Argentina is one of the southernmost countries in the world. Located in South America, its populations arise up to more than 40.000.000 of people whose mother tongue is the Spanish in its Argentinian version (with slight difference in pronunciation and words from Spain). Is the second largest country in the region after Brazil (in its territory France could be fit 3 times!), and all kinds of weather and natural landscapes can be found all over the country.
From the sophisticated Buenos Aires and it’s tango and soccer culture, to the vastness of the Pampas, the multicolored mountains and Falls of the North to the mighty Patagonia and its glacier. Argentina was borned as an independent country in 1810 and was named after the Latin word argentum, which means “silver”, the color of the Río de La Plata which can be seen from Buenos Aires. It has 24 provinces and its currency is the peso argentino. We invite you to read our Argentina travel guide!
From ancient glaciers and jagged mountains to a lush jungle with dazzling cascades and from original Andean traditions to one of the most cosmopolitan cities of South America. Argentina’s attractions offer the perfect mix of nature and culture! Visit the Land of Silver and be forever impressed by the beauy and diversity of this country.
We want to start this travel guide with Argentina’s capital of culture! Buenos Aires is the main jumping-off point to many of Argentina’s attractions. Known as the “City that never sleeps” and also as the “Paris of South America”, this multicultural destination offers activities for all tastes and ages. This city breathes culture on every corner: walk through cobbled streets and appreciate its spectacular architecture, book some tickets to a guided tour to discover Teatro Colon’s best-kept secrets, connect with Argentinian roots watching a goosebumps tango show and feast at some of the best restaurants in South America.
Undoubtedly, one of the favorite destinations of explorers who want to visit Argentina’s main attractions is El Chaltén. A paradise for hikers, this village is the top-rated hiking destination in Argentina. Countless self-guided trails surrounded by lakes and glaciers are guaranteed in this area. El Chaltén hosts the one and only Mount Fitz Roy, so a great hike could be to the foot of this stunning mountain.
Travel to the land of glaciers and meet the king of Patagonia: Perito Moreno Glacier. This world-famous glacier is located 78 km (48 miles) from the town of El Calafate, within the Los Glaciares National Park and situated on the shores of Lake Argentino. It particularly relies on being one of the few glaciers that are advancing instead of shrinking, and if you are lucky, you may even get to see a piece of ice break off and fall from the glacier wall. Attractions include, from sailing through the Mayo Channel, hiking through the Patagonian forest and, to top up, hiking on the one and only Perito Moreno’s Glacier itself!. Definitely sounds like a great adventure in Argentina, huh?
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Located north of Antarctica, it is well known as the “City of the End of the World”. You will have the chance to explore the town’s unique history, and to visit amazing spots such as the “Lighthouse at the End of the World” or the Tierra del Fuego National Park. But this isn’t all: from October to early April thousands of Magellanic penguins (identifiable by their distinctive white band which loops from each eye and meets at the underside of the throat) visit the isles of Ushuaia for their breeding season. Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Isla del Martillo and walk with these black and white flightless birds.
Chosen as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Iguazú Falls is a “must attraction” on your trip to Argentina. The Natural area is shared between Argentina and Brazil, so the travel adventure to Iguazú Falls usually involves crossing borders, easily doing! This is the perfect destination to live and adventure in the rainforest, meet exotic wildlife, learn about Mate (our national drink which is produced in Iguazú) and sail near one of the most powerful waterfalls of South America.
Travel to the land of the sun and the good wine! Mendoza is one of the greatest wine regions of the world, best known for producing Argentina’s most famous variety: Malbec. With more than 1,500 wineries spread out through its three main wine regions, wide-open spaces with nothing but vines, gourmet restaurants, the Andes mountain range, blue skies, and avant-garde architecture in the world, this is definitely a spot a cuisine lover can’t miss!
