Argentina is a very diverse country with exciting cities and culture on the one hand and fantastic landscapes on the other. But which things should you consider when traveling to the South American country and which places should you definitely visit? The following 7 travel tips for Argentina provide useful information.
Some of the information in this article came from the wonderful folks at Travelers.Live. Have a look and connect with other travel enthusiasts and exchange ideas about your favorite destination!
The Most Important Facts About Argentina
Area: 2,780,000 km²
Population: 45 million (2020 estimate)
Capital city: Buenos Aires (approx. 3 million inhabitants in the urban area)
Official language: The official language is Spanish. There are also a few Indian languages such as Quechua in the Andes, Guaraní in the north and Mapudungun in the southern Andes.
Geography: Chile stretches across the entire western border of Argentina. On the northern border are Bolivia and Paraguay, further to the northeast Argentina borders on Brazil and Uruguay.
Biggest cities:
- Buenos Aires (urban area): approx. 3 million inhabitants. Around 15 million people live in the Gran Buenos Aires agglomeration.
- Cordoba: approx. 1.3 million inhabitants
- Rosario: about 950 thousand inhabitants
- Mendoza: about 114 thousand inhabitants
Telephone code: 0054
Domain extension: .ar
Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS). You can withdraw money in larger cities or at the airport with major credit cards. The exchange rates in private exchange offices are usually worse than at the state Banco Nación.
7 Travel Tips for Argentina
These travel tips for Argentina will help you plan your next trip to south america.
1. When is the best time to visit Argentina?
The best time to visit Argentina depends on the region you want to visit. This is because the country combines several climate zones. Note: when it is summer in North America and Europe, it is winter in Argentina and vice versa. From December to January the Argentines themselves have vacation. Accordingly, popular travel destinations get crowded at this time.
Best time to travel to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has a mild climate all year round. The pulsating capital is always worth a visit. However, it can get very hot during the Argentine summer from December to February. The ideal travel time is the transition months from March to April and October to November. The Argentine winter from May to September is quite mild.
Best time to visit the Iguazú waterfalls
The waterfalls are in the hot north and are best visited between May and September. During this period there is a pleasant climate.
Best time to travel to Patagonia
In general, the climate in Patagonia is rather cool and wet. The best time to travel to Patagonia is in the Argentine summer between November and March. Then it is mild, but it doesn’t get too hot in summer either.
How is the climate and weather in Argentina?
This is one of the most important travel tips for Argentina in this list. Argentina has a wide range of climates: from tropical regions in the northeast to subtropical regions in the north and temperate climates to the cold southern regions in the south and in the mountains of the Andes. Before you start your journey, think carefully about which destinations you want to visit and pack your clothes accordingly.
2. Which cities and regions are worth seeing in Argentina?
Buenos Aires
The capital of Argentina on the Rio de la Plata is often referred to as the “Paris of South America”. The city’s cultural wealth includes the famous Colón Theater, over 100 museums, galleries and handicraft markets. Over 11 million people live in the entire metropolitan region.
The Tango Argentino is an indispensable part of this city. It has even been named a World Heritage by UNESCO and is both a genre of music and a popular dance style. Its beginnings lie in the time when many Europeans emigrated to the region on the Rio de la Plata, i.e. in the second half of the 19th century. Even today you will find countless places in Buenos Aires where tango is danced, often accompanied by live music.
Puerto Iguazú
The small town of Puerto Iguazú is located on the three-country triangle between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The city became famous for its proximity to the Iguazú waterfalls. Puerto Iguazú is perfect as a starting point for a visit to the waterfalls or the adjacent national park.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is located at the southern tip of South America in the island world of Tierra del Fuego (also known as Fireland). The region is often referred to as “the end of the world” and the city as the southernmost city in the world. From Ushuaia there are various destinations to discover in addition to the city, which is already worth seeing. The Tierra del Fuego National Park can be easily traveled from there. The city is also the starting point for many Antarctic expeditions.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is located in a bay on the Atlantic coast of Patagonia, in the southern part of Argentina. The bay Golfo Nuevo is an almost natural amphitheater, with hills all around that are reminiscent of deserts. The city boasts first-class sandy beaches with deep blue, crystal clear water, which makes it particularly interesting for divers and bathing vacationers.
