Tour info

Transport

4 flights (longest 3hrs); several scenic road journeys (longest about 2hrs).

Accommodation

Argentina has a fine choice of first class luxury ranch and country estate accommodation (estancia). The estancias are intimate, cosy, and elegant properties – for this holiday we’ve chosen from the very best and most stylish properties available. They all have beautiful settings and top-of-the range facilities. 

Meals

Breakfast daily, half board days 3, 4, 7; full board days 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

Summary Of Nights

13 days, 12 nights: Buenos Aires 3; vineyard and winery 3; pampas estancia 2, Patagonian lodge 3; Buenos Aires 1.

Daily Spend

It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$50 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.

Currency

The unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso.

How To Take It

For our latest currency advice for Argentina please see our FAQs section.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income. 

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. 

Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel insurance website.

Airport Taxes

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

Trip Suitability

Given the spectacular size of Argentina, there are distances to cover on this holiday so we have chosen domestic flights as the most convenient way to get around. There’s time to relax, or book up optional excursions at the lodges. Be prepared for potentially some extreme weather in Patagonia.

This holiday is suitable for all able reasonably fit visitors, including families. If you are travelling alone or have a disability or other special requirement, please do call us. 

Climate

Buenos Aires and the pampa plains have similar weather conditions – they are hottest January-March (very humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40°C during the day). They can be cold and cloudy July-August, so weather conditions are best for a visit in spring and autumn. 

Mendoza is a year round destination with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures dip from a high of 30°C to 15°C in winter but most rain falls in summer. The vineyards are stunning when cloaked in the fiery red of their autumn plumage. 

Patagonia is best to visit in the summer (December-February) when days are long and mild.  March/April or September/October can be sunny and clear, but it can be windy. In the winter months June-August it is very cold and access routes can be blocked by snow. Many facilities are closed then, too.

Clothing And Special Equipment

The southern hemisphere summer will be hot, therefore in Buenos Aires take loose-fitting light clothing for maximum comfort at this time. An umbrella is a good idea in case of a tropical shower. Spring and autumn are milder and less predictable.

For day-to-day wear in Patagonia you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Bring both warm clothing and a sun hat; a light fleece jacket and a Gore-Tex outer shell is a good combination. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. 

South America is in general a relaxed continent and you won’t need clothes for formal dining but you may wish to take some smart casual wear for dining at the estancias or at top of the range restaurants.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.

Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.  

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

Country info

When is the best time to visit Argentina?

Argentina is so large it’s always a good time to go somewhere. The southern hemisphere summer is the reverse of our own, with Dec-Feb being high summer in Patagonia. Spring (Oct-Nov) and Autumn (Mar-Apr) can still be very pleasant and are quieter. While summers in the lake district are reliably warm and sunny, the further south in Patagonia you go the more unpredictable the weather. In Winter (June-Sept) some hotels in Patagonia close, while others stay open for skiers. Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Córdoba enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate, with cool winters and very warm summers. North-west Argentina (Salta and Jujuy) enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures year-round but are influenced by altitude and the high Andes, with occasional cold snaps (June-Sept) and a rainy season (Jan-Feb). Iguazú Falls and Misiones has a subtropical climate, although it can be chilly July-Sept.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What is the official language of Argentina?

The official language of Argentina is Spanish.

What is Argentina's official currency?

The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso.
Although cards have become more widely accepted, cash remains useful in Argentina so don’t rely solely on your cards. Taking funds in a mix of formats (a supply of US$ cash to convert into Pesos locally, along with your cards) is a sensible plan. In Buenos Aires and main tourist hubs you should have few problems paying by card but in more remote areas often only cash is accepted. You’ll also need cash for tips (eg if you pay for a restaurant meal with a card, tips are always left in cash). When changing money, denominations of US$50 and US$100 are usually preferred and you should make sure your notes are in perfect condition. Although ATMs are available, local ATM fees are high and the amount you can take out is lower than in the UK. We tend to avoid them.
We think it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Argentina’s exchange rates before you go. In addition to the official (BNA) rate of exchange for converting your US Dollars to Pesos, Argentina also uses a parallel exchange rate for foreign tourists (MEP). This is about 15% better than the official rate. Some casas de cambio will automatically apply the better tourist rate when changing your money. Others will only apply the official (BNA) rate. Rates used to process credit/debit card transactions can vary between card issuers, but you should find you get something between the official and tourist rates. Check your statement.
Try not to end up with a lot of leftover Pesos at the end of your time in Argentina, as it is difficult to change them to other currencies. You should be able to spend them at the Duty Free shop at Buenos Aires airport.
Please note that given the changeable situation with the Argentine economy, currency matters can change at short notice.

What's the time difference between Argentina and UK?

The time difference between Argentina and UK is GMT -3 hrs. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep/Oct to early Mar, but not every year.

Do I need a visa for Argentina?

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

What vaccinations do I need for Argentina?

Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.

Which other countries combine well with Argentina?

Chile, accessing the country by crossing the Andes over one of several scenic passes: from Salta in the northwest to the Atacama Desert, from Mendoza to Santiago, via the lakes crossing from Bariloche to Puerto Varas in the lake district and from El Calafate to Torres del Paine in Patagonia; Brazil, via the land crossing at Iguazú.

What are the festivals and other cultural or sporting events in Argentina?

• Tango Festival: Buenos Aires, August.
• Polo Open: Buenos Aires province, weekends in November.
• Gaucho Festivals: The pampas, early November.

How do I adapt to the altitude in Argentina?

Whilst a typical holiday in Patagonia presents no challenges with altitude, Argentina’s north-western provinces offer a taste of the high Andes with some spectacular road trips on offer. Travel to high altitude can cause mountain sickness and even if you feel fighting fit it’s important to take things easy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine) as you get used to the thin, dry air. You may initially notice a headache, dizziness or breathlessness and this usually improves with acclimatisation. If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have a medical condition such as heart or lung condition, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure you should seek the advice of your GP before booking.  We also recommend you check your travel insurance covers travel to high altitude.  If you’re taking the family, remember small children may be less capable of communicating altitude-related symptoms effectively: keep an eye on them too. Rest assured we will plan your itinerary carefully, taking into account any time spent at altitude. If you have any questions or concerns about altitude please speak to your travel expert.

Further advice on travel to altitude is available on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk