Travel Argentina

Everything You Need to Know About Travelling in Argentina

Everything you need to know for your trip to Argentina! What’s the best time to go, and where can you find vegetarian or vegan food? What is the currency in Argentina, and do you need to protect yourself against mosquitos? And more questions answered about travelling in Argentina, South America in this ultimate guide.

📍Geography & Places to Visit in Argentina

Argentina is a huge country, and with that comes a huge amount of diversity, from the culture to the climate. From the polar regions of Patagonia to the subtropical jungles on the border with Brazil, you’ll find just about everything in Argentina.

Here’s a rundown of the main destinations:

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, and when I was there I met a lot of people at the beginning or end of a long South American adventure, which was really exciting. It’s known for it’s “European” feel, which I very much found to be true. It was much more laid back and open-plan than the other capital cities I visited in South America, and it definitely seemed to be the safest, too. The city is divided into distinct neighbourhoods which each have their own character, with most travellers and immigrants staying in Palermo, Recoleta and San Telmo.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu is one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, right on the border between Argentina and Brazil, and incredibly close to where they meet at the border of Paraguay, too. It’s common to visit both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the falls, with the Argentine side offering more close-up views via extensive walkways and multiple viewing points. The surrounding national park is somewhere you could easily stay for weeks and weeks.

Mendoza

Mendoza is right in the heart of Argentina’s wine country, set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains. It’s especially known for it’s Malbec wines right now, but as you’ll learn if you take a tour of a vineyard, this can change more often and more quickly than you think! The city itself is mysteriously quiet but friendly enough, however the real attractions are outside of the city, and include their football stadium, wine trail, and Cacheuta Hot Springs.

Patagonia

Patagonia is a vast region that encompasses several key destinations, both on the Chilean and Patagonian sides. Some key destinations on the Argentinian side are:

  • El Calafate: known as the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier
  • El Chaltén: Argentina’s trekking capital, which is close to Mount Fitz Roy, and generally known as the Place To Be for hikers in Argentina
  • Ushuaia: The world’s southernmost city, a truly magical place and where expeditions to the antarctic usually leave from!
  • Bariloche: A lake district in the north of Patagonia with Swiss-style architecture and small town vibes

Salta & the North West

The colonial city of Salta serves as a base for exploring the many sights of northern Argentina, including the colourful rock formations like the Calchaquí Valleys, which span three provinces, or the Hill of Seven Colours in Purmamarca.

Córdoba

Córdoba is Argentina’s second-largest city, known for its colonial architecture, universities, and the surrounding sierra mountains. I actually didn’t go to Córdoba myself, but I heard mixed reviews from other travellers around Argentina.

🌎 Argentina’s Borders

Argentina borders five countries: Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. Each border is quite different, but they’re all crossable with a little forward planning. Remember that you may need to have your passport stamped in or out of the country you are crossing to or from, but you won’t get your passport stamped entering or leaving Argentina as they now use a completely digital system.

Argentina-Chile Border

The Argentina-Chile border is Argentinas longest border with multiple crossing points. Chile and Argentina are separated by the Andes mountains, so routes by road can take a long time even if you’re going a short distance, due to the winding roads.

The most popular crossings are El Calafate to Torres del Paine in the south, and Mendoza to Santiago in the centre.

I had originally booked to take the overnight bus from Mendoza to Santiago with someone I met travelling, but we discovered the bus had been cancelled due to bad weather in the Andes just an hour before we were due to leave! Other friends’ buses that weekend were also cancelled, but I don’t know how often this actually happens.

Argentina-Bolivia Border

Most travellers cross from Argentina to Brazil at Iguazu Falls, which is a well known and a well organised tourist route. The crossing is very straightforward, although it can be busy at peak seasons.

Argentina-Uruguay Border

Regular ferries connect Buenos Aires to Colonia and Montevideo in Uruguay, which is by far the most convenient and common way to cross (and apparently the most scenic, too). There are also land crossings, but they are seldom used.

Argentina-Brazil Border

The Argentina-Bolivia border is not often used, especially by tourists, but whilst I was travelling in South America this year I went a bit off-piste and did end up crossing from Bolivia into Argentina at the at La Quiaca-Villazón crossing. It’s quite the story (and one I’ll be writing soon!), but for now know that, whilst quite unused to tourists, the crossing was fairly manageable and safe for me as a female solo traveller.

Argentina-Paraguay Border

Again, the border between Argentina and Paraguay is seldom used by tourists, but they are safe enough although there is often traffic. The two crossings are at Posadas-Encarnación and Clorinda-Asunción.

🌦 Weather in Argentina & When to Go

Touristy Seasons in Argentina

The touristy season in Argentina very much depends on which part of the country you’re going to. Argentina is such a huge country and has a very varied climate, so of course this has a knock-on effect on tourist seasons.

