It’s a country blessed with resource and culture; from tango to hunkering gauchos skirting the pampas, to the superb landscapes that fills tourist with morale. Packed with the modern life taste of the Buenos Aires, home to beautiful and acquainted Patagonian beauty and the magnificent Iguazu Waterfalls, Argentina has every vacationer type. This guide is designed to be a one-stop source of all written and compiled information for anyone thinking of, or planning to travel independently to Argentina.
Is it Safe for a Single Female Traveller to Visit Argentina?
A question that may pop in one’s mind when organizing a trip to Argentina is safety, more so to a lone traveler. In my opinion, despite the fact that the country has experienced many economic and political crises in the past, Argentina is considered to be safe for a tourist with or without a company of other people. As in any place, it is advised to be careful and use basic sense, especially in the big cities where street troubles like pickpocketing may from time to time occur.
It is generally safe for tourists especially in areas that are hub of tourism activities this includes Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo among others. Nevertheless, one ought not flaunt the wealth and luxury items, and should always be vigilante particularly when out at night. Apart from Buenos Aires, most of the provincial cities and countryside display friendliness towards strangers and slow pace of life that is likely to appeal to the independent travellers in search for probably the most genuine Argentina.
When to go to Argentina
Argentina has got large stretches of flat lands, Andes mountains, lush forests, Pampas and many more climatic zones thus there is always a right time to visit Argentina based on one’s interest in activities to be carried out. Thus, the best time to visit Argentina solely depends on the areas of interests and types of tourists’ activities.
Summer (December to February):
Summer is the best time of the year for travelling to Argentina as the weather is comparatively warmer and there are long days which are best used in hiking, sun bathing and sight seeing. Currently, tourists can explore the most preferred place to visit in Argentina such as Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and the Lake District.
Fall (March to May):
Autumn in Argentina is characterized by lower temperatures and less tourists hence a perfect time to visit the wine producing regions like the Mendoza and Salta. The autumns seasons of the Lake District and Patagonia also give wonderful views.
Winter (June to August):
Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts would wish to visit Argentina during the winter season which is perfect for skiing and snowboarding in the Andes mountains which includes; Bariloche and Las Leñas. Buenos Aires presents a cultural vacation with sightseeing as it houses indoor attractions like tango dance and museums.
Spring (September to November):
The climate of Argentina during Spring is moderate and plenty of flowers are seen in bloom and it is a good time for trekking and wildlife tours. It is also celebrated as wine harvest festivals especially in Mendoza and other provinces that produce wine.
Flights to Argentina
Should you be arranging a flight from Europe to Argentina, you should be able to get a direct flight from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, or London to Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as EZE. From European cities to Buenos, it takes on average between 12 and 14 hours of flight time depending on the carrier and connections.
Apart from Buenos Aires, Argentina contains other International airports that offer access to other Argentina regions and other South American countries; Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) this airport is mainly used for domestic and adjacent country flights while other airports are located in other provinces inclusive of Mendoza, Cordova, and Rosario.
If you are planning to book for a flight to Argentina, then it is recommended that you should use flight search engine tools like, Skyscanner or Google flights, to get the best prices and deals in terms of flights offered by various airlines. Choosing your flights in advance and also keeping an open mind with your travel dates should be other ways of acquiring the cheapest prices.
Visa Requirements for Argentina
Generally, every traveler should read the Argentine visa information as depending on his/her country of origin, he/she may or may not require a visa to visit this country or else consult with the nearest Argentine embassy or consulate. You might be asked for a passport and copies of the passport, a return air ticket, and proof of funds for your stay in Argentina.
Currency and Money Matters
Credit and Debit Cards: Current market shows that Visa and Mastercard are the most popular card networks, then it is American Express and Diners Club. Nevertheless, it is advisable to inform the bank of the intended travel schedule not to have any problem when using the cards outside the country.
Safety Tips For Female Travellers/ alone travelers in Argentina
Use Reliable Transportation: When in cities it is safer to use only licensed taxis or the service like Uber after dark. Guarantee that you do not use unmarked or some unrecognized taxis as they may be unsafe and unauthorized.
In this regard, it is good to remain alert and take preventive measures so that Argentina creates the right impression to solo travelers.
Getting Around Argentina
Domestic Flights: Interziwa on the other hand are cheaper and are commonly used to move between different regions, or from one city to another within Argentina.
Rental Cars: Car hire can allow the travelers the opportunity to move around Argentina in their own preferred routes and at their own volition especially if they will be traveling to the countryside where public transport may be scarce. The car rental agencies present in Argentina include Hertz, Avis, as well as Europcar which are present in the key cities and airports in Argentina. However, there is thing as getting well acquainted with the laws that govern roads and traffic in Argentina in case you are planning on going for a road trip.
No matter which form of transport you have to choose, it is rather wise to purchase tickets in advance or at least make a reservation in order to check the availability of the seats and to get the most favorable tariffs, especially in the peak season or during some holidays.
Conclusion
Evaluating yourself as an independent traveler, travelling to Argentina alone gives one of the fantastic opportunities to visit one of the most interesting countries of South America under one’s own guidance and discretion. The culinary and nightlife of Buenos Aires, the breathtaking immensity of Patagonia, the beauty of Iguazú Falls and the ancient Andes Mountains are some of the offers that surprises visitors in this country with a lot of possibilities.
Using the advice and the checklists given in this handy one-stop-shop guide and map, you are much more prepared to plan and embark on your Argentine adventure. Whether it is trekking in the mountains or learning about cultures, or even enjoying the Argentinian food the experience will be memorable and fruitful.