Currency Argentine peso (ARS). MEP rate approx. 1,000 ARS per USD (verify before traveling).
Cards Visa and Mastercard settle at MEP rate at most shops since 2024.
USD cash Carry 500-1,000 USD per person per week in new unmarked bills, 50 and 100 denominations.
Exchange Official houses in downtown Buenos Aires. Avoid airport (10-15% worse rate). CocoVolare provides trusted cuevas.
ATMs Dispense pesos at official rate with high international fees. Not optimal.
Western Union Rate close to blue, useful for cash replenishment.
Latin America + Europe + USA No visa required for tourist stays up to 90 days.
Validity Passport with at least 6 months validity at entry.
Control Since 2023 no physical stamp, electronic control.
Documents Voucher for first lodging, international insurance, return flight. Immigration rarely asks for more.
Confirm validity consularvirtual.cancilleria.gob.ar before traveling.
Argentina general No mandatory vaccinations for entry from most countries.
Yellow fever Only mandatory if arriving from endemic country. Recommended for Iguazú and northern jungle. Apply 10 days before.
Recommended Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, MMR up to date.
Insurance Minimum USD 50,000 coverage with evacuation and repatriation. For Patagonia and trekking, specific adventure coverage.
Altitude sickness Possible in Jujuy Puna above 3,000m. Gradual ascent + water + coca.
Domestic flights Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, JetSmart. Depart from Aeroparque (AEP), not Ezeiza (EZE).
Routes Buenos Aires-Bariloche 2h · Buenos Aires-El Calafate 3h 20 · Buenos Aires-Iguazú 2h · Buenos Aires-Mendoza 2h.
Car Recommended in Patagonia, Mendoza and Calchaquí Valleys. In Buenos Aires driving is NOT recommended (chaotic).
Apps Uber, Cabify, DiDi in BA, Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza.
Long-distance bus Andesmar, Vía Bariloche. 180° sleeper service, one of the best networks in the world.
Official Rioplatense Spanish with voseo (vos tenés instead of tú tienes).
English One of the best levels in Latin America according to EF EPI, especially in Buenos Aires.
Vocabulary Che (hey) · bárbaro (excellent) · copado (cool) · dale (okay).
Caution "Coger" means something different in Argentina. Use "tomar" or "agarrar".
Accent Sing-song Italian-influenced, different from the rest of Latin America.
Greeting Kiss on right cheek (man-woman, woman-woman, man-man familiar).
Dinner At 21:30 or later. Restaurants only get going at that time.
Mate Shared in a circle, not sipped individually. Accepting is inclusion.
Tipping 10% in restaurants (if service not included). Guides 5-10k ARS per day. Drivers 3-6k ARS per day.
Dress code Buenos Aires is fashion-forward. Smart casual. For Teatro Colón and top restaurants, semi-formal.
Sensitivity Don't compare with Brazil or Spain in a reductive way. They are distinct cultures.