Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Argentina. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Argentina, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you plan an Argentina trip.
Don’t Think Argentina is Just Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is an amazing city and should be on your Argentina agenda, but there is so much more to see in Argentina. This country has some of the most amazing natural attractions in the world and it would be a shame to miss out. A few Argentina destinations you should not miss are:
- Iguazu Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world
- Bariloche, a popular area for skiing
- Mendoza, Argentina’s wine region
- Penguin and whale watching in Perto Madryn
Argentina is so much more than Buenos Aires!
What to Know Before Visiting Buenos Aires
Don’t Expect to Get Around Quickly
Knowing that Argentina is a very long country, it’s simply not possible to see all of it in a short trip. Be realistic when planning your travel within Argentina and make sure you allow enough travel time between cities in Argentina. Long bus rides of ten hours or more are not totally uncommon in Argentina. Airfare can be expensive, so you might find yourself on a bus in Argentina. Don’t forget to bring extra power sources for your electronics because not all buses have outlets you can use.
Don’t Expect to Do Anything Early
Whatever you do in Argentina, nothing ever starts early. It’s not just restaurants, it’s museums and other Argentina attractions. The Natural Science Museum in Buenos Aires opens at 2 pm every day. Lunch would not be any earlier than 1:00 and dinner can be anywhere from 8 pm until 11 pm. When you’re eating dinner this late, who can get to work at 8 am the next day?
This “lateness” applies to punctuality too. It’s totally normal to be 20 – 30 minutes late to a social engagement. This does not apply to public transportation: be on time or you’ll miss your train!
This is also the reason for “siesta” in the afternoon when many shops close between 2:00 and 5:00. If you have shopping to do, get it done before the siesta!
Don’t Think Argentina is Hot and Humid
Many people think all of South America is hot and humid, like in the Amazon rainforest. However, that’s not the case for all of Argentina. The country is 3,800 kilometers, or 2,360 miles, long from top to tip. There are a lot of climate zones in Argentina from a subtropical climate in the north to a subantarctic climate in the south. Make sure you check the weather for the specific region you are visiting and remember the seasons are also flipped! Argentina’s winter is June, July, and August. The hottest months start in December and go through February.
Don’t Compare Argentina to the Rest of South America
It’s never a good idea to lump one country in with all the other countries on the continent. This is especially true for Argentina, which really feels more like a European culture than South American or Latin.
Don’t Forget to Try on Clothes Before You Buy Them
The sizing in Argentina is very different, so no matter what you are buying, make sure you try it on first. The sizes don’t match up with US or European sizes, so it can be tricky figuring out which size to buy.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Mate
Mate is an extremely popular hot beverage in Argentina and the surrounding countries, so it’s something everyone should try. It’s basically a tea made from the leaves of the Yerba Mate plant. Once the leaves are ground up, they put them in a gourd or a cup and typically sip it through a metal straw.
Don’t Take Your Safety for Granted
There are a few things to consider when it comes to staying safe in Argentina. The safety issues will vary widely depending on where you go in Argentina. Environmental factors like strong sun rays or insect bites may be a big issue in some areas, as well as any wildlife encounters you might have.
Other parts of Argentina, particularly the cities, have some crime issues to be aware of. If you find yourself out late at night, don’t walk home; take a taxi! If you’re renting a home, don’t answer the door if you’re not expecting anyone.
Don’t Forget to Bring Small Bills
While the official currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso, US Dollars are pretty much accepted everywhere you go. But you want to have small bills that are easily exchanged, rather than larger bills. Credit cards are widely accepted in Argentina, too, but it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand when traveling.
When getting cash out, don’t expect ATMs to be outdoors or in English. Most of them will be inside a bank or business, and you may have to swipe your card to get in after hours. Also, the machines are typically in Spanish, so you may have to muddle through a couple of screens in Spanish before you see the option for English.
Don’t Be Flashy
When you’re at the ATM, put your money away before stepping away; don’t flash your cash around. Similarly, don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches; it can make you a target for crime. However, they dress very stylishly in Argentina, so don’t dress like a slob! Find that nice mix of well put together without being flashy.
Don’t Be Afraid to Hire a Private Driver
Don’t be afraid to take a Remise or a hired private car. You’ll play a slight premium, but you’ll have a driver at your disposal to take you where you want to go. Taxis are ok, too, but they don’t always have to take you if they don’t want to, and the service is not great. Taxi drivers aren’t tipped, and it shows in the service. It’s usually worth it to pay a little extra for a remise.
Don’t Be Put Off By the Argentine Attitude
Within South America, Argentines have a reputation for being a bit aloof or stuck up. It goes back to that more European culture. Don’t get me wrong, people in Argentina are fantastic once you get to know them. We’ve had some great experiences as guests of Argentinians, but they can take a bit to warm up so your first impression might not be great.
Don’t Expect a Juicy Steak Unless You Ask For It
Argentina is known for having amazing beef, but the local tradition is to serve it well done. If you don’t want your steak well done, then you have to ask for it “jugoso” which means juicy. Also, don’t expect the side dishes to be included; those are often sold “a la carte” but it’s often enough to share amongst a few of you. Sometimes, you can even order a side dish for a meal.
Don’t Skip Dessert!
We love the dessert in Argentina. Whether it’s Dulce de Leche or Ice Cream, you can’t skip dessert! Our boys love the Alfajor de Dulce de Leche, which is like a cookie sandwich with layers of dulce de leche in between. The ice cream shops are amazing, too! From the national chains like Volta, or the mom-and-pop shops you’ll find around town.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Argentina! It’s a fun place to visit, and our kids love it, too! There are beautiful small towns with amazing architecture and fantastic food! With so many unique areas to cover, you’ll need more than one trip to Argentina! Want more South America travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: