Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Argentina, one of our favorite countries in South America. We want to prepare you for a few shocks you might expect on your first trip to Argentina. The biggest shock about visiting Argentina is how many cool experiences you can have in this country.
Meat Consumption in Argentina
Argentina is known for amazing beef, but it’s still shocking once you arrive, to see how much meat they really do eat! It seems like there is a grill house on every corner, and there are a million different preparations you can choose from. If you’re a vegetarian in Argentina, you might have a tough time finding a lot of variety in the food. Along with the red meat, there are many excellent varieties of red wine in Argentina as well.
Argentina Love Hotels
You might see “telos” in some of the bigger cities of Argentina. These are love hotels that you can rent by the hour. These aren’t necessarily seedy but were born out of the culture that has multigenerational families living together. When you live with your parents and grandparents, it’s hard to get some privacy!
Natural Beauty of Argentina
Many people think of Buenos Aires when thinking about Argentina, but there’s a lot more to this country. Some of the best places to visit in Argentina are far from Buenos Aires. From Patagonia in the south to Iguazu Falls in the north, and so many cool places in between, there are so many cool Argentina tourist attractions.
Argentinian Schedules
They run on a different schedule in Argentina. Dinner is especially late, and you’ll find some restaurants that don’t even open until 8 pm. It’s quite common to have dinner at 10 or 11 pm, even with kids in tow! Some of the nightclubs get started around 2 am and people might be out until 8 or 9 in the morning. Naturally, when staying out so late, Argentinians don’t get an early start in the morning, so everything is sort of pushed back from what you might be used to.
Similarly, timeliness is not a big deal in Argentina. It’s quite common to be running 20 to 30 minutes late. If you show up on time in Argentina, you may get some strange looks. (This applies to social engagements, not bus or plane schedules!)
Weather in Argentina
When people think of South America, they think of warm and tropical. Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world; there are multiple climates throughout the country. You’re quite a ways from the equator, and the seasons are flipped, so June, July, and August can be really cold. If you want to visit Argentina for warm weather, come between December and March.
Ice Cream in Argentina
We are always shocked at how good the ice cream in Argentina is! It’s called helado, and it’s everywhere! From national chains like Freddo to mom-and-pop shops, make sure you eat all the ice cream in Argentina!
What Not to Do in Buenos Aires
Argentine Spanish is Different than Other Countries
If you learned Spanish in high school or more recently, you might not get by as easily as you think. The Spanish spoken in Argentina is different. You’ll muddle your way through, but some of the conjugations and words are used differently here than elsewhere.
Argentine Attitudes
I’ve met and befriended many amazing Argentinians, especially when I lived there. They are super proud of their country and love to show you around once they get to know you. But, they can be a bit brusque, which might seem rude at first. They are very direct and to the point; they called me “Gordo” when I lived there. It’s not meant to be rude, it’s just how they are, and you can assume if they are giving you a nickname, that they like you. The sports rivalries are also a bit of a shock!
Bus Travel in Argentina
If you plan to travel around Argentina, you may find yourself on a bus at one point because air travel can be pricey. Since Argentina is such a large country, the bus rides can be seriously long. It’s about 24 hours from Buenos Aires down to Puerto Madryn, where you can see whales and penguins. The quality from bus to bus varies widely as well. From luxury coach buses with coffee machines and reclining seats, to bouncy hard seats with no comfort whatsoever. Get the nicest bus you can afford and you won’t regret it.
Driving in Argentina
We’ve driven in different countries all over the world, and Argentinians are some of the craziest drivers we’ve encountered. We always buckle up when we’re in a taxi, and as a pedestrian, it can be pretty scary! They don’t necessarily respect crosswalks, so you always have to be on high alert, especially when walking around in bigger cities.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these shocks scare you from visiting Argentina. We highly recommend a trip to Argentina for any type of traveler. I studied here in college, and now I come back with my wife and kids and we all love Argentina. Argentina Travel is a great place to start planning your trip to Argentina!
Want more travel advice for South America? Check out these blog posts: