Travel Tales from Argentina and South America
Travel Argentina? Where is it? What is the weather like? So many questions about this gorgeous Latin American country find their answers today in this article. Destinations, currency, means of transport, and cultural milestones, are all for you to get ready and enjoy your trip to Argentina.
Not many people know that Argentina is in South America. In fact, Argentina is one of the southernmost countries on the continent. To make a real picture of its location, let’s say it is bordering Chile, Bolivia, Perú, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. If you try to look at Argentina on a world map, you’ll notice that a vast part of Argentina is even more southern from the equator than Southern África.
Argentina is a long and large country. It features an extensive coastline, but also the Andes Mountain Range, and tons of lakes. Its capital is Buenos Aires built at the Río de la Plata. This river, often confused with the sea, is the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. And one of the widest rivers in the world.
To sum up, if you travel to Argentina you will be flying to the “south” of South America. And if you reach Tierra del Fuego, a Patagonian province, prepare to be closer than ever to Antárctica!
Keep reading about different regions of Argentina in our Argentina travel guide.
Argentina is visited all year round for its natural landscapes which combine tropical jungle, arid Pampa, and glacier hubs like Patagonia.
So, we can say that Argentina is famous for its landscapes. These are the most popular among travelers:
However, Argentine culture is also worldly renowned – Messi and Che Guevara may ring a bell. Apart from talented people, Argentina’s food and passions are worth trying on a trip. Here you have a list of:
Learn more about Argentinians’ favorite traditions and landscapes.
The capital features the most important international airport, and others for domestic flights. It’s a megalópolis, neighborhoods extending widely around downtown. Museums, bars, nightclubs, parks, restaurants, theaters, libraries, local designer shops, craft markets, and historic sites – There is a lot to see here. Including the coastline of Rìo de la Plata which can be visited, and sail on a day trip to visit the beautiful town of Colonia in Uruguay, a different country just on the other side.
Read about our favorite itineraries to Buenos Aires.
The falls are the main attractions, however, Misiones is a spectacular place to explore. Of course, you have to visit the National Park and reach the jaw-dropping Garganta del Diablo, an enormous-endless water hole. Also, the National Park is spread on Brazilian territory so a half-day visit to check out the amazing views it’s necessary. Once you visit the park, book a visit to San Ignacio Mini, and discover the incredible ruins of a Jesuitic Mission. And travel to Wanda’s Mine and see what kinds of gemstones are found in Misiones. Finally, you can also enjoy the mate route and learn where and how this traditional infusion is made.
Read more about Iguazú here.
Neighboring Misiones there is the province of Corrientes and the National Park Ibera. This is mostly an ecological project to restore native wildlife in Ibera and protect wetlands from extinction. The foundation running the place has done amazing work on restoring native wildlife like the yaguarete. Most lodges are outside but near the park which makes it easy to enjoy excursions during the day. Some of the activities include: boat tripping between the esteros to see crocodiles and capybaras, horseback ridings, and hikes in wildlife spotting places.
When talking about North Argentina (NOA), people usually refer to Salta and Jujuy, two of the three provinces of the NOA region. Salta is the place to learn about the fusion between European and local architecture. Also where the Train to the Clouds departs, and trips to Cafayate wine region are organized. On the other hand, Jujuy features a UNESCO World Heritage called Quebrada de Humahuaca, a gorge where most natural attractions are placed like Purmamarca and its Seven Color Hill, or the Pucarà de Tilcara.
Keep reading about North Argentina.
Talampaya National Park is an amazing place not many travelers know about. It’s located in La Rioja province (there is another “La Rioja” in Spain, but without Talampaya…) which is heading to North Argentina.
Like Salta and Jujuy, the weather in La Rioja is extremely hot. So, the best season to travel is during the southern winter (March to September).
Although it’s a bit out of the regular circuit to the north, it’s worth making a detour and living the Talampaya experience! Meet canyons and petroglyphs.
Plus, you don’t need to extend your budget that much. The natural reserve offers reliable campsite services . And the stars you’ll see at night….!
Read about the top thing to do in Talampaya National Park.
Like the French or North American wine routes, in Argentina, we have our own wine road starting in Mendoza. From the city, you can visit two regions concentrating most of the production and vineyards, Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. This destination is perfect for sybarites looking to enjoy local wine production, guided tours to learn about the making process, and tasting high-class cooking.
Mendoza is waiting, read more!
This is the biggest destination of Argentina- Patagonian territory features almost half of Argentina’s lands looking to the south. It is impossible to define Patagonia without referring to all the cities and places where icebergs, lakes, and wildlife can be found. Check this list of Patagonian top selected destinations in Argentina, from north to south Patagonia.
Keep reading about Patagonia.
It is really up to you. Argentina can be visited all year round, especially Buenos Aires where summer or winter is not unbearable (yet). However, it is true that weather conditions can limit some destinations.
Let’s see:
Luckily, there are almost any current restrictions to travel to Argentina. Airports and land borders are open, and a PCR test to enter the country is no longer required. However, your trip will probably include a day visit or a longer stay in Chile. Those countries feature different step-by-steps for travelers, including Covid medical insurance and a “mobility pass”.
Keep reading about current restrictions in Argentina.
Keep reading about current restrictions in Chile.
The national currency in Argentina is the “peso argentino”. Currency exchange is possible in regular banks and private exchange houses all over Buenos Aires. So you can make it with pesos rather easily once you get here, even from the airport and before traveling to the city.
The best is to get all the pesos you need in Buenos Aires because exchange offices may be less common in other provinces. The same with ATMs which, in Patagonia, can easily run out of cash. Although credit cards are widely accepted in Argentina, some destinations -little villages mostly- may not feature this service. Plus, in Argentina, people usually use cash in little grocery stores and shops rather than credit cards.
Keep reading more about Argentina’s currency.
Being an enormous country, flights are the best choice to travel to Argentina in a few days. The biggest airports are in Buenos Aires, like the International Ministro Pistarini and the domestic Aeroparque Airport. Both connect international destinations to Argentina and Buenos Aires with the rest of the provinces. Other regions like Patagonia, Mendoza, Salta, and Iguazú count with airports too, but very much smaller than Pistarini or Aeroparque. On the other hand, trains are not spread in the country. Not many destinations count with railways. But, there is not the case for Roadtrippers. Argentineans are great at driving long distances. It is the favorite way of exploring the country chosen by many locals, and now for foreign tourism.
Keep reading about airports and flights to Argentina.
Learn about self-road travel experiences in the country.
There is much to see and do, many people to discover, and landscapes to explore in Argentina, and you can do it like a local! Just need the right information and guidance, and there are tons of good travel tips to learn and share. The most important is to keep an open mind, and bump into the adventure, whenever you find it. Argentina is a majestic place. Take your time to savor it. And as we say in Argentina, “¡disfrutá, che!” (enjoy, che!).
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