What awaits travelers in Argentina?
Argentina combines Buenos Aires, a metropolis on the Río de la Plata, with natural destinations spread over 3,800 km: Iguazú in the subtropical northeast, the Andes in the northwest and around Mendoza, and lakes, glaciers and steppe in Patagonia. Swiss, German and Austrian nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days but must show proof of health insurance.
The distances are long: flying from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia takes about 3 h 40 min, to El Calafate 3 h 20 min, to Iguazú just under 2 h. A trip through three to five regions is therefore above all a question of flight planning. And the seasons are reversed: summer runs from December 21 to March 20.
More on the southern parts of the country can be found on the pages Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Sources: Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office)
What kind of destination is Argentina?
Argentina is a federal state made up of 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, with 46.2 million inhabitants. It lives from the contrast between the dense capital on the Río de la Plata and vast landscapes such as the Puna, the Andes and the Patagonian steppe.
Immigration from Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries shaped the language, cuisine and cityscape. Along the Río de la Plata people speak «Castellano rioplatense», using «vos» instead of «tú» and many words from «Lunfardo». In the northwest, by contrast, Andean traditions are still very much alive, such as the offerings to Pachamama in August.
Landscapes range from rainforest along the Río Iguazú to salt flats at around 3,450 m to the third-largest continental ice field on Earth. The national tourism board counts eleven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Prices and rules change quickly: the park entrance fees have applied since June 1, 2026, and the insurance requirement since a decree of May 29, 2025.
Sources: Argentina.gob.ar · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Wikipedia · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Argentina.gob.ar, Información Legislativa
Which regions belong on an Argentina trip?
The most important destinations are Buenos Aires, the Iguazú Falls, the northwest around Salta and Jujuy with the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Mendoza with its wine and the Aconcagua, the lake district around Bariloche, the Península Valdés, the glaciers around El Calafate, El Chaltén for hiking, and Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. In three weeks, four to five of these can be combined.
Buenos Aires
International long-haul flights land at Ezeiza (EZE), about 35 km southwest of the city. The city's tourism board lists the Teatro Colón, the Calle Museo Caminito in La Boca, the Recoleta Cemetery with over 90 tombs ranked as a national monument, and the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo as the top attractions. On Sundays, the Feria de San Telmo takes place on the Plaza Dorrego; the subway («Subte») has six lines and is paid for with the SUBE card.
Iguazú
The falls on the border with Brazil are about 2.7 km wide and consist of 20 larger and 255 smaller falls, most of them on the Argentine side. The Parque Nacional Iguazú, covering more than 67,000 ha, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984; its centerpiece is the roughly 700 m long gorge of the Garganta del Diablo.
Three circular trails give access to the falls: Circuito Superior (1,850 m), Circuito Inferior (1,450 m, with stairs), and the walkway to the Garganta del Diablo (2,200 m); a park train connects the stations. The starting point is Puerto Iguazú, about 18 km away at the tri-border area with Brazil and Paraguay.
Northwest: Salta, Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca
From Salta it is about 190 km, or roughly 3 h 30 min, to Cafayate in the Valles Calchaquíes, where vines grow between 1,600 and 3,100 m; the typical grape is the white Torrontés. Cachi lies 162 km from Salta at 2,210 m. The Tren a las Nubes reaches over 4,200 m at the La Polvorilla viaduct.
In Jujuy, the Quebrada de Humahuaca stretches about 155 km northward, from 1,259 m in San Salvador de Jujuy to around 2,950 m in Humahuaca. The valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003; well known are Purmamarca with the Cerro de los Siete Colores and Tilcara with the Pucará fortress. From Purmamarca it is 66 km to the Salinas Grandes at around 3,450 m.
Mendoza and wine growing
The province produces, by its own account, 70% of Argentine wine, with Malbec as the leading variety; more than 200 of around 900 wineries welcome visitors. The Valle de Uco lies about 100 km south of the city. About 180 km, or a 3-hour drive, away via Ruta Nacional 7 lies the Parque Provincial Aconcagua; at around 6,960 m, the Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas.
