Argentina Travel Guide | How to Do it Right

Argentina, which is officially known as the Argentine Republic, is a country on the South American continent. The whole land area of Argentina is approximately 2.7 million square kilometers, making it the 8th largest country in the world. Whether you choose to explore the country by car, bus, foot, or other ways you can imagine, Argentina is a massive task to cover.

One of the highlights of traveling around South America for me was renting a car in Buenos Aires and road-tripping throughout Argentina. If there's anywhere in the world you are going not to regret spending money on car rentals; it is here. You could technically get rental cars in the bordering Latin countries like Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay; but it's more of a hassle, and you won't find it as easy as Argentina. If driving isn't your thing, then there are other ways to explore this beautiful country that we'll also cover in this guide.

What You Need To Know Before You Go

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Visa Requirements

If you are a tourist with US, Canada, or Australian citizenship, you do not need a visa to travel to Argentina but have to pay the $160 reciprocity fee. That's because Argentines are required to pay this fee to enter the countries mentioned above. Some countries have exemptions to travel to Argentina like Russia. My wife (who's a Russian citizen) did not have to pay that fee while I had to. There is a 90 day limit of stay after which you have exit the country.

Internet

I found connectivity in Argentina lacking, and that pretty much goes for all the countries in South America. It's simple enough to have WiFi hotspots in hotels and hostels, but they're often slow. Much slower than their European counterparts. On the plus side, you can find that almost every restaurant or coffee shop offers free WiFi access to clients.

Crime

The Crime rate in Argentina is quite significant for petty theft. However, it's relatively safe for backpackers and even solo female travelers. Taxi scams are common in major cities. Trust your instinct and be smart. Always make copies of your travel documents in case you lose them. Buy good travel insurance for a piece of mind! It's important to take proper precaution when traveling to Argentina.

Power Adapters

The standard sockets used in Argentina are 220 and 240 volts. Use a plugin adapter when you're traveling from a country with a different electrical outlet.

Food

Argentina is famous for its meat and barbecue, or Asada. Chimichurri is a green salsa that's slightly tangy and is often served with steaks and meats. Empanadas are also famous; they are pastries filled with a sweet or savory filling then baked or deep-fried. The climate favors growing a variety of grapes, so wine is also good in Argentina.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier

Part of the Los Glaciares National Park, located in the province of Santa Cruz, the Glacier is one of the most famous destinations in Patagonia. The glacial field is the third largest freshwater reserve in the world.

You can easily get there by car or by bus, and it's one you shouldn't miss. I highly recommend you hike it and take a tour guide with you. Check out the Tour section of this guide my recommendations.

Capital Buenos Aires

The city of Buenos Aires has temperate weather and somewhat cool and dry in the winter. I was there during summer, and it was humid and hot like the Philippines, a tropical place. I also spent a winter there, and it was cool, which I preferred.

Airport

The Ezeiza International Airport, or Ministro Pistarini, is the primary international airport in Argentina. It lies 14 miles south-southwest of Buenos Aires. I found a good deal using some apps on my phone, and you can also see it on specific days.

Patagonia

In the summertime, you can expect warm days and a couple of rainy or cold days. The geographic diversity in Argentina can be attributed to the climate of the area, which may lead to extreme temperatures, rain, and sunlight. The best time to see Patagonia is from October to March. But, you can expect the weather in Patagonia to be erratic.

Iguazu National Park

A trip to Argentina is never complete without taking the time to drop by Iguazu National Park and Iguazu Falls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iguazu National Park covers a total land area of 550 square km (212 square miles). Founded in 1934, the park showcases the natural beauty of Argentina, particularly the subtropical jungle it covers.

In this park, you'll find various species of fauna and flora. Iguazu waterfall divides the upper and lower parts of the river. The river also flows through Brazil although a large proportion of the river and falls belong to Argentina.

Cost of Travel

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Argentina is not particularly cheap. You can expect to spend $50 a day on average if you're backpacking and twice that if you're doing it with some luxury. I rented a flat in Palermo for a month at almost $1200 and some change that included all fees.

Money Saving Tips

• Travel off-season. Summer in Argentina, especially Buenos Aires is humid and hot. Winters are mild and much more pleasant.
• Camp where you can. If you're out in Patagonia the refugios are expensive and hostels even more. Pitch a tent if you have one with you.
• Buy wine in grocery stores. Wine is great in Argentina! I bought gallons of box wine there, and the quality was terrific!
• Couchsurfing is common and welcomed so do it when you can.
• Domestic flights are expensive, so travel by car or bus whenever possible.
• Take an overnight bus and save on a night's worth of accommodation.
• Carry cash into the country; it's much cheaper than taking it out on the exchange or ATMs.

Recommended Places To Stay in Argentina

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Buenos Aires

• Sato Hostel - Great hostel in Palermo
• Milhouse Hostel - Close to the city center

San Carlos de Bariloche

• Hotel Eco - Located at the heart of Bariloche
• Cabaña Tibor - Offering lake views

Mendoza

• Departamento céntrico - Minutes from the city center

Puerto Iguazú

• Hostel Damaris -Best value in Iguazu

Ushuaia

• Los Calafates B&B - Offering free breakfast and clean beds

Cafayate

• Hostel Casa Arbol - Cozy hostel with free breakfast

It's a good idea to book a vehicle in advance, particularly for those who have a car preference or if you're traveling in high season. Be sure you hire from a reputable car hire firm; there are many horror stories online from small vehicle hire places.

You should always, inspect your rental car thoroughly before driving off to ensure that the rental company accurately notes all scratches and problems. It's a fantastic idea to take photos of any bumps and scrapes also, to cover yourself.

There are long distances between destinations and even fewer gas stations in between. Check with the car rental company where you can fill up, and then ensure that you do, even if you still have half a tank. On the northern route, Tilcara has the only gas station around for miles, so don't drive on past it.

There are lots of police checkpoints along the roads, especially when crossing between Salta and Jujuy provinces. Keep all of your paperwork close at hand in case.

Check your itinerary with the car hire company before leaving, especially during the rainy season. Also, during the Dakar Rally period, some roads and streets might be closed so plan accordingly.

It usually isn't difficult to show up in the tiny towns without accommodation already booked, but if you are traveling in January and February, during Carnival period, it is essential to book ahead as the cities host highly popular festivals and resorts and hostels fill up very fast.

I used to be a proponent of doing it all yourself, but, the more I travel, the more I realize the value of doing tours. True, you do have the freedom to explore at your own pace without tours. You would in some occasions save money without having to pay for a tour but you get as much bang for your buck in the long run.

Moreover, what you gain in the liberty to travel at your own pace, you lose from the penetration a tour guide can provide you on local culture and history. If you are really interested in learning more about Argentina, a guided tour might be your best option.

There are a lot of day tours operating out of Buenos Aires and other cities. Guided tours and trips are a great alternative if you don't have a lot of time in the location or if you wish to sit back and take in the scenery whilst learning from an expert local guide.

Recommended Tours

From El Calafate:

• Perito Moreno Glacier Ice Trekking

• Best of El Calafate Full-Day Tour

From Buenos Aires:

• Tigre Delta Boat trip from Buenos Aires

• Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner

From Salta:

• Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting

• Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca

Other Tours:

• 8-Days Glaciers, Falls and Tango Package

• Small-Group Wineries Tour with Tasting and Lunch

Orginally posted at Always Wanderlust Argentina Travel Guide