Argentina Travel Guide

Argentina is a place of stunning natural wonders, features an elegant capital with European-flavored sophistication, and is home to an extremely passionate culture, one that remains as tempting as ever. Although they have been cast in the shadow of a financial cloud in recent years, the silver lining is that it’s now one of the best travel bargains around, and finding discount airfare to Argentina has never been easier.  Argentina is one of the many Latin American countries where Europeans and North Americans alike can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously.  For residents of the Northern Hemisphere, Argentina offers travelers the possibility of enjoying two summers in one year, but the country’s variety and elongated geography means visiting can be pleasant regardless of the season.  Patagonian destinations, such as the Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, are best visited in the summer months (December to February) when the weather’s milder and more services are available. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Buenos Aires (the summer is hot and humid).  Mendoza, Córdoba and the Lake District are all spectacular in autumn, when the leaves are fiery reds and yellows, the temperatures are comfortable and the crowds are few.  Ski season runs mid-June through mid-October, and the resorts are most expensive and most crowded during July and August when every porteño (person from Buenos Aires) seems to be on the slopes.  If tracking cost, it should be noted that the most expensive times to travel are the Argentine vacation months of January, February and July.

A wide range of accommodation possibilities are available throughout the country, including student hostels, bed and breakfasts, trendy boutique hotels in the city, as well as luxurious palaces and modern five-star hotels.  The Caesar Park Hotel in Buenos Aires is a stunning example of a 5-star hotel. There are also many beautiful lakeside lodges in Patagonia, and regional farms outside the cities.  Many vacation cabins or weekend houses (known as cabañas) are available for short-term rental directly from the owners in the mountains, seaside, and rural areas.  A quick scan of the local classifieds (there are several online sources also) section of any major Argentine newspaper is typically the best place to start.

You’ll find a host of activities and sights available in Argentina; from the Andean northwest’s cactus-dotted deserts and color-drenched mountainsides, to watching an active glacier drop house-sized icebergs in Patagonia.  For the city-minded, there is ample opportunity to soak in the Buenos Aires’ glorious European buildings and distinctive neighborhoods, or even learn about the revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara, where his former residence has been converted into the Museo Casa Ernesto Che Guevara.  The most popular sport in Argentina is hands down futbol (soccer).  When visiting Argentina, you really shouldn’t miss the chance to experience a professional match live.  Argentina’s fans are very passionate, and its people are known for their many sports talents; in fact, not being able to play any sports in Argentina is quite rare.

Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long distance bus network.  Since regional train service is limited and getting cheap flights domestically is uncommon, bus travel is the most viable way to travel from city to city within Argentina. The city buses are called colectivos, while a long distance, city-to-city bus is called a micro.  Although rentals cars are readily available throughout Argentina, it’s a bit expensive compared to other forms of transportation.  Argentina generally recognizes valid drivers’ licenses from foreign jurisdictions, although drivers must be 21 or older.  Be aware that the Argentine driving style is much more aggressive and chaotic than in North America and non-Latin European countries.  Speed limits and lane markings are universally ignored, and running red lights is common.  Most drivers treat stop signs as though they were “yield” signs, though many drivers ignore them completely.  With that said, make sure you are thoroughly confident in your driving skills before attempting to drive in Argentina.