Recently updated on September 29th, 2022 at 04:39 pm
Argentina is home to beautiful landscapes, a rich cultural history and amazing food and wine that will leave you wanting to come back for more. But like any country, it’s important to do your research on the local customs and rules so that you’re fully prepared before you start packing your bags. As the world leader in travel since 1947, we are pleased to share some of our top Argentina travel tips that will help you get the most out of your experience.
Bring cash — and lots of it
While it’s always a good idea to bring cash in the local currency when you travel, it’s especially important in Argentina due to their expensive cash machine withdrawal fees. ATMs charge upwards of 10-15% per transaction, and Argentina is known to be an expensive country due to inflation, meaning costs can add up very quickly.
If you don’t want to bring too much cash, you do have other options available to avoid the high ATM fees. Most travellers would recommend contacting your bank beforehand to see if they can refund any ATM withdrawal fees incurred abroad or getting a Revolut card which gives you an allowance for international cash machine withdrawals.
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Be prepared to stay up late
Argentina is a country filled with night owls, so be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly. People typically don’t sit down for dinner until 9 or 10pm and nightlife, including tango shows, usually heat up at midnight. Because of this, mornings are much slower, with most people starting work around 10am.
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It’s a huge country
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Argentina is the second biggest country in South America, spanning from the tropics down to Antarctica, which many travellers can find intimidating or overwhelming. Lucky for you, Trafalgar offers curated travel experiences, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
On our Icons of South America trip, our itinerary covers some of the best that Argentina has to offer. You can get a taste of the city life in Buenos Aires, explore the spectacular landscapes of the famous Iguassu Falls, and visit an authentic Argentinian ranch to discover the life of the gauchos, all in one trip.
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They’re big meat eaters
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Be prepared to eat some of the finest steak in the world while in Argentina. The country is known for their beef, so don’t forget to bring your appetite. Try it with Trafalgar, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste their famous steak that’s been prepared by a local using traditional methods.
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Always use common sense
Like you would when visiting any new place, use your common sense. Be aware of your surroundings and know how you are getting to and from everywhere, especially at night. And even though the stray dogs that wander the streets might look cute, take caution when approaching them in case they aren’t as friendly as they look.
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Argentine Spanish is different than the Spanish you might be familiar with
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Even though Spanish is the official language in Argentina, the country has their own dialect known as Rioplatense Spanish. The dialect is highly influenced by the Italian language due to the number of immigrants that came from Italy to Buenos Aires in the late 19th and early 20th century. Any knowledge of Spanish will come in handy while visiting but be aware that basic vocabulary and pronunciation may be different than what you’re used to.
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Locals are friendly and will welcome you with arms wide open
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Despite its tumultuous past, Argentina is home to some of the friendliest people who will welcome you into their country with arms wide open. Travellers often return from Argentina having met life-long friends.
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Are there any Argentina travel tips that you would recommend? We’d love to hear them in the comments.