A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
Explore vibrant Buenos Aires including colourful La Boca
15 days, from £5,365 to £8,565
Pedal through Buenos Aires' fanciest neighbourhoods on a private bike tour
13 days, from £4,010 to £6,405
Combine dramatic fjordland, glacier lakes and famous trails on this Latin America adventure
13 days, from £6,240 to £9,965
Experience Buenos Aires from French architect Philippe Starck's fascinating urban oasis
10 days, from £4,020 to £5,535
Visit a traditional milonga (tango dancefloor) in BA and learn the moves with a local instructor
13 days, from £3,195 to £5,100
We’ll tailor every detail of your Argentina holiday to suit you, whether you’d rather tour Buenos Aires in a classic car or visit an authentic milonga with a local tango teacher. When it comes to accommodation, options can range from learning about gauchos at a sprawling estancia to chilling out at a colonial-era hacienda. On the ground, our excellent guides will unveil their city’s secrets and our fantastic in-country Concierges are always on hand to secure the best exchange rates or recommend their favourite haunts. So, whether you're on a family holiday or action-packed road trip, we've got you covered.
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Discover different ways to explore Argentina
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
Argentina Travel Advice & Information
From Ushuaia in the south to Salinas Grandes in the north, our consultants have expanded their expertise while travelling the length and breadth of Argentina, allowing them to craft the perfect tailor-made trips. And this specialism doesn't stop there, as our in-country Concierges are on-hand via WhatsApp throughout your trip for continuous help and advice. This can come in the form of pre-ordering your currency at the best rate and having it delivered to your hotel, making a last-minute milonga reservation or giving road trip pit-stop recommendations while you're on the move.
Nowhere else will you find such vast cultural and geographical diversity contained within one country than on an Argentina holiday. The northwest’s vivid red and ochre mountains are the backdrop to a rich indigenous culture and seductively crumbling colonial cities, while in the north east, the Guarani people - and a seemingly infinite number of birds - inhabit the lush rainforest surrounding the incredible Iguazu Falls which tumble down between Argentina and Brazil. In the great romantic sprawl of Buenos Aires, real tango can be found alive and kicking in packed milongas. And even Patagonia has its extremes: from the wine-growing north, and the snow-capped jagged mountains in the middle, descending through forest into vivid blue and green lakes, to the epic glaciers of the south. Gaze out over the end of the world from Ushuaia on the 'Land of Fire', Tierra del Fuego, before getting up close to penguins, seals and whales on the Atlantic coast. Probably the best steak in the world can be eaten here, together with a very fine Malbec, a grape variety Argentinian winemakers have taken to new heights. Those friendly Argentines will inevitably invite you to drink mate, the national drink beloved of gauchos (and once Che Guevara).
Lovers of nightlife, Buenos Aires is for you. It is a city whose heart beats to the rhythm of tango. Dinner starts at ten, no one heads out before midnight, and the chic bars of Palermo are thrumming till dawn.
Adventurers will love to scale many of the mountains in the Andes, from Aconcagua to more modest peaks near Bariloche, from which the views are nevertheless heart-stopping. Riders should saddle up to the Patagonian steppe, or Cordoba, for breath-taking rides and unparalleled hospitality, while anyone keen to see whales cavort next to their boat should head straight for Peninsula Valdes in Patagonia. Perito Moreno glacier, one of Argentina’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is frankly awe-inspiring for anyone.
Wine lovers should travel to Mendoza, the heart of the Argentinian wine industry and known for producing fantastic Malbec wine. Stay either in the city of Mendoza itself, or in the foothills of the Andes mountains to explore the region’s high-altitude vineyards. Spend an afternoon sampling the best wines on offer, before stocking up on a few bottles to bring home with you.
Argentina is immense. You’d need a lifetime to do it justice. So on your Argentina holiday, concentrate on one or two areas that really sing to you, and give them enough time to go deeper. Families will love the jungle life and giant butterflies around Iguazu, or the excitement of hiking the peaks in no less than four national parks in the Lake District. Buenos Aires makes a romantic place to start for couples, with chic boutique hotels galore, before touring Mendoza’s wineries or trekking out together on the ancient glacier near El Calafate. If culture’s your thing, head north west to Salta, and up the Quebrada to Purmamarca. Even in the extreme wilderness, expect a warm Argentinian welcome.
Given the sheer size of Argentina (it is the eighth largest country in the world), the best time to visit depends on which area of the country you are wanting to explore. Situated in the southern hemisphere, Argentina’s seasons are opposite to ours here in the UK, meaning our autumn and winter is a great time to explore cities such as Buenos Aires, to enjoy the balmy spring and summer weather. Head to our Best time to visit Argentina page for more.
South America's second-largest country (after Brazil) has a wealth of stunning scenery to enjoy on a luxury holiday, from the sub-Antarctic regions of Patagonia in the south to sub-tropical jungle in the north. In the west, the impressive Andes (home to the highest peak in the western hemisphere, Mount Aconcagua) run the length of the country and form a natural frontier with neighbouring Chile. The centre of Argentina is dominated by the Pampas – vast, fertile grasslands – and is also home to cultural and fun Cordoba (Argentina’s second city), and the country’s ever more impressive winelands in Mendoza. Finally, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires is a passionate and lively city to visit while enjoying a luxury holiday – it’s a melting pot of people from Europe and Latin America. And speaking of passion, Argentina is one of the Original Travel team’s favourite places, and we know it intimately.
