Argentina Vacations

Argentina's culture is a lovely blend of Indigenous and European influences, most notably from Spain and Italy. This cultural fusion is evident in the country's language, customs, and particularly its gastronomy.

The soul of Argentine culture is perhaps best expressed through its distinctive music and dance. The tango, which originated in the lower-class districts of Buenos Aires, encapsulates the essence of Argentine passion and melancholy. Today, tango is not just a dance but an art form that's celebrated worldwide, with Buenos Aires hosting the annual World Tango Festival. See the city’s best spots and a fabulous tango show with Goway’s Buenos Aires Highlights itinerary.

Argentine sports, particularly football, inspire fervent devotion among its people. The nation is synonymous with football legends like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, and the sport is a binding cultural force, with match days igniting impassioned conversations in every corner of the country. Argentines are divided on their support of Buenos Aires’ two most popular teams: River and Boca Juniors. Even citizens who have never visited the capital are fervent fans of one of those two teams.

Literature also plays a significant role in Argentine identity. The nation has produced numerous literary giants, including Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar, whose works have become part of the global literary canon. Their stories often reflect the complex nature of Argentine society and the rich tapestry of its urban and rural life.

Argentine cinema and theatre are fields where creativity flourishes, often exploring social and political themes reflective of the country's turbulent history. The Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema is a testament to the country's vibrant film scene.

Religion, mainly Roman Catholicism, also influences Argentine culture, with traditions like the annual pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. However, Argentina is known for its progressive social policies, highlighting a society that values tradition and religion while embracing change and diversity.

This diversity also extends to Argentina's visual arts, which range from traditional crafts to the avant-garde works of artists like Xul Solar and Benito Quinquela Martín.

What is the visiting etiquette in Argentina?

Argentines are very proud of their cuisine and international travellers are likely to be invited to a barbecue, called an asado. This can be either an all afternoon affair, or a late night dinner. Either way, it’s best to arrive a half an hour to an hour after the time you’re invited for and to bring a bottle of Argentine wine. If you’re not there for a meal, a bottle of fernet is just as welcome as wine.

What is Argentina best known for?

On the global stage, Argentine football and tango stand out on a competitive field. Much of the world watched Lionel Messi lead Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup against France in one of the best games in World Cup history, cementing his name and his country’s reputation in sports history. However, more international visitors in Argentina go to a tango show than a football match and the image of tango dancers is what first springs to mind when most people start to plan their vacation in Argentina.

After those two cultural stars, it’s Argentina’s natural beauty that entices tourists from around the world. Argentina has little global competition with a landscape that includes rainforest, sunny vineyards, massive glaciers, and sparkling white salt flats dotted with pink flamingos.

What are some Argentine traditions?

The most beloved Argentine tradition is gathering family and friends together for an asado. Often hosted in a family’s backyard, the asado is an abundant barbecue that starts with a lot of talking around the fire while one or two people do the grilling. Traditionally, the appetizers are chorizo, blood sausages, and sweetbreads. The first course is ribs, followed by steak. Most asados also have some potatoes and veggies grilled on the side, but in general family meals in Argentina are difficult for vegetarians. While an asado begins with red wine, it’s usually followed by a type of amaro called fernet.

Unique to Argentina is the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Luján on the first weekend of October. Pilgrims set out on foot from Buenos Aires and walk 60 km (37 mi) to the basilica in Luján. In contrast to the solemn pilgrimage, cities on the northern border with Uruguay fill with celebrations for carnival in the weeks leading up to Lent. Join the festivities to experience Argentina’s most exuberant tradition.

What are Argentines like socially?

Argentines spend a lot of time with their family and delight in bringing home extra guests. They’re very proud of Argentina’s natural beauty, exquisite wine and prowess at football, so expect to be regaled with stories of the wonders of Patagonia, Iguassu Falls, the wineries of Mendoza, and Lionel Messi’s most recent accomplishments. Amongst each other, they complain about politics and the economy, but it’s not considered polite conversation with international guests.

The first thing you may notice in Argentina is the number of people carrying around a thermos and a small gourd with a metal straw sticking out. The gourd is called a mate (pronounced mah-tay) and the herbal beverage brewed in it is yerba mate, often simply called mate. It’s made from the mate plant, which grows in the wetlands of the northeast, near the border with Paraguay.

Argentines are very social and love to share a drink, whether that’s wine or a hot mate. Anywhere they congregate, somebody will offer mate to the group and it’s polite to accept and to share the metal straw, called bombilla. In 2020 and 2021, some people started to carry their own bombilla around to avoid sharing, but that habit died quickly. If you’re not comfortable sharing the same bombilla with everybody present, it’s best to pretend that you don’t want to drink any mate at the moment.

What language do Argentines speak?

