Hiking the saw-toothed Perito Moreno Glacier, the thunderous roar of Iguazú Falls, wine-tasting at Mendoza’s many vineyards... On a tailor-made vacation to Argentina with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget. Our Argentina specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook.
Road-trip through red-sandstone gorges and desolate deserts of northern Argentina on Ruta 40. Fragrant orange trees waft over the red-brick Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Mini. Sip mate, the drink of the gauchos, on the veranda of an estancia overlooking yerba plantations. Float through the caiman-rich waters of the Iberá wetlands. Attend a traditional asado (barbecue) in the backstreets of Buenos Aires’ barrios.
The slinky movements of tango dancers. The faint beat of a gaucho tearing through the faraway pampas. Magellanic penguins huddling noisily in cliffside burrows. What excites you? Travel at your own pace, in your own style, with the confidence that we’ll show you the best options, wherever you go.
Suggested tours for Argentina
Ride a horse like a gaucho in the Pampas, soak up the scenery along the Seven Lakes Route, and sip wines at vineyards near Mendoza. Our suggested itineraries are a great starting point as you begin to plan your trip to Argentina.
Suggested activities for Argentina
Explore the Argentinean side of Iguazú Falls, enjoy a tango show in Buenos Aires, and take a private tour of Perito Moreno Glacier. Whatever interests you, our specialists will suggest experiences designed to enhance your trip to Argentina.
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Parrilla Tour, Palermo Parrilla Tour, Palermo
Buenos AiresParrilla Tour, Palermo
Most visitors to Buenos Aires only dine at the most touristy parrillas published in guidebooks and sadly miss out on some of the city’s most delicious gems.
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El Querandi Tango Show El Querandi Tango Show
Buenos AiresEl Querandi Tango Show
You can experience Argentina’s home-grown dance, the tango, in an entertaining yet authentic way at this dinner show. The production tells the story of tango, from its humble roots to its worldwide fame, and includes many dexterous, gravity-defying routines.
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Iguazú Falls Iguazú Falls
Iguazú FallsIguazú Falls
Exploring the Argentinian side of the falls allows opportunities for detailed and close up views, plus chances to see the flora and fauna of the Iguazú National Park.
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Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
- Fully protected travel
- Established for over 25 years
- 98% of our clients would recommend us
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Argentina, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your vacation in Argentina
Argentina’s official language is Spanish, though many people working in travel speak English. Several indigenous languages are also spoken around the country, including Guarani and Quechua. Perhaps most unexpectedly, Patagonia also has a tiny smattering of Welsh speakers.
Argentina’s currency is the Argentinian peso, which uses the $ symbol.
For the latest travel advice for Argentina, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the State Department website.
Argentina’s national dish is asado — a meal of grilled meats, including beef, pork, ribs, sausages, and blood sausages. The country is also renowned for its steak, which is cooked in a ceramic or stone grill (a parrilla) over wood or charcoal, and its rich wines.
Argentina’s other main national delicacy is dulce de leche, which is eaten on bread, in cakes, or just off the spoon. And to drink — along with the country’s full-bodied red wines — there’s maté. It can be an acquired taste as it’s rather bitter and grassy, but it’s a gentler stimulant than coffee and quite refreshing. At estancias, it’s traditionally drunk from a communal bowl, through metal straws.
Argentina’s main draws are its landscapes and natural spectacles (ranging from the enormous Perito Moreno Glacier to Iguazú Falls), its wildlife, wine, and its distinct cultural identity. Palatial and quasi-Parisian architecture, football (soccer), tango, late-night dining, and an effervescent energy combine to make Buenos Aires one of the world’s most beguiling cities, well worth a visit of at least several days. From here you could travel into the pampas to stay on an estancia, a traditional ranch, to go horse riding and taste a little of the Argentinian gaucho lifestyle. Further south lie the icy mountains, glaciers, and sprawling wilderness of Patagonia, where you can do everything from whale-watching to hiking. The green, alpine-like Lake District is also a hub of outdoor activities, while in the north, you can go wildlife watching on serene canoe trips in the Iberá Wetlands. See our highlights guide for more ideas on what to experience in Argentina.
Buenos Aires is the starting point for most people, where you can tour the city’s historic quarters, sample its food scene, and even learn tango. Wildlife aficionados have the pick of several areas, from the wild coastline of the Península Valdés where you can spot whales, penguins, and albatrosses, to the Iberá Wetlands, rich in caimans, capybaras, and all kinds of birdlife. You can see the world’s longest waterfall, the Iguazú Falls, on the border with Brazil. And in the far south, there are the glaciers, icefields, mountains, and wild pampas of Patagonia. Ultimately, the best places to go in Argentina will depend on your interests, and our specialists can draw on their experience to help you decide.