This is one of the most beautiful and unexplored regions of Argentina. Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán are the main provinces known as “the North”. The natural attractions of Northern Argentina are the Calchachí Valleys (Salta), the Humahuaca Gorge (Jujuy), declared World Heritage by Unesco, and the Great Salt Flats (Jujuy). But, much more can be found in the lands of the people who worship above all the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Northern Argentina is not only a trip to see fabulous landscapes but to get closer and learn from the local culture and their ancient traditions.
A self-drive tour through northern Argentina can be an amazing experience also!
It is said that the best way to learn about another culture is by their food. In this travel guide find Argentina’s wide range of restaurants – get adventurous you won’t regret it!
Café Tortoni
Av. De Mayo 825.
Coffee / Confectionery
Buenos Aires’s oldest coffee will for sure be a trip to the past: its decoration and architecture create a unique and classic atmosphere. Warning: don’t expect too much from the waiters, they have a lot of orders and are very overwhelmed.
Don Julio
Guatemala 4699. Tel: 4832-6058.
Grill
Located in the neighborhood of Palermo, this grill can seem a little bit expensive but the quality of its products and the experience of this grill, considered as one of the best ones in the world, will be totally worth it at the end of the day.
Piegari
Posadas 1042. Tel: 4328-4104.
Pasta
Located near the Four Seasons hotel in the neighborhood of Recoleta, homemade pastas and an impressive variety of risottos overshadow the menu.
Guerrin
Av. Corrientes 1368. Tel: 011 4371-8141
Pizzeria
An iconic restaurant no doubt. Opened in 1936, Guerrin offers one of the best pizzas in town, and you can enjoy it seated in one of the tables of the main salon or standing in one of the tables of the bar tables. Their last acquisition was a new salon decorated with Italian paintings and furniture, that gives the idea of being truly eating in Italy.
Floreria Atlantico
Arroyo 872. Tel: +54 11 4313-6093
Cocktails
Considered one of the best cocktail bars in the world, it invites its guests to a unique experience. Appears to be a flower shop, but once you get through the secret door, you will discover its stunning secret bar located downstairs.
Cassimiro Biguá
Av. Libertador 963. Tel. (02902) 492590.
Grill / Regionals
One of the most expensive options in El Calafate, still one of the best gourmet restaurants and grills, as they define themselves. It offers a selection of wines with a great variety and Patagonian foods such as trout, salmon, and of course, lamb.
We recommend it for a special night.
La Lechuza Pizzas
Av. Del Libertador and 1ro de Mayo. Tel. (02902) 491-610.
Fast food / Pizzeria
La Lechuza is perhaps the most popular restaurant in El Calafate and strategically located in the main street. If you are going to eat at La Lechuza, you will surely come out smelling of olives, but the pizzas, empanadas and pastas are delicious.
Pura Vida
Av. Del Libertador 1876. Tel. (02902) 493356.
Natural / Vegetarian / Vegan
Homemade food, generous portions and a great variety for vegetarians. Its colorful decoration makes it a very good option for a nice meal. Recommendation: try the stuffed pumpkin… you won’t regret it!
Casa Guerrero
Av. del Libertador 1249
Chocolate Shop
Since 1968, this chocolate shop has made homemade chocolate with their secret family recipe, charming everyone who tries it. They try not to use technological machines or processes, to maintain its homemade essence.
Casa El Enemigo
7008 Videla Aranda St. – Maipú. Tel: 261 15-341-1729.
Winery / Gourmet
Alejandro Vigil, the winemaker, welcomes wine lovers from all over the world along with the chef Matías Podestá who prepares lunches and dinners accompanied by the seven labels of Premium El Enemigo wine.
Brindillas
2898 Guardia Vieja St. Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo. Tel: 261 4963650.
Gourmet
The decor is sleek and clean with no distractions. The plates are artfully prepared and smartly delivered, indeed a great culinary experience! The place is small so make a reservation and you will not be disappointed!
