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South AmericaFoodCultureAdventureWine

Argentina

Buenos Aires tango, Patagonia wilderness, Mendoza wine, and the world's best steak — everywhere.

South America
🥩 Asado💃 Tango🏔️ Patagonia🍷 Malbec

Backpacking Argentina

Argentina is the most culturally rich country in South America — Buenos Aires is world-class, the wine is exceptional, and Patagonia is as dramatic as advertised. The economic situation makes it cheaper for foreigners than it's been in decades.

£25–55/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Peso (ARS)Spanish (Rioplatense)Type I (Argentinian)Drive Right
10% at restaurants is standard
Weather
Best: Oct–Apr
Summer (Oct–Apr)Buenos Aires nightlife, wine country, Patagonia season all align
Southern hemisphere seasons — summer October–April. Patagonia only accessible November–March.
Health
Tap water safe — Tap water safe in Buenos Aires and major cities
Hepatitis Arecommended
Typhoidrecommended
Transport
UberInDriverVia Bariloche buses
✈️ Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) / Mendoza (MDZ) / Bariloche (BRC)
Buenos Aires has a metro (Subte) — long-distance buses for the rest
Emergency
👮 Police911
🚑 Ambulance107
🔥 Fire100
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Argentina

01
Watch (or learn) tango in Buenos Aires — La Boca and San Telmo neighbourhoods
02
Eat an asado (Argentine BBQ) — find a parrilla and order everything
03
Take a wine tour in Mendoza and cycle between bodegas
04
Hike to the Perito Moreno Glacier and watch it calve
05
Take the bus south along Ruta 40 — one of the world's great road trips
06
Watch football at La Bombonera — Boca Juniors vs anyone
07
Trek in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares near El Chaltén
08
Visit Iguazú Falls from the Argentine side — larger and more spectacular than Brazil
Where to Go

Breaking Down Argentina

Each region has a completely different character. Here is what to expect.

🏙️Buenos Aires

The Paris of South America — tango, steak, Malbec, and one of the world's great cities. La Boca's Caminito, Palermo's design district, San Telmo's Sunday antiques market. Stay in Palermo for the best balance of safety, nightlife and cafe culture.

🍷Mendoza

Wine country at the foot of the Andes — Malbec tastings at bodegas you cycle between, views of Aconcagua (highest peak outside Asia), and rafting on the Mendoza River.

🧊Patagonia

Perito Moreno glacier — constantly calving ice into Lago Argentino. El Calafate is the gateway. El Chaltén is the trekking capital with free national park access and extraordinary Fitz Roy views.

🌊Iguazú Falls

Wider than Niagara, taller than Victoria Falls — the Argentine side gives the most dramatic close-up experience. The Devil's Throat walkway puts you metres from the main cascade.

Money Breakdown

What to Budget For

Budget Tip

Buenos Aires is very affordable.

Eating Out

Steak restaurant dinner £8-15.

Hostel Dorm

Hostel dorm £8-14.

Getting Around

Long-distance cama buses (flat beds) are excellent and cheap.

Getting Around

Domestic flights save days on longer trips..

Travel Responsibly

Eco and Community Tips

Argentina's beef industry has a large environmental footprint — balance steak nights with locally-grown produce from markets. Patagonia's wilderness is fragile; stick to marked trails. Support indigenous Andean community tourism in the northwest (Salta, Jujuy).

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