenos Aires.

Many people made their first international trip.

The capital of Argentina is full of possibilities, but some are unmissable such as El Caminito, Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, among others

It is a quiet and flat city, where you can do everything on foot,

Palermo Soho, Recoleta, and others are full of cafes, restaurants, etc.

Bariloche.

We can say that the second Argentine destination of every Brazilian is Bariloche.

All ski lovers or those who want to get to know the snow will visit this charming city in the south of Argentina.

Its main destination is Cerro Catedral, considered the largest ski resort in Latin America.

But Brazilians who don’t enjoy skiing have many options for visits during the winter.

Also in the summer, hikers find paradise in Bariloche.

Mendoza.

Mendoza is an excellent destination with mountains and many wineries.

There is the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas. Aconcagua with 6,961 meters high).

In addition to good food and good wines, Mendoza is also very popular with those who practice sports. There are many trails, and places for climbing, rafting, and paragliding. Not to mention the ski resorts around the city.

Salinas Grandes. the salt desert of Argentina.

In northwest Argentina, in the province of Jujuy, go to Salinas Grandes, especially if you haven’t yet visited Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia (see my trip to Salar de Uyuni here). The look of that very white immensity is always impressive and you can take super creative pictures.

Ushuaia.

Ushuaia is located in the extreme south of Argentina and is crossed by the Beagle Channel, which deserves a visit. Ushuaia is a very small and charming town, with its main attractions being walking in the snow and visiting the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

See here my trip to Patagonia Argentina and Ushuaia

Where to stay

Let’s see the main types of accommodation and in the city guides, I will put some tips for each city.

In Argentina, there is a very diverse tourist structure and options for all tastes and budgets.

Hotel.

Hotel rates vary according to class, season, available services, and location.

(B&B) Bed and Breakfast.

These are accommodations where you usually share space with other travelers and have the characteristic of being much cheaper and allowing greater interaction between travelers.

In addition to choosing your type of accommodation, it is also important to choose where to stay.

Buenos Aires: 5 best neighborhoods.


Microcentro and Montserrat – Everything is close by, but as a very busy central place, a lot of traffic.

It is the commercial and tourist center of Buenos Aires, it has the best transport infrastructure and hotels for all budgets.

Although it has a lot of noise and agitation, it is my favorite region, because everything is done on foot, and it is easier to move to other areas.

But you need to redouble your attention because robberies, and scammers are very active in this part of the city, especially at night.

Main attractions: Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, Galerias Pacífico, Teatro Colón, Café Tortoni, Obelisco, and many Tango houses, such as Tango Porteño and Piazzolla Tango.

As you can do everything on foot, it is close to everything and has many hotel options, the great advantage of this area is being able to save a lot.

2 – Bairro Recoleta – Great location, restaurants, and everything you need close by.

It is certainly one of the most charming neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, a place with the richest population, tourists, and practical.

Main attractions: Recoleta Cemetery, Floralis Generica, Plaza Francia, Palais de Glace, National Library, Borges Museum, and El Ateneo Grand Splendid.

Easy transportation by subway, buses, parks, services, and good restaurants, close to shopping malls.

Quiet and safe area to walk, even at night, and do almost everything on foot.

3 – San Telmo neighborhood – Alternative and renovated

San Telmo is a historic neighborhood, which has gone through a very decadent phase and has been renovating for some years, without losing its tradition.

It tries to maintain tradition with sales of antiquarian products, lots of old trinkets, and the most diverse art.

Main attractions of San Telmo: the Museum of Modern Art of Buenos Aires.

Every Sunday, the famous San Telmo Fair.

Whether for food or sightseeing, the Mercado de San Telmo should be part of your itinerary.

The bars, snack bars, and restaurants have better prices than those in the center and other more upscale neighborhoods, in addition to being close to the center.

4 – Puerto Madero – Luxury and modernity

Puerto Madero was built on a decaying old port area, where many luxury hotels and top restaurants are located. Its planned space, with its channels, has a very modern and beautiful landscape.

It is a place for those who like an exclusive place away from the crowds, so to visit anything you have to take transport.

The architecture of the new buildings stands out, bridges such as the Puente de la Mujer, a large green area, lagoons and the shore on the Rio de la Plata, and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is also worth visiting.

It’s a neighborhood for those who want tranquility, modernity, luxury and don’t worry about spending a little more.

Palermo – Restaurants, parks and culture.

Palermo is a residential neighborhood, with quiet, tree-lined streets, with restaurants and shops in some areas, in addition to being the greenest neighborhood in Buenos Aires.

The region known as Palermo Soho is the commercial and gastronomic area of the neighborhood.

Main attractions in Palermo: It has to do with culture, such as the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, the Evita Museum, the MALBA, the Buenos Aires Zoo, the Japanese Garden and other attractions within the immense parks of Palermo.