Spanish is the common language in Argentina, though if you spend enough time in Buenos Aires you may pick up the local dialect. The people of Buenos Aires are called Porteños, in reference to the city’s port, and besides Spanish, most also speak a dialect called Lunfardo. Fifteen Indigenous languages are spoken throughout Argentina and you’re more likely to meet Indigenous Argentines who can share their language and culture with you in the far north and far south.

When planning a trip to Argentina, timing is everything to make the most of its diverse climates and cultural events. The vast country's geography spawns a spectrum of weather patterns from the subtropical north to the subpolar south.

Spring Bloom and City Beats (September to November): Spring is ideal for visiting Buenos Aires as jacarandas blanket the city in a purple hue. The temperate weather is perfect for exploring urban attractions and participating in the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema.

Summer’s Festive Fervor (December to February): Argentine summers are festive and hot, suitable for beachgoers looking to bask on the Atlantic coast. It’s also the season of Carnival, which sees the country erupt in parades and street dances, showcasing a riot of colourful costumes and cultural exuberance. The long days of summer are perfect for trekking in Patagonia, where you can hike under the sun until 10pm. Add Goway’s Bariloche Stay of Distinction to get the most luxurious Patagonian experience.

Autumn Vineyards and Fall Foliage (March to May): Fall is the harvest season, a fantastic time for wine enthusiasts to visit Mendoza for grape picking and wine tasting. The countryside is awash with autumnal colours, providing a picturesque backdrop for travellers.

Winter Wonders and Snowy Slopes (June to August): Winter is the best season for skiing in Andean resorts like Bariloche, where the snow-covered mountains offer world-class facilities for winter sports. It's also a serene time to witness the majestic beauty of Patagonia with fewer tourists.

When is the ideal time to visit Argentina?

Each season in Argentina offers unique experiences, from the sultry tango shows and open-air markets in spring to the glorious glacier trekking in the cooler months. No matter when you choose to visit, Argentina's cultural richness and natural beauty are sure to provide a memorable journey.

When is Argentina's peak tourist season?

Argentina welcomes the most international visitors during austral winter, from June through August. This is the perfect time to ski in Patagonia and to enjoy subtropical northern Argentina with slightly cooler weather. National holidays in December and January crowd the beaches and tourist destinations with Argentine travellers.

Which is the most affordable time to visit Argentina?

There are slight lulls in tourism in the spring and fall, which can bring lower prices. However, it depends on where you go. Fall is the most expensive time to visit Mendoza, so plan on a spring (September to October) visit to the wineries if you’re looking for travel deals.

The short, cold days of winter bring down prices in Patagonia, but also cause many businesses to close for the season. If you want to visit the frigid south in June and July, make direct contact with hotels and tour companies to ensure that they’ll be open. Don’t rely on third party booking platforms.

How long should I plan to visit Argentina?

If you love vibrant, cosmopolitan cities, plan on a week in Buenos Aires before heading out into the provinces. If you’re not much of a city person, you can see the highlights in as little as two days. After the capital, consider how big Argentina is and how long it will take you to get from Iguassu Falls in the north to Patagonia in the south.

If possible, plan five days to a week per region. With a week in Patagonia, you can fly into El Calafate to see the famed Perito Moreno Glacier and also visit Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Goway’s week-long driving itinerary in Patagonia takes you to the highlights of Patagonian mountains and coast.

Taking a week in wine country gives you time to visit several wineries, go on a bike ride through the vineyards, try rafting in Atuel Canyon and enjoy Mendoza’s fine cuisine. Finca Adalgisa and Cavas Wine Lodge are two places you can’t miss!

A week in the northeast gives you time to see Iguazú Falls, spot rare wildlife in Iberá National Park and also soak in the best natural hot springs in the Entre Ríos province. In the deserts of the northwest, with a week you can visit the beautiful city of Salta, explore the vast salt flats of Salinas Grandes and tour the Andean villages of Purmamarca, Tilcara, and Humahuaca.

Embark on an exhilarating adventure to the heart of South America with a journey through Argentina! Imagine stepping off the plane into the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, a city that dances to the rhythm of tango and thrives with European elegance and Latin passion. In Buenos Aires, you’ll taste an enticing fusion of Italian cuisine with Argentine ingredients. Some of the best restaurants in the world are found secreted away in the capital’s famous closed-door restaurants.

Argentina is a vast country with everything from steamy jungles and glaciated mountains to colorful deserts and 4,989 km (3,100 mi) of coast that go from warm beaches to penguin nesting grounds. Unless you have over a month, don’t try to do everything. After the capital, an Argentina vacation will offer you the windswept Patagonia, the sunny vineyards of the western slopes, the bright deserts in the northwest or the steamy jungles in the northeast.

