So, you’ve chosen to explore the stunning country of Argentina. This destination has been on this couple’s travel bucket list for a long time. At last, in April 2026, we arrived, and it definitely lived up to our expectations.
To enhance your Argentinian travel experience, I want to share some essential tips. First and foremost, planning and research are crucial, especially if you’re going the DIY route as we do.
So let’s kick things off with …
When to Go
Argentina lies below the equator, so its seasons are reversed compared to North America. So if you choose to go in January, expect hot weather. It’s the summer, after all. This travel couple chose to visit in early to mid-April. This is the beginning of their fall, and the weather for touring was perfect.
Their time zone is only one hour ahead of EST, which worked out great for these Northeasterners. Our body clock seemed to adjust much more quickly, even after a long overnight flight.
Where to Visit
Argentina is a very BIG country. There is so much to see, and I’d recommend focusing on no more than two places if you have two weeks or less to spend there. Most visitors start their Argentine adventure in the capital, Buenos Aires.
It is a BIG city with a lot to see. Two to three days doesn’t do it justice. Try to spend at least 5 days here and believe me, you’ll want to stay longer!
Buenos Aires is the jumping-off point for flights to popular destinations, including Patagonia, where we chose to spend five days, Mendoza (wine region), and Iguazu Falls. Most regions are spread out, so driving, although possible, is not the most time-efficient way to go from one play to another.
Where to Stay
Buenos Aires is a very large city with dozens of unique neighborhoods. Where to stay depends on your needs and preferences. For example, we chose Recoleta. Known as the “Paris of the South, it is an upscale, safe area that features stunning architecture, the famous Recoleta Cemetery, and high-end boutiques.
Other recommended neighborhoods are Palermo (Soho/Hollywood). We took a food tour from here. It is a massive area that is ideal for nightlife, dining, and trendy boutiques. Many tourists consider this a good choice for a first-time visit.
San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood, featuring cobblestone streets, antique shops, and a famous Sunday market in Plaza Dorrego. Then there is Puerto Madero. Looking for modern-luxury? This safe waterfront area with top-tier hotels and restaurants, resembling Miami in style, is for you. It is, however, a bit far from the other neighborhoods and would require an Uber to get around unless you walk a bit to pick up a Subway.
How Many Days
This is a difficult question to answer. It really depends on what you want to see. We focused on Buenos Aires and Patagonia. We spent six days in each place with a short flight between them, and felt like there was much more to see.
Do your research and plan tours when necessary to ensure you don’t miss anything. For example, in Patagonia, a boat tour of the glaciers was on our must-see list and certainly a highlight of our stay. It was a full-day excursion, but worth every minute and every penny we paid.
Language
Argentines speak Spanish, and we found that even in the big city of Buenos Aires, many people spoke little or no English, even in more touristy areas. The locals, however, are extremely friendly and helpful.
Remember. You’re in their country. Be polite. Learn some important phrases in Spanish. It will go a long way.
Food and Dining
In Argentina, people eat dinner really late, like around 10 pm. If you’re anything like us, that’s not going to cut it. But don’t stress! Plenty of places stay open all day and into the night. Just keep in mind that a lot of the popular spots only serve lunch from about 12 to 3 and then don’t start dinner until after 8 pm. Do a little digging, and you’ll be all set.
Steak is king here. For top restaurants, click here.
And please don’t ask for French or Italian wines. Malbec is their choice, and it was delicious!
Money and Use of Credit Cards
Before we left, I researched and got a bit of anxiety regarding their money situation. Unlike Europe, where the euro is relatively stable, Argentina is dealing with high inflation and thus a volatile exchange rate. I read about sending USD to the Western Union office in BA, and picking up pesos there or using a local exchange office. In the end, we did this.
We exchanged a couple of hundred dollars into Argentine pesos through our bank before we left home, even if the rate wasn’t optimal, but it was still quite good. Taking this route gave us the comfort of knowing we had some Argentine pesos when we arrived.
I’d recommend taking some crisp $50 and $100 USD bills to exchange if you need to. This is a requirement to get the best exchange rate. In addition, at times, USD takes precedence over pesos. For example, our taxi ride from EZE airport to our Recoleta hotel required payment in USD upon arrival at our hotel.
Credit cards are used throughout BA. Many restaurants take credit cards. If you want to be safe, aways ask before you sit down in a restaurant if they take credit cards or only cash: “Acepta tarjeta o solo efectivo?”
For more info on exchanging money, click here.
How to Get Around
Getting around Buenos Aires is easy. We did a lot of walking but also used their safe and clean Subte system (subway and buses) as well as Uber, especially when traveling between neighborhoods. You can either buy a Subte card and load it up or simply tap your credit or debit card when you enter the turnstiles on the subway or bus. Tap and go has been rolled out completely on the subway system. It hasn’t been, however, fully rolled out for the entire bus system yet.
So, now you have some big questions out of the way, check back to read my post on our Buenos Aires itinerary.