Tempus Alba
Carril Perito Moreno 572
Winery / Restaurant
Enjoy a wonderful lunch in Tempus Alba’s terrace with a dazzling view of their vineyards and on the west, the Cordillera de los Andes. This winery offers a self-guided tour for free or private tours, and of course to conclude your visit you can delight yourself with great food paired with their wines in the restaurant located on top.
Azafrán
765 Sarmiento Av. Mendoza. Tel: 0261 429-4200.
Schedule: Monday – Sunday 12 – 00:30.
Wine Bar
Located in the center of Mendoza, this wine bar offers great food in a cool and relaxed atmosphere. Also, you can select your own bottle of wine from the wine cellar with the sommelier who recommends something based on your preferences.
Reinamora
Calle De la Ermita 3462 – Tel. (02901) 441300
Regional
If you’re looking forward to trying the Centolla (king crab), you are in the right place. Taste local flavors and discover one of the most exclusive local cuisine.
Kuar
Perito Moreno 2232 – Tel. (02901) 437396.
Located on the sea, 10-minutes away from Ushuaia’s city center, Kuar offers spectacular views of the Beagle Channel while enjoying a cozy atmosphere and high-quality dishes. It is a slightly more expensive option than the previous ones, but worth a visit. The spider crab is highly recommended.
Dublin Pub
July 9 150 – Tel. (02901) 430744.
Brewery / Bar
It sounds so bad to go to an Irish bar in Argentina! Open all year round, it is one of the most spectacular Irish pubs. Don’t forget to try the locally produced Beagle beer.
Tante Sara
San Martín 175 – Tel. (02901) 433710.
Pastry
Although Tante Sara stands out for its pastry and confectionery, it serves from breakfast to dinner, all meals. Their service is fast and their milanesas are very tasty, as well as burgers, cakes and coffee.
The Argentine Experience
Avenida Brasil 57, Puerto Iguazú. Tel. +54 9 3757 54-0018
Latin / Argentine / Vegetarian Friendly
The Argentina Experience, as its name implies, is not just a restaurant, it is an experience itself. Taste typical Argentine food and spend an unforgettable moment with other tourists. On their website you can book the experience in both English and Portuguese and pay in advance, so you won’t get any surprises later. Vegetarian options are available.
Naipi Restaurant
Hotel Loi Suites – Selva Iriapu Sin Numero, Puerto Iguazú. Tel. +54 3757 498300.
Author / Gourmet
To get to this restaurant you have to go through the jungle: although it is a bit far from the town, it is surrounded by greenery, has excellent decoration and a nice atmosphere created by the music. It is not economical, still it is worth the visit, to at least get out of your everyday options a bit and try some gourmet delicacies.
De La Fonte
Italian Restaurant
1° de Mayo y Corrientes (1059,97 km). Tel: 03757 15-51-2802
Italian food is served in a traditional restaurant located in Puerto Iguazu. Some evenings there are live shows of music to upgrade your experience.
La Aripuca
Ruta 12 Km. 4 (1058,79 km). Tel: 03757 42-3488
Cultural Experience / Local Ice Creams
For sure an off-the-grid experience: located 10-minutes away from Puerto Iguazu’s city center, La Aripuca is a family business where you will learn about the culture of the Guaranies. The best part? You can taste new flavors of Ice-Creams: they offer their visitors Yerba Mate and Rosa Mosqueta’s ice creams. Be open to taste and try new flavors!
Viracocha
994 Independencia St. Jujuy. Tel: (0388) 423-3554
Latin / Argentine
One of the best places in Jujuy to taste local dishes, though this restaurant may not look appealing on the outside. You can order llama meat, lamb, empanadas, and for a truly local food experience you can try humitas (which are made with steamed corn dough and wrapped in a corn husk) and tamales (which are like humitas, but filled with meat).
El Nuevo Progreso 1917
351 Lavalle St. Jujuy, Tilcara. Tel: (0388) 495-5237
Argentine
Gourmet food with regional ingredients. Some lighted candles and an austere but warm atmosphere. It has options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free.