With its vibrant film scene, Nobel legacies, and even the fossils of the largest-known dinosaurs, Argentina is not just a place you visit; it's a world you enter and a dream you live. Get ready to be captivated, for Argentina beckons with open arms and an open heart!

How much is a trip to Argentina?

Argentina is one of the most affordable destinations in South America, coupled with the best hotels and restaurants. Not including international airfare, plan on spending about $1,000 per week, though what you can get for that $1,000 is of much higher quality than in other countries around South America. Prices are significantly lower outside of Buenos Aires, except for Patagonia. Budget $50 per day for food and the same for hotels in the capital and Patagonia. Budget options at hostels around $10 per night are easy to find outside of Buenos Aires, though the lowest cost options in the capital and in Patagonia are around $20 per night.

When considering costs, first look up the current exchange rate, which is usually published comparing the Argentine peso with the US dollar. The economy in Argentina is unstable, which means that the exchange rate can be very different from one year to the next and sometimes one month to the next. The official rate is what you get if you exchange money at a bank or if you used your credit or debit card in Argentina.

You’ll also see the “dólar blue” rate published along with the official rate. This is what you’ll get if you exchange cash USD for Argentine pesos at informal exchange offices and on the street. Depending on the quickly changing inflation, you can get up to twice as many pesos per dollar if you exchange informally. Every city has a street where you can exchange dollars informally and your hotel concierge or clerk can tell you where that is. Be aware that in rural areas you might not be able to exchange money, though people may accept USD there.

It is more difficult to exchange Canadian dollars and euros, so if you plan to take cash, take US dollars with you.

Where to vacation in Argentina?

Each region has numerous destinations that deserve staying a few days or up to a week. Northward, Iguassu Falls await with their thunderous applause, where rainbows are born in the mist of cascading waters. It’s a fun spot for a border hop, where you can feel the spray on your face from both Argentina and Brazil.

Sip on the world's most aromatic Torrontés wine in the high-altitude vineyards of the Northwest, where the earth paints itself in hues of ochre and crimson. Then, venture into the soulful Pampas, the legendary land of the gauchos, where the horizon stretches into eternity, and the air is filled with the scent of wild grasses.

Journey to the edge of the world in Patagonia, a land of mythic glaciers, where colossal ice fields glisten under the southern sun and mountains whisper tales of creation. It’s a realm where whales choreograph ocean ballets, and the Andes stand guard over untamed beauty.

From the charming wineries of Mendoza to the quaint Welsh settlements of Patagonia, Argentina is a symphony of natural splendors and cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. If you can’t decide on just one place, join Goway’s Argentina Top to Bottom trip for the best of everything!

What to pack for a trip to Argentina?

Fashionable Buenos Aires calls for smart outfits and nice shoes, though if you go to a tango show to watch, don’t dress up too much. Wearing suits or dresses with heels and signals to others that you’re there to dance and you may confuse the Argentines who invite you to show off your tango moves.

A trip to Patagonia or the high altitude deserts of the northwest calls for many warm layers and a strong windbreaker. The beauty of sparkling turquoise glacial lakes and the wind on your face can both bring you to tears in the far south, where you can venture as far as Ushuaia, famously called the End of the Earth. In the north, it’s the altitude and the expanses of frozen desert that will entice you to bundle up with locally made llama wool sweaters.

The warm climes of Mendoza and the steamy jungles of the northeast call for a completely different packing list. You’ll want a light and airy wardrobe, though considering the strong sun it’s advisable to pack long sleeves and pants.

Is it safe to visit Argentina?

Argentina has one of the lowest crime rates of South America and is generally a very safe place for travellers. However, every city has a neighborhood or two that international visitors would do best to avoid, especially at night. If you love wandering around a city on foot, be sure to ask at your hotel if there are any areas that you should skip.

How long can you vacation in Argentina?

Argentina grants citizens of over 120 countries a 90-day visa on arrival. This includes all countries in the Americas and Europe. However, some nationalities do need to apply for a visa before purchasing their international flights. You can find the list of those nations on this website.

Is Argentina LGBTQ+ friendly?

In 2010, Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize marriage equality and members of the LGBTQ+ community are treated as equals throughout the country. In many countries, LGTBQ+ travellers are advised to keep a low profile outside of major urban areas, but this is not the case in Argentina, where rural and urban areas are both equally LGBTQ+ friendly.

Do I need to tip in Argentina?

Tipping tour guides is common throughout Argentina, though there is no fixed amount that is expected. Tipping 10% at restaurants is expected in all cities and at nicer restaurants in small towns.

What currency does Argentina use?

