2 Weeks in Argentina: The Ultimate Argentina Itinerary

Península Valdés

• Go whale watching in Peninsula Valdés.
• You can also see sea lions, elephant seals and penguins in the area.

Córdoba

• If you visit around Oktoberfest, join in the celebrations in Villa General Belgrano.
• Explore the beautiful cabildo and cathedral in the city centre.
• Have a picnic in Sarmiento Park and watch local families spending time together on the weekend.

Esteros del Iberá

• Spend time exploring the Iberá wetlands and spot capybara, caiman, black howler monkeys, the maned wolf, deer and more than 300 bird species.

Essential info to know for your Argentina trip

Visas for Argentina

In the past few years Argentina has suspended the costly “reciprocity fee” that Australians, Canadians and Americans had to pay to enter the country. It’s now possible for Canadians, Australians, U.S. and New Zealand nationals, and citizens of most Western European countries to arrive without a visa.

As always, when it comes to visas, don’t rely on me because things change regularly. Check with your local embassy or consulate for the latest information.

How to get to Argentina

There are direct flights to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe and South Africa, as well as from most South American countries.

Buenos Aires has three airports: Ezeiza (EZE), which serves international flights, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), which handles domestic flights and some international flights to Uruguay and other nearby countries, and El Palomar (EPA) which is the hub for low-cost carriers. Ezeiza and Aeroparque are 41 kilometres apart, so if you do have a connection upon arrival in Argentina, make sure you plan your travel accordingly, as the trip between the two can take more than two hours in peak hour traffic.

There are overland border crossings into Argentina from Chile (a stunning journey across the Andes that I would love to take; multiple border crossings), Uruguay (multiple border crossings; the ferry between Buenos Aires and Colonia del Sacramento is the most popular), Brazil (at Puerto Iguazú), Bolivia and Paraguay.

How to travel around Argentina

As I’ve mentioned more than once already, Argentina is a HUGE country. To see Argentina in 2 weeks, flying is going to be your best bet.

The major airline in Argentina Aerolíneas Argentina (LATAM previously operated there but has indefinitely cancelled its operations as of June 2020). Aerolíneas has an extensive network throughout the country. A few other low-cost carriers have also recently popped up, including FlyBondi and JetSmart. Be aware that you often need to connect in Buenos Aires if you’re flying around the country. This is improving and there are more direct routes on offer, but there are still major cities that aren’t directly connected by air. Domestic flights can sometimes be expensive, and foreigners are often charged more.

If you’re okay with taking long-distance buses (and planning overnight travel to maximise your 2 weeks in Argentina) then rest assured that the country has an excellent bus network, offering comfortable seats and food on board in many cases. Bus rides are long here – a trip between Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazú, for instance, takes around 20 hours. That trip also only costs around US$50 so it is far more economical than flying. Rome2Rio is a good site for checking out bus travel options.

The Estación Terminal de Omnibus (Avenida Ramos Mejía 1680) in Buenos Aires, also known as the Retiro Bus Station, is the hub for all long-distance buses.

Best time to visit Argentina

You can visit Argentina all year round, but deciding the best time to visit Argentina really depends on what you want to do on your Argentina trip.

December to February is summer and is the best time to visit Patagonia. Buenos Aires can get very hot at this time of year. It’s quieter as people pack up to head to their beach homes or on vacation elsewhere.

September to November is a lovely time to visit Buenos Aires. The avenues bloom with purple jacarandas – truly a beautiful sight. This is also a nice time to visit the north of the country when it’s not too hot.

Winter is manageable in Buenos Aires (the average temperature is 12 to 14 degrees Celcius), but it does come with rain. Patagonia at this time of year is often completely inaccessible in some parts (including El Chaltén, which pretty much shuts down).

What to eat in Argentina

One of the highlights of a visit to Argentina is the food – and wine! During your 2 weeks in Argentina, make sure to try some traditional favourites:

• Steak – vegetarians beware! You can’t go anywhere in Argentina without seeing steak on the menu. There are many different cuts, but most will be familiar. For steak lovers, 2 weeks in Argentina will be heaven for you!
• Empanadas – you’re going to eat SO many of these pasty-type delights on your Argentina visit.
• Choripan – a sausage (chorizo-style but rarely spicy) that’s served in bread. Smother it with chimichurri sauce.
• Locro – a traditional stew made of beans, corn, vegetables and meat, it’s mostly found in the north of Argentina.
• Provoleta – a disc of cheese that’s cooked on the grill and then served still bubbling in a small cast iron skillet. Usually served as an appetiser.
• Dulce de leche – a creamy caramel sauce.
• Alfajores – sandwich cookies that are filled with dulce de leche. They’re often then smothered in chocolate.
• Ice cream – ice cream stores are everywhere in Argentina. The country’s Italian heritage has produced deliciously creamy ice cream, and you must try dulce de leche flavour of course!
• Medialunas – croissant-like pastries that are usually eaten for breakfast or merienda (afternoon tea).