It’s a very quiet place, far from the hustle and bustle, but you’ll have to leave the neighborhood to get to know the main attractions of Buenos Aires.

As it is a more residential neighborhood, public transport is much scarcer.
More about this source textSource text required for additional translation information
Send feedback
Side panels

When to go

As Argentina is a large country and the seasons are well defined.

You can visit all year round depending on what you want to do or avoid.

Patagonia

For those who like adventure, it is one of the most famous regions that covers Argentina and Chile.

It has two main seasons, Winter (between June and early September) for those who want to enjoy the cold, and snow and enjoy the tourist cities of Bariloche, Calafate, and Ushuaia,

And the summer (from December to February) for hikes in the mountains and parks like Torre Del Paine (Chile). El Chalten (Argentina) See my trip there

Pampas

The Pampa is a region of eastern, coastal, and central Argentina, including the cities of Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, and Rosario.

With relatively well-defined seasons, the months from March to May, and also between September and October are good for visiting the Argentine capital and cities in the region. The mild temperatures, without too hot sun and little rain, are perfect for enjoying outdoor walks in tourist cities.

In addition, they will be full of flowers and with a special charm for visitors.

The North region

Which borders Brazil Puerto Iguazu is the most famous city in this region and is much visited by those who go to Foz do Iguaçu, in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este, in Paraguay.

Autumn (from March to May) is the ideal period to visit this region, the rivers have waterfalls with lots of water, mild temperatures, and less risk of rain.

Cuyo

For those who like wine and also see the Andes Mountains, the tip is to visit the cities of Mendoza and San Juan, where the most famous wineries and beautiful deserts are located.

The mild climate (from March to May and from September to November) is perfect for walking, enjoying tastings, and climbing the Cordillera.

Northwest

It is a region for those who enjoy adventure, where the cities of Jujuy, Tucumán, and Salta are located, close to Chile and Bolivia.

The main attractions are salt flats, deserts, colorful mountains, and crystalline waters.

Winter, (from June to August) is the period of clear, stable, and cloudless weather that is ideal for a visit.

The minimum temperature can reach 5°C, but the landscape is worth it.

How to get

From Brazil, the best way is to take a plane that has direct flights from several capitals.

Historically, May is the cheapest month to fly to Buenos Aires. The second comes in October. December, January, and July are the most expensive months.

You can also keep an eye on the promotions that are many and you can spend 4 to 5 days with less than $300.

Keep an eye on Skyscanner.

Costs

Argentina is a country that in the last 30 years has always been in crisis.

It was once a country that we Brazilians always wanted to go to enjoy the culture, and gastronomy and mainly to buy products that were much cheaper than here.

Today the country is still 20% cheaper than Brazil, but with the economic crisis, it has nothing to offer other than good wines, great food, and beautiful places.

Based on my experience and that of several other traveler friends, I will put here a daily average for 3 levels of traveler, not counting the airfare, as it depends on where you leave.

Super Economy Traveler: US $50.00 per day.

It is the traveler who stays in hostels sharing a room, cooks his own food, uses public transport, does not use alcoholic beverages and his tours are free such as walking tours, beaches, city walks, and free events.

Average traveler: US$90.00 per day.

It’s the traveler who can stay in a private room, have a few meals at popular restaurants, take the occasional taxi and go on some paid sightseeing.

Demanding Traveler US $130.00 per day.

Staying in budget hotels, eating in restaurants, drinking alcoholic beverages, renting a car, and taking your paid tours.

And depending on the type of hotel, tour, and restaurant, this value can increase a lot.

Remembering that this is an average value, where you will spend more in one day and less in the next

See here the detailed costs of products and services in Numbeo Argentina.

Always on trips, there is the possibility of leaving the planning and having a bigger bill to pay when we return home.

Here are some tips for you not to break the bank.

Travel off-season

For me one of the best ways to save. When you can find cheaper accommodation and especially without crowds (March-June and September-November are the low seasons).

Find the cheapest local foods.

Empanada, and choripán (sausage in bread) stalls are great options for cheap meals.

Walk or rent a bike.

There are currently many places to rent a bike. This gives you a lot of mobility, and savings on transportation, in addition to exercising which is good for your health and the planet.

Buy the wine at the supermarket

You can find many great wines between $5, 3.00, and 6.00 a bottle and sometimes much cheaper.

Stay with a local.

I don’t use Couchsurfing but a lot of my friends do and that’s the best way to connect with locals and save money

Carry a reusable water bottle.

Tap water, in major cities, is safe to drink, in addition to saving money, it also reduces the amount of plastic.

I use bottles from Nalgene, Camelbak, and the filter from MSR.

Explore the Outdoors.

Hiking is free and across the country, you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy this and other outdoor activities, as Argentina is blessed with many urban parks and nature reserves where you can spend the day strolling and relaxing. (And, of course, there are a plethora of national parks where you can go multi-day hikes!).

