From the desert plains of the north, through the Andes Mountains and green pampas, and to the icy frontier of Patagonia, Argentina draws in travelers with its diverse geography. The obvious starting point is Buenos Aires, Argentina's free-spirited capital, where the old-school romance of the tango is offset by an electric nightlife scene, a passion for fútbol (soccer), and the meat-mad feasts on offer at parrillas (grill houses). From the capital, long distances and vast landscapes divide Argentina, so tours can help visitors cover more ground in one trip. Many visitors go west into the Pampas to ride horses with gauchos (cowboys), enjoy Malbec wine tasting amid the vineyards of Mendoza—650 miles (1,046 kilometers) from Buenos Aires—or head north, where boats dot the water under the UNESCO-listed Iguazú Falls, a good 15-hour drive away. Journeying south, travelers traverse the lake district of Bariloche and skirt the Andean border with Chile before hitting the wilderness of Patagonia. Stretching to Ushuaia—2,000 miles (3,218 kilometers) from Buenos Aires at South America's southernmost tip—Patagonia is a region defined by ice-capped mountains and shimmering glaciers, where penguins abound and touring ships glide beneath the gigantic icebergs of the Perito Moreno Glacier. In stark contrast to the south, arid desert, red rock canyons, and sweeping highlands hem in the northwestern cities of Salta and Jujuy. Still somewhat off the beaten track, travelers here can walk past gigantic cacti in Los Cardones National Park, marvel at Salta's glistening salt flats, and discover otherworldly rock formations at Ischigualasto Provincial Park.
Local Currency Argentine Peso (ARS) | Time Zone ART (UTC -3) | Country Code +54 | Language(s) Spanish | Attractions 224 | Tours 2,617 | Reviews 38,462 |
Argentina is home to the wild Patagonia region, UNESCO-listed Iguazú Falls, cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires, and the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia (and gateway to Antarctica). Fútbol, tango, beef, and polo are sources of passionate national pride, as are acclaimed local wines and a chart-topping culinary scene.
...MoreAt the top of the list for most visitors to Argentina is the country’s sophisticated capital city. Buenos Aires offers city lovers architecture, culture, and history plus a world-class culinary scene featuring restaurants from noted chefs, often showcasing the country’s famous beef and wines.
...MoreArgentina’s size and diversity mean the country has enough to do, see, and experience to fill as many vacation days as you can spare. Allow at least three days to experience some of the culture and cuisine of Buenos Aires and add days from there based on the other destinations you want to visit.
...MoreArgentina’s size and geographic diversity—including grasslands, wetlands, glaciers, ice fields, mountains, and more—allow for a great variety of tourist activities. Some popular ones include hiking, skiing, ice climbing, camping, mountaineering, horseback riding, and photography—in addition to sightseeing in Buenos Aires, wine country tours, and Antarctic cruises.
...MoreTravelers rave about the stark beauty of the lakes and arid grasslands in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Others favor the snow-capped Andean peaks, painted canyons of the Cafayate region, wildlife-rich wetlands in the north, or urban beauty of Buenos Aires. Everyone is awed by the mighty Iguazú Falls.
...MoreYes. But visitors should use common sense and stay vigilant against petty theft and pickpockets, especially in urban areas and on public transportation. Do not wear flashy jewelry and do not leave your phone, camera, backpack, luggage, or purse unattended.
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