Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is one of the world’s most fashionable cities, and the country itself is full of breathtaking landscapes. Further, Argentina spans an incredible range of landscapes, from the tropic of Capricorn to the southernmost tip of Antarctica. From verdant marshes to the archipelago at the end of the earth, Tierra del Fuego has it all. The Pampas plains and the Patagonia steppe moreover are two of the country’s most recognizable landscapes. If you are planning a trip to Argentina, be sure to read our travel guide beforehand.
Information for Travelers to Argentina
In terms of landmass, Argentina ranks seventh among all countries. Population: Argentina has a relatively low population density for a country of its size (around 45 million people). An estimated 97% of Argentines can trace their ancestry back to Europe, primarily Spain and Italy. Argentina is a major exporter, especially of beef, but also of wine, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Nobel Prizes: Two Argentinians further won the Nobel Peace Prize. Adolfo Pérez Esquivel in 1980 for his defense of human rights, and Carlos de Saavedra Lamas in 1936 for his work toward peace in South America.
In addition, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, the Patagotitan mayorum, had its fossilized remains uncovered by a farm worker in Argentina in 2008.
Planning a trip to Argentina and need some suggestions on where to go?
The Iguaz Falls, the Perito Moreno Glacier, the whale-watching off the coast of Valdés Peninsula, and the attractive lakes and mountains of Bariloche are just a few of Argentina’s many tourist attractions.
The Ideal Time to Visit Argentina
Here, in this part of our Argentina travel guide, we’ll discuss when you should go. Argentine springtime is a great time to visit the country. Although frost is still possible in the extreme south, the weather in Argentina is generally pleasant during the spring (September through November).
Only during the summer (Dec–Feb) is it possible to climb Aconcagua and the other highest peaks in the Andes.
The weather is more predictable, making this the best season to visit Tierra del Fuego, where snowfall is possible year-round. In general, December and January in Buenos Aires are warm and muggy. You should also stay away from the north, where you’ll find high temperatures and the possibility of flooded roads due to intense rain.
The wine harvests in Mendoza and San Juan provinces make the autumn months (March and April) a fantastic time to visit Argentina. See the beech woods turn color in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
In all likelihood, the best time to visit an Andean ski resort would be during the winter months of June, July, and August. Towns in Patagonia can be isolated by blizzards throughout the winter, and as a result, many businesses in the region are closed between the months of April and October. Even though Buenos Aires can be depressing in July and August, the north of the country should be nice at this time of year.
One other thing to keep in mind if you plan on visiting Argentina is that many Argentines take vacations in January, around Easter, and in July. Rapid demand for transportation and lodging might cause prices to skyrocket. Discover when it’s best to go to Argentina by reading this article.
Directions for Getting to Argentina
Although some visitors come to Argentina by land, most fly into Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. Flights to the country can be expensive, although prices change depending on the airline, the time of year, and the route used. Rates to Argentina are often more expensive between the months of December and February, around Easter, and in the summer months of July and August. The months of March to June and September to November fall into “low season,” when prices are at their lowest.
Flights departing the United Kingdom and Ireland
From the United Kingdom, you can fly with your choice of several different airlines to Argentina. Just British Airways and the low-cost Norwegian offer nonstop flights out of London. The Iberia route through Madrid is less luxurious but more affordable.
Unfortunately, you can’t take a nonstop flight from Dublin to Buenos Aires. You can save money by taking a connecting flight on an inexpensive airline to London. You might also take a trip straight to New York or Miami and connect from there.
It is possible to make stops along the way on select routes, often at no additional cost. South American cities Bogotá, Rio, and Sao Paulo; American cities Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Newark, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC; and European cities Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Paris, and Rome are all viable options for layovers.
Arrivals from the United States and Canada
American Airlines, United, and Aerolneas Argentina are just a few of the many airlines that fly nonstop from the United States to Buenos Aires every day. New York and Chicago take about 11 hours to fly to Buenos Aires, but Miami only takes about 9 hours.
Nevertheless, there is just one flight into Argentina from Canada, and that is on Air Canada, departing from Toronto and connecting in Santiago, Chile. Find out whether there are any flights that connect with a US airline.