Use public transportation.

As you are on vacation, you can take public transport during off-peak hours. The main cities of Argentina are well served.

The main cities are very far from each other, so take advantage of the night bus which, in addition to being cheaper, saves you a night in a hotel.

Take the free walking tours.

Big cities have lots of free walking tours.

These tours connect you with local history for free. Remember to tip your guide at the end.

How to plan your trip around the world of your dreams.

Get the knowledge and tools that will make you an expert in traveling around the world, with

  • Total freedom of choice.
  • Lower cost because you do not have to pay anyone to do it for you.
  • You can change your plans at any time and for any reason.
  • You can cancel, change and simply do not pay fines or penalties.

Getting around

Public transportation.

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

Public buses are the most common way to travel within cities, with Argentine inflation it is difficult to know the current prices of certain things.

Note that to use both buses, subways, and trains, you must have a SUBE card, which you can buy at any kiosk in the city or at the tourist service points at Aeroparque and Ezeiza airports.

What is RED SUBE?

It is the system that integrates all modes of public transport (buses, metro buses, trains, and subways) in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) and offers discounts if you make one or more combinations.

How it works?

The discount is applied automatically and hassle-free with your SUBE card at the time of travel. In 2 hours you can make up to 5 transport combinations:

Taxis.

Taxis are very affordable in Argentina. In Buenos Aires, public transport is available everywhere, so you can probably save money by not using a taxi.

Bus

Argentina has an excellent short and long-distance bus network. It is common to have food on board, Wi-Fi, and alcohol on long-distance buses.

I made several trips like Buenos Aires to Mendoza, it takes 15 hours and costs approximately US$30.00, El Calafate to El Chalten, 3 hours US$8.00

Air

Flying through South America is not very cheap, and Argentina is no exception, but the distances are very long and it is often the best option

Buenos Aires to El Calafate is 50 hours by bus, and from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is more than 60 hours. The best option is to go by plane

Train

The rail system in Argentina is very limited, it only goes to three places: Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Rosario.

There are famous train trips for tourists such as:

The Train to the Clouds starts in Salta and passes through the Andes.

Tren de la Costa that goes from Buenos Aires to Tigre.

La Trochita, the Old Patagonian Express between Esquel and El Maiten.

End of the world train – Ushuaia.

Car Rental

Car rental costs around ARS 5,500-7,300 per day. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age. Drivers here can be aggressive and road conditions can be rough at times, so prepare accordingly.

Security

It is always good to know about security when you are going to a place and having a comparison of what you know helps to measure it better.

Here are the 13 travel scams to prepare and stay safe.

Argentina is one of the safest countries in Latin America. I’ve been many times and I’ve ridden almost all of Argentina without incident.

See here my trip to Patagonia Argentina.

We Brazilians are used to much more violence. For other travelers, safety can be compared with European countries, but we are not in Europe.

In some areas of Buenos Aires, thefts may occur more frequently

As in any place with a lot of traffic and tourists, more violent cases are rare.

I like to use some comparison sites like Travel Safe Abroad

They use an index that ranks countries from 0 to 100, with 0 to 33 being the most dangerous, 33 to 66 being somewhat safe/dangerous, and 66 to 100 being the safest.

Argentina has an index of 70 – safest countries, while Brazil has a 52 classification of unsafe countries.

See here for more details on security in Argentina.

Documents and Vaccine

For Brazilians, an identity card with less than 10 years of issue or a passport valid for tourism for up to 90 days is sufficient.

* Attention! The CNH is not valid as an identity document to enter the country.

For other nationalities, consult your embassy in Argentina here

Here is the site of the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones of Argentina,

There is no requirement for any vaccinations to travel to Argentina.

Planing your Travel? Tips and Tricks

Here are tips and tools to make the journey more enjoyable.

If you still have doubt.

Check the blog area with the materials that will help you on your trip as:

Book your flight.

Finding cheap air tickets can be difficult and stressful, but with my blog’s tips and using Skyscanner or Momondo the task can be even fun. Today are the most complete tools on the market . In my experience I have seen that even using  others these two end up having the best prices.

Book your accommodation.

If you prefer Hostel a great tool is Hostelwold, If you want besides hostels, other options use the Booking.com. I have used both very often and always find the best prices.

Travel insurance.

Insurance is what we never want to use, but it is traumatic if we need and not have it.
It will cover the costs of any eventuality of illness, injury, theft and / or ticket cancellations, etc. It is extremely important to have as you never know what can happen.
I have used the WorldNomads, which always have the insurance coverage that travelers need, in addition to having coverage worldwide.

GET MY BEST TIPS DIRECTLY IN YOUR EMAIL!

Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Copyright 2024 © All rights Reserved. The Wander Traveler