The Bariloche lake district
San Carlos de Bariloche sits on Lago Nahuel Huapi within the national park of the same name, which covers more than 717,000 ha and traces back to the Parque Nacional del Sud of 1922, the first national park in Latin America. Classics include the Circuito Chico, boat trips from Puerto Pañuelo, the Cerro Tronador 90 km away, and the Siete Lagos route through the Lanín and Nahuel Huapi parks. Cerro Catedral, 19 km outside town, is, according to the tourism board, the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere.
Península Valdés
The 3,625 km² peninsula in the province of Chubut has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. From June to December, southern right whales come into the bays to breed; boat tours depart from Puerto Pirámides, the peninsula's only town. At Punta Norte, sea lions, elephant seals and, at times, orcas live.
Glaciers: El Calafate and Perito Moreno
El Calafate is the gateway to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, which covers more than 726,000 ha and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. About 80 km from town, the Perito Moreno Glacier ends in a 55- to 77-meter-high calving face on Lago Argentino; walkways lead to the front, and guided ice hikes last roughly 1 h 30 min to 5 h.
El Chaltén
The village, founded in 1985 about 220 km north of El Calafate, calls itself the «Capital Nacional del Trekking» (National Trekking Capital). Trails lead directly from town to the Laguna Torre and the Laguna de los Tres; the round trip to below the 3,405 m high Fitz Roy is about 20 km.
Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego
Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel is the starting point for the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (68,909 ha), the Tren del Fin del Mundo, and boat trips to the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. At Bahía Lapataia, Ruta 3 ends, 3,063 km from Buenos Aires. According to the tourism board, 90% of Antarctica trips depart from Ushuaia. More on the page Tierra del Fuego.
Sources: Argentina.gob.ar, Ministerio de Transporte · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Wikipedia · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Wikipedia · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Tren a las Nubes S.E., Provincia de Salta · Ministerio de Cultura y Turismo de Jujuy · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Wikipedia · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Destinations
Regions with their own page
Cross-country
- Cross-Border RegionTierra del FuegoTierra del Fuego is South America's largest island, split between Argentina and Chile and separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan.
- Cross-Border RegionPatagoniaPatagonia is the southern tip of South America, split between Argentina and Chile: steppe and Atlantic coast on one side, Andes, glaciers, fjords…
When is the best time to visit Argentina?
There is no single best time to visit the whole country. Patagonia, with Bariloche, El Calafate, El Chaltén and Ushuaia, is best visited from December to March; the dry northwest around Salta and Jujuy during the southern winter from June to September. Buenos Aires and Iguazú are most pleasant in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May).
The national tourism board recommends the southern summer for Patagonia, the glaciers and the grape harvest, the southern winter for the north and the snow of the Andes, and spring and autumn for Buenos Aires and Iguazú.
North and center: average daily highs and lows, plus monthly rainfall
| Buenos Aires | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 29 |
| Low °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 19 |
| Rainfall mm | 104 | 121 | 123 | 98 | 74 | 54 | 72 | 71 | 83 | 109 | 101 | 94 |
| Puerto Iguazú | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
| Low °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
| Rainfall mm | 147 | 129 | 117 | 124 | 163 | 108 | 85 | 70 | 121 | 211 | 159 | 179 |
| Salta | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Low °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 |
| Rainfall mm | 184 | 164 | 116 | 57 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 65 | 141 |
| Mendoza | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 34 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 33 |
| Low °C | 20 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 19 |
| Rainfall mm | 47 | 49 | 37 | 28 | 19 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 32 | 30 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station AEROPARQUE JORGE NEWBERY (6 km, 6 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CATARATAS INTL (9 km, 240 m), auf 170 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SALTA (10 km, 1246 m), auf 1152 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL PLUMERILLO (8 km, 704 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In Buenos Aires, January and February are warm and humid, and July is the coolest month. In Puerto Iguazú it rains every month. Salta gets most of its rain from December to March and stays nearly dry from May to September. Mendoza is dry year-round.
Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego: average daily highs and lows, plus monthly rainfall
| San Carlos de Bariloche | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 23 |
| Low °C | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | -1 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Rainfall mm | 33 | 24 | 33 | 59 | 120 | 156 | 127 | 122 | 62 | 52 | 38 | 30 |
| El Calafate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| Low °C | 8 | 7 | 5 | 0 | -2 | -4 | -4 | -3 | -1 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Rainfall mm | 71 | 62 | 75 | 71 | 71 | 68 | 61 | 63 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 68 |
| Ushuaia | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| Low °C | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | -0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Rainfall mm | 78 | 70 | 65 | 67 | 53 | 58 | 51 | 46 | 44 | 44 | 62 | 73 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE (13 km, 846 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL CALAFATE AERO (17 km, 199 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station USHUAIA MALVINAS ARGENTINAS (5 km, 22 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In the south it stays cool even in high summer: Ushuaia averages under 15 °C in January. Bariloche sees most of its rainfall from May to August, and El Chaltén is considered very windy.
| Destination | Best months |
|---|---|
| Patagonia: lakes, glaciers, hiking | December to March |
| Northwest: Salta, Jujuy | June to September |
| Buenos Aires, Iguazú | March to May, September to November |
| Mendoza, grape harvest | Late February to early April, Vendimia early March |
| Aconcagua Park | November 1 to April 30 |
| Península Valdés, whales | June to December |
| Península Valdés, penguins and elephant seals | September to April |
| Skiing in Bariloche / Ushuaia | June to September / June to October |
| Antarctica from Ushuaia | October to April |
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, authorities frequently close the Cristo Redentor pass between Mendoza and Santiago de Chile from May to September due to snowfall.
Sources: Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Wikipedia · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Administración Península Valdés · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office)
What do I need to enter Argentina?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals can enter as tourists without a visa for up to 90 days; a passport is required. Other nationalities are subject to their own rules. Since decree 366/2025, Argentina also requires health insurance for the entire stay, and airlines check for it before boarding. The official authorities are the definitive source (as of September 2026).
| Nationality | Stay without a visa | Travel document |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | up to 3 months, extendable | Passport, valid for 6 months from entry according to the embassy in Bern |
| Germany | up to 90 days | Passport, provisional passport or children's passport; no national ID card; according to the Federal Foreign Office it only needs to be valid at entry, with no fixed month-based rule, though validity beyond the stay is recommended |
| Austria | 90 days, extendable once by 90 days | Passport, valid for at least 3 months at entry |
Border officials may want to see a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds. As a tourist, one may not work for pay. Fingerprints and a portrait photo are captured digitally at the airport.
Health insurance: Decree 366/2025 of May 29, 2025 requires foreigners to have health insurance and limits free treatment in public hospitals to permanent residents. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the policy must cover emergencies, hospital stays and repatriation; without proof, airlines will refuse boarding. The BMEIA additionally requires basic medical care, inpatient treatment and a 24-hour emergency service; the Argentine embassy in Bern likewise names health insurance with minimum coverage as a condition for visa-free entry.
Minors need an original birth certificate; if a child travels with only one parent, the other parent's written consent is required, the «Venia de Viaje». Cash in an amount equivalent to US$10,000 or more (US$5,000 for those under 16) must be declared on entry.
The official authorities are the definitive source: the EDA (Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) and the Argentine embassy in Bern, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the Argentine immigration authority. Other nationalities are subject to their own rules: which passports qualify for visa-free tourist stays is shown in the list from the Argentine Cancillería; when in doubt, the Argentine embassy in one's home country can advise.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) · Embajada de la República Argentina en Suiza · Dirección Nacional de Migraciones · Argentina.gob.ar, Información Legislativa · Consulado General de la República Argentina (Cancillería)
What vaccinations and health precautions does Argentina require?
No vaccination is mandatory. The Swiss travel medicine authority healthytravel.ch recommends the standard vaccinations, hepatitis A, and the yellow fever vaccine for the provinces of Misiones (including the Iguazú Falls) and Corrientes. Against dengue, chikungunya and Zika, round-the-clock mosquito protection is the main defense, including in cities.
- Yellow fever: not generally recommended for Formosa and parts of Chaco, Jujuy and Salta, and according to the CDC not recommended for the remaining provinces; vaccination at least 10 days before arrival.
- Hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid: depending on age, duration and activities; typhoid for trips longer than 4 weeks.
- Dengue, chikungunya, Zika: present year-round nationwide, according to the Federal Foreign Office; whether vaccination makes sense should be discussed with a doctor. Pregnant travelers should seek advice in advance because of Zika.
Further risks, according to the Federal Foreign Office, include Chagas disease, hantavirus, leptospirosis and rabies. In the Andes, for example on the Tren a las Nubes above 4,200 m, altitude sickness should not be underestimated, according to the EDA. Medical care is good in the major cities but limited in Patagonia; private hospitals require an advance payment.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Schweizerisches Expertenkomitee für Reisemedizin · CDC Travelers' Health · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) · Tren a las Nubes S.E., Provincia de Salta
How safe is Argentina for travelers?
The EDA describes crime, especially in larger cities such as Buenos Aires, as high and warns of pickpocketing and scams in tourist areas. All three foreign ministries point to frequent demonstrations, strikes and road blockades, known as «piquetes».
- EDA: Drug gangs operate on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in Rosario and in Santa Fe; robberies of taxi passengers and express kidnappings do occur. Avoid overland travel at night, and do not resist during a robbery.
- Federal Foreign Office: Petty theft is especially common in La Boca, San Telmo and at Retiro station, and violence occurs around football stadiums.
- BMEIA: Theft also occurs at airports and on the ferries to Uruguay; exercise the greatest caution after dark.
Along the Andes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are possible, particularly in San Juan and Mendoza. From December to March, wildfires are a risk; national parks in Patagonia then temporarily close trails or entire areas when fire danger is high. According to the EDA, the tourist police in Buenos Aires can be reached at +54 911 5050 9260, including via WhatsApp. Current situation: EDA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA.
Sources: Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA)
How do you get to Argentina and travel around the country?
International flights land at Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (EZE), 35 km southwest of the city. Nonstop connections run from Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, from Miami, New York, Atlanta and Houston, from Auckland, and from many cities in Latin America. Within the country, domestic flights from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery connect the regions in 2 to just under 4 hours.
| World region | Hubs with nonstop flights | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt | Madrid: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Europa, Iberia, Plus Ultra, 12 h 45 min, 23 flights per week; Frankfurt: Lufthansa, 13 h 45 min, 4 flights per week |
| North America | Miami, New York (JFK), Atlanta, Houston | Miami around 74 flights per month, the others around 16 each |
| Central America and the Caribbean | Panama City, Cancún, Punta Cana, Santo Domingo | – |
| South America | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Bogotá, Medellín, Quito, Guayaquil, Santa Cruz de la Sierra | domestic flights from Ezeiza too, for example to Bariloche, Mendoza, Salta and Ushuaia |
| Oceania | Auckland | around 5 flights per month |
Travelers coming from Africa, the Middle East or Asia can connect via São Paulo: Guarulhos (GRU) has nonstop connections to Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Cape Town and serves both Ezeiza and Aeroparque. Other connecting points are Madrid, Rome, Paris and Frankfurt.
| Route | Flight time | Distance | Flights per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–Puerto Iguazú | 1 h 55 min | 1,049 km | 49 |
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–Salta | 2 h 15 min | 1,275 km | 35 |
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–Mendoza | 2 h | 977 km | 55 |
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–Bariloche | 2 h 25 min | 1,334 km | 53 |
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–El Calafate | 3 h 20 min | 2,066 km | 12 |
| Buenos Aires (AEP)–Ushuaia | 3 h 40 min | 2,380 km | 16 |
| El Calafate–Ushuaia | 1 h 20 min | 566 km | 7 |
According to the BMEIA, domestic flights often run several hours late; connections need buffer time. Long-distance buses offer seat classes up to «cama ejecutiva» (fully reclining), and once a week the Tren Patagónico runs from Viedma to Bariloche. For rental cars, the Federal Foreign Office recommends an international driving licence, and the EDA advises against driving at night.