Flights departing Down Under, Down Under, and Down South
To get to Argentina from Australia or New Zealand, Air New Zealand has the most cost-effective fares. Sydney and Melbourne are the most common departure points in Australia for flights to Argentina. There are no direct flights from New Zealand, therefore you will need to connect elsewhere.
Flights from South Africa to Argentina leave from Cape Town and Johannesburg and mainly proceed via São Paulo; Airfares depend on both the season and duration of stay.
Top Tourist Attractions in Argentina
Trail of the Seven Lakes
There are seven lakes in the Patagonian Andes, and the colors of their waters range from emerald and ultramarine to cobalt and turquoise to cerulean and sapphire and indigo.
The Falls of Igaz
The Cataratas, or simply the Cataratas, are a series of waterfalls in Ecuador. They are widely considered to be the most breathtaking waterfalls in the world.
Talampaya
Giant cliffs of rich pink sandstone dominate the World Heritage Site that is the unquestioned showpiece of La Rioja Region. This area is today a sanctuary for condors, guanacos, and foxes, yet it was once occupied by dinosaurs.
The Glacier of Perito Moreno
You can feast on your sense of hearing and sight by visiting one of the world’s few advancing glaciers, where you can listen to the glacier’s chorus of cracks, thuds, and whines while counting the countless colors of blue that fill the landscape.
Wetlands of Iberia
Several different species of birds, from small hummingbirds to regal herons, gather around the glistening lagoons of these crucial wetlands.
Hidden Cave of Painted Hands
Something like an early form of fingerprinting or graffiti from the Stone Age? No matter what it is, this intricate scene created by numerous hands is one of the most alluring archaeological sites on the continent.
The La Recoleta Cemetery
This cemetery is one of the world’s most exclusive pieces of land, as it is the final resting place of many of Argentina’s most notable citizens (including Evita).
Buenos Aires, San Telmo
Explore this bohemian barrio and its tango bars, antique shops, brilliant street performers, and crumbling grandeur by taking a stroll down its cobblestone streets.
Aconcagua
With the correct gear and a knowledgeable guide, the highest peak outside the Himalayas may be ascended despite the severe temperatures and extreme height (6,959m). The Pampas This iconic landscape of Argentina is home to the stalwart gauchos, the swaying pampas grass, and the herds of cattle for which the region is known. Guests from outside Argentina are required to obtain a visa before entering the country.
Visas are not required for stays in Argentina of up to ninety days for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and most of Europe. A valid passport is required for all guests. Digital records of your fingerprint and photo will be taken at overseas airports.
A notarized document signed by both parents granting authorization for the child’s journey to Argentina is required if you plan to travel there alone with the child (check with the embassy). You need a valid departure stamp when leaving the nation.
Things to do in Argentina
Festivals
Because of its strong sense of tradition and a large number of diverse ethnic communities, the Northwest of Argentina is where the vast majority of the country’s festivals take place. Catholic and secular festivals, as well as the commemoration of pre-Columbian culture, are held. Christmas and Easter, for example, are celebrated with a greater emphasis on religion and family than they are in Western Europe and the United States. Certain European customs, like eating chocolate eggs at Easter, are gaining popularity, but the celebrations in Europe are still much less commercial than their American counterparts.
Shopping
Although it’s not customary, you can attempt negotiating for a lower price on high-priced items like art or antiques when you’re shopping in Argentina. Expensive services like tours and car rentals are also prime bargaining grounds, while off-season, late-night, and cash payments can get you a better deal at hotels (en efectivo).
Sports
Argentines have a severe addiction to sports, so if you go to a pub, you’ll hear passionate discussion about anything from tennis and rugby to basketball and the peculiarly Argentine equestrian sport of pato.
Sports and Games
Argentina is a fantastic country to visit if you’re interested in outdoor activities like fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing, among others. Other outdoor activities include ice climbing, skiing, and white water rafting, and even trips to the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap are possible.
Where to Stay in Argentina
Camping and youth hostels exist beside fabulously luxury estancias (ranches) and hotels with every imaginable convenience in Argentina. Hotels range from completely windowless caves to quaint, old colonial homes with balconies. In areas that have a large influx of tourists during specific times of the year but have a shortage of suitable hotel rooms, the practice of informal room rental has become widespread.