Argentina has much to offer visitors. Positioned at the southeastern tip of South America—at the "end of the world"—Argentina features diverse geography, climates, and culture. You'll find icebergs, mountains, glaciers, tropical jungles, and the tango there. The country is huge, and there's no shortage of things to do, see, and experience.
To get you started, here is our travel guide to Argentina, complete with 11 things you should plan your trip around.
See Iguazú Falls & Perito Moreno Glacier
As Argentina Turismo explains, Iguazú Falls (Cataratas de Iguazú) is a sight to behold. At the northeastern corner of Argentina, Iguazú Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It's near the intersection of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, and the 269-foot falls are a must-see if you're in the area. Moconá Falls is also nearby and is a unique sight as it's the only place in the world where five rivers meet.
If you're in the mood for a chillier excursion, consider venturing farther south to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Argentina Turismo calls it the most famous ice in the world, and you can walk right up to it and take a gander. You can even take a mini-trek above the glacier—just dress warmly and come prepared!
Aim For A Springtime Or Fall Trip To Enjoy More Of Argentina
Since Argentina lies in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are switched from the US and Canada's. Therefore, the best times to traipse south are either Argentina's spring (September through December) or fall (April through June), notes US News Travel. Keep in mind, however, that this advice applies to Buenos Aires, the capital city, which has a moderate climate thanks to its location in the northern area of the country.
Carefully Plan Your Stay According To Region
Argentina is divided into six regions: the Litoral (coast), Norte (north), Patagonia, Cordoba, Buenos Aires, and Cuyo. Clearly, for city vibes and easy access to amenities, you'll want to stay in Buenos Aires. The thriving capital city offers a colonial ambiance, plenty of opportunities to tango (or at least watch it live), and lots of green spaces and historical spots to explore.
In contrast, Patagonia spans the southernmost areas of the country, including Tierra del Fuego—the end of the world (quite literally land of fire in Spanish). There are many world heritage sites strewn around Patagonia, including Los Glaciares National Park, La Cueva de las Manos, Los Alerces National Park, and Peninsula Valdés. There's also the Cordillera de los Andes—the Andes mountain range—and tons of biodiversity to behold.
Stay Near Lago Argentino Or In Buenos Aires At Top-Rated Hotels
Lago Argentino (Lake Argentina) is where you'll find Argentina's epic glaciers. You'll have plenty of hotel options nearby, but the four-star Alto Calafate offers amazing amenities at just over $100 per night. On a budget? Folk Hostel also features free Wi-Fi and free breakfast, and for only around $30 per night.
In Buenos Aires, you can't go wrong with Hilton Buenos Aires; it has over 12,000 top reviews and is a five-star offering right on the edge of an ecological reserve. For around $130 per night, that's not bad. Of course, there are also hostels for only pocket change; Circus Hostel & Hotel has rooms starting at $15 per night.
It's worth noting that if you want to venture to the "end of the world" instead of hanging around Buenos Aires, there are highly rated hotels and hostels in Ushuaia, too; Las Lengas Hotel and Patagonia Jarke are both affordable and ideal spots from which to explore.
Try Argentinian Dishes Fresh Off The Grill (And Out Of The Freezer)
Argentina's "national dish" is asados, says Food24, but that literally just means barbecued meat. You'll find grilled meat like steak, ribs, chorizo (a spicy sausage common in Latin American kitchens), and morcilla (blood sausage). Mollejas (sweetbreads), empanadas (like handheld pies), and dulce de leche (sweetened milk) topping are all menu must-haves when visiting. Keep an eye out for dulce de leche ice cream, too—but really anything dulce de leche is amazing.
Rely On The Subway Or Buses To Get Around
When staying in Buenos Aires, hands-down the best way to get around is by hopping on the subway system (the Subte), says Nomadic Matt. You can also take buses, and your fare will be less than a US quarter for most one-way trips. It's beautiful on the Subte, too, with tons of murals and art to gaze at.
Of course, if you're venturing farther south, or to any of the national parks or glaciers, you'll need special arrangements for those excursions. Boats and lake excursions are often popular ways to get up close to the epic icebergs and glaciers.
Adventure To The End Of The World At Ushuaia
Honestly, the most amazing attraction we can recommend in Argentina is the end of the world: Ushuaia. It's actually a resort town (with its own airport) on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, and you can take tours to the nearby Isla Yécapasela, where penguin colonies thrive. You can also visit the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, hop on a cruise from here, or just stare at the amazing scenery all day long.
Know That Your Cash Will Go Far In Argentina
Unfortunately for people in Argentina, the Argentine Peso has been dropping in value in recent years. The US dollar enjoys a very favorable exchange rate, and your money will go far while traveling. Tipping isn't very common, either, though leaving ten percent for excellent service is acceptable.
Prep For Your Biggest Expense: The Flight
According to Kayak, the cheapest time to fly to Argentina is March. But while you can expect your funds to go far when visiting the country, tickets are expensive compared to other destinations. A "cheap" March plane ticket will still cost you almost $900.
Traverse Humahuaca, A Pre-Columbian Route, For Cultural Immersion
While you can explore colonial towns and Jesuit settlements throughout Argentina (especially in the Cordoba region), you'll also find indigenous culture in places like Humahuaca. Humahuaca is a colonial town, but the Quebrada de Humahuaca is also a major cultural route that still contains "traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities," says the World Heritage Centre. The nearby city also offers a unique insight into the indigenous people's lives and culture.
Make Time To Lounge On Argentina's Beaches
The coast of Mar del Plata is rich with beaches of all types. Visit the playas Varese or Cabo Corrientes for calmer water protected by breakwaters, surfing spots like Punta Mogotes and Playa Grande, or the Punta Mogotes Lighthouse for amazing views and even pine forests. Villa Gesell and Pinamar have beaches too; there's really no shortage of opportunities to sunbathe and swim all around Argentina (the warmer lakes included!).