Argentina is a land of great distances, passionate cities, award-winning wine, and awe-inspiring nature. This guide to backpacking in Argentina prepares you for planning the trip of a lifetime, because over the immense area, you’ll find a little bit of everything.
Our guide will help you explore Argentine cities that are vibrant hubs of music, food, and dancing. We also explain how to get the best experience of the country’s scenery, filled with wonders like the spectacular Iguassu Falls, the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier, and the otherworldly Hill of Seven Colours.
For the inside info on touring the vast southern region, you can also see our recommended itineraries for Patagonia.
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Highlights and top tips for backpacking in Argentina
Getting around:
✈️ Skyscanner: search for the best rates to travel the long distances between cities quickly
🚌 Busbud: most economical, comfortable, and popular way to make shorter or overnight city transfers
🚗 DiscoverCars: if you have the time, drive yourself through the amazing scenery at your own pace
Activities to book ahead:
🚲 Mendoza region🍷wine cycling tour: get out into the beautiful countryside, and cycle your way through wine tastings
🧊 Perito Moreno Glacier tour: with fabulous views of the glacier and optional boat cruise
🏞️ Adventure tours in Argentina with G Adventures: choose from dozens of exciting tours with this competent, friendly tour group
Accommodation:
🏨 Hotels and hostels: Argentina is well known for its amazing array of excellent lodging options in all budgets
🛏️ Rayuela Hostel, Buenos Aires: we loved our stay at this well-equipped, friendly hostel with weekly asado dinners
🛏️ Hostel Lao, Mendoza: fantastic stay, friendly place that hosts traditional meals and social events
Argentina travel: the basics
Currency: Argentine peso (ARS). See today’s exchange rates at xe.com.
Safety: Argentina is generally very safe to visit, although petty street crime can be a nuisance for tourists, particularly in cities. We found this out when we fell victim to a Buenos Aires distraction scam robbery shortly after arriving. After this incident we took care to be alert and savvy, and had no further problems. Prepare by reading this Argentina safety guide by Travellers Worldwide.
Language: Spanish is the foremost language in Argentina, spoken by over 95% of the population. Argentine Spanish can be tricky to understand; here are some slang phrases to learn before you go.
Best time to visit: Summer (December–February) can get hot and crowded. The shoulder seasons of September–November and April–June are milder with fewer crowds. See our guide to the best times to visit Argentina for insights on the conditions for a range of activities.
Top experiences and attractions in Argentina
Best tours in Argentina
We have found small group tours to be one of the best and most popular ways to experience the wonders of the region. In Argentina we recommend G Adventures, a world-leading organiser of small group tours. Many of its South America packages include highlights of Argentina.
G Adventures works with trusted and knowledgeable local guides to create their tour itineraries and experiences. We chose them for our Inca Trail experience in Peru, largely because of their ethical approach to local workers – and we came away with the experience of a lifetime. These are some of their tours that include Argentina:
- Discover Brazil, Argentina & Chile, a mammoth 16-day National Geographic journey including Argentina’s classic landmarks
- Santiago to Buenos Aires: combining Andean volcanos, Chilean valleys, and Argentina’s beautiful Lake District
- Andes, Iguassu and Beyond, incorporating Buenos Aires, the seven lakes road trip, a Bariloche estancia stay and Iguassu Falls
- Patagonia Hiking, focusing on the best wilderness spots in Argentine Patagonia around El Calafate and El Chaltén
More things to do in Argentina
There are many more wonders to explore around Argentina, whether independently or in a small group setting. Here are some of the country’s must-see attractions, along with our resources for exploring them if you’re backpacking in Argentina on your own, or if you choose to join guided tours. We recommend these for some incredible experiences!
- Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the country’s great natural wonders. Find out more in our things to do in El Calafate, the nearby base town.
- Our Patagonia trekking guide features many of the best hikes on the Argentina side of the region, with guidance on going solo.
- Iguassu Falls is a spectacular waterfall system on the border with Brazil. Read about the immersive experience on the Argentina side.