In Patagonia, the peak season is from December to February, which is the summer there. If you’re going more towards the north of Patagonia, you can stray into Spring or August. For example, I went to Bariloche at the beginning of April and it was cold but manageable and still very sunny!

At Iguazu Falls, the best time to go is between March and April or August and September, to avoid the worst of the heat and rain. But, in my experience, most travellers went to Iguazu whenever it fit their timetable, as the weather can be quite unpredictable anyway.

Mendoza has ideal weather year-round and doesn’t necessarily have a “tourist season”. I was there in April, and it went from 30 degree sunshine to 11 degree rain in one week..!

Summer Season

The summer in Argentina is generally from December to February, which is the best time to visit Patagonia but can be stiflingly hot in Buenos Aires and the North.

Winter Season

June to August is winter in Argentina, which brings mild weather to the north but bitter cold (read: too cold to visit) in the south. If you’re into skiing, this is a great time to ski in the north of Patagonia, but the south is more or less a no-go.

Shoulder Seasons

March-May and September-November are the “shoulder seasons” (or, spring and august) in Argentina, and they often offer the best combination of comfortable weather and fewer crowds, especially if you want to visit both the north and the south of Argentina.

Sunrise & Sunset in Argentina

Given Argentina’s vast size, sunrise and sunset times can vary significantly depending on where you are in the country and the time of year. In the north, like in Salta, the difference between summer and winter daylight hours is less pronounced. You might see the sun rise around 6:30 AM and set around 7:30 PM in summer, shifting to about 7:30 AM and 6:30 PM in winter. Down in the south you’ll experience more variations. In the height of summer (December), you could see the sun rise as early as 4:30 AM and set as late as 10:30 PM. Come winter (June), the sun might not rise until almost 10 AM and will set around 5 PM.

🚍 Getting Around & Public Transport in Argentina

Domestic Flights

Research will tell you that domestic flights are an essential for covering long distances. Whilst this is true, there are also a lot of comfortable, long-distance buses you can take and this was how I got around Argentina! Booking flights last minute, even domestic flights, can get quite expensive. Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM Airlines are the main carriers.

Long-distance Buses

So, as I just mentioned, Argentina has an excellent long-distance bus network, and this is basically how I travelled around the whole of the country. Common companies are Andesmar and Via Bariloche, but the company you choose doesn’t matter as much as the type of chair you use, which are standard or “cama” (bed), which basically bags you a giant armchair to travel in. In my opinion, these are a must for the 24-hour journey you’ll end up doing if you want to travel Argentina by bus!

Trains

There are very limited trains in Argentina. There are a couple of short lines coming out of Buenos Aires, but they’re not commonly used by tourists or travellers. There is one train line in Salta, in the north, called the Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) which takes you on a scenic route to a canyon and La Polvorilla Viaduct.

Local Transport

Most cities rely on bus networks and don’t have an underground metro system. Buenos Aires is, of course, the exception, where they have an extensive network of metro lines (you’ll hear this called the “Subte”).

Uber

Uber is safe to use in Argentina, but the legality is in a bit of a grey area. It has flipped between legal and illegal, both country wide and specifically within the city of Buenos Aires. That being said, I used it plenty of times whilst I was travelling in Argentina and I had no issues at all – the locals all use it, too!

Car Rental

Renting a car is useful both in Patagonia and to explore the wine region of Argentina, however I wouldn’t recommend it for going around the whole country. The roads are good but the distances between cities are really, really vast and sometimes you may not find somewhere to stop on the way from one to another.

🍽 Food in Argentina

Vegetarians & Vegans

Argentina is well known for two things: wine, and steak.

Well, you’d be surprised to discover how much vegetarian food you’ll find around Argentina, especially in the bigger cities. I was a vegetarian for almost the entire time that I was in Argentina and I didn’t have any trouble finding something to eat! Finding traditional Argentinian food may be a little more difficult, but I did find some vegetarian Milanesa in a random, remote Argentinian restaurant just outside Mendoza!!

Is Street Food Safe?

Street food is generally safe in Argentina, particularly in busy areas. Make sure that everything, especially meat, is fully cooked, and be wary of anything that looks like it’s been sat out for too long (especially things like empanadas).

Can You Drink Tap Water in Argentina?

You can drink the tap water in most major cities, but always ask to check, just in case. I found that the tap water in Mendoza upset my stomach, and so switched to bottled water, but everyone else I met there had no problem with it. If you’re unsure, stick to bottled water just in case.

🤟 Languages in Argentina

What Languages Do They Speak in Argentina?

Spanish is the official language, and they have quite a distinctive accent and lexicon. Some indigenous languages, are spoken in certain regions, like Guaraní in the north and close to Paraguay, however, Spanish is pretty universal throughout the country.

Do People Speak English in Argentina?

Knowledge of English throughout Argentina varies a lot. You might find a large number of English speakers in the more touristy districts of Buenos Aires, like Palermo and Recoleta, especially in tourism industries like restaurants and hotels. However, outside these areas, you’re likely to find less English speakers.

