Travel to Argentina: FAQ

Whether you need a Visa to enter Argentina depends on your country's policies. For citizens of many countries only a passport is necessary to stay in Argentina for up to 90 days. You should contact your consulate for more specific and updated information on Visa regulations for your country.

No vaccines are required to enter the country, but the yellow fever vaccination is recommended especially if you are planning to travel to Brazil or Paraguay.

Argentina offers an ideal blend of traditional South American and European culture, of modernity and history in its architecture, customs and lifestyle in general. Take tours of Buenos Aires, learn Argentine tango, go to soccer matches and visit museums while learning how to speak Spanish. A unique diversity can also be found as you travel through the country, from the majestic waterfalls of Iguazu in the subtropical north down to the mountainous south of Bariloche with its magnificent glaciers and the many possibilities of excursions and sport activities. Buenos Aires is particularly popular among students looking for an affordable city to study Spanish abroad while enjoying an extraordinary cultural experience.

The country has one of the most efficient bus systems in the world, connecting many cities within Argentina as well as offering services to other countries in South America such as Chile and Brazil. Although journeys can be long- Mendoza is 1000 km away from Buenos Aires for example- buses offer a surprisingly enjoyable experience as most of them are equipped with large windows, bathrooms, air conditioning, and large comfortable seats. There are also many domestic airports making it easier to travel more quickly to different regions in the country and to plan your Argentina vacation.

The Argentine peso is the national currency but the American dollar is widely accepted. Also, most international credit and debit cards are accepted in Argentina.

It is recommended not to travel only with larger denomination bills as there is a serious shortage of smaller bills in the country and smaller business and taxi drivers for example often will not have change for large bills such as $50 or $100. These bills can be exchanged for smaller ones in banks when converting your currency. 

Presently the exchange rates are 3.70 to USD $1 and 4.9 to £1. These figures are for the most part stable but travelers should be aware of any economic variations that cause changes in the rates.

Argentina is very affordable in terms of living and traveling costs. Since the economic depression in 2002, the country has become a cheap travel destination, even with subsequent inflation, and you can get great value from your Argentina vacation, especially if traveling on the pound, euro or dollar.

Package vacations are often reasonable but it depends on the cities and also the time of the year that you wish to visit. Bus and airfares to travel to different regions are usually very inexpensive and getting around the capital, Buenos Aires is cheap taking the subway, buses or even cabs.   Local cuisine is also affordable- for example, a great steak dinner can cost USD $15 and a bottle of Argentine wine as little as USD $4. You can also find very reasonably priced accommodation in the city as well as in other parts of Argentina. 

Because it is a very cosmopolitan country and Buenos Aires is one of the bigger cities in the region, you will find that most people can speak and understand some English, so communication should not be a problem, facilitating greatly your travels in Argentina.

The country is ideal to visit throughout the year as the climate is almost always pleasant. Winter (from July to December, unlike the Northern hemisphere) is usually mild with an average temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and in the summer (December to March,) temperatures are usually around 24 degrees. Because of the extensive and varied geography of the country however the climate tends to vary depending on the region.   

The international airport, Ezeiza, is located about 37 km away from the city of Buenos Aires.

Argentina is probably the safest country in South America for tourists, and it is also worth pointing out that because of its large European immigrant population, European and North American tourists for example are not as easily distinguishable as in other South American countries.  However the advice is the same for tourists traveling in any big city- do not walk alone in less busy streets or neighborhoods at night, guard your belongings carefully and do not show that you are carrying foreign currency.