- The Mendoza region produces two thirds of Argentina’s wine. Take a classic winebike tour to visit the vineyards on two wheels.
Discovering the cities of Argentina
Argentina’s cities are where the magic happens and if you’re backpacking in Argentina, you’ll enjoy the unique features you’ll encounter at every stop on your way. From the energetic bustle of Buenos Aires to the wine-drenched serenity of Mendoza, each has its own charm and a wealth of culture, architecture, and cuisine to explore. These are the country’s top cities to visit:
- Buenos Aires is Argentina’s lively capital and a launchpad for exploring. See our things to do in Buenos Aires. and 7-day itinerary.
- Bariloche is the gateway to Argentina’s lake district and a hub of adventure. Read our top things to do in Bariloche.
- Salta is the hub for exploring the country’s desolate and beautiful north-west region. See our Salta region road trip itinerary.
- Mendoza is not only Argentina’s wine capital, but also a springboard to the Andes. Here’s a great guide by Earth Trekkers.
- Ushuaia, the ‘city at the end of the world’, is a popular entry point for Patagonia. These are the top things to do in Ushuaia.
- Córdoba is a colonial city with a big student population and social vibe. See these things to do in Córdoba by Albom Adventures.
Food and drink in Argentina
Argentinian steak holds legendary status all over the world, but it’s not the only thing going for the nation’s wholesome cuisine. While meat is firmly at the heart of Argentina’s culinary culture, soy beans are actually the country’s top-produced food, so there is plenty of variety for veggie explorers too.
What to eat in Argentina
- Asado – the national dish and a staple for social gatherings, whereby a variety of meat cuts are slow-cooked over a BBQ grill.
- Chimichurri – the famous steak sauce, or “Argentinian pesto”, standard to serve with meat dishes and easy to recreate at home.
- Dulce de leche – a caramel made from condensed milk that is the basis for seemingly every sweet dish and snack in the country.
- Empanadas – the classic South American snack and a big favourite in Argentina, comprising pastry filled with meat, veg or cheese.
- Alfajores – our favourite sweet treat, a biscuit–cake hybrid filled typically with dulce de leche, best when topped with chocolate.
- Locro – a hearty corn-based stew popular in the north-west of the country, crammed with various beans, meats and vegetables.
What to drink in Argentina
- Malbec – Argentina’s signature red wine; the country produces 75% of the world’s supply of the stuff. Rich, full-bodied and fruity.
- Torrontés – a fruity, aromatic white wine produced almost exclusively in Argentina, particularly in the Salta region.
- Fernet – a strong and bitter herbal liqueur originating in Italy that has gained huge popularity in Argentina, often mixed with cola.
- Yerba mate – this herby leaf tea is an intrinsic part of Argentine culture, slurped through a straw from a gourd (a bowl-like cup).
Top food and drink tours in Argentina
- Empanadas cooking class in Buenos Aires – learn how to make the classic Argentinian snack.
- Buenos Aires flavours food tour with dinner – an immersive experience of the city’s high culinary culture.
- Mendoza winebike tasting tour – exploring the region’s best wineries on two wheels, plus an olive factory visit.
- Premium wine road tour from Cafayate – a half-day experience on the famous wine route in north-west Argentina.
Getting around Argentina
Travelling around Argentina involves covering huge distances, and many visitors prefer to fly. Aerolineas Argentinas is the flag carrier and largest airline, although you can search and compare a range of flight options on Skyscanner.
However, if you’re willing to take the time to travel overland you will be rewarded with some beautiful journeys. For example, the legendary Ruta 40 provides one of the world’s great road trip opportunities, stretching over 5,000 kilometres down the west side of the country along the Andes mountains. You can find and compare the best hire car options using DiscoverCars.
We usually choose to travel by bus while backpacking in Argentina. The standard of comfort and service is generally very high, and on long trips you can save a night’s accommodation by travelling overnight. Busbud is a useful tool for finding and comparing bus services.
