From the tropics to the ice: Buenos Aires, the Iguazu falls, the Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy and Ushuaia at the end of the world
In the Andean north-west: Salta, the Cuesta del Obispo, Cafayate, the Salinas Grandes and the Quebrada de Humahuaca
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Planning a trip to Argentina? Here you'll find our 2 day-by-day itineraries (Buenos Aires, Iguazu and Patagonia, Andean North-West: Salta and Jujuy), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.
The seasons are reversed compared with Europe and the country is enormous: from the subtropical heat of Iguazu to the polar climate of Tierra del Fuego. The best time for Patagonia (Calafate, El Chalten, Ushuaia) is the southern summer, November to March, when the trails are open; the Andean north-west (Salta, Jujuy) can be enjoyed all year but is drier and clearer in winter (June-August). Buenos Aires is pleasant in spring and autumn. Pack layers: in Patagonia the wind is fierce.
Updated: June 2026
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months. For tourism no visa is required for up to 90 days (extendable by another 90 at the immigration offices); other nationalities should check their own rules. Argentina records entries and exits electronically. NEW: under a decree of May 2025, all foreigners entering must sign a sworn declaration on the purpose of the trip and confirm they hold health insurance: always carry a valid policy and check the current procedure before leaving.
The currency is the Argentine peso (ARS), subject to high inflation and a very volatile exchange rate: prices can change quickly. It is best to bring cash in euros or US dollars in good condition, to change at an official exchange office. Cards are now accepted almost everywhere in the cities, but check the rate applied; ATMs have low per-withdrawal limits and high fees. You may bring in up to USD 10,000 (or equivalent) without declaring it. Always keep some cash for tips, taxis and small towns.
The language is Spanish, in its Argentine variant (with the characteristic 'sh' sound for 'll' and 'y', and the use of 'vos' instead of 'tu'). English is understood in large hotels, travel agencies and among young people in the cities, but much less in small towns and the Andean north-west: a few phrases of Spanish are very useful.
No mandatory vaccine. Yellow fever is recommended only for those staying more than two weeks in the Iguazu Falls area. Watch out for DENGUE, endemic and with strong peaks in the southern summer (December-March), and Chikungunya: protect yourself from mosquitoes with repellent and covering clothing. Healthcare, especially private, is of good quality but paid: ALWAYS take out travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation (now also an entry requirement). Tap water is drinkable in the major cities.
The main operators are Claro, Movistar and Personal, with good 4G/5G coverage in cities and along main roads; in the wide open spaces of Patagonia and the Andean Puna the signal disappears for long stretches. A local SIM (ID required) or an eSIM bought before departure is best; roaming with non-local SIMs is expensive. Download maps and bookings offline for the remote legs.
Power is 220V/50Hz. Sockets are type I (three slanted flat blades, as in Australia) and sometimes European type C. European two-round-pin plugs often fit type C sockets, but to be safe bring a universal adapter (especially for the type I socket).
Argentina is at UTC-3 all year (no daylight saving time).
💡 Think of Argentina as a continent: huge distances and reversed seasons. Fly between the big stops and leave a buffer before your flight home. Bring euros or US dollars in cash for exchange, but know that cards now work almost everywhere. And don't miss the ritual of the asado, ideally with a Malbec: this is where Argentina truly wins you over.