How to Plan a Trip to Argentina: Frequently Asked Questions

Argentina is open to American travelers.

There are no restrictions and few requirements for American travelers planning a trip to the country. While entry conditions are contingent upon decisions by the Argentine government, a Zicasso travel specialist can give you the latest information should anything change between planning and departure.

For more ideas on where you can visit without restrictions, browse Where Americans Can Travel Right Now.

Learn more: Plan Your Trip to Argentina

April through July and October through January are the best times to visit Argentina. These windows give you enough options to travel when conditions are perfect for your itinerary design, whether trekking in Argentine Patagonia or wine tasting in Mendoza.

Patagonia is particularly picturesque in the snowy winter month of July, if you can endure the cold, while January is a warmer summer month for Patagonian treks in the national parks. If you wish to see the thundering falls of Iguazu, explore landmarks in Buenos Aires, or sip wines with vineyard views, then March and April are great.

When choosing the best time to visit, you can use our ideas to pinpoint a month that speaks to your itinerary and the types of experiences you wish to have. Within these windows you can find the perfect time for a family adventure or honeymoon when the weather is comfortable, the crowds are thin, and the rates allow you to extend your travel budget.

Learn more: Best Time to Visit Argentina

There is no set time frame, but our advice is to plan for seven to 10 days.

This amount of time will allow you to immerse yourself in the cities, villages, or national parks, while leaving mornings or afternoons open for transfers between them. It is possible to see Argentina in less than 10 days, with seven-day trips popular with travelers with limited time who want to experience the highlights of Buenos Aires or visit Argentine Patagonia.

With so many places to visit and things to do, the more days you spend in Argentina, the more time you have to experience the culture, enjoy the scenery, and explore the landscapes. We have even planned four-week trips for those intending to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina’s wine regions, the Patagonian glaciers, villages of El Chalten, and beyond.

Learn more: 1 Week Argentina Itineraries • 8 Day Argentina Itineraries • 10 Day Argentina Itineraries

Here is a list of the 10 most popular cities, regions, and national parks to visit in Argentina:

• Buenos Aires
• Puerto Iguazu
• Salta
• Bariloche
• El Calafate
• Mendoza
• El Chalten
• Ushuaia
• Puerto Madryn
• Cordoba

The 10 Best Places to Visit in Argentina offer different experiences for different vacations, from sightseeing or gourmet dining in Buenos Aires' colorful neighborhoods to hiking the remote peaks of Bariloche. While you might not see them all, you can find the right place for your trip from this collection of cityscapes, rural wine regions, and coastal zones.

The list of things to do in Argentina can be extensive as its options seem endless, but here are a few highlights to consider:

• Discover Argentina’s diverse landscapes as you hike Patagonian glaciers or cross cacti-covered deserts
• Indulge in authentic Argentine delicacies such as asado, an Argentine barbecue, empanadas, stuffed pastries, and chimichurri, a South American sauce
• Taste traditional mate, a South American tea, explore art galleries in Buenos Aires, or watch an Argentine soccer game on cultural tours
• Visit an estancia, an Argentine cattle ranch, to learn about gauchos, South American cowboys, and ride horses across the Andes
• Discover the dynamic flavors of Argentine wines at estates in rural regions where golden vineyards cover sparse deserts or rolling hills
• Ski down the powdery slopes of Patagonia and trek across the frozen glaciers
• Stand on the summit of Iguazu Falls to view one of the most impressive waterfalls, regarded as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world
• Learn the tango and other traditional dances with professional performers

While this list spotlights some of the best things to do in Argentina, there is more to know about these experiences and what makes them special in our Top 10 Things to Do in Argentina.

From Patagonian peaks to the summit of the Andes, Argentina’s towering mountains present some of the world’s best hiking.

Trails guide visitors to natural platforms with breathtaking views of the countryside. Hiking in Argentina ranges from comfortable, short-distance trips to challenging glacial ascents, offering options for families with children, senior travelers, and adventure enthusiasts.

Enjoy a casual hike across Perito Moreno Glacier, endure the Mount Fitz Roy trek, or stroll the  Paseo Superior or Paseo Inferior in Puerto Iguazu.

Best hiking trails in Argentina: Perito Moreno Glacier Hike • Mount Fitz Roy Trek • Paseo Superior or Paseo Inferior in Puerto Iguazu • Lago del Desierto Border Crossing • Laguna Torre Trek

Argentina’s diverse landscapes are wildlife sanctuaries, with specific animals or sea creatures residing across the environments, from Iguazu National Park to Puerto Madryn. Below, we list the wild or marine life you can spot where:

• Coatis, monkeys, and toucans in Iguazu National Park
• Southern right whales, orcas, and Magellanic penguins in Puerto Madryn
• Capybara, caiman, and marsh deer in Ibera Wetlands
• Magellanic penguins, sea lions, and Canadian beavers in Ushuaia
• Llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos in Jujuy

Argentina’s burgeoning wine industry owes its appeal to prestigious estates with distinct wine-making heritage.

From the desert-like and high-altitude landscapes of Mendoza to the lush Andean foothills surrounding Salta, the country’s wine-growing regions are home to specific grape varieties. The estates have long histories working with the vineyards in these unique microclimates, perfecting wines that rival some of the best on the market.

You can explore Argentina’s world of wine on our custom Argentina Wine Tours.

Learn more: 9 Best Wine Regions in Argentina

Patagonia is a region in South America that extends across parts of Argentina and Chile, forming a natural mountain border between the two countries. Argentine Patagonia covers the majority of the country’s southern provinces, encompassing places like Bariloche, El Chalten, El Calafate, and Ushuaia. Glaciers, grasslands, and deserts compose the Argentine Patagonian landscape.

