The best places to visit in Argentina

From the bustling elegance of Buenos Aires to the land-end solitude of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina luxury tours brim with pulse-quickening travel experiences. It’s a place where dynamic culture meets hardy, unforgiving terrain; where colonial architecture collides with some of Mother Nature’s most decorated landscapes; and where hospitality is a warm embrace. Thread moments of grand spectacle (mighty Iguazu Falls or Perito Moreno) with experiences that connect you to people and place: riding across the pampas with a gaucho guide; tasting Argentine terroir in a glass of malbec; feeling the tempo of tango move your body. Whatever your travel style, the best places to visit in Argentina deliver a most Extraordinary Journey.  

In Buenos Aires, throw yourself into the capital’s elegant architecture, historic cafés, avant-garde galleries, opulent theaters, mouth-watering asado, and pulsing nightlife. Rub shoulders with the city’s exuberant locals—known as Porteños—while sipping yerba mate or while joining ranks with the city’s fútbol fans.  

• The best time to visit Buenos Aires is March, April, October, and November. These sweet spot months usher in milder temperatures and thinner crowds. 
• Watch tango dancers strut their stuff during a lively performance. 
• Stroll Recoleta‘s famous and ornate urban cemetery—and one of the most famous places in Argentina. Pay your regards at the resting places of Eva Perón and other notable politicians.  

One of the best places to visit in Argentina if you’re a food and wine-lover, Mendoza is home to some 1,500 wineries and is enveloped by postcard-pretty Andes scenery. Sip a signature red in Luján de Cuyo (“the headquarters of Malbec”), crisp chardonnay and Tupungato Volcano views in Valle de Uco, and savor the “Olive Road” in the Maipú Valley. When you’re not busy chitchatting with winemakers or picnicking in the vineyards, go hiking, biking or white-water rafting in the surrounding Andean foothills.  

• The best time to enjoy a Mendoza trip is in April, when the weather is pleasantly warm, the grapes have been harvested, and the winemakers have more time to host tastings.
• If you’re lucky enough to be there in late-February or early-March, check out the Fiesta Nacional de Vendimia wine festival.
• Hit the slopes in Las Leñas. Ski champions from the northern hemisphere flock there between June and October when there’s little snow in the US and Europe. It’s also one of the top places to visit in Argentina if you’re looking for a lively après-ski scene. 

Sitting squarely on the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay border, Iguazu Falls is one of the most dramatic waterfalls systems on earth. A sublime torrent of more than 250 individual cascades spilling across a 1.5-mile-wide span that drops a total of 262 feet, they are a wonder to behold. A series of impressive walkways brings visitors across the gorges and next to raging waters. This heart-stopping feat of nature truly is one of the best places to visit in Argentina. 

• Water levels do fluctuate, but the weather doesn’t usually impact the viewing experience; visit the Iguazu Falls at any time of year.
• Make sure you hike to the dizzying Garganta del Diablo (“Devil’s Mouth”) where nearly 500,000 gallons of water flows across a dramatic stone semicircle every second.
• Treat yourself to a thrilling jet-boat ride through white water for a mist-in-your-face experience.  

Make a beeline for El Calafate if you want to experience the immense beauty of Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The jewel in the crown of this glorious icy hinterland is the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, an enormous shape-shifting ice cap. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best places to visit in Argentina for outdoor adventurers. 

• Los Glaciares is one of the most famous places in Argentina and January and February draw the largest crowds. Visit El Calafate during the spring (October to mid-December) or fall (March and April) when visitor numbers are thinner. We also recommend avoiding local holidays (such as Easter) when the park is busy with domestic travelers. 
• For a more secluded stay rich in Patagonian ranching culture, base yourself at Estancia Cristina or Nibepo Aike.
• If you want to get up close to Perito Moreno, take a boat tour. You’ll get some great photos and enjoy a cocktail with a block of glacier ice on the way back to shore. It’s even possible to trek on top of it. 

Sitting in the heart of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi—Argentina’s “Lake District”—San Carlos de Bariloche is a charming, alpine-style town enveloped by snowcapped mountains, verdant green valleys, and rushing waterfalls. Cycle through forests, paddle a kayak on crystal-clear lakes, and snack on artisanal chocolate to your heart’s content.  

• Venture into the Arrayanes Forest to the admire the distinct, cinnamon-trunk trees.
• Cast a line into gin-clear rivers to enjoy world-class Patagonian fly-fishing. Anglers should visit between November and April.
• Get out on the water: kayak or cruise across Lake Nahuel Huapi by sailboat for a true sense of lake life.  

Seated some 11,000 feet above sea level, Salinas Grandes is a spectacular salt plain in Northwest Argentina. In the dry season, this former sea basin contrasts a piercing blue sky against a pristine expanse of snow-white salt. When flooded with rainwater, the hardpan tableau creates a horizon-swallowing mirror. Reflecting the sky, it creates a breathtaking heaven-on-earth mirage. It’s a truly spellbinding phenomenon worth timing your trip around.  

• Plan your trip for January, February or March if you want to experience mirror-like reflections. For the best stargazing, simply plan to avoid the full moon.
• Stay until the end of the day and you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable sunset.
• Pristine Salinas Grandes offers some of the best luxury glamping in South America and boasts some of the world’s best stargazing.  

Sitting at the feet of the mighty Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy mountains, the colorful, outdoorsy village of El Chaltén is known for endless hiking and a laidback vibe. Overlooking the northern edge of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, this is the perfect place to trek to the Viedma Glacier or go white-water rafting on the Río De las Vueltas Canyon. 

• The weather in Patagonia is unpredictable any time of the year. People commonly think the best time to visit Patagonia is during the peak of summer for the best chances of a warm day, but this advice is not rock solid—and you’ll be contending with crowds. Instead, we find fall and spring balance thinner crowds with just as much of a chance for good weather. 
• Active travelers should consider Laguna de Los Tres, a full-day hike that rewards with views of a postcard-perfect alpine lake framed by Fitz Roy’s iconic peak.
• Hire a catamaran and go for an unforgettable cruise on Lago Viedma. Navigate your way in between icebergs to get as close as possible to the glacier. 

With lush green vines backed by red rock mountains, it’s easy to fall for Cafayate’s small town charms. Wine-lovers in particular won’t be able to resist the selection of wineries, which range from boutique start-ups to traditional, commercial vineyards. Cafayate is one of the best places to travel in Argentina if you want sample some of the world’s finest wines in an off-the-beaten-track wine region. Treat your tastebuds to the region’s signature aromatic white varietal, Torrontés, a malbec at San Pedro Yacochuya, or a refreshing rosé at El Porvenir. 

• The best time to visit is between April and June or August and November when the weather is warmer and there’s little rain.
• Don’t leave without sampling the town’s specialty: wine ice cream. Indulge in a scoop of torrontes and a scoop of cabernet sauvignon. Salud!
• Walk back through time at the Quilmes ruins. This archeological site tells the story