On the Península Valdés the roads are gravel tracks, with a speed limit of 60 km/h. In Buenos Aires, the Subte and buses are paid with the SUBE card, while taxis take only pesos.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Argentina.gob.ar, Ministerio de Transporte · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · FlightConnections · FlightConnections
What does Argentina cost and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Argentine peso (ARS); prices marked «$» are pesos, while US dollars are shown as «U$S». Cards are widely accepted mainly in Buenos Aires; elsewhere you need enough cash. The day pass for the Iguazú National Park, in the general rate that foreign visitors pay, has cost 60,000 pesos since June 1, 2026.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Iguazú National Park, day pass | 60,000 ARS |
| Los Glaciares National Park, also El Chaltén | 50,000 ARS |
| Tierra del Fuego National Park | 40,000 ARS |
| Nahuel Huapi National Park | 35,000 ARS |
| Tren a las Nubes, bus-train-bus, adults from abroad | 233,000 ARS (July–Sept 2026), 252,000 ARS (Oct–Dec 2026) |
On a second visit within 72 hours, the national parks grant a 50% discount. According to the Federal Foreign Office, ATMs charge high fees. US dollars can be exchanged all over the country; euros are harder to exchange outside Buenos Aires. Exchange money only at banks and official «casas de cambio»; street money-changers are illegal, and counterfeit banknotes are in circulation.
Iguazú tickets can be bought online up to 30 days in advance or at the ticket counter by card or in pesos; there you show your passport so that the applicable rate category can be determined.
Exchange rates and peso prices change quickly; this page therefore does not quote a rate.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Tren a las Nubes S.E., Provincia de Salta · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) · Iguazú Argentina S.A.
Where do you stay overnight in Argentina?
Accommodation ranges from international city hotels in Buenos Aires, to lodges among the vineyards of Mendoza, to estancias in the wine region near Salta, mountain huts around Bariloche, and campsites in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. The province of Mendoza alone counts around 45,000 beds across all categories.
For the Valle de Uco, Mendoza's tourism board recommends two to three nights rather than a day trip. Around Bariloche, hikers can reach huts such as the Refugios López and Roca Negra. In small towns like El Chaltén, with around 1,861 inhabitants (2022), the supply is limited; for December to March, early booking pays off.
In Mendoza, many lodges and resorts sit right among the vines, often with a spa. In the Tierra del Fuego National Park, cooking with a gas stove is allowed only at designated campsites.
Sources: Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Wikipedia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza
What do people eat and drink in Argentina?
Asado, empanadas, choripán and dulce de leche are everyday staples, mate is shared among friends, and wine is officially the national drink. The cuisine varies strongly by region: humitas, tamales and locro in the northwest, king crab (centolla) in Ushuaia, Malbec in Mendoza, Torrontés in Cafayate.
Dinner is eaten late: according to Buenos Aires's tourism board, it falls between 8 and 11 p.m. In the northwest, carbonada, kid-goat stew and goat cheese round out the menu, and in Cafayate there is even wine ice cream. In Mendoza, many restaurants, including some listed in the Guide Michelin, sit right inside wineries. The fishermen of Puerto Almanza, 75 km from Ushuaia, live off centolla and shellfish.
Sources: Argentina.gob.ar · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia
What cultural traits are worth knowing?
Tango, from Buenos Aires and Montevideo, has been on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2009. People speak Spanish using «vos» instead of «tú», dinner is late, and football is omnipresent in Buenos Aires. In the northwest, Andean and Catholic festivals shape the calendar; in Mendoza, it is the grape harvest.
According to UNESCO, tango arose among the lower classes of both cities, from European immigrants, descendants of enslaved Africans, and local inhabitants. In Cachi, offerings are made to Pachamama in August, and on Good Friday a Judas effigy is burned. Mendoza's Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia has existed since 1936; the main event in early March involves over 1,000 participants. Pato, a horseback game of the gauchos, is the official national sport.
In Tierra del Fuego, shell middens left by the Yámana people recall a settlement more than 10,000 years old; the name Lapataia comes from their language and means «bay of the forest».
Sources: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · Visit Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Argentina.gob.ar · Turismo Buenos Aires, Gobierno de la Ciudad · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia
What experiences are worthwhile in Argentina?
