Argentina is the world's 8th largest country and one of its most varied: 4,000 km from the tropical north of Iguazú Falls to austral Ushuaia, between the Atlantic and the Andes. Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, nicknamed 'South America's Paris', lives to the rhythm of tango and literary cafes. Patagonia remains one of the planet's last great wildernesses: Perito Moreno glacier, the Fitz Roy peaks of El Chaltén, Tierra del Fuego. Mendoza, world Malbec capital at the foot of Aconcagua, and the Andean northwest around Salta round out one of the world's most complete destinations.
Duration : 12 days
Route : Buenos Aires (3 nights) → flight El Calafate (2 nights, Perito Moreno) → flight-bus El Chaltén (3 nights, Fitz Roy treks) → flight Ushuaia (2 nights, Tierra del Fuego) → return flight Buenos Aires (1 night)
Duration : 18 days
Route : Buenos Aires (3 nights) → flight Iguazú (2 nights, falls) → flight Salta (2 nights) → Quebrada de Humahuaca / Purmamarca (2 nights, Cerro de los Siete Colores) → flight Mendoza (3 nights, wines) → flight El Calafate (2 nights) → El Chaltén (2 nights) → return Buenos Aires (2 nights)
Duration : 16 days
Route : Buenos Aires (2 nights, Alvear Palace) → flight El Calafate → EOLO Patagonia (4 nights, 5★ lodge between Calafate and glacier) → El Chaltén (2 nights, Aguas Arriba Lodge) → flight Ushuaia (1 night) → Antarctic cruise 5-7 days (Ponant or Hurtigruten) → return
Argentina, located in the southern hemisphere, offers seasons inverse to France. For Patagonia: October to March (austral summer, long days, positive but variable temperatures), ideal December-February. For Buenos Aires: September-November (austral spring) or March-May (autumn), avoid December-February (stifling heat 35 °C+). For Mendoza: March-April (harvests), October-December. For northwest (Salta): April-October (dry season, clear skies). For Iguazú: April-June and September-November (mild climate), avoid July-August (very humid) and December-February (tropical heat). Avoid Patagonia in austral winter (June-August, closures, short days).
Argentina is generally safe for tourists. In Buenos Aires: vigilance in some neighborhoods (avoid La Boca evenings outside El Caminito, Once, Constitución). No flashy jewelry. No visa for French citizens (stay < 90 days). The Argentine peso is very volatile, prefer 'blue rate' via Western Union or informal changers (50-70% more advantageous than official). Cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard) but with 'MEP' in official peso; some hotels accept USD. Tap water drinkable in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, avoid in remote Patagonia and northwest. Tipping 10% in restaurants. Recommended vaccines: DTP, hepatitis A.
Patagonia: October to March (austral summer, long days, positive but variable temperatures), ideal December-February. Avoid June-August (austral winter, partial closures, short days, -5 to 5 °C). Buenos Aires: September-November (austral spring, 15-25 °C) or March-May (autumn), avoid December-February (stifling heat, 35 °C+). Mendoza: March-April for the harvest (Vendimia) or October-December. Northwest (Salta): April-October, dry season, clear skies. Iguazú: April-June and September-November (mild climate), avoid July-August (very humid) and December-February (tropical heat).
Minimum 12 days for the essential itinerary: Buenos Aires (3 nights, tango and barrios), El Calafate (2 nights, Perito Moreno glacier), El Chaltén (3 nights, Fitz Roy treks), Ushuaia (2 nights, Tierra del Fuego), return to Buenos Aires (1 night), 4 domestic flights needed given the distances (Buenos Aires-Calafate = 2,800 km). 16-18 days to add Mendoza (wines) or Iguazú (falls). 18 days for the complete grand tour including the Andean northwest (Salta, Purmamarca) and Mendoza, with 6 domestic flights in total.
Comfort: from €3,200/person for 12-14 days, excluding flights, with boutique hotels in Buenos Aires (Palermo, Recoleta), Patagonia lodges (Los Cauquenes Ushuaia, Aguas Arriba El Chaltén), 4-5 domestic flights included. Premium: from €5,800/person for 14-16 days, exceptional hotels (Alvear Palace Buenos Aires, EOLO or Awasi Patagonia, Cavas Wine Lodge Mendoza), private French-speaking guide. Exclusive: from €12,000/person for 16-21 fully bespoke days, EOLO Patagonia (Fitz Roy view from the room), Awasi El Chaltén, optional Antarctic cruise (5-7 days). Paris-Buenos Aires round trip flight: €1,000-1,600.
No visa for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens for tourist stays under 90 days. Passport valid 6 months after the return date. Recommended (not mandatory) vaccines: DTP and hepatitis A. Tap water drinkable in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, best avoided in remote Patagonia and the northwest.
Domestic flights essential given the distances (Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, JetSmart): Buenos Aires-El Calafate 3 h, Buenos Aires-Ushuaia 3 h 30, Buenos Aires-Iguazú 1 h 45, Buenos Aires-Mendoza 1 h 45. Private car with driver recommended in Buenos Aires (dense traffic), Mendoza (bodega tours), and Salta. In Patagonia, rental car from El Calafate or efficient, comfortable public bus (El Calafate-El Chaltén = 3 h). Buenos Aires metro ('Subte') efficient but crowded at peak times; Cabify and Uber widely available.
Several levels: Mirador Fitz Roy 1 h round trip (all), Laguna Capri 4 h (moderate), Laguna de los Tres 8-10 h, 22 km, 800 m elevation (sporty, last km steep). No technical difficulty but good fitness required.
Generally safe for tourists. In Buenos Aires: vigilance in some neighborhoods (avoid La Boca in the evening outside El Caminito, Once, Constitución), no flashy jewelry, keep bags closed in busy tourist zones. Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) and Mendoza are very safe, with almost nil crime. Since the Argentine peso is very volatile, avoid exchanging large sums on the street and prefer recognized exchange bureaus or Western Union.
The peso is very volatile, official and 'blue' rates differ by 50-70%. Prefer 'blue rate' via Western Union or informal changers (cuevas), legal and much more advantageous. Cards accepted with 'MEP' in official peso. Some hotels accept USD or EUR.
Yes, classic: Argentina + Chile (Atacama, Torres del Paine, 5 h by bus from Calafate), Argentina + Brazil (Rio + Iguaçu Brazilian side), Argentina + Uruguay (Punta del Este). Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia (5-10 days).
From age 10 for Patagonia (treks and conditions). For Buenos Aires + Iguazú + estancia: from age 6, accessible. Safe country, warm welcome for children, comfortable family hotels.
Spanish is strongly recommended outside Buenos Aires: English is not widespread beyond the capital and the busiest tourist areas (hotels, upscale restaurants). In estancias, small towns in Patagonia, or the northwest, some Spanish greatly eases interactions. The French-speaking guides and drivers I book in Buenos Aires, El Calafate, El Chaltén, Mendoza, and Salta let you travel comfortably without mastering the language.
For a first trip, the Essential Argentina itinerary (12 days) remains the most chosen: Buenos Aires for tango and barrios, Perito Moreno glacier (one of the world's only still-advancing glaciers), iconic Fitz Roy treks in El Chaltén, and an Ushuaia finale, the world's southernmost city. The ideal itinerary for couples, honeymoons, or nature lovers. If you prefer vineyards to Patagonia, pair Buenos Aires and Mendoza instead for a shorter, less physically demanding first trip.