Argentina has the whole gamut of accommodations, from wilderness ecolodges to boutique city hotels. In the winelands of Mendoza, you can stay in elegant retreats with swimming pools, while in the Lake District, you can stay in alpine chalet-like hosterías, from the upmarket to the more family-run and rustic. The most distinctly Argentinian property is probably the estancia, traditional gaucho ranches where you can go riding and dine under the stars on asado (traditional Argentinian barbecue). Our specialists have tried and tested each property to find the best of the best to add to our collection.
You can fly directly from the USA to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, from several cities, including New York City. Flight times vary from 11 hours upwards.
The time zone for Argentina is UTC -3.
Given Argentina’s size, internal flights are necessary if you’d like to explore several parts of the country in one trip, but we’ll always help you choose the most time-saving routes. Shared or private road transfers are the norm in most parts of Argentina, but you can also get behind the wheel yourself in several regions of the country — for example, in the Lake District and parts of Argentinian Patagonia. You can even road-trip the lesser-visited northwest of Argentina, driving from the city of Salta to the wine region of Mendoza — and we’ll show you how.
US citizens don’t require a visa to enter Argentina, but your passport must be valid for six months after the date of your departure from the country. On arrival your passport will be stamped, and you’ll be able to stay in the country visa-free for up to 90 days. If you’re not a US passport holder, you can check the visa requirements here.
Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Argentina, but you should at least be up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Argentina in pictures
Our expert guides to traveling in Argentina
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Argentina. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Argentina at its best.
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My travels in Argentina
Our short video of Argentina, taken by Latin America specialists Mel and Jasmine, gives a real flavor of the wildlife and scenery you're likely to see.
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What to do in Patagonia: our highlights guide What to do in Patagonia: our highlights guide
What to do in Patagonia: our highlights guide
Patagonia stretches across both Chile and Argentina, and down to the frozen waters of the Southern Ocean. Latin America specialist, Ann, selects her top things to do when visiting this vast region.
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Driving vacations in Chile & Argentina Driving vacations in Chile & Argentina
Driving vacations in Chile & Argentina
A self-drive trip through Chile or Argentina is ideal for those looking for the flexibility to go where they want, when they want. Our specialists will advise on the routes to take as well as the best places to see and the accommodations you should stay in.
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How to spend two weeks in Argentina's Lake District How to spend two weeks in Argentina's Lake District
How to spend two weeks in Argentina's Lake District
Yes, you can go to Argentina for two weeks and never leave its Lake District, says Argentina specialist Olivia. Combine drives, hikes and kayaking in the main hubs with a jaunt across the border to Chile’s off-piste Futangue Park.
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What to do in Argentina: our highlights guide What to do in Argentina: our highlights guide
What to do in Argentina: our highlights guide
Argentina: there’s more to it than tango, football, and Eva Perón (although they’re all part of the quintessential Buenos Aires experience). Long-time fan Jasmine explains the best places to visit in Argentina, from wetland wildlife-spotting to an estancia stay.
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5 reasons to stay in an estancia on your trip to Argentina 5 reasons to stay in an estancia on your trip to Argentina
5 reasons to stay in an estancia on your trip to Argentina
If you enjoy horseback riding and are looking for an authentic Argentinian experience, staying at an estancia is a must. An integral part of the culture of Argentina, staying at a gaucho's home can either be a relaxing experience or you can get more involved.
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Patagonia beyond the Torres: hiking vacations in Argentina’s El Chaltén Patagonia beyond the Torres: hiking vacations in Argentina’s El Chaltén
Patagonia beyond the Torres: hiking vacations in Argentina’s El Chaltén
Audley South America specialist Iain explains why, for him, El Chaltén isn’t just one of the best places to visit in Argentina, but offers some of the best hiking in Patagonia. He recommends his preferred trails.
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Argentina’s wildlife: where to go and what to see Argentina’s wildlife: where to go and what to see
Argentina’s wildlife: where to go and what to see
From whale spotting off the shores of Peninsula Valdés to the second largest wetland in South America: Argentina specialist Nick guides you through Argentina’s unsung wildlife hubs, explaining where you can spot penguins, capybaras, guanacos, rheas, and much more.
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Driving Argentina’s wild northwest: Salta to Mendoza on Ruta 40 Driving Argentina’s wild northwest: Salta to Mendoza on Ruta 40
Driving Argentina’s wild northwest: Salta to Mendoza on Ruta 40
Between Salta and Mendoza in northwest Argentina lies a yawning, unforgiving landscape dominated by Andean ranges, desert and badlands. Few visitors set foot there. Audley specialist Melissa explains why it makes for a classic Argentinian road trip on Ruta 40.
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