READ NEXT: Where to eat (and drink!) in Buenos Aires

Language in Argentina

The official language of Argentina is Spanish. But your high school Spanish won’t cut it here. Argentines actually speak Castellano and with a whole lot of hand gestures thanks to their Italian and Spanish heritage. People use vos instead of tú, and “y” and “ll” sounds are completely different. Good luck! Either way, try to learn a few key phrases – it’ll make your 2 weeks in Argentina much easier!

Many people do speak English, especially in Buenos Aires.

Money in Argentina

The economy in Argentina is… complicated, to say the least. Even though I lived in Argentina for almost two years, I’m still no expert. Suffice to say that the country’s currency, the peso, is continually fluctuating and prices change rapidly and regularly.

It’s wise to always have cash on hand, particularly smaller notes. Credit cards are accepted in larger touristy restaurants and in hotels, but elsewhere may not be accepted at all.

The famous mercado azul, or blue market (basically the black market), is an interesting aspect of Argentina’s economy, and can often result in a better exchange rate if you’re changing U.S. dollars. The situation changes regularly, so always check the latest.

Safety in Argentina

Argentina is a fairly safe country. However, take precautions.

In Buenos Aires, watch out for pickpockets, especially on buses, the subte and in marketplaces. I’ve been pickpocketed in Buenos Aires so I can unfortunately vouch for their tremendous skills! Keep your bags close to you, especially at restaurants and bars. Don’t pull out your phone in busy places or leave it on the table while you’re eating.

Motochorros are common. These are thieves on motorbikes who ride past and snatch bags or even phones out of the hands of people sitting in taxis.

My tips for staying safe in a big city like Buenos Aires:

• Learn some basic Spanish, enough so that you can get by in taxis and on public transport
• Travel by private transport at night, like a taxi rather than a public bus
• Be careful with your cash and only carry with you what you need. Also, put money in different spots. Some could go in your wallet, some in another pocket, some (for the ladies) inside your bra
• Don’t flash around pricey cameras and phones. These items are expensive in Argentina and enticing for thieves
• Try to blend in. Don’t walk around with a map in your hand and camera slung around your neck, don’t speak loudly in English
• Don’t carry your passport around with you, take a copy instead
• If something does happen, don’t fight back! Valuables can be replaced, your life cannot

Beyond a few rogue characters, you’ll find Argentines to be incredibly friendly and welcoming and you should have a safe visit.

Always buy travel insurance! You’ll be covered if anything gets lost or stolen, or if you are in an accident. Check out World Nomads for affordable prices and they cover hundreds of countries, including Argentina.

Health in Argentina

Argentina has good health and dental services available and it’s affordable – sometimes even free. Always make sure you have good travel insurance that covers medical evacuations in the event you develop a life-threatening condition. I always buy my travel insurance through World Nomads.

Check out the Center for Disease Control for recommended vaccinations for visiting Argentina – for most people, it’ll be standard vaccinations.

Movies and books about Argentina

Read up about Argentina before you visit or watch some of the country’s classic movies. So you can get a feel for Argentina culture, here are a few of my faves:

Books

• Lonely Planet guide to Argentina – a practical guide to the country
• In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin – non-fiction book about Chatwin’s explorations around Patagonia; the descriptions are incredibly vivid and will put Patagonia on your bucket list if it’s not there already
• Anything by Jorge Luis Borges or Ernesto Sábato – two of Argentina’s most famous writers
• The Tango Singer by Tomás Eloy Martínez – a fictional story about an American student researching tango in Argentina

Movies

• Relatos Salvajes (Wild Tales) – hands down one of my favourite movies ever. The series of 6 short stories are all captivating and wickedly funny or sad
• El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes) – a thriller that won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2010
• The Clan – a true story (yes, it’s really true and you’ll constantly ask yourself this question as you watch it) about a family involved in a series of kidnappings during the “Dirty War” of the 1970s

SPENDING 2 WEEKS IN ARGENTINA – YOUR TRIP ESSENTIALS

• Book your flight to Argentina online with Skyscanner or Kayak. I usually compare flights on the two sites to find the best deals.
• Find a great hotel in Argentina. Check prices on Booking.com and HotelsCombined online.
• Check out the huge range of day tours throughout Argentina on GetYourGuide or Viator. There’s something for everyone.
• Keep those bottles of wine you’ll be buying safe in these wine bags.
• Plan your Argentina itinerary with a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Argentina. Also pick up a Spanish language guidebook to help you navigate your visit.
• Don’t forget travel insurance! I use World Nomads and they have super helpful customer service to help you find the right insurance.
• Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to keep up with my travels!

What would you include on your 2 weeks in Argentina itinerary? Or need help planning your own Argentina trip? Leave your tips and questions in the comments section below so I can help you!

This post was originally published in 2018, and was updated in January 2019 and October 2020.

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