Wild Patagonia for Hikers

Argentina is the world’s eighth-largest country, with a wide variety of landscapes. So, depending on the kind of trip you have in mind, you can visit the country throughout the year. Overall, the best time to visit Argentina is between December and February—the beaches are warm and welcoming. If you want to explore the spectacular wilderness of Patagonia, the ideal time is between December and March, though it can get crowded. March to May is perfect to cover Buenos Aires and the Lake District. Mid-June through to October in Argentina is great for winter-sports enthusiasts. The best ski conditions are from mid-July till early September. However, do note that July is the winter vacation month and sees local crowds in many ski resorts. More information here.

Though Argentina is not among the cheapest countries to visit, if you’re bringing in a higher-value currency, it will not seem very expensive. If budget is a constraint, it is possible to squeeze in a trip for as little as USD 40 a day (we’re talking hostel accommodation, public transport, etc). But for a more comfortable trip, be prepared to shell out upwards of USD 100. Typically, coastal towns like Del Plata and popular tourist destinations like Patagonia are more expensive. Pro tip: think US dollars and not Argentine pesos because the value of the local currency may not be what you’ve researched online.

We recommend a minimum of two weeks in Argentina, but for a truly comprehensive experience that takes in the entire length of the country, you’ll need 21 to 25 days. Though a three-week tour to Argentina would include internal flights, you will not only visit the best destinations but also discover some hidden gems. If you have limited time to spare, focus on a few places. So, in 7 days you can soak in the culture and urban rhythms of capital Buenos Aires and visit a few more highly rated destinations like Salta, Iguazu Falls, or Patagonia. For more details on how many days to spend in Argentina, see here.

English is not spoken widely in Argentina. You might meet younger people in big cities who speak English, and it is generally understood in the tourist industry, but beyond that don’t expect to find too many English speakers. Argentina’s official language is Spanish and most of the country’s 45 million people speak it. Anyone visiting from Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico will not find it too hard to navigate the language barrier, though dialects and pronunciations are different. Italian comes second, with around 1.5 million speakers. Other languages with a significant number of speakers include Arabic, German and Yiddish. 

Though Argentinians are not considered to be very punctual, not respecting a schedule in a business meeting may be interpreted as being rude. Do not discuss politics and do not, under any circumstances, talk casually about the Falklands War (Argentines call it Guerra de las Malvinas, incidentally). If a type of herbal tea called ‘mate’, which is quite popular in Argentina, is offered to you in a small vessel, it is impolite to say ‘no’. (If you don’t enjoy it, it's okay to refuse the next round.) Argentines stand close to each other while speaking. Don’t back off—it may be considered discourteous.