Festivals, celebrations and other dates for your calendar
You can bring some extra spice to your Argentina experience by combining your trip with a festival or celebration. These are some to consider:
- Buenos Aires Tango Festival, August – a two-week celebration of the nation’s favourite dance, with street competitions and lessons.
- Oktoberfest, October – a week-long German-inspired beer festival in the village of Villa General Belgrano near Córdoba.
- Cosquín Folk Festival, January/February – a nine-day celebration of folklore, music, dance and food.
- Vendimia Harvest Festival, March – Mendoza is host to Argentina’s biggest wine celebration, with shows and tastings aplenty.
- Carnival, February – crowds gather in the city of Gualeguaychú near Buenos Aires for dancing, drinking and street parties.
- Nation Day, 25 May – parades and marches across the country to celebrate the declaration of independence in 1810.
Accommodation in Argentina
In Argentina you will find some of the best quality accommodation in South America. We have stayed in hotels, apartments and hostels all over the country, we have camped and Couchsurfed, and had positive experiences across the board. Use booking.com to find the best accommodation options in Argentina to suit your travel style.
For budget accommodation in Argentine Patagonia, see our guides to the best hostels in Bariloche and El Calafate. In Buenos Aires, we give a shout-out to Rayuela Hostel, which has a friendly team of staff and runs a brilliant asado night once a week. Similarly, Hostel Lao in Mendoza is great value for money, and hosts regular social events and traditional meals.
Watch this space for our upcoming budget accommodation guides on Argentina’s cities.
Money and costs in Argentina
Argentina is one of the most expensive countries to travel in South America. Prices in Buenos Aires are comparable to western European cities, while Patagonia is the region with the country’s highest travel costs (see our review of Patagonia trip costs). Recent years have seen prolonged economic volatility in the country, with the Argentine peso slumping in value over time, and prices dropped quite significantly.
As we move into 2026, though, you’ll find that many travel costs you’ll encounter while backpacking in Argentina, such as accommodation and dining, have risen from the past to accommodate the fall of the Argentine peso
See xe.com for the latest exchange rates. The prices below show general examples based on national averages; Budget Your Trip provides useful cost information by city or region.
Accommodation
Budget: hostel dorm rooms from $15
Mid-range: basic hotel rooms from $45-60
Luxury: high-end hotels from $100-200+
Food
Budget: cheap restaurants from $15 a meal
Mid-range: regular restaurant meal, $18-25+
Luxury: fancy restaurant meal from $60
Transport
Budget: intercity buses
Mid-range: domestic flights
Most expensive: long-distance car hire
Packing for Argentina
Argentina covers a diverse range of climates and terrains, from the tropical regions of the north to the cold extremities of Patagonia in the south, including the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia. With this in mind, when you’re backpacking in Argentina, your packing needs will vary depending on what’s in your travel itinerary. Wander Argentina’s useful packing list offers advice for specific destinations within the country.
If you are planning outdoor activities, see our guides to the best backpacks and hiking boots.
Great books about Argentina
Argentina is a land of many stories, with a history and culture that has deep and fascinating roots. Reading a good book about the country or set in its cities is a great way to absorb yourself in the culture and give you a taster of what to expect. These are our favourite Argentina books:
- The Tango Singer by Tomás Eloy Martínez, a fictional tale of a student’s search in Buenos Aires for a legendary tango singer.
- The Argentina Reader by Gabriela Nouzeilles and Graciela Montaldo, a collection of short works on the country’s history and culture.
- The Secret in their Eyes by Eduardo Sacheri, a thriller about a retired detective in Buenos Aires, adapted into an Oscar-winning movie.
- Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges, a collection of short stories by one of Argentina’s most celebrated authors.
- In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin, a classic travel book focusing largely on his expedition through the Argentina side of the region.
- The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guavara, recounting the revolutionary’s South America travels, beginning in Argentina.
Check out more reading ideas in this guest article on our blog on the best books about Argentina.
Read our argentina blogs below
Get our free brief guide to Argentina
We have created a series of brief guides to give you snapshots of information about our favourite destinations. Our Argentina edition combines concise information presented on this page with more essential tips and tricks for travelling in the country.
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