Among the strongest experiences are the walkways over the Garganta del Diablo in Iguazú, an ice hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier, the day trip to the Laguna de los Tres below Fitz Roy, whale watching off Puerto Pirámides from June to December, and the Tren a las Nubes above 4,200 m.
| Experience | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Garganta del Diablo | Iguazú | Park open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 4 p.m. |
| Full moon walk | Iguazú | only five nights per month |
| Tren a las Nubes | Salta | full day, check-in 6:15 a.m., train departs from San Antonio de los Cobres |
| Ice hike | Perito Moreno | crampons provided by the operators |
| Laguna de los Tres | El Chaltén | about 20 km round trip |
| Whale watching | Puerto Pirámides | about 2 h, six licensed operators |
| Beagle Channel and Tren del Fin del Mundo | Ushuaia | boat trip to the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, train into the national park |
| Aconcagua trekking | Mendoza | day trip up to 3,400 m or 3 days to Plaza Francia |
| Cruce Andino | Bariloche | boat and bus route to Puerto Varas in Chile, year-round |
In Iguazú, a second day is worthwhile; the 7 km Sendero Macuco trail to the Salto Arrechea closes at 3 p.m. From Ushuaia, a 10- to 12-day Antarctica expedition can be added on.
Sources: Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Tren a las Nubes S.E., Provincia de Salta · Tren a las Nubes S.E., Provincia de Salta · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Mendoza Turismo, Gobierno de Mendoza · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia
How can you travel more sustainably in Argentina?
In the parks, stay on walkways and marked trails; in Iguazú, feeding the animals is explicitly forbidden. Whales can be seen from El Doradillo beach or by boat with one of the six licensed operators in Puerto Pirámides. Where it fits, a long-distance bus or the Tren Patagónico can replace a domestic flight.
The park train in Iguazú runs on electric or LPG locomotives to keep noise down. Around Cafayate, communities offer «Turismo Rural Comunitario» with crafts, horseback rides and overnight stays within the communities. The Península Valdés has been managed since 2000 by its own authority under the province of Chubut.
Sources: Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Chubut Patagonia, Ministerio de Turismo del Chubut · Visit Salta, Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Salta · Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Administración Península Valdés
What can Argentina be combined with?
The easiest combinations are with its neighbors: ferries run from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo in Uruguay, in Iguazú Brazil's Foz do Iguaçu lies about 15 km away, and from Bariloche the Cruce Andino crosses the lakes to Puerto Varas in Chile. Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are shared between Argentina and Chile.
- Chile: from Bariloche via the Cardenal Samoré pass, 53 km beyond Villa La Angostura, open year-round but requiring snow chains in winter, or by boat and bus on the Cruce Andino. The Cristo Redentor pass from Mendoza is often closed from May to September.
- Uruguay: Buquebus sails to Colonia del Sacramento (56 km) and Montevideo (270 km).
- Brazil and Paraguay: the Brazilian side of the falls is its own national park and a World Heritage site since 1986; the Tancredo Neves bridge leads to Foz do Iguaçu, and Ciudad del Este lies at the same tri-border area.
- South: the pages Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Sources: Ente Mixto de Promoción Turística de Bariloche · Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
Who is Argentina suited for, and who should think twice?
Argentina suits travelers who want to combine nature, hiking, wine and city culture and who have at least two, better three, weeks of time. It is less suited for short trips with many destinations, for travelers who want to avoid wind and cold, and for anyone who needs a fixed budget, since peso prices are often adjusted.
It suits hikers in El Chaltén and around Bariloche well, wine travelers in Mendoza and Cafayate, wildlife watchers on the Península Valdés, and city travelers who want to combine Buenos Aires with nature.
In Iguazú, the main circular trails and the park train are wheelchair-accessible. Anyone who dislikes flying will find it hard going: the road alone from Buenos Aires to Bahía Lapataia in Tierra del Fuego measures 3,063 km. Those avoiding heat should not schedule Iguazú and Salta for January; those avoiding cold should skip Patagonia in July.
Sources: Iguazú Argentina S.A. · Secretaría de Turismo Ushuaia · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Wikipedia