Don El Salvador
146 Vicente López St. Salta. Tel: (0387) 431-4848
International / Mediterranean
Located at the Almería Hotel, Don El Salvador restaurant offers a diverse gourmet menu: seafood, meat, Andean cuisine and pasta.
Bodega Dal Borgo
Ruta 40 Km 4.349. Salta. Tel: (+54) 9 387 5735454
Winery / Sustainable Vineyard
Although it is one of the newest vineyards in Salta, it is one of a kind. A family business that looks out for sustainable habits during their wine production: they use ecological products, plant native tree species and compost what’s left of their wine process.
You can enjoy guided tours, picnics and buying some of their local wine in their shop.
Balcarce’s Street
Jujuy Province
Traditional Restaurants / Dances
This street located in the province of Jujuy is known for its open bars during the night where you can eat local food while enjoying traditional shows of dancers where everyone is invited to dance and hear local musicians play traditional songs. This night’s events in Balcarce’s Street are known as “peñas”, and will for sure make your night be a memorable one.
Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere. For that reason, our seasons are the other way roundabout North America. Depending on which destination you are interested in, the best season to travel changes. Check our travel guide and learn about weather in the destination you want to visit:
Because Argentina makes up a huge stretch of geography, with a wide range of climates, depending on where you go. If you are traveling all over the country, be prepared to rewear a lot of clothes and to bring layers so that you can adjust accordingly for the weather.
Make sure the majority of the clothes you bring are comfortable. You will be traveling, sightseeing, and walking a lot. In different parts of the country, you’ll be walking on different kinds of soil.
For a tango show you might want to dress up, in which case you could go with heels, or formal shoes for men. However, it is not necessary to do all this to seem classy in Buenos Aires.
Sunglasses are a must: the sun is very strong down here, and if you don’t have eye protection you will spend a lot of time squinting. Don’t only protect your eyes from the sun, don’t forget your sunscreen, and a sun hat.
Be sure to remember to bring an “international plug adapter” to charge your electronics when packing for Argentina and Chile. In Argentina the three-wire type “I” plug with rectangular prongs is used. In some places you’ll find a combination of a C and I plug in Argentina, but it’s best to bring an adapter to be sure.
The safest possible way to carry your valuables when you’re sightseeing and walking around is to always wear your backpack or purse in front of you, especially in crowded places such as public transport and markets.
After almost two years of travel bans, we are happy to welcome you again! From November 1st 2021, the Government of Argentina has opened their borders to all travelers from all countries.
Americans are allowed and welcomed to visit Argentina.
U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Argentina. Private U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Diplomatic or official passport holders must get visas prior to arrival.
If you are planning to rent a car for your trip, remember you need an Argentine or international driver’s license to drive, but this should be verified at the moment of the rental.
Check all requirements to enter the country here.
The key to traveling with babies is choosing a destination that offers the right accommodation either for the baby and for their parents. Iguazú Falls in Argentina is an excellent choice for this type of trip as it provides kid-friendly accommodation, accessibility for strollers and close encounters with nature in a safe and controlled environment.
The answer is absolutely yes! Argentinian people know how to welcome people and make them feel at home. Traveling alone, with friends or the whole family, Argentina will for sure be a memorable trip developed in a controlled and safe environment. Hiking and sailing activities and close encounters with local wildlife is guaranteed within a safe environment that follows the right safety measures and protocols.
Women and men traveling alone are very common in Patagonia or in Northern Argentina so this speaks for itself! Like in every country in the world, following the rules and taking local considerations into account you will for sure have the trip of a lifetime!
Since 2021, the use of a face mask is not mandatory outdoors, social gatherings are allowed and restaurants, bars and even nightclubs are open. For further information, you can visit Argentina’s official website.
Here are some recommendations:
Read about the latest updates here!
Yes! From November 1st 2021, Argentina reopened its borders to all foreign travelers, and so did Chile.