Argentina hosts contrasting landscapes from the vibrancy and colour of Buenos Aires to the cool magnificent glaciers of Patagonia. Buenos Aires is a particular luxury holiday favourite of ours, if not for the opportunities to dabble in some tango dancing but for its historic heritage and contrasting modern docks. The pampas are the fertile plains that house great ranches, otherwise known as estancias, for horse riding and immersing yourself in endless Argentinean countryside, you can go on a long ride and not even see another soul – bliss.
If there is an epic photo opportunity to be had, however, it’s of the Iguazu Falls, where Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil meet. Mendoza, at the foothills of the Andes, is home to some of South America’s finest wine, and a tour round the vineyards is a must. However, what makes Argentina that much more attractive as a luxury holiday destination is its wildlife. There’s Magellanic penguins in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, whales and seals along the Peninsula Valdes and more incredible wildlife in the Ibera wetlands, from anteaters and monkeys to caiman.
There is so much to see and do on an Argentina holiday that one visit may not suffice, yet with a little help from us we can tailor make a trip of a lifetime.
Why read a review online when you can talk to someone at Original Travel who has visited all the latest chic hotels in BA's Palermo district or can advise on where to try your hand at polo? Our Latin America team have the inside track on all the best places to go and things to see on a luxury holiday to Argentina.
Towering mountains, icy glaciers, powerful waterfalls and temperate lowlands that stretch for miles are all part of the fabric of Argentina, attracting adventure-loving travellers from across the globe. From the Pampas region to Patagonia, if you love to explore the great outdoors while on your holiday, you’ll never want to leave.
When you’re craving a break from walking, you can explore the bustling city streets of Buenos Aires, learn to tango or simply enjoy a glass of wine from the Mendoza region, perhaps paired with famous Argentine beef. Or, if you want to stay outdoors but take things at a more leisurely pace, head into the historic gaucho country and explore on horseback.
You can even technically visit Antarctica – Argentina owns a small part of the northernmost tip, and you can fly there from Buenos Aires.
The widespread natural beauty in Argentina means there’s plenty of scenic places to snap across the country. One of the most famous is Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site of exceptional natural beauty, including soaring peaks and icy blue glacier lakes. Or, visit the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls, where 450,000 cubic feet of water bursts over 275 individual cascades on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
There’s plenty of beauty in the urban architecture too. Salta boasts some incredible colonial architecture, while Córdoba is famous for its cathedral, built in the Moorish style – the towering arches and coloured stone are a must-see for anyone visiting Argentina.
Globally, Argentina is perhaps most famous for its culinary delights – particularly beef and wine. The cows are fed on a diet of grass and grain, and farmers don’t use artificial hormones or antibiotics, resulting in a superior taste thanks to their free range lifestyle. The wine is equally renowned, owing to the country’s mountainous geography, with Malbec as the most popular variety.
Argentina is also home to the tango, a dance style that originated here in the 1880s. Make sure to catch a performance if you’re in Buenos Aires – or maybe even take to the floor yourself.
From a sport perspective, football fans can delight, as the game is incredibly popular in Argentina. In fact, Buenos Aires alone has 19 football stadiums – the most in one city in the world. Some of the game’s most iconic players have hailed from these shores, including Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
The second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest in the world, Argentina spans over 1.07 million square miles. Its elongated shape is bordered by Chile to the west, Uruguay to the north-east, and Paraguay and Bolivia to the north. The terrain is hugely varied, changing from 344ft below sea level to 22,000ft above it.
To see everything in Argentina, you’d have to spend months there – a luxury most of us don’t have. So, it’s important to pick the parts that interest you the most, and then plan some return visits. If you’re able to, 24 days can give you a chance to see some of the biggest highlights of the country, but as little as ten days can give you a taste for this South American jewel.
Given the flight time from the UK, an average visit of two weeks is usually best to make the most of your trip.
The best time to visit Argentina is usually between November and March, although this varies depending on the specific region you’d like to visit. The northernmost regions tend to be the warmest, while the more southern areas can be hit by the subarctic climate – defined by long, cold winters and short, warm summers. As the country is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to the UK, making it a great choice for some winter sun.
Argentina uses Argentina Standard Time, which is GMT-3. While it technically falls into the same zone as western Brazil, which is GMT-4, it retains GMT-3 as a result of using daylight saving time in the 1930s, and never changing back.
The primary currency in Argentina is the peso, with euros and US dollars accepted in some places, but for a poor exchange rate. Some tourist spots, such as national parks, will only accept pesos, so it’s best to withdraw some cash when you arrive. Cards are widely accepted.
The most common plug types used in Argentina are type C and type I, so you’ll need to carry an adaptor with you. The voltage is slightly lower than the UK, at 220 volts.
Technically, the official language of Argentina is Spanish – but it’s not quite the same as mainland Spanish. Argentinians tend to use Rioplatense Spanish, which uses different intonation, as well as some different words and grammatical structures. However, if you’re well-versed in Spanish already, this will be more than fine for your holiday. Additionally, many people speak English.
The latest travel advice for Argentina can be found on the UK Government website.
Because of the vast size of Argentina, flight times depend on your destination, but range from around 15 and a half hours to 23 hours, with at least one stop on the way. Some common airports include:
- Buenos Aires (generally 15 hours 40 minutes from London)
- Mendoza (17 hours 35 minutes)
- Salta (23 hours 15 minutes)
- Ushuaia (22 hours 40 minutes)
- Córdoba (17 hours 55 minutes)
Holidaymakers with a British passport are able to visit Argentina for up to 90 days without a visa.
Your passport simply needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Argentina.
There are no official requirements for any vaccinations when visiting Argentina. However, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is recommended, as is diphtheria-tetanus-polio. Depending on where you’ll be visiting, you may also want to consider vaccination against yellow fever, as there is some level of risk in Argentina.
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
