Is Argentina expensive? When is the best month to visit? What is the most convenient means of transportation? These Argentina travel tips and advice from Buenos Aires resident Martina will help you make the most of your time in Argentina.
By Martina Grossi
World Nomad Contributor – Friday, July 19, 2024
Photo © Sean O’Reilly
Essential Tips for First-Time Travelers
Learn basic Spanish. Many locals speak English, but knowing some key phrases will enhance your experience and may be useful in more remote areas. Pack for a variety of weather conditions. Argentina has a diverse climate and you may encounter anything from sunshine to snow. Plan your time wisely. Argentina is very large, 2,360 miles (3,800 km) long and 880 miles (1,420) wide. So, if you have limited time, choose a few towns and regions to explore instead of trying to see everything. Enjoy the local cuisine. Try the empanadas, asado, and mate. Use public transportation. It is efficient and affordable, especially in the cities. Beware of crime and theft. Keep your belongings safe and be aware of your surroundings. Bring cash. In many places, cash is preferred over credit cards, especially in smaller towns. Respect local customs. Familiarize yourself with Argentine etiquette and social norms to deepen your understanding and enjoyment of the culture. If you are visiting a high altitude area like Mendoza, allow time for acclimatization. Stay hydrated – the climate can be dry, especially in the northern regions, so drink plenty of water.
Is Argentina expensive?
In 2023, Argentina was a very affordable destination for those bringing larger currency, but inflation has skyrocketed in 2024. Argentina is still a relatively cheap destination, especially compared to Western Europe. If you’re on a budget, you can travel for around $35-40 USD per day, including hostel accommodation, cheap meals, and local public transport.
Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and other areas popular with travelers (such as coastal towns like Mar del Plata and Pinamar, or the famous Iguazu Falls) are more expensive. These destinations are always in high demand from both locals and international tourists. Travel to remote areas can also be more expensive, as it becomes more difficult to transport goods.
Money Tips
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but many restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels only accept cash or require a minimum spend before you can swipe your card.
Argentina’s currency is constantly volatile, especially during the current economic crisis, and exchange rates and regulations change frequently, so when planning your trip, make sure you check information that has been updated within the past three months.
Always keep some cash and coins on hand, and if you need more just withdraw it from one of the ATMs scattered around cities and towns. Whatever you do, tread carefully, never show your wallet, and never withdraw large amounts of money at once.
A tip of 10% to 15% is expected but not required, especially when dining out.
When is the best time to visit Argentina?
A good rule of thumb is to visit between September and April (early spring to early fall). Ultimately, it depends on where you’re going, as the weather varies from region to region. But spring through fall is mostly great weather across the country.
If you don’t like extreme cold, avoid June through August, especially if you’re going to Patagonia. If you don’t like extreme heat, avoid Buenos Aires and the central and northeastern regions in the summer, where you can expect even “cool” days to reach 90°F (32°C).
Winters in Buenos Aires are mild, with temperatures around 55°F (13°C), but it gets colder as you move further south and west.
When choosing what to pack, don’t forget your sunscreen as the sun in Argentina can be really strong. Also, don’t forget to bring layers of clothes. Argentina is big, so many travelers staying for 2-3 weeks choose to travel by plane, so if you’re heading to Patagonia from Buenos Aires, you may experience a big change in temperature.
As you approach the Andes, layers are essential, as temperatures drop rapidly between day and night, even in summer. Rain gear is especially useful if you’re travelling in the central and northwestern parts of the country, where heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year. On average, November is the rainiest month nationwide.
Quebrada de las Conchas, Salta province. Image credit: Sean O’Reilly
Public transport in Argentina
Argentina has an extensive, low-cost public transport system, and the easiest way to get around in most cities is with the SUBE card, which can be purchased at lottery offices, train and metro stations, and kiosks. This rechargeable card is not accepted everywhere, but it is available in major metropolitan areas and over 30 smaller regions.
With long-distance buses the main form of transport outside Buenos Aires, intercity trains have been neglected for decades, but have recently been revived with the Ferrocarril service, which connects 12 of Argentina’s 23 provinces. If you have the time, trains are a leisurely way to explore Argentina’s more off-the-beaten-path parts, but beware: they are slow, not very comfortable and sometimes don’t depart on time.
Take a taxi or UBER
Catching a taxi is very easy in any Argentine city or surrounding area, especially at night, but just to be safe, always check that the taxi is licensed and belongs to a “radio taxi” company.