Check all the updated requirements to enter Argentina here and Chile’s requirements, here.
There are several touristic trains such as the End of the World Train in Ushuaia, the Ecological Jungle Train in Iguazú Falls, or the Train to the Clouds in Northern Argentina. All of these trains are equipped with safety measures in order to enjoy a memorable and safe trip. Accessibility is guaranteed in stations and onboard.
Public transportation by train is also used in Buenos Aires, to connect the capital city with nearby neighborhoods. Subways are key to moving fast along the capital city of Argentina, but in order to appreciate the beautiful architecture of Buenos Aires, you may discover it by foot or by the Turistic Bus that is prepared with an open ceiling for panoramic views.
If you visit Argentina from the U.S, it’s usually a 10 – 9 hours flight. From Europe, also depending on which country you are visiting us it’s usually a 14-hour flight.
Our 15-days Best of Argentina tour is ready to help you discover Argentina’s highlights within 2 weeks. Your tour starts in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina and a jumping-off point to Argentina’s adventure. You will visit Patagonia and the world’s famous Perito Moreno’s Glacier. Traveling to the End of the World has never been so easy, next stop: Ushuaia. Iguazú Falls, named one of the 7 wonders of the natural world, is your next stop. And to finish, enjoy Mendoza’s Malbec wine to close this adventure of a lifetime.
A true paradise for adventurers and awe-inspiring landscapes lovers. Patagonia is the southernmost region of South America and it is shared between Chile and Argentina. Argentine Patagonia offers breathtaking destinations such as the Lake District, El Calafate and the drop-jaw Perito Moreno’s Glacier, Ushuaia and its penguins and the mountain village of El Chalten and its gem, Mount Fitz Roy.
For this Argentina travel guide, you can choose to meet the Argentinian side in a self-drive tour to El Calafate to see Perito Moreno’s Glacier and do some hiking in the national capital of Trekking, El Chalten.
Patagonia is one of the best destinations to travel with the whole family. Our 10-days family adventure tour in Patagonia will for sure be the adventure of a lifetime! Walking through the Perito Moreno’s Glacier and having a close encounter with penguins in Ushuaia sounds awesome, doesn’t it?
If you are looking for a Patagonia Argentina whole package, our 12-days tour visiting its highlights spots is your call!
We believe that travel can be a force for good that’s why we are committed to several sustainable projects in order to provide a memorable journey to our explorers in harmony with nature and local communities.
In Partnership with Reforestarg, we stand against deforestation, planting and donating trees in damaged zones (consequence mainly of forest fires) helping at the same time to compensate for our carbon footprint. To plant a tree is leaving a part of your legacy in Argentina, and promoting hope for future generations.
You can take part in this initiative by volunteering at tree-planting ceremonies (can be arranged at specific destinations in your itinerary) or you can also donate a native tree for each passenger who travels to Patagonia.
Maciel Island is located in Buenos Aires, literally a 2 min boat ride across the river from the famous tourist district of La Boca. While thousands of international tourists walk the colorful streets of La Boca each year, this island, a local community of families has been forgotten in the eyes of the tourist and is rarely visited.
In the last 5 years with help from local tourist agencies, community and political
leaders they have trained local youth to organize tourist visits to this local community. The local tourism program has had many positive results: creating jobs for the youth of their community, bringing in outside local and international interest and investments into the community.
Say Hueque is proud to be involved in this program and to actively work with
the community to bring groups of tourists to visit this interesting local neighborhood.
To learn more about Isla Maciel sustainable project make click here.
This project features the creation of solar-powered hot water heaters to provide hot water day and night to residents of villages like Garin. The NGO works alongside locals and volunteers to build their panels on site.
The full hot water system consists of an array of leftover cans, bottles and cartons, piping to carry water, and an insulated storage tank.
Say Hueque has been part of these encounters where our agents help the community build their heaters.
To learn more about Sumando energías make click here.
Sustainability tips
Useful tips to be a responsible traveler:
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