Argentina
Argentina is best known for tango and beef in Buenos Aires, Malbec in Mendoza, and glaciers and hiking in Patagonia.
Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, stretching from the subtropical northeast to the cold far south of Patagonia. Buenos Aires, the capital, is known for tango shows, late dinners and parrillas, the grill restaurants built around beef. Farther west, Mendoza sits at the foot of the Andes and is the center of Argentina's wine industry, with Malbec the best-known red.
Iguazú Falls, on the border with Brazil, is a large system of waterfalls set in subtropical forest, and it pairs well with a few days in the north. Patagonia, with its glaciers, lakes and mountain trails, lies far from the rest of the country, so reaching the south usually means a domestic flight. The southern summer, December to February, is when Patagonia is easiest to reach and most open. Each region is far from the next, so a trip covering two or three of them needs more time than a short city break, and flights between them add travel days.
Five things to know before Argentina
- Fly between regions instead of bussing
Buenos Aires to El Calafate is about 2,000 km, and Iguazú and Bariloche are also long trips by road. Domestic flights save days; book Patagonia legs early for December to February. Getting around
- Book Patagonia for October to April
El Calafate, El Chaltén and the glacier boats run fully in the southern spring and summer. Many services shut or cut back from May to September, and the wind is strong year round. El Calafate
- Compare paying by card with paying in cash
Foreign cards are now charged at a rate close to the market rate, so card payments are usually fine. Carry some pesos for buses, tips and small shops, as ATM fees are high. Money on the road
- See Iguazú from both sides if your passport allows
The Argentine side has the walkways and the Devil's Throat; the Brazilian side has the panorama. US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a Brazil e-visa to cross. Iguazú National Park
- Get a SUBE card for Buenos Aires transport
City buses and the Subte metro take the rechargeable SUBE card, sold at kiosks and stations. Top it up at kiosks or machines in the stations. Buenos Aires
Argentina travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Where to stay, the Subte and eating late.
Read the guideEl CalafatePerito Moreno, glacier boats and El Chaltén.
Read the guideIguazú National ParkTrails, the Devil's Throat and crossing to Brazil.
Read the guideMendozaWineries, the Andes and harvest season.
Read the guideBarilocheLakes, hikes and the ski season.
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free stays and crossing to Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.
Read the guide
Destinations in Argentina
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- ARS 25,000
- Food
- ARS 18,000
- Transport
- ARS 3,000
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- ARS 90,000
- Food
- ARS 45,000
- Transport
- ARS 15,000
- Sights
- ARS 20,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- ARS 180,000
- Food
- ARS 100,000
- Transport
- ARS 50,000
- Sights
- ARS 80,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear9 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Hot, humidJanuaryClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- FebruaryClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Hot, humidFebruaryClear
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- MarchRain9 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°WarmMarchRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, autumnAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, autumn
- MayPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°CoolMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, dampJunePartly cloudy
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°CoolestJulyPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coolest
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°CoolAugustClear
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°MildSeptemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Mild, springOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, jacarandasNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, jacarandas
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°HotDecemberClear
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
Average daily high and low in Buenos Aires, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Argentina
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 23%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Argentina
06:13 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°13°4%Monday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Tue20°14°90%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Wed23°12°71%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Thu25°10°78%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri18°8°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat22°5°8%Saturday: Clear. High 22°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun25°9°4%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 02:06 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,537 ARS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
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Before you go to Argentina
Argentina FAQ
Do I need a visa for Argentina?
UK and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; check other passports on Argentina's migration site. Argentina no longer stamps passports on entry, so keep your boarding passes.
How many days do I need in Argentina?
Two weeks covers Buenos Aires, Iguazú and one Patagonia base such as El Calafate with El Chaltén, using domestic flights. Add Mendoza or Bariloche for three weeks.
Should I bring US dollars to Argentina?
It is no longer necessary for most visitors, because foreign cards get a rate close to the market rate. Some cash in pesos or dollars helps for small places and tips.
When is the best time to visit Patagonia?
November to March, when days are long and everything is open. October and April are quieter and cheaper, with some services reduced.
Can I combine Argentina and Chile?
Yes. Buses cross the Andes between Mendoza and Santiago and between Bariloche and Puerto Varas, and El Calafate is a day's travel from Torres del Paine. Chile checks food strictly at the border.