There are too many reasons to count to take your family to Argentina. You and your children can bring the silver screen to life as you exchange Happy Feet and March of the Penguins for the penguin colonies of Puerto Madryn. You can spread dulce de leche, a caramelized milk, on your bread in the morning like the locals do, build snowmen in Ushuaia, or spot unusual-looking capybara in Ibera.

From learning to ride horses in El Chalten to watching rainbows form over the Iguazu Falls, our Top 9 Things to Do in Argentina with Family provide a manageable list for your trip. These experiences bring families to breathtaking places and you can use our guide on the 10 Best Places to Visit in Argentina with Family for more ideas.

Argentina is a safe, comfortable, and fascinating destination for senior travelers. With a history that spans civilizations, it is an eye-opening country where senior citizens can trade the hustle and bustle for cultural immersion.

There is colonial architecture in the old towns of Buenos Aires and Salta, easy hikes in Patagonia on which to embrace the postcard region slowly, and thriving wine culture to indulge in on Argentina Tours for Seniors of the best wine regions.

As a senior traveler, you can experience the best of Argentina at your pace with guides who share stories with particular attention to detail, drivers who handle your luggage, and tour or accommodation representatives who can tend to your needs for the duration of your trip.

Argentina celebrates passion and romance, creating a fantastic ambiance for couples or honeymooners. Tango is the language of love and Argentine couples twist and twirl to the music to express their adoration for one another. To visit Argentina is to embrace the romance of tango and explore flourishing cultures.

The wine regions, Patagonian glaciers, colorful neighborhoods like La Boca, and sun-kissed coastlines are some of the best places for couples celebrating anniversaries or their honeymoons. To explore Argentina as a couple or honeymooner, browse our Argentina Honeymoon Packages.

Argentina’s culinary culture revolves around meat, with sauces and pastries adding to the dishes. The following list represents the best foods to try:

• Argentina asado, barbecued meat
• Dulce de leche, caramelized milk
• Alfajores, two cookies with dulce de leche between them
• Bondiola, pork shoulder
• Empanadas, stuffed pastries
• Chocotorta, chilled chocolate cake with coffee-soaked cookies and dulce de leche
• Choripan, chorizo sausage, caramelized onions, pickled eggplant, and green pepper sandwich
• Provoleta, grilled provolone cheese drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with oregano and chili flakes

Learn more: Top 7 Foods You Should Try When Visiting Buenos Aires

Argentina is considered one of the safest countries in South America, with many cities and regions boasting low crime rates.

We recommend taking general precautions when navigating busy cities, as we do anywhere else. While crime rates may be low, pickpocketing and petty crime can affect travelers, regardless of where they go on vacation. Keep your personal belongings stowed out of sight and follow insights from your tour guides.

While earthquakes, volcanic activity, and storms can occur in Argentina, your Zicasso Argentina expert will ensure you visit the safest places during the best time to visit.

Argentina’s culinary culture is clean and safe, and the water in most cities is safe to drink. That said, most locals and travelers prefer to drink bottled water.

Argentina’s official language is Spanish.

While most locals speak it, other languages, including English, are widely spoken in major cities. You should have little trouble communicating, except in rural villages and remote towns. In these areas, your guide can navigate any language barriers.

Vaccination requirements in Argentina depend on where you visit and what you do, and the CDC Argentina Vaccination Information can clarify these requirements.

Your Zicasso travel specialist is available to provide further insight if you have any concerns or additional questions.

Most flights from North America will stop in Buenos Aires, but a growing number of flights from South America fly directly to Cordoba’s Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport (COR).

For most travelers, the most convenient airport is Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires (EZE). The second-most convenient is Jorge Newbery Buenos Aires (AEP). Below, we list the most common airports for you to use:

• Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), Buenos Aires
• Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP), Buenos Aires
• Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport (COR), Cordoba
• San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC), Bariloche

As an American citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Argentina for up to 90 days, provided you have a valid passport and return flight ticket.

If there are any changes to visa requirements, your Zicasso travel specialist will inform you when helping you plan your trip.

The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine peso ($).

You should carry these when traveling in the country as you will need them to pay for meals, accommodations, and tours. That said, electronic banking makes payments in Argentina simple, as most establishments in major cities accept Visa and Mastercard. In case of emergencies and for tours to rural towns, ensure you have Argentine pesos.

Our Argentina Tours & Vacations are a collection of curated trips where you can get a better idea of what your itinerary may look like.

You can select a sample trip that aligns with your ideal vacation, be it a family trip, honeymoon, adventure tour, or something else. These sample trips are often a stepping stone from which our travelers create unique itineraries.

When you are ready, you can complete a Trip Request to begin planning your vacation. We ask for more information on where you would like to go, how long you would like to spend in Argentina, the size of your party, and traveler ages to help streamline your planning.

You can also provide additional ideas and set a travel budget, after which our Travel Care team will contact you to match you with a top Argentina travel specialist. Our Argentina travel specialists will use their expertise and understanding of your preferences to curate your dream vacation.

Learn more: How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps • How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

Intense, enchanting, and secluded, capture Argentina’s diverse topography and distinctive cultures, from Iguazu to Mendoza, Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Whether eager to trek across a glacier or sip wine overlooking arid foothills, tango until daybreak or visit the southern edge of the American continent, you can find inspiration for your trip with Argentina Tours & Vacations sample itineraries.

Our Argentina Travel Guide also shares helpful information and tips, ensuring you have the best experience.