Argentina
"Tango nights, Andean vineyards, and glaciers at the end of the road"
Argentina at a glance
- Best time to go
- Argentina is huge, so timing depends on where you're going. Patagonia is usually best from roughly November to March. Buenos Aires and the central regions are mild in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). Iguazu Falls is often described as more comfortable from about April to September, and Mendoza's wine harvest is around March.
- How long to stay
- Ten to fourteen days is a comfortable sweet spot for Buenos Aires plus one or two regions (for example Iguazu, Patagonia or Mendoza), which usually involves a few flights.
- Who it's for
- Travellers who like big landscapes, food and wine, and city energy, and who don't mind long distances.
- Might not be for you if
- You want to see all of Argentina in a week, or you'd rather avoid long travel days. It is the second-largest country in South America.
Argentina runs from subtropical waterfalls to Antarctic-facing glaciers, and every stretch feels like a different country. Buenos Aires alone justifies the flight — grand boulevards, late dinners, milongas that start at midnight — but the Andes, Patagonia and the Iguazú falls are what turn a trip into an expedition.
Best Time to Visit
October to April for Patagonia, March to May and September to November for Buenos Aires
Dec – Feb (Summer)
Patagonia's peak: long days, open trails, but book El Chaltén and Calafate early.
Mar – May (Autumn)
Mendoza's grape harvest, golden Patagonian forests, pleasant Buenos Aires.
Jun – Aug (Winter)
Ski season in Bariloche; the far south largely shuts down.
Sep – Nov (Spring)
Jacarandas in the capital, wildlife season on the Valdés Peninsula.
Getting Around
A very large country: fly for the long hauls, take long-distance buses for everything else.
✈️ Domestic Flights
Essential for Patagonia and Iguazú. Aerolíneas Argentinas has the widest network.
🚌 Long-Distance Buses
Cama and semi-cama seats recline nearly flat; overnight routes save a hotel night.
🚇 Subte & Colectivos
Buenos Aires' metro and buses are cheap; you'll need a SUBE card.
🚗 Rental Car
The way to do Ruta 40, the Lake District and Mendoza's wine roads.
💡 Carry cash and check exchange rates before you go — payment rules for foreign cards change often.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive Buenos Aires
Settle in Palermo, evening parrilla and Malbec.
Historic Centre
Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Colón Theatre tour, Recoleta.
San Telmo & La Boca
Antique market, street tango, football stadium tour.
Fly to Iguazú
Afternoon on the Argentine side's lower circuit.
Devil's Throat
Upper circuit and Garganta del Diablo, boat under the falls.
Back to the Capital
Fly back, Palermo Soho shopping, farewell milonga.
Departure
Sunday San Telmo fair if the timing works, then Ezeiza.
🌱 Psst — you don't have to do it all. The best souvenirs are slow mornings and one unplanned detour you'll still be talking about years later.
Highlights
Must See
- Buenos Aires barrios
- Perito Moreno glacier
- Iguazú Falls
- Mendoza vineyards
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Distances are enormous — internal flights save days, and overnight buses are genuinely comfortable in cama class.
Argentina travel questions, answered
When is the best time to visit Argentina?
It depends on the region. Patagonia is usually best from around November to March for trekking and glaciers, and December to February is peak summer. Buenos Aires is often at its nicest in spring and autumn. The northwest (Salta and Jujuy) is often best from about March to November, and Iguazu is often more comfortable from roughly April to September.
How should you pay for things in Argentina?
Recent guides say foreign Visa and Mastercard cards generally get a favourable exchange rate automatically since Argentina relaxed its currency controls in 2025, and that the gap between official and parallel rates has narrowed. Guides still suggest carrying some pesos for small vendors and rural areas. It is also worth withdrawing cash in larger towns, because smaller Patagonian towns may have only one ATM or none.
Do you need a visa for Argentina?
Citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia and several others can generally enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, with a passport valid for at least six months. Argentina doesn't usually require arrival cards, and you may occasionally be asked for proof of onward travel, so keep your accommodation and flight details handy.
How do you get around Argentina?
Most itineraries combine a few domestic flights with buses or rental cars because the distances are large. A car is useful in parts of Patagonia, but check road conditions before driving gravel routes such as Ruta 40.
Details last checked 20 September 2026.
More sparks for Argentina
Stories, films and books to keep the daydreaming going.
In Patagonia
by Bruce Chatwin · Patagonia, Argentina & Chile