From wild Argentine Patagonia to the colorful and welcoming La Boca, Argentina offers a unique international travel experience. The country has beautiful landmarks, rich culture, and delicious gastronomy. So if you are looking for your next destination in South America, this is a trip to consider.
In this ultimate Argentina travel guide, we will share some travel tips and everything you need to know about how to enter Argentina and enjoy this trip.
Document Checklist for Argentina
- Visa
- Argentina Affidavit
- Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Sufficient funds
- Return airline ticket
Essential Argentina Travel Information
Currency - Argentine peso (ARS). $1 is equivalent to approx. ARS 156,89.
Daily budget for 1 person - A daily budget of around ARS 7,300 ($48).
Languages - Spanish.
Socket type - Types C and I. The country operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Time zone - Greenwich Mean Time GMT -03:00.
Top 3 cities to visit - Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Bariloche.
Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Tierra del Fuego National Park, Caminito Street Museum, and Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires.
Visa Information for Argentina
Argentina has different visas depending on different travel purposes. You must visit the nearest embassy to apply for the document or get additional information. Besides visas, the Argentina Affidavit is a mandatory document to enter the country since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Argentina Visa
The Argentina Tourist Visa is issued to foreigners entering the country for tourism or other recreational purposes. On the other hand, the Argentina Business Visa is designed for those traveling for reasons related to their work. If you will visit the country for work, but as a journalist, you can opt for the specific Argentina Media/Journalist Visa.
The Argentina Medical Treatment Visa is for travelers who need to enter Argentina to receive treatment in an Argentinian health institution. And for members of an officially recognized religious order in Argentina or who are traveling for reasons related to religion, there is the option of the Argentina Religious Visa.
Nationals from most countries need a visa, but there are still some visa-exempt cases, like most countries in South America. You can use the iVisa Visa Checker to see if you need the document.
Argentina Affidavit
The Argentina Affidavit is a Health Form mandatory for all travelers visiting Argentina. Argentine national and foreign travelers are required to fill out the Affidavit application to assist local authorities in their fight against the spread of COVID-19. This form helps government officials track and contain occasional outbreaks and contact you in case of close contact with an infected person.
Typical Costs and Budget for Argentina
This is an essential guide to what you'll spend daily traveling through Argentinas on a decent budget.
Daily spending - Around ARS 7,300 ($48) per person/per day on a budget vacation. This includes:
Meals - ARS 2,358 ($16)
Transport - ARS 1,598 ($11)
Hotel - ARS 4,600 ($30) for two people
A trip for two for one week will cost, on average, ARS 102,196 ($674).
Transport and Best Ways to Travel around Argentina
Argentina is not a tiny country. There are more than 3,000 km driving from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, so a road trip can be an adventure, but very tiring as well. If you decide to rent a car, make sure you have a permit for international visitors and know about the local laws of traffic and speed limits, and be prepared for the jams in the big cities.
Bus travel is also an option, and you can find affordable prices; but keep in mind that if the next destination is very far, you can spend hours on the route that you could be spending enjoying the trip.
There are some places where a train station can be useful, like when traveling around Lake District. You can alsoenjoy tourist trains like the Tren a las Nubes. But usually, the railway network doesn’t offer a lot of options.
Airplanes are an option to optimize time and travel long distances. But be aware that it is expensive to fly in Argentina.
In main cities, you can use ride-hailing apps or the old-school radio taxi to call taxi drivers. In Buenos Aires, the metro can help you get to strategic places, and contracting a tour operator can be a fun way to discover the city.
Safety in Argentina
In some areas of Argentina, there are problems with illegal drugs, and things may turn violent, with even express kidnappings risk. But this is not what you will find in the tourist areas in major cities.
As a tourist, being victim of petty crime is more probable, so pay attention to distraction thefts, bag snatching, and look for personal safety when in crowded spaces. In the cities, keep the car doors locked, given thieves target cars stopped at traffic lights. If you have problems, you can contact the tourist police.
You can also follow the local media news to be informed about any unusual events during your stay.
Weather in Argentina
Argentina is a large and beautiful country with diverse regions, so you can find pretty different weather from one place to another. Patagonia and the Andes Mountains are freezing in the winter and have summer months with weather averages of 15-20°C (59-69°F). Buenos Aires and North Argentina offer high temperatures in the summer, and especially in the North, you will find a lot of humidity.
Winter (June to August): Best time to visit the North or enjoy the Bariloche ski resorts. If you want to visit Patagonia, you may find a lot of attractions closed due to the cold.
Spring (September to November): Best time to visit the Pampa region, with cool temperatures in all areas. In the South, icy gales may blow.
Summer (December to February): Best time to visit the highest Andean peaks, such as Cerro Aconcagua. It may be too hot to enjoy Buenos Aires at this time of year.
Autumn (March to May): Best time to visit Mendoza and San Juan, provinces for the wine harvests. It’s also a great moment to explore Patagonia.
Popular Cities and Towns in Argentina
There are so many places you can explore in Argentina! You can choose between historic cities and ski resorts, or you can explore wildlife in Patagonia. Here are some of the places to consider for your itinerary:
Buenos Aires - The capital has a vivid nightlife, great museums, and lovely historic neighborhoods, like San Telmo.
San Carlos de Bariloche - Favorite winter destination. Bariloche is a great place for skiing around European-style mountain chalets, with excellent resorts for fun and relaxing vacations.
Mendoza - Capital of the wine in Argentina, you can taste some of the best Argentine bottles. Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, it offers beautiful landscapes.
Ushuaia - One of the most distant destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. Ushuaia is the port for many Antarctica cruises and the gateway for those visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park in Patagonia.
Córdoba - Second largest city in the country. Córdoba is one of the historical places to visit in Argentina. The Spanish architectural structures are a must-see.
Travel Plans: Must Do and See in Argentina
Don’t miss these fantastic sights on your trip to Argentina:
Visit La Boca, the most colorful neighborhood in Buenos Aires and home to the quirky Caminito Street Museum.
Hike in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. The reserve has breathtaking landscapes, extending from Beagle Channel to the Chilean border. Just be prepared for some altitude sickness.
Ski in San Carlos de Bariloche. It’s also an opportunity to hike, raft, cycle, climb, and live an adventure!
Promenade in the historical center of Córdoba. The Plaza San Martin is a must-see, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit one of Mendonza’s wineries. Enjoy the best Argentine wine!
Typical Argentina Food to Try on Your Trip
Empanada - It’s a fried or baked pocket of dough stuffed with a savory filling. There are many versions, but some common flavors are beef, chicken, ham and cheese, spinach, and humita.
Choripán - This sandwich is a popular street food in Argentina. It’s made with beef or pork sausage sliced down the middle and served in a roll with chimichurri or “salsa criolla” (onion relish).
Asado - The traditional Argentine barbecue! You can choose different meats, such as lamb, pork, and mutton. They are cooked on a cast iron grill called a “parrilla” using either a charcoal (parrilla al carbón) or wood (parrilla a leña) burning fire.
Vaccine Information for Argentina
It's important to know what routine vaccines and COVID-19 measures are required to travel to Argentina. We recommend you check out the CDC website to learn all vaccine requirements and any recommended guidance or medicine lists.
Regarding health, travel insurance is not part of the entry requirements, but it is important to contract one that covers overseas medical costs, especially if you will hike or ski, in case you need emergency services.
Travel Advice: Tango Spectacles in Buenos Aires
Tango is the traditional Argentine dance, a very artistic and romantic gender. The dance’s origin lies in African candombe, Cuban habanera, waltzes, and polkas. It was popular among European immigrants, slaves, and the working and lower classes. So, the tango was historically performed in cabarets, restaurants, and social clubs across Buenos Aires.
