Argentina

Argentina is enormous, so resist the temptation to squeeze everything into a short trip. Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, Mendoza, Patagonia and the northwest each deserve time, and the country’s official tourism guidance suggests allowing at least 20 days for a broad highlights itinerary. Choose a region first, then build outward.

• Visit Buenos Aires in spring or autumn for comfortable walking weather, jacaranda-lined streets and lively neighbourhoods such as Palermo, San Telmo and Recoleta.
• Travel to Patagonia between October and April for hiking around El Chaltén, Los Glaciares National Park and Bariloche.
• Consider winter for Salta, Jujuy and the Andean northwest, when the landscapes are often clearer and drier.
• Summer is ideal for Mendoza’s vineyards, Atlantic beaches and longer Patagonian days.

Use Hello’s trip-planning tools to group flights, hotels, day tours and domestic connections into regional itineraries. Distances are vast, so allow buffer time between transport links rather than planning every day down to the hour.

Domestic flights are the practical choice for long distances: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, El Calafate or Iguazú can save days compared with travelling overland. Long-distance buses are comfortable and surprisingly useful, especially between nearby destinations such as Mendoza, Córdoba, Salta and Jujuy. For scenic routes, look for overnight services with reclining seats, but check arrival times before booking accommodation.

In Buenos Aires, the SUBE card works on buses, the Subte and trains. Buy and load one at eligible stations, kiosks or other authorised points, and keep a small balance for spontaneous journeys. Taxis and ride-hailing services are convenient in cities, while renting a car makes sense in wine country, the Lake District and parts of Patagonia—but distances, fuel stops and changing weather require careful planning.

Download or save tickets before leaving reliable Wi-Fi. A Hello eSIM activated before landing helps with airport transfers, maps and last-minute schedule changes without roaming charges. Coverage can become patchy in remote parks, so download offline maps and carry accommodation details.

Argentine food changes noticeably from one region to the next. In Buenos Aires, order a parrillada to sample grilled beef, provoleta and sausages, then try empanadas in a neighbourhood bakery. Mendoza pairs Malbec with tender steak and olive-oil-rich dishes, while the northwest brings Andean flavours such as locro, humitas and empanadas salteñas. On the Atlantic coast and in Tierra del Fuego, seafood—especially crab around Ushuaia—takes centre stage.

A typical day may include a late breakfast, a substantial lunch and dinner well after 9 p.m. Restaurants often add a service charge or cubierto, so inspect the bill before paying and keep some Argentine pesos for tips and small cafés. Credit cards are widely accepted in larger businesses, but cash remains useful at markets, food stalls, rural lodges and small towns.

Travelling with companions? Hello’s expense-splitting feature can separate a shared parrilla, wine tasting or taxi ride without mental arithmetic. Record each payment in pesos so the group sees the real trip cost rather than relying on changing exchange rates.

The Argentine peso (ARS) is the everyday currency, and prices can change quickly in an inflationary economy. Check current prices shortly before travelling, pay larger purchases by card when practical, and carry a modest amount of peso cash for transport, tips, markets and independent cafés. Exchange money through official channels and avoid carrying more cash than you need.

Set a daily spending limit in Hello’s budget tracker and log costs in ARS, separating accommodation, transport, food and activities. This makes it easier to spot expensive domestic flights or glacier excursions before they push the whole itinerary off course. Keep receipts for accommodation and major purchases, especially when travelling between regions.

Argentines are generally warm and sociable. Greetings matter: a single cheek kiss is common among friends and acquaintances, while a handshake is perfectly appropriate in formal situations. Dinner starts late, conversation is valued, and rushing through a meal can feel out of place. Learn a few Spanish phrases—such as “¿Cuánto cuesta?” and “la cuenta, por favor”—and ask before photographing people, dancers or market vendors.