Is Argentina Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons to Travel
Famous for its incredible landscapes, vibrant locals and tasty steaks, Argentina is a must-visit when travelling through South America.
Here we can explore the wild paradise of Patagonia, multicoloured mountains near Salta and also visit the world-famous waterfalls of Iguazú near the Brazilian border.
We’ll also find the cities to be outright beautiful, too, so you’ll want to properly use your time to see all the very best highlights in each.
In this article, we’ll list some of the best reasons to visit Argentina, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Argentina worth visiting?
Our short answer: As we have mentioned above, this diverse country really does have it all, and even the most hard-to-please traveller will love it here!
The cuisine of Argentina is one of the most famous in Latin America, and it’s a good idea to head on a food tour here to try all kinds of national and local specialties.
Aside from the steak, this includes dishes like Choripán and Empanadas, as well as the tasty sweet dessert of Alfajores. You’ll also want to take advantage of the different bucket list items worth seeing all throughout the country.
Of course Iguazú Falls is the standout, but it’s also worth exploring the glacial lakes of Bariloche, the Salinas Grandes of Salta in the north, Aconcagua Mountain from Mendoza as well as seeing Penguins in the Tierra del Fuego.
Where is Argentina?
Argentina is located right within the south of the South American continent, although its large size does mean that the climates hugely vary from one region to another.
For example Iguazú in the far north has a more subtropical climate, whilst Patagonia is famously chilly most of the year.
Many countries border Argentina, meaning we can hop over with ease when backpacking around the South American continent. This includes Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, as well as Brazil and Uruguay to the north-east.
Is Argentina Safe?
Historically Argentina is known to have been one of the safest countries within the entire South American continent.
In most cities and regions we’ll find it very safe to walk around alone, where friendly locals can also help us out. This includes destinations like Mendoza, Cordoba, Salta, Bariloche and Ushuaia.
Of course you’ll still want to take the usual precautions such as not walking with your phone out in your hand, as well as not wandering off into unknown areas alone late at night. It is however important to note that recent economic issues have affected the security in Argentina, which is especially felt in Buenos Aires.
Crime has been increasing here, so you’ll want to make sure to be cautious here and to avoid bringing out valuables with you when exploring the city.
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7 Reasons to Visit Argentina
Are you still wondering if Argentina is really worth the visit? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should explore this giant South American nation.
1. Explore The Very Best Of Buenos Aires
The Argentinian capital is one of the very best highlights of a trip around the country, and is usually the first place travellers will arrive into.
Neighbourhoods like Palermo are the very best to base yourself in, which has many upscale streets, restaurants and parks. La Boca is the best place for local culture, where we can find colorful streets, a vibrant atmosphere as well as the famous Bombonera Stadium.
2. Visit The End Of The World In Ushuaia
Located right in the extreme south of Argentina, Ushuaia is commonly referred to as being the most southern point of the entire continent. We can ride the legendary train through the Tierra del Fuego which promises incredible glacial landscapes. We can also head on a day trip to see Penguins in Martillo Island, where we can spot both Magellanic and Papua colonies.
3. Bike The Wine Valleys Of Mendoza
To the west of Argentina, there’s the towering Andes mountains that form the natural wall with Chile, and also some of the very best wine-growing conditions on the planet.
From Mendoza you can head on a memorable bike tour of Maipu Valley, where you’ll get to stop at several wineries and try their local specialities. Just be careful when getting back on the bike each time!
4. Head To The Underrated Region Of Salta
Whilst more popular destinations like Buenos Aires and Patagonia often steal all the thunder, the northern region of Salta tends to get overlooked (although it’s slowly becoming more popular nowadays).
Here we can visit the multicoloured mountain of Humahuamaca, as well as visit the iconic Salinas Grandes. We can also explore the Cafayate region which is famous for its white wines.
5. Try Tasty Argentinian Food
There’s no doubt about it – this country’s cuisine is arguably one of the tastiest in the South American continent. As we mentioned earlier in this article, there are lots of great dishes worth trying such as Asado, Choripán as well as Empanadas.
When in Buenos Aires you can head on a memorable food tour where you’ll also get to try other local delights, whilst also visiting lesser-known gems with your local guide.
6. Relax On Argentina‘s Atlantic Beaches
If heading during the summer months (November until February), then you can also enjoy hitting the beaches in northern Argentina. Mar del Plata is one of the most popular spots, with Playa Grande and Punta Mogotes amongst the best to visit.
Having said that, you can also find the nice city beach of Posadas – which is in the north and borders the Paraguayan city of Encarnación.
7. Visit The Iconic Iguazú Falls
With over 270 waterfalls around its basin, Iguazú Falls is by far one of the most incredible natural feats found within the South American continent. The majority of them are found in Argentina, where we can also get a bird’s eye view over the rest of the national park.
When in the nearby town of Puerto Iguazú, it’s also worth hopping into the Brazilian side for the day as you can also enjoy a memorable boat ride around the giant falls.
Visiting Argentina
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Argentina.
One of the most popular and diverse nations we can explore in South America, Argentina has many worthwhile destinations to explore.
This includes the city highlights of Buenos Aires and Cordoba, the incredible Andean regions of Salta and Mendoza as well as the legendary landscapes of Patagonia and Iguazú Falls.
Be sure to read our Backpacking Argentina Itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your own route around this incredible South American nation.
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