Today, you can watch fantastic spectacles in dance halls (also called “milongas”), and in sophisticated restaurants. Some traditional spots to appreciate the dance are the Astor Piazzolla Theatre and the Faena Hotel, but you can find options for all budgets, and it can even be already included in the tour operator’s package.
Fun Facts about Argentina
Now that you know everything about places to visit, documents, and other entry requirements, it’s time to learn some fun facts about Argentina!
Argentina produced the world’s first animated feature film in 1917! It was the 70-minute film El Apóstol, a Quirino Cristiani production.
The Yerba Mate is the most popular drink in Argentina. This caffeine-infused drink is part of the social scene and is passed around between friends.
Government officials banned parents from naming their children Messi in the football star’s hometown. The government was worried about confusion later down the line if the name was to become too trendy.
97% of Argentinians have European heritage. This is due to the Spanish colonization and to the fact that later there was a mass immigration from Europe around the mid-19th century, primarily from Italy.
The largest known dinosaur was discovered in Argentina. It was a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur, between nine and 10 meters (29.5 and 32.8 feet) long, that lived over 100 million years ago in Patagonia.
As an avid traveler and Argentina enthusiast, I've explored the diverse landscapes, cultural gems, and culinary delights that this South American gem has to offer. My firsthand experiences have allowed me to delve deep into the intricacies of Argentina's travel scene, making me well-versed in the nuances of its attractions, documentation requirements, and practical tips. Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
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Document Checklist for Argentina:
- Visa: The article outlines various types of visas such as Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Media/Journalist Visa, Medical Treatment Visa, and Religious Visa. It emphasizes the necessity of checking visa requirements, highlighting visa-exempt cases in South America.
- Argentina Affidavit: A mandatory Health Form during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiding authorities in tracking and containing outbreaks. It's essential for both Argentine nationals and foreign travelers.
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Currency and Budget:
- The official currency is the Argentine peso (ARS), with an approximate exchange rate of $1 to ARS 156.89.
- A daily budget of around ARS 7,300 ($48) per person is recommended, covering meals, transport, and accommodation.
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Travel Information:
- Language: Spanish is the primary language.
- Socket Type: Types C and I; 220V supply voltage, 50Hz.
- Time Zone: GMT -03:00.
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Top Cities and Landmarks:
- Cities: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Bariloche.
- Landmarks/Monuments: Tierra del Fuego National Park, Caminito Street Museum, and Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires.
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Transportation:
- Options include road trips, buses, trains, airplanes, taxis, metro, and tour operators.
- Caution is advised regarding traffic laws and potential issues in big cities.
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Safety:
- Highlighted potential issues with illegal drugs in some areas.
- Emphasis on personal safety, especially in crowded spaces, and awareness of local news.
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Weather:
- Diverse climates across regions, with winter being suitable for the North and ski resorts, spring for the Pampa region, summer for Andean peaks, and autumn for wine regions.
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Popular Cities and Towns:
- Recommendations include Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Mendoza, Ushuaia, and Córdoba.
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Must-See Attractions:
- La Boca, Tierra del Fuego National Park, skiing in Bariloche, historical center of Córdoba, and wineries in Mendoza.
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Cuisine:
- Traditional foods like Empanada, Choripán, and Asado are highlighted.
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Vaccine Information:
- The need for routine vaccines and awareness of COVID-19 measures is emphasized. Travel insurance for medical emergencies is recommended.
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Tango Spectacles:
- Brief information on the traditional Argentine dance, Tango, and suggestions for places to experience it.
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Fun Facts:
- Facts include Argentina's contribution to the first animated feature film, the popularity of Yerba Mate, a ban on naming children Messi, the European heritage of Argentinians, and the discovery of a massive dinosaur in Patagonia.
In conclusion, this comprehensive Argentina travel guide caters to both the meticulous planner and the spontaneous adventurer, providing essential information for a memorable South American journey.
