Budget
Argentina is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Americas. It may be amongst the most expensive destinations in South America, but it’s still affordable by international standards, especially if you arrive in Argentina with dollars or euros (in cash) and exchange them for pesos at the black market (keep in mind, that such transactions may be somewhat risky).
• Prices for private rooms in Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazú start at 21 USD (18 EUR).
• Food prices are fairly expensive, especially since food is considered one of Argentina’s top attractions. Prices for a budget dinner start at around 7 USD (6 EUR). Street food is generally cheaper.
• Transportation costs are affordable. Public transportation fares within the cities start at around 0.35 USD (0.29 EUR). Prices for a 14-hour intercity bus ride from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú start at 85 USD (72 EUR).
To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.
Where to stay
You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Argentine experience.
Best time to go
Argentina is a big country, so the temperatures vary greatly by region. All parts of the country are lovely during the spring (from September to November), summer is the time to climb the highest Andean peaks, in winter you can visit Andean ski resorts and autumn is usually considered the best time to visit Patagonia. Buenos Aires can be very hot during the summer (December-February) and a bit dull during the winter months (June-August). There is no bad time to visit Iguazu falls – the falls reach their peak during the rainy season (in summer), but the trails are more easily accessible during the dry season. If you wish to avoid crowds and high prices, do not visit Argentina during their national holiday seasons (roughly in January, July, and around Easter).
Other information
♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.
♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.
♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.
♦ Language: The official language in Argentina is Spanish. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Spanish here.
♦ Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS)
♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to Argentina are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.
♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Argentina are C and I, the standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
♦ Time zone: UTC-03:00
♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Argentina. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, and yellow fever. Currently, Zika virus is a risk in Argentina.
♦ Health and safety tips:
You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:
- Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
- Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
- Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
- Don’t carry a lot of money.
- Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
- Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
- Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
- Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
- Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
- Don’t count your money in public.
- Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
For other common safety concerns in Argentina, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For common health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.
To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.
• Tap water in Argentina is said to be safe to drink. If you are not sure, drink boiled, bottled or filtered water instead.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.
♦ Local Customs: The culture in Argentina is very European. Argentines are friendly, welcoming, mostly informal, yet polite. When entering a room, it’s customary to say hello to everyone (buenos días or buenas tardes). When meeting someone personally a friendly handshake is customary; friends kiss on one cheek. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Argentina. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach. In the rural regions revealing clothes and sloppy attire may be frowned upon. Bargaining is not very common in Argentina. Tipping is not widespread, but it is welcome.
Check out top things to see and do in Argentina, as well as top romantic experiences and adventures here.
I really like your post regarding visiting Argentina. It is somewhere I’ve never really thought about visiting until I read your post.
South America seems to be a very popular destination at the moment, so is definitely a place I’ll look at as a holiday.
What city would you recommend visiting in Argentina, as a lot of people just think of Buenos Aires, but as it’s a huge country there must be many?
Hi, Steven!
Due to the lack of time, we didn’t get to visit any other destinations besides Buenos Aires during our short stay in Argentina. As such, we can’t recommend any other destinations in Argentina, but like you said there is much more to be seen in Argentina.
Love