3. Which natural highlights are there in Argentina?
Iguazú waterfalls
The Iguazú waterfalls are located in northern Argentina on the Argentine-Brazilian border. Each side of the falls has its own special vantage point, each worth a trip. More than 250 individual mighty waterfalls extend over a length of 2.7 km. With a height between 60 and 82 meters, the falls are in most places even higher than the Niagara Falls.
When visiting the Iguazú waterfalls, you have the opportunity to experience and marvel at the masses of water up close. Bring waterproof clothing, as there is a very high probability that you will get wet. In favorable weather conditions, breathtaking rainbows form in the water vapor. You will surely never forget this sight!
Patagonia
To the east of the Andes is the Argentine part of Patagonia. The eastern part of Patagonia is mainly characterized by grasslands, dry steppes and desert landscapes. Exactly these landscapes form the backdrop for unique photos of all kinds in the barely inhabited Patagonia.
Whether diving, hiking, relaxing or swimming. In Patagonia there are not only glaciers and icebergs in but also many wonderful sandy beaches with deep blue water. In the Andes, mountaineers and hikers get their money’s worth and can marvel at the vastness of the country from above. Let yourself be drawn into the spell of Patagonia.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Quebrada de Humahuaca is a 150 km long canyon in northern Argentina. The end of the gorge is the city of Humahuaca, which is located at 3,000 m altitude. The Río Grande de Jujuy flows through the gorge. In summer it carries melt water from the plateaus and in winter it is almost completely dried out.
The special thing about the gorge are the colorful, multi-colored rocks, which appear powerful and beautiful at the same time. The rocks get their colors from ores, which discolor the stone.
Tierra del Fuego
By the way, the southernmost province of Argentina is called Tierra del Fuego. The Tierra del Fuego archipelago is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Strait of Magellan.
Tierra del Fuego was discovered and named by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 while exploring the Strait of Magellan. Tierra del Fuego is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world due to its almost untouched nature and the national park of the same name.
More Travel Tips for Argentina
4. What currency and payment methods can you use in Argentina?
Dollars and Euros can be exchanged in almost all banks and exchange offices in major cities. The US dollar is very popular and is even considered a secret second currency. In any case, it is cheaper if you exchange your money on site. Credit and debit cards are usually accepted without any problems. In smaller towns and rural areas, you should still have enough cash (pesos) with you.
5. What is the voltage in Argentina?
The mains voltage is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz. Make sure to bring proper adapters with you.
6. What language is spoken in Argentina?
The official language of Argentina is Spanish. There are also many minority languages, although they are not that widely spoken. Spanish in Argentina differs in terms of pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary from Spanish in the rest of Latin American countries.
7. Which foods & drinks should you try in Argentina?
In the north of the country, traditional dishes are still widespread. Meat dishes include llama, red chicken, hare and spicy chicken stew, while corn and pumpkins are common side dishes. Also try the empanadas with beef and small, hearty cakes that are eaten by hand.
There is also a long tradition of cheese-making in the north. Lovers of sweet dishes are also in good hands in this region. The typical drinks of the north include chicha (made from fermented corn flour or peanuts), traditionally produced wines and liqueurs as well as hot drinks, mate and coca tea.
The cuisine in the northeast of Argentina is strongly influenced by that of the neighboring countries Paraguay and Brazil. Here you can try both Brazilian-style beef steak and indigenous Guarani dishes based on cassava. A specialty from Paraguay that can also be found here is a bread made from flour, white corn, cheese, onions and spices. A variety of fish dishes are also part of the typical cuisine. The fish are fried or grilled and accompanied by various sauces and wine.