Argentina uses the Argentina peso, which is abbreviated as ARS and preceded by the same $ symbol as is used for the dollar. Extreme inflation has been a problem since the late 1980s, though the hyperinflation of 2020 to 2023 has slowed somewhat. The two exchange rates, the official rate and the “dólar blue” rate, both compare the US dollar to the Argentina peso.

Can I drink the tap water in Argentina?

Tap water is safe to drink in most of Argentina, though you should always check with the concierge at your hotel to be sure. Travellers with delicate stomachs should bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying disposable plastic bottles. Only the largest cities have recycling programs and even then, plastic is not always recycled.

Argentina’s cuisine is a flavourful blend of its immigrants who learned to make dishes from their home countries from local ingredients. Dishes that appear Italian or Spanish often have flavours lent from Indigenous Argentine plants and meats.

For centuries, beef has been the most important ingredient in Argentine cuisine. Even when not at an asado, Argentines consider a steak to be a complete meal. Until very recently, Argentines consumed well over 50 kg (110 lb) of beef per capital annually. In 2020s this had fallen to less than 50 kilos, though it’s still significantly higher than the global average.

What is Argentina’s traditional cuisine?

Argentina offers a cornucopia of culinary delights that are as diverse as its landscapes. Try these notable foods and drinks that one should savour during Argentina vacations.

Empanadas: These savoury pastries are ubiquitous across Argentina. Traditionally stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables, they are a staple appetizer and come with a variety of fillings. This includes beef, pork, chicken, or ham seasoned with spices like chilli and cumin. The dough can either be fried or baked, making them a perfect comfort food​​.

Asado: This is the quintessential Argentine barbecue experience. Asado is not just about the food; it's a social event involving hours of grilling various types of meat over an open fire. It's a must-do for visitors, offering a taste of the local culture alongside delicious grilled meats​​​​.

Milanesa: A result of the Italian influence on Argentine cuisine, milanesa consists of thinly pounded beef or chicken coated in breadcrumbs and either baked or fried. This dish is commonly served with toppings like fried eggs, cheese, or tomato sauce.

Locro: A hearty Andean stew, locro is slow cooked for hours to perfectly meld the flavors of chorizo, pancetta, pork chops, skirt steak, pumpkin, white corn, butter beans and spices. It’s often served with a side of spicy sauce, freshly made just before the locro is served.

Wine: Malbec and Torrontés are the most renowned Argentine wines, celebrated for their rich flavours. Argentina also produces other varieties such as Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Yerba Mate: This traditional hot beverage is more than a drink; it's a cultural ritual deeply ingrained in Argentine society​​.

Fernet: A type of amaro, or bitter herbal liqueur, often mixed with cola in Argentina and a staple in the local drinking culture.

Dulce de Leche: A popular sweet milk caramel used in various desserts or eaten alone​​.

Alfajores: These are shortbread cookies sandwiched over a layer of dulce de leche and often covered in chocolate.

What is the dining etiquette in Argentina?

Argentines are rather informal at the table and eating with your hands is normal, especially at an asado. When you’re invited to an Argentine home, first look to see if your hosts are using a fork or their hands before diving in. At upscale restaurants, especially the closed-door gems in Buenos Aires, European table manners are strictly observed.

Be aware that dinner in Argentina doesn’t start until around 10pm. Most restaurants close after lunch and don’t reopen until 9pm. If you’re used to having dinner at 6pm, have a light snack but save your appetite for a late meal.

What is the drinking etiquette in Argentina?

Wine accompanies every meal in Argentina. It’s polite to accept a glass of red wine, though if you don’t feel like drinking, you don’t have to drink all of it. If you empty your glass, it will be refilled. Fernet mixed with cola is the Argentine drink of choice after a meal or when a neighbor drops by for an afternoon visit. Drinking in public is only common on beaches.

Does Argentina cater to dietary restrictions?

Argentina is an easy place for gluten-intolerant travellers as many dishes are focused on meat, potatoes and vegetables. Even the traditional faina bread is made with chickpea flour. It’s unusual to add wheat flour but when ordering in a restaurant always check with the server.

Argentina is not so easy for vegetarians and vegans. In the past decade, vegetarian restaurants, or at least one vegetarian option on a menu, are easier to find in large cities and small towns like Ushuaia that get a lot of tourists. The number of Argentines who prefer vegetarian or vegan fare is small, though there is a common understanding that many international travellers may not eat meat.

Shellfish and tree nuts are not common ingredients in Argentina, but those with allergies should still double check ingredients when ordering in restaurants.

What do meals typically cost in Argentina?

Meals can be quite inexpensive in Argentina, even when you include a bottle of wine. An extravagant dinner at the most exclusive closed-door restaurants in Buenos Aires will run between $50 and $100 per person. An average restaurant will run about $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner. If you want just an empanada or a slide of pizza, you may be charged around $2.