Argentina: Complete Travel Guide for 2025
Everything about Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Mendoza, Iguazu Falls, cuisine, budget and practical tips.
Why Argentina Captivates
Argentina is a country of extremes: from Patagonia's glaciers to Iguazu Falls, through Buenos Aires with its tango, steak and passion. With favorable exchange rates, Argentina is more accessible than ever for Europeans.
Top Destinations
Buenos Aires
The Paris of South America. San Telmo's Sunday market, La Boca's Caminito, Recoleta, Palermo's bars and restaurants, tango milongas and the world's best beef.
Daily budget: 25-60€
Patagonia
Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate is a natural wonder. El Chalten for trekking (Mount Fitz Roy), Ushuaia (the end of the world) and Route 40.
Daily budget: 40-100€
Mendoza
Malbec capital. Wine tastings for 5-15€, the Andes as a backdrop, rafting and the mountain pass to Chile.
Daily budget: 25-55€
Iguazu Falls
275 waterfalls on the border with Brazil. The Devil's Throat is one of the most stunning views on the planet. Can be visited from both sides.
Daily budget: 30-70€
Salta & the Northwest
Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO), Purmamarca with its seven-colored hill, the Train to the Clouds and Salta-style empanadas.
Daily budget: 20-45€
Argentine Cuisine
- Asado — Argentine BBQ is a religion. Bife de chorizo, skirt steak, flank, morcilla and chorizo
- Empanadas — Each province has its style. Salta and Tucuman's are the best
- Milanesa Napolitana — Breaded cutlet with ham, cheese and tomato sauce. A classic
- Choripan — Chorizo sausage in bread with chimichurri. The national street food
- Dulce de Leche — In everything: alfajores, ice cream, medialunas, pancakes
- Provoleta — Grilled provolone cheese with oregano. Mandatory starter
- Mate — The national drink. You'll be invited to share mate everywhere
- Malbec Wine — The world's best comes from Mendoza. From 3€ per bottle
Budget
With the peso devaluation, Argentina is very cheap for Europeans (2025).
| Category | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |----------|-----------|-----------|---------| | Accommodation | 8-18€ | 20-55€ | 60-180€ | | Food | 5-12€ | 15-30€ | 30-60€ | | Transport | 3-8€ | 10-25€ | 25-60€ | | Total/day | 16-38€ | 45-110€ | 115-300€ |
Tip
The "blue dollar" (parallel market) no longer formally exists, but use international credit cards or Western Union for the best exchange rates. Avoid official exchange houses.
Getting Around
- Domestic flights: Aerolineas Argentinas and Flybondi. Argentina is huge — fly between regions
- Long-distance buses: Cama suite class with dinner and wine included. Buenos Aires-Mendoza 14h for ~25€
- Buenos Aires Subte — 6 lines. ~0.15€ per ride with SUBE card
- SUBE card — Essential for public transport in Buenos Aires
Practical Tips
- Late dinner — Like Spain, Argentines dine from 9-10 PM onwards
- Tipping — 10% at restaurants
- Distances — Argentina is huge (3,700km north to south). Plan flights carefully
- Mate — If offered mate, don't say "thanks" until you don't want more
- Safety — Buenos Aires is safe but be careful in La Boca outside Caminito