Some taxis have a sign on the roof of the vehicle indicating which company they belong to. If there is no sign and you still decide to take a taxi, check the taxi’s registration information displayed inside the vehicle.
Be careful: taxis all over the country are different colors: black and yellow in Buenos Aires, white in Cordoba, etc.
UBER has been officially legally available in Buenos Aires since September 2020, so you can ride with confidence. Cabify, a competitor of UBER, is also available in major cities.
If you go out at night, hail a taxi or use UBER. Avoid standing at a bus stop or riding the subway when there are no people around as this can be dangerous.
Top places to visit in Argentina
Mountains and Lakes of Patagonia. Argentine Patagonia, covering almost the entire southern part of Argentina, is a must-see. As an avid traveler who loves to brag about his country, I have never met anyone who questions the absolute beauty of the region’s dramatic snow-capped mountains, blue lakes, villages, glaciers, and amazing hiking trails. Highlights of Patagonia include the Perito Moreno Glacier, Bariloche in the Lake District, El Chalten, Argentina’s hiking capital, remote Ushuaia at the tip of Tierra del Fuego, and Cerro Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, in Mendoza (just north of the official starting point of Argentine Patagonia). Road Trip Along the Andes. A popular itinerary for road trippers is a drive along National Route 40 around the western part of the country. This drive bypasses the Andes and also covers the northern part of Patagonia, Cuyo and the northwestern region. The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, and its southern end is home to the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere, so prepare for altitude sickness (I found that out the hard way). Diverse Landscapes in Northern Argentina. Northern Argentina offers completely different travel experiences, from the arid, dramatic landscapes of Salta and Jujuy near Bolivia to Argentina’s own New Seven Wonders of the World, Iguazu Falls, 269 feet (82 meters) high and 1.6 miles (2.7 kilometers) wide, in the lush rainforest along the Brazilian border. Wine and More in Mendoza. Located in the Cuyo region of the Midwest, Mendoza is known for its wine, but this often underrated region is also filled with otherworldly landscapes, such as the Pampa Negra, a black volcanic desert in Mendoza province, the moon-like terrain of the Valley of the Moon, the windy Balear plains of San Juan, and the Grand Canyon-like Sierra de las Quijadas in San Luis. Other outstanding natural landmarks in Argentina include Esteros del Ibera, a vast wetland in Corrientes, and the wildlife-rich Valdes Peninsula in Chubut. Food and Culture in Argentine Cities. Travelers looking for a taste of city life should know that Buenos Aires is known as the city that never sleeps. Museums, restaurants, nightlife, tango, and more make the city of Porto a blast. But Cordoba, Rosario, and Mendoza are also vibrant cities packed with activities, local culture, and delicious cuisine. Try the classic toast of Rosario, Carlitos, traditional empanadas cordobesa, or traditional dishes of Mendozan such as humita en chala.
Penguins on the beach at Peninsula Valdes. Image credit: Sean O’Reilly
Popular adventure activities in Argentina
For thrill-seekers and lovers of the outdoors, Argentina is an adventurous traveller’s dream. Here are some of the best ways to experience the country’s natural beauty and rugged terrain.
Hiking in Patagonia: Patagonia is a world-class hiking destination, with amazing trails such as the Fitz Roy Trek, the Torres del Paine Circuit, and the Laguna de los Tres. Glacier trekking: The iconic Perito Moreno Glacier is rightly famous, and hiking on the ice is unforgettable. But you can also hike the Viedma Glacier, the largest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Guided tours are available for both. Whitewater rafting: From Iguazu Falls to Patagonia, there are great rafting rivers all over Argentina. Raft down the famously thrilling Aluminé River in the Lake District or the Framento River in Salta, with its more than 10 rapids. Mountain biking and cycling: Enjoy beautiful lake views from the tracks around Bariloche, or cycle through the vineyards of Mendoza. Road cyclists will find thousands of miles of scenic, less trafficked roads to explore. Try the Seven Lakes Route or cruise the charming Quebrada de las Conchas. Surfing: Argentina isn’t often thought of as a surfing destination, but it should be. Catch the waves at popular coastal spots like Mar del Plata and Necochea, 5-6 hours south of Buenos Aires. Horseback riding: Live like a traditional gaucho and explore Argentina’s pampas and Andean foothills on horseback. Don’t forget to stop at an estancia for wine and asado along the way. Wildlife watching: Spot penguins and whales on Peninsula Valdes (sometimes called the “Galapagos of the Atlantic”) or look for otters, monkeys and capybaras at Esteros del Ibera.
Additional reporting by Ellen Hall
