2 Weeks in Argentina

What You Should Know Before Going On A Argentina Tour

Best time to visit Argentina

It is difficult to find a season in Argentina that is not beautiful in its own way. Guided tours of Argentina run year-round throughout the county. It is important to remember that summer and winter seasons are reversed from those in the Northern Hemisphere.

For those who wish to visit Antarctica from Argentina, the only time to do so is during the summer months. These are between December - February, with guided tours beginning as soon as the ice of the Beagle Strait and other bodies of water have melted enough for boats to safely drive.

As soon as the ice starts to set in for the winter months and becomes hazardous, guided tours cease. This makes it imperative to plan a visit to Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego or Patagonia region at least six months ahead of time. Similarly, it is the guides on tours who have both the knowledge and experience to determine when it is safe to still visit these amazing sites in Argentina.

During the fall season (March-May), trips to Patagonia are less likely to be busy, as most travelers head there during the summer months. The stunning color variations in the trees along the mountainsides are ones that few other places in the world can mimic. On the other hand, visiting Patagonia during the spring can be much warmer, but also a little busier.

As the vast biodiversity of flowers and trees bloom, travelers will find themselves enjoying the views of glaciers and summits from grassy knolls. Plus, there will be fewer crowds of people to block the view.

Weather in Argentina

While beautiful, the weather in Argentina is also notorious for fluctuating without warning. Extreme shifts in temperature over the course of a single day are common. The region which travelers are in depends on what changes in weather they can expect while exploring Argentina.

Las Pampas (the lowlands) and the Buenos Aires region are both very popular and temperate for most of the year. However, their winters (June-August) can grow significantly colder, with it being humid and hot during the summer months (December-February).

For those traveling further south, the deserts of the Cuyo region will be dry and extremely hot for nearly the entire year. The winters in this area are not much better, as they are similarly dry and only moderately warm. While the temperatures in the Andes Mountains and Patagonia region drastically differ by altitude, they are largely cool during the summer and freezing in the winters.

Snow becomes a common problem throughout the year, which can negatively impact the viability of guided tours in Patagonia or the Andes as well as transportation. The temperatures in the southernmost regions, Tierra del Fuego limit of Argentina are cold year-round, with summers being temperate and winters being some of the most difficult times to travel.

Ice formation completely eliminates the possibility of traveling by boat in these areas but also makes for stunning additions to glaciers that may be viewed in the springtime.

Packing List for Argentina

Packing for traveling in Argentina can be tricky, especially since the weather is known to drastically change, no matter the region you find yourself in. However, there are a few staples that can help make the adjustment to these weather conditions much more manageable.

Packing layers of clothes that include ones that are not only dry-fit, but also rain jackets or windbreakers will come in handy in both urban and rural regions of Argentina. For the more adventurous travelers, a dry-bag will be useful on guided tours of Las Pampas or Patagonia.

Sunscreen is always important, even on cloudy days, as the high altitude of many regions can lead to painful sunburns if not travelers are not properly prepared. Similarly, having a pair of polarized sunglasses can prevent damage to the eyes from sunlight at high altitudes, as well as aid vision when necessary on guided hikes.

All travelers should bring their physical passport, along with copies to take when on guided tours of Iguazú Falls or Torres del Paine. This is because some sites require day-trips into other countries to reach, all of which do not require visa applications, but need identification.

Packing minimal electronics is important, as they are an expensive commodity in Argentina and have a risk of being stolen. Therefore, travelers may consider investing in a front-facing pack or other methods of keeping cell-phones and other important items closeby.

Is Argentina safe?

As one of the safest countries in the Americas, Argentina has been praised for the political and economic stability that it continues to demonstrate. Since tourism in Argentina continues to grow every year, its population has grown accustomed to an international presence in both urban and remote places.

That being said, it is still important for travelers to be vigilant when it comes to scams and petty theft. These crimes can come in the form of unlicensed taxis, pickpockets, and, at worst case, muggings. Since electronics are expensive commodities in Argentina, travelers should only use smartphones or laptops in coffee shops or bars.

The 100 peso bill is also often targeted by counterfeiters, making it an important skill to spot the fakes when completing transactions. By no means should travelers consider these issues to be limited to Argentina’s cities, as international travelers in rural areas may also become targets.

Traveling in a group is one way to combat these safety concerns. Being out late at night in remote locations is ill-advised.

However, should travelers find themselves in a major city and wish to see the night-life, it is highly recommended that they make their destinations known to others in their group. Since Argentina’s night-life scene is considered one of the best in the world, it is no surprise that the most popular clubs do not even open their doors until 12 or 1 am.

This is an important fact to remember when planning the course of a night, especially with reference to finding transportation back to hotels or hostels. When travelers are exploring cities or landmarks by day, they should research the daily forecast beforehand, as Argentina is notorious for random fluctuations in weather.

Do’s and Don'ts for Traveling in Argentina

Although the typical Argentine is relaxed, there are still some important “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to traveling through the country. For example, tipping in Argentina is usually 10% of the bill. It is not always expected but is important when exceptional service has been provided.

In the same way, it is not uncommon for Argentinians to speak in a direct manner that includes a lot of eye-contact. One kiss on the cheek is a standard way of greeting and saying goodbye to friends and strangers.

Travelers should refrain from speaking about Argentine politics, as it can be a touchy subject for locals.

Argentina is a very fashion-oriented country, making dressing nicely during the day an important part of not “sticking out” as a tourist.

Showing up to a party early or even on time is unusual in Argentina, as being late by 40 minutes or so is typical. Those who are invited to dinners may find themselves hungry if they do not plan accordingly, as dinners in Argentina can be as late as 9 or 10 pm.

This is because most of the nightlife in Argentina does not even begin until 12 am, with some of the best clubs opening their doors as late (or rather, early) as 2 am.

Travelers should also attempt to tango through the many classes that are offered in Buenos Aires. They range in experience level and many locals are happy to show international travelers some of the basics.

The famous yerba maté, drink out of a “bombilla,” is also a staple for travelers who want to experience the full range of Argentina’s culture.