Language Schools

Buenos Aires is a major destination for learning Spanish, as it’s such a vibrant and safe city with relatively low prices for westerners. Spanish schools in Buenos Aires usually offer a choice of intensive courses or longer-term classes, combined with cultural activities like languages classes. You’ll also find similar programmes at even lower prices outside of Buenos Aires, in cities like Mendoza and Córdoba.

💵 Money & Currency in Argentina

What is the currency in Argentina?

The currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS). Argentina has faced significant economic instability and inflation in the past, so huge stacks of cash notes are worth comparatively little. Inflation is still an issue in Argentina so exchange rates also change all the time.

For example, when I visited, most cash is in 1,000 peso notes, which is the equivalent of a 1 dollar bill. Larger notes don’t really exist; we did come across some 2,000 peso notes, but they were rare. So, it was like carrying around a huge wad of 1$ bills to pay for everything!

How much does it cost to withdraw money in Argentina?

Now, this is a tricky one, and note that the situation changes frequently, so check the prices and exchange rate yourself before you make any decisions!

Historically, the “blue rate” (unofficial exchange rate), offered at bureau de exchanges and Western Unions, gave a much better exchange rate than the official rate, offered at the bank. Sometimes up to 2 or 3 times as much! So, travellers would steer clear of ATMs.

When I went, right after the most recent election, the “blue rate” and the official rate had just become almost equal, so it wasn’t the end of the world when I had to use an ATM in an emergency. However, the best deal was still with Western Union, and that was the standard way that everyone in my hostel was withdrawing cash.

With Western Union, the more you transfer in one go, the better rate you get, so we’d often group together to do a big withdrawal and split it between us. Asking someone in your accommodation right after you arrive, especially someone that works there, is probably the best way to get an updated picture of the situation.

Do they take card in Argentina?

Yes, card is quite widely accepted in larger cities, especially in Buenos Aires. You can usually use card to pay for things like accommodation, tours, and in most restaurants. Some businesses offer a discount for paying in cash, but that’s becoming less common.

⛑ Safety and Medical Care in Argentina

Tourist Areas & the Tourist Trail

Major tourist areas are generally safe, with good infrastructure and tourist police presence. Buenos Aires requires typical big-city awareness, especially in certain areas and, of course, at night. However, I was alone for a lot of my stay in Buenos Aires and I never felt unsafe.

Patagonia is especially safe, and revered as almost sacred by locals and tourists alike. In places like Bariloche and El Chaltén, it’s not unsafe to be out on the streets at nighttime, for example.

The north, in my experience, was a little more chaotic and less safe, but nothing out of this world, and Mendoza felt a little unsafe just for the sheer lack of people around.

Pickpockets

Petty theft can occur, especially in bigger cities like Salta, Buenos Aires and Mendoza, and it’s more likely to happen in places like crowded markets, public transport and football stadiums. As usual, just take the usual precautions and keep your personal belongings close to you.

Violent Crime

Violent crime targeting tourists is rare, and whilst it does happen it’s not something you need to be too worried about. Stay aware, avoid isolated areas at night time, and use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber. Another good piece of advice is to follow advice from locals about the areas to avoid – it’s surprisingly easy to wander into a dodgy area by accident!

Taking a Local Guide

Taking a local guide is recommended for remote hiking trails, especially in Patagonia. You can also take a local guide for wildlife watching in Valdés or for wine tasting in Mendoza. Local guides are a great way to discover new places that you wouldn’t otherwise know about, give back to the local community, and stay safe, all at the same time!

Can you drink the tap water in Argentina?

Tap water is generally safe in major cities, but check with your accommodation provider or someone local before you drink.

Travel Insurance & What to do if you get ill

Travel insurance is always essential, especially if you want to do activities like skiing or high-altitude trekking. Remember that you may need to upgrade or pay extra for your travel insurance if you want to do high risk activities. If you do have to access healthcare, get to Buenos Aires if it’s at all possible. The healthcare in Buenos Aires is the best and public hospitals are safe and available to everyone free of charge, even non-residents. If you decide to go private, check that it will be covered by your insurance provider.

Altitude Sickness

A concern in northwest Argentina (Salta, Jujuy provinces) where altitudes can exceed 4,000m. Acclimatize gradually and consider appropriate medication if planning high-altitude activities.

Mosquitos

It’s a good idea to take insect repellent when you’re travelling in Argentina, because you may be exposed to bites at various points throughout your trip.

Dengue Fever

There is a risk of dengue fever wherever there are mosquitos, and that especially includes the north, the Iguazu region, and other tropical areas. There was a huge infestation of mosquitos in Buenos Aires when I was there, which I think often happens at the end of the summer.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Iguazu and other northern regions, though not legally required unless you’re arriving from certain countries or areas with high risk of yellow fever.

Malaria

There is little to no risk of malaria in Argentina.

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