Argentina
Buenos Aires has the best steakhouses and nightlife in South America.
Argentina works as either a city break or a continental odyssey. Buenos Aires has the energy and food of a top-tier capital at South American prices. Add Mendoza for Malbec and Andes views, Patagonia for mountain drama, Iguazu for waterfalls, the northwest for high-altitude desert.
At a glance
- Best time
- January, February, March, October…
- Climate
- Mild
- Budget
- Backpacker – Mid-range
- Trip length
- 2–8 weeks
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- ARS (Peso)
- January: peak
- February: peak
- March: peak
- April: fine
- May: fine
- June: avoid
- July: avoid
- August: avoid
- September: fine
- October: peak
- November: peak
- December: peak
Avoid: June, July, August. Shoulder: April, May, September.
Highlights
-
Buenos Aires
Stay in Palermo. Long lunches, late nights, parrillas.
-
Mendoza
Malbec country with Andes-foothill backdrop.
-
Iguazu Falls
Stand close enough to feel them. Both sides worth doing.
-
Bariloche & the Lake District
Patagonia-lite — green mountains, lakes, chocolate.
Practical info
- Visa
- Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
- Currency
- ARS (Peso). Bring USD cash for "blue rate" exchange.
- Language
- Spanish. Limited English outside Buenos Aires tourism.
- Safety
- Generally safe. Pickpocketing in Buenos Aires.
- Getting around
- Domestic flights for distance; long-distance buses are good.
- Tap water
- Tap water safe in Buenos Aires.
- Plug type
- Type C Type I 220V
- Money
- Bring USD cash; the official-vs-blue rate gap matters a lot.
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Last updated 2026-05-04