Insider Travel Tips

Embark on an exhilarating adventure to the heart of South America with a journey through Argentina! Imagine stepping off the plane into the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, a city that dances to the rhythm of tango and thrives with European elegance and Latin passion. In Buenos Aires, you’ll taste an enticing fusion of Italian cuisine with Argentine ingredients. Some of the best restaurants in the world are found secreted away in the capital’s famous closed-door restaurants.

Argentina is a vast country with everything from steamy jungles and glaciated mountains to colorful deserts and 4,989 km (3,100 mi) of coast that go from warm beaches to penguin nesting grounds. Unless you have over a month, don’t try to do everything. After the capital, an Argentina vacation will offer you the windswept Patagonia, the sunny vineyards of the western slopes, the bright deserts in the northwest or the steamy jungles in the northeast.

With its vibrant film scene, Nobel legacies, and even the fossils of the largest-known dinosaurs, Argentina is not just a place you visit; it's a world you enter and a dream you live. Get ready to be captivated, for Argentina beckons with open arms and an open heart!

How much is a trip to Argentina?

Argentina is one of the most affordable destinations in South America, coupled with the best hotels and restaurants. Not including international airfare, plan on spending about $1,000 per week, though what you can get for that $1,000 is of much higher quality than in other countries around South America. Prices are significantly lower outside of Buenos Aires, except for Patagonia. Budget $50 per day for food and the same for hotels in the capital and Patagonia. Budget options at hostels around $10 per night are easy to find outside of Buenos Aires, though the lowest cost options in the capital and in Patagonia are around $20 per night.

When considering costs, first look up the current exchange rate, which is usually published comparing the Argentine peso with the US dollar. The economy in Argentina is unstable, which means that the exchange rate can be very different from one year to the next and sometimes one month to the next. The official rate is what you get if you exchange money at a bank or if you used your credit or debit card in Argentina.

You’ll also see the “dólar blue” rate published along with the official rate. This is what you’ll get if you exchange cash USD for Argentine pesos at informal exchange offices and on the street. Depending on the quickly changing inflation, you can get up to twice as many pesos per dollar if you exchange informally. Every city has a street where you can exchange dollars informally and your hotel concierge or clerk can tell you where that is. Be aware that in rural areas you might not be able to exchange money, though people may accept USD there.

It is more difficult to exchange Canadian dollars and euros, so if you plan to take cash, take US dollars with you.

Where to vacation in Argentina?

Each region has numerous destinations that deserve staying a few days or up to a week. Northward, Iguassu Falls await with their thunderous applause, where rainbows are born in the mist of cascading waters. It’s a fun spot for a border hop, where you can feel the spray on your face from both Argentina and Brazil.

Sip on the world's most aromatic Torrontés wine in the high-altitude vineyards of the Northwest, where the earth paints itself in hues of ochre and crimson. Then, venture into the soulful Pampas, the legendary land of the gauchos, where the horizon stretches into eternity, and the air is filled with the scent of wild grasses.

Journey to the edge of the world in Patagonia, a land of mythic glaciers, where colossal ice fields glisten under the southern sun and mountains whisper tales of creation. It’s a realm where whales choreograph ocean ballets, and the Andes stand guard over untamed beauty.

From the charming wineries of Mendoza to the quaint Welsh settlements of Patagonia, Argentina is a symphony of natural splendors and cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. If you can’t decide on just one place, join Goway’s Argentina Top to Bottom trip for the best of everything!

What to pack for a trip to Argentina?

Fashionable Buenos Aires calls for smart outfits and nice shoes, though if you go to a tango show to watch, don’t dress up too much. Wearing suits or dresses with heels and signals to others that you’re there to dance and you may confuse the Argentines who invite you to show off your tango moves.

A trip to Patagonia or the high altitude deserts of the northwest calls for many warm layers and a strong windbreaker. The beauty of sparkling turquoise glacial lakes and the wind on your face can both bring you to tears in the far south, where you can venture as far as Ushuaia, famously called the End of the Earth. In the north, it’s the altitude and the expanses of frozen desert that will entice you to bundle up with locally made llama wool sweaters.

The warm climes of Mendoza and the steamy jungles of the northeast call for a completely different packing list. You’ll want a light and airy wardrobe, though considering the strong sun it’s advisable to pack long sleeves and pants.

Is it safe to visit Argentina?

Argentina has one of the lowest crime rates of South America and is generally a very safe place for travellers. However, every city has a neighborhood or two that international visitors would do best to avoid, especially at night. If you love wandering around a city on foot, be sure to ask at your hotel if there are any areas that you should skip.

How long can you vacation in Argentina?

Argentina grants citizens of over 120 countries a 90-day visa on arrival. This includes all countries in the Americas and Europe. However, some nationalities do need to apply for a visa before purchasing their international flights. You can find the list of those nations on this website.

Is Argentina LGBTQ+ friendly?

In 2010, Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize marriage equality and members of the LGBTQ+ community are treated as equals throughout the country. In many countries, LGTBQ+ travellers are advised to keep a low profile outside of major urban areas, but this is not the case in Argentina, where rural and urban areas are both equally LGBTQ+ friendly.

Do I need to tip in Argentina?

Tipping tour guides is common throughout Argentina, though there is no fixed amount that is expected. Tipping 10% at restaurants is expected in all cities and at nicer restaurants in small towns.

What currency does Argentina use?

Argentina uses the Argentina peso, which is abbreviated as ARS and preceded by the same $ symbol as is used for the dollar. Extreme inflation has been a problem since the late 1980s, though the hyperinflation of 2020 to 2023 has slowed somewhat. The two exchange rates, the official rate and the “dólar blue” rate, both compare the US dollar to the Argentina peso.

Can I drink the tap water in Argentina?

Tap water is safe to drink in most of Argentina, though you should always check with the concierge at your hotel to be sure. Travellers with delicate stomachs should bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying disposable plastic bottles. Only the largest cities have recycling programs and even then, plastic is not always recycled.