Argentina: Tips

Reduced Rates If you plan on flying within the country, check out Aerolineas Argentina’s Visit Argentina airpass. It offers reduced rates for foreign travelers. Caveat: it must be purchased before leaving your home country.

Bus It Long-distance bus travel is safe and ideal if you have more time than money; routes are extensive. Book in advance for holiday travel and popular destinations and splurge on a coche cama seat for long overnight trips.

Tax-free Tourists are entitled to a tax reimbursement on purchases of 70 pesos or more made at stores in the Global Refund network. Refund transactions are handled at the airport, so have your receipts and paperwork ready.

$$$ Prices in Argentinian pesos are expressed using the dollar sign. It is not uncommon, however, to have hotel rates set in U.S. dollars. If AR$ vs. US$ isn’t clear, be sure to ask.

Souvenirs Leave room in the suitcase or pack an extra bag for Argentine specialties: leather goods (jackets, belts, boots, etc.) dulce de leche (a caramel spread that’s divine on anything), soccer jerseys, and wine.

Catching ZZZs While siestas are not the norm in Buenos Aires or other tourist-centric locales, Mendoza is one city where many businesses close their doors from 1-4pm, most reopening around 8pm or 9pm.

Entry requirements A valid passport is all that is required of U.S. visitors to Argentina and neighboring Uruguay. If you’re planning trips to other bordering countries, check their visa policies well in advance.

Background Argentina seems to be stepping out of the shadow of its turbulent recent history. The political-economic collapse in December 2001 led to the peso’s devaulation, but the country’s economy has staged a swift comeback, growing annually since 2003.

Meat Argentine beef is renowned for a reason, so it would be remiss not to partake of delicious cuts including bife de lomo (tenderloin), bife de chorizo (sirloin) and tira de asado (ribs).

Other specialties In Patagonia, don’t miss the lamb. Pick up chocolate in Bariloche. Order locro (a hearty corn/bean/meat stew), humitas (like tamales), and empanadas (meat pies) in the northwest. Try alfajores (cake-like cookies) and yerba maté (tea) for a sweet snack.

Buenos Aires Tango Festival Musicians, singers, and dance enthusiasts converge at the end of February for a week’s worth of all things tango. Downtown streets are transformed into an open-air milonga (dance hall) to cap off the festivities.

Fiesta Nacional de Vendimia Mendoza’s wine harvest celebration, held in early March, brings the blessing of the vineyards, parties, folkloric activities, and a raucous parade all before the grand finale: the crowning of the festival’s queen.

Carnaval Shimmy to the Gualeguaychú Corsódromo in Entre Rios, where the revelry is in full swing weeks before Lent; or samba your way to the Corrientes province, also well known for its pre-Lenten fete.

Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve Bariloche paints the town and surrounding mountains, er, white for its Snow Festival every August. Competitions, national music concerts, and fireworks are all party of the hoopla.

Día de la Tradición Gaucho life and legend are honored cross-country November 10. San Antonio de Areco, a traditional town outside of Buenos Aires, pays tribute to criolla customs with parades, gaucho-related activities and games, asados (barbecues), and folkloric dances.

Buenos Aires sport spectaculars El Superclásico, the galvanizing face-off between city soccer rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors, is a sports-fan must. For great polo and people watching checkout the prestigious, international Campeonato Argentina Abierto de Polo tournament in November.