Argentina travel advice
Roaming beneath big skies
Kathy Jarvis from our supplier Andean Trails goes misty-eyed about vast skies and cowboy culture in her Argentina travel advice: “Immense skyscapes are one of Patagonia’s key features. Though travelling distances can be long these amazing skies and vast empty scenery are so different you switch into a different time mode – hours float by. Glacier lakes and granite spires are oases in the landscapes. Spit roasted lamb and huge chunks of beef accompanied with a fabulous Malbec epitomises the Argentinian attitude to food: plenty of it, tasty, nourishing and uncomplicated.”
Outdoor adventures
Rosie Tobin, from our Argentinean specialists RealWorld Holidays shares her favourite places to cycle and hike in Argentina:
“In the north of Argentina, Salta, Purmamarca and Cafayate are great options for outdoorsy types. The reserve of Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas, with its towering red rock formations, is one of the most impressive places to cycle in the whole country, and is reminiscent of some of the more well-known national parks in north America. Close to the border with Bolivia, the Hill of Seven Colours and the Salt Flats north of Purmarmaca offer incredible, diverse scenery to hike in. And you can finish your tour of the region with a bike ride around some of the country’s favourite high-altitude vineyards.”
A little town on the prairie
In his Argentina travel advice, Myer Henderson from our supplier Say Hueque picks out a favourite Patagonian town as a base for exploring: “El Chaltén is my favourite spot, a centre for hiking and trekking four hours from Calafate – a sleepy town nestled in the heart of lovely mountains. It has some lovely microbreweries, tasty restaurants, small hotels and some nice lodges. But it’s so small that you can wake up in the morning, walk ten minutes out of town and you’re at the trailhead to go off and start exploring. There’s Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and you can do horse riding too. It’s basically the quintessential Patagonian experience, especially for outdoorsy folks. I love it!”Meat Feasts
Rosie Tobin, from our Argentina specialists RealWorld Holidays: “For a taste of local Argentinean cuisine, you really can’t go wrong with a parilla tour in Buenos Aires. Exploring the best ‘hole in the wall’ m-eateries with a local guide is such a fun way to spend your first day in the capital.”Health & safety
SAFETY
Our top Argentina Holiday
Patagonia highlights holiday
Explore the wild, mountainous south of Argentina and Chile
From
£5599 to £6199
15 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2023: 19 Feb, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov, 17 Dec, 31 Dec
2024: 14 Jan, 21 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
2023: 19 Feb, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov, 17 Dec, 31 Dec
2024: 14 Jan, 21 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov, 15 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Argentina or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
Calling from outside the UK
Tips from our travellers in Argentina
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Argentina travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Argentina travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Make sure you're in good shape for long and sometimes challenging hikes in Patagonia.![]()
– Karen Cutler
“Learn some basic Spanish as it really helps understand the people a little more and allows you to fit in a little more easily.” – Douglas Pickles
“Be prepared for early starts in the morning but you are rewarded with some breath-taking views. Having US Dollars to exchange was helpful.” - Mala Mistry
“[If hiking in Patagonia] make sure you have all the right equipment including a lightweight towel and rain jacket because some parts of the trip involve having to walk with your own stuff. Also the microbrewery at El Chaltén was extremely good!” - Karen Simecek
“Variable exchange rates mean a trip to Buenos Aires is a must for changing money. It was not always easy to find places to change money in other parts of the country.” - Jerry Stewart
“Consider going to other parts of Argentina to also take in the less-touristy areas.” - Nicole Lindsey
“In Iquazu, all payments for tours are required in cash - no cards accepted. And the US dollar is in favour - but in the shops/restaurants cards are OK.” - Vera Alladitta
“Be prepared for early starts in the morning but you are rewarded with some breath-taking views. Having US Dollars to exchange was helpful.” - Mala Mistry
“[If hiking in Patagonia] make sure you have all the right equipment including a lightweight towel and rain jacket because some parts of the trip involve having to walk with your own stuff. Also the microbrewery at El Chaltén was extremely good!” - Karen Simecek
“Variable exchange rates mean a trip to Buenos Aires is a must for changing money. It was not always easy to find places to change money in other parts of the country.” - Jerry Stewart
“Consider going to other parts of Argentina to also take in the less-touristy areas.” - Nicole Lindsey
“In Iquazu, all payments for tours are required in cash - no cards accepted. And the US dollar is in favour - but in the shops/restaurants cards are OK.” - Vera Alladitta
If you want to see Buenos Aries (and it is worth seeing!!) make sure you book some extra days before or after the tour.![]()
– Carol Clutton
More about Argentina
From Buenos Aires and Northern Argentina to the staggering landscapes of Patagonia, the best time to visit Argentina can often depend on just where it is you’d like to go to first.
Come and rummage through the roots of Carnaval, Chamame, Salta and Patagonia as you find out what we rate & what we don’t in our Argentina travel guide.
The best way to make the most of your time in Argentina is to turn to our highlights page as not only does it contain information on everywhere from Iguazu and Esteros el Ibera to Ushaia & Tierra del Fuego, but you’ll also find three classic itineraries as well as travel times in Argentina stemming from Buenos Aires.
With towering glaciers, vast open steppe and jagged fairytale mountains, Argentine Patagonia is a siren that calls to adventurers, hikers and lovers of the great outdoors.
Buenos Aires dances to heady tango rhythms and to the bustle of its chic cafes.
The Iguazú Falls span the frontier between Argentina and Brazil, and what a sight it is - the largest waterfall system on Earth, a ceaseless spectacle of foaming river plunging over hundreds of cascades.
From tango in Buenos Aires to traditional gaucho life on the sweeping Patagonian plains, culture in Argentina is the bright undercurrent which colours all holidays here.
If you’ve got plans to go travelling in Argentina with kids then you’ll find plenty of activities for families in Argentina as well as lots of expert advice to help you discover what to do with little ones whilst away from home.
Learning about responsible tourism in Argentina is an essential piece of research because when it comes to deforestation & water supplies and indigenous rights & the fight for justice, it’s always best to equip yourself with all information possible to help you know what you can do to travel right in Argentina.
