Has anyone been to Argentina? Please talk to me!

[Pinkandproud]

We’re thinking of possibly going to Argentina mid to end of September for two weeks. I say possibly because I haven’t done an awful lot of research yet let alone booked anything! Is it a good time of year to go? Whereabouts would you go? It’s just me and DP, no DC, and we like exploring new places and cultures.

Ideally we’d love some beautiful scenery and landscapes as well as cities. We like being out in the open, boat trips on lakes, hiking (though not overnight camping). Also keen to learn some tango in Buenos Aires and do some more city based activities. What is realistic to do in two weeks?

Thanks!

It won’t be easy, you’ll think it strange.

Sorry?

Don’t cry for me Argentina lyrics. Sorry attempt at humour (fail).
No proper advice. Carry on

Whatever else you do, take a side trip to Iguazu Falls. It’s the most amazing sight Ive ever seen!
BA is great. There are loads of tango studios, and if you go to La Boca, people dance in the streets.
Eat steak and drink Malbec in a parilla.
Visit Eva Peron’s tomb in Recoleta cemetery.
The public parks are beautiful; everyone comes out on Sundays to use them for cycling, rollerblading or just strolling about.
Fabulous place. I’d go back in a shot.

We went a few years ago and it was fantastic. We started in BA, loads to do and see there. We had already been taking tango lessons so we went to a class which led onto a milonga, which was great fun. We flew down to Ushuaia, went on a boat trip, saw walruses, did a fab 4x4 trip into the lake/forest areas and stayed in a gorgeous hotel on the Beagle Sound. We then flew onto the Perito Moreno glacier - also amazing. Finished up back in BA staying in the Palermo district. We loved the whole trip.

I went about 10 years ago, so it's probably changed quite a lot, but my top things to do are:

• Wander round Recoleta cemetery in BsAs
•Spend the evening in San Telmo (tango district) - also had v interesting market
•Eat LOTS of steak and drink LOTS of red wine - both delicious
• Get the tourist train up to the Tigre delta and get a river taxi up through the delta - how far is up to you; we just did a round trip in one day. Fascinating.
•Get the ferry across the Rio Plata to Uruguay and visit Colonia del Sacramento - UNESCO site and beautiful village.
• Travel to Mendoza and tour a bodega. We had a fabulous meal with wine after a tour at Bodega Escorihuela. Don't be freaked out by the daily earthquakes.

We found it quite safe when we were there, but friends who've lived out there say it's dodgy in places so take care as you would in any major city.

Definitely Iguazu Falls. They are quite extraordinary.
The Ibera Wetlands are interesting. We saw wonderful birds and plants and if one is used to crowded UK the sense of space is incredible.
It's a beautiful country and you'll love it.

Lived in BA for three months last year - great city. Be warned it's expensive!

If it's still open go to Carneceria Steakhouse in Palermo - best we went to. The Palermo soho area has lots of cool bars and music venues.

The country is huge so will be hard to see a lot in two weeks. Agree with PP Iguazu is fantastic - worth getting an internal flight up if you're short on time and go to both Brazilian and Argentinian side. You could take a day trip to Tigre from BA it's a lovely river delta with houses on stilts and lots of boat trips you can take.

We also went north to the Salta region which has salt flats and red mountains, wine tasting in Mendoza and south to the Valdes Pennisula whale watching, and to Bariloche Lake District gorgeous area, bit like Switzerland. You could do nice hikes and boat trips there. We hiked the W trial in Torres Del Paine which is actually Chilean Patagonia but accessible from Argentina too. We stayed in basic hostel type accommodation each night for a 5 night trip - no camping required!

Hope this helps if you've more questions let me know!

Finfintytint - ah, sorry! I get it now!

Iguazu Falls is definitely on the list! Sounds beautiful. How do you get to both the Argentinan and Brazilian sides?

Is it easy to organise things once out there or should I be booking ahead for any tours, boat trips etc?

Getabloominmoveon - how long was that trip? Sounds fantastic!

From what I can remember it's easy to get from Argentina to Brazil at the Iguazu Falls - there's a border and you show your passport.
If possible try to get to the Falls as early in the day as possible - when we went they opened at 9am - as they get very crowded.

How long does it take to get from BA to Iguazu Falls? Is it best to fly? Travel the night before?

I went 10 years ago too and spent a couple of weeks there. We did:

Iguazu Falls
Buenos Aires
Mendoza
Córdoba
Salta
Tilcara

We spent a few days in each place, did a bit of hiking around Mendoza and Salta (Los Cardones National Park; there are a guides around Salta if you need one. The guide we used is still active if you need a contact!). The overnight coaches are great because you can sleep on them so it won't eat into your days and they a super comfy if you go first class. The wine is amazing and it's worth doing a couple of tours in the different regions. Just be careful around BA, have had friends relatives return with stories of nasty experiences, it certainly wasn't that bad when we there.

We missed Patagonia because it was the wrong time of year to go (we were there Jan / Feb) but that is on my bucket list. I loved Argentina; really European around BA and Mendoza but got a lot more indigenous as you got nearer the Bolivian border. Can't wait to go back!

The flight from iguazu to BA is 3 hours iirc or maybe less. It was 24 hrs by bus.

Also, if you go to Mendoza and if by chance it is passable I'd really really recommend Laguna Del Diamante . It's breathtaking!

Also recommend Iguazu Falls; amazing. I took a ferry across to Colonia in Uruguay from Buenos Aires and stayed in a wonderful little B&B. Well worth it, beautiful little town. Buenos Aires is a wonderful city too.

Agree with most of the comments.
Also liked Bariloche and we couldnt fit in falls and glacier so opted for glacier. It was our honeymoon and we probably would miss out Mendoza if we did it again having been on enough wine tours in other countries. And the lovely Malbec can be found everywhere! Almost overdosed on meat and couldnt face steak for a few weeks on returning home!

Pink our trip was about 10 days - not that long but worked perfectly

What time of year did everyone go? Ju

Oops posted too early. Just wondering if September is a good time of year or not advised. Some websites say yes some say no - I guess it varies a lot depending on whereabouts you go given how huge it is!

Just would be helpful to know when and where you went

Yes, you’ll have a fab time. BA is amazing.

Definitely try to go to Uruguay as well. Colonial is a good shout. I love Montevideo as I have family there.

Loved it. We went to the glaciers in al calafate whichbl were amazing. Then down to Ushuaia. And topped and tailed the trip I. BA. loved the whole place immensely.

We went end of Nov/beginning of Dec. It was quite chilly and rainy at the beginning in BA, but spring had sprung on our return trip and it was around 23C

Look out for the jacaranda trees in BA if you're there in the autumn (our autumn, that is!).