Watch ice calve off the Perito Moreno Glacier
A glacier still advancing rather than retreating, with viewing platforms close enough to hear the ice crack before it falls.
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South America
Things to do in Argentina
A country that stretches from subtropical north to Patagonian ice, with Buenos Aires holding it all together.
Explore Argentina on the map →Budget$$
Best for10-14 days
CapitalBuenos Aires
VisaVisa-free 90 days for US/UK/EU
CurrencyArgentine peso (ARS), exchange rates fluctuate significantly
LanguagesSpanish
InternetGood in cities, patchy in rural Patagonia
Typical lodging$25–$80/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage220V / 50Hz (Type C/I plug)
Time zoneUTC-3
Emergency number911
Dialing code+54
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Food★★★★★ Culture
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or filtered water recommended. 10% at restaurants is common.
Argentina spans nearly 3,700 kilometres from subtropical Iguazu Falls to sub-Antarctic Ushuaia, the southernmost city on Earth. Buenos Aires has more theatre seats per capita than almost any city outside New York or London, and Argentines eat more beef per person than nearly anywhere else in the world.
When to go
Patagonia summerDecember–February
The only realistic window for full trail access on the Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine circuits, also the busiest and most expensive months down south.
Buenos Aires shoulderSeptember–November, March–May
Mild, pleasant weather in the capital and wine country, avoiding both summer humidity and winter chill.
Ski seasonJune–September
Southern-hemisphere winter turns Bariloche and Las Leñas into full ski resorts, opposite the northern hemisphere's calendar.
Iguazu FallsYear-round, best September–November and March–May
The falls run year-round, but shoulder-season months avoid both the summer heat and peak holiday crowds.
20 things to do
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Wildlife & nature
5See Iguazu Falls from both sides$22–32
A UNESCO site of nearly 300 individual cascades, with the Argentine side giving close-up catwalks and the Brazilian side the panoramic view.
Cruise the Beagle Channel
A boat trip past sea lion colonies and lighthouse islets just off Ushuaia's harbor.
Whale watch at Península Valdés
Southern right whales come close to shore here in one of the best land- and boat-based whale-watching spots in the world.
Drive across the Salinas Grandes salt flats
A blinding-white salt plain over 3,000 metres up, near the Argentina–Chile border in the far northwest.
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Culture & history
6Watch tango in a San Telmo milonga
Locals dancing, not a tourist show, in one of Buenos Aires' oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods.
Wander Recoleta Cemetery
An open-air museum of elaborate mausoleums in central Buenos Aires, including the grave of Eva Perón.
Visit Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo
Argentina's pink presidential palace and the square at the center of much of its modern political history.
Watch a football match at La Bombonera or El Monumental
Boca Juniors or River Plate matches are among the loudest, most passionate sporting atmospheres anywhere in the world.
Stroll La Boca's Caminito
A brightly painted street museum in the working-class port neighborhood where tango is said to have originated.
Explore Salta's colonial architecture
A well-preserved colonial city in the northwest, gateway to the Andean altiplano and the Salinas Grandes salt flats.
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Food & markets
3Eat a proper asado in the Argentine countryside
Slow-grilled beef over open coals, a bottle of Malbec, and no particular rush to finish, Argentina's defining meal.
Taste Malbec in Mendoza wine country
High-altitude vineyards at the foot of the Andes producing some of the world's best Malbec, with tastings and bike tours between estates.
Eat empanadas and drink Malbec in Mendoza
Regional empanada styles paired with the wine region's namesake grape, best enjoyed on a vineyard terrace at sunset.
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Adventure & outdoors
5Trek to the base of Mount Fitz Roy
A demanding day hike near El Chaltén ending at a glacial lake beneath one of Patagonia's most photographed peaks.
Ski or board in Bariloche
Andean peaks over a lake-district setting, with Cerro Catedral offering the biggest resort in South America.
Explore the end of the world in Ushuaia
The southernmost city on Earth, gateway to Tierra del Fuego National Park and most Antarctica cruise departures.
Ride with gauchos in the pampas
Estancias outside Buenos Aires offer a day of horseback riding and asado with Argentina's traditional cattle-herding culture.
Hike to the Cerro Torre viewpoint
A quieter alternative to Fitz Roy from El Chaltén, ending at a lake facing one of the world's most technically difficult peaks to climb.
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Slow days
1Soak in natural hot springs
Thermal complexes near Bariloche and in the northwest offer a slow counterpoint to Patagonia's trekking pace.
Common questions
▾Is Argentina safe to visit?
Yes. Argentina's main tourist circuit, Buenos Aires, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls, is generally safe with normal precautions. Petty theft in busy areas of Buenos Aires is the more common issue than anything more serious.
▾How much does it cost to visit Iguazu Falls?
Entry to the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park costs roughly $22-32 for international adult visitors, noticeably more than the $18 charged on the Brazilian side of the same falls. Many visitors cross the border to see both angles, in which case both entry fees apply separately.
▾How many days do you need in Argentina?
12-14 days is realistic given the country's size: a few days in Buenos Aires, a trip to Iguazu Falls, and time in Patagonia if your itinerary allows, since domestic flights between regions eat into shorter trips. A one-week trip usually means picking just Buenos Aires and Iguazu.
▾Do I need a visa for Argentina?
US, UK, Canadian, EU and most other passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days as tourists. Check the current list for your specific nationality, since a smaller number of countries do need a visa arranged in advance.
▾What's the best time to visit Argentina?
This depends heavily on the region: Buenos Aires and Iguazu are pleasant nearly year-round with December-February as their hottest months, while Patagonia's trekking season runs roughly November through March, its own summer, and is largely inaccessible outside that window.
▾Is Argentina expensive?
Argentina has swung between being a bargain and a pricier destination depending on the peso's exchange rate and inflation in a given year, so costs can shift meaningfully within a single year. Checking a current exchange rate close to your travel dates gives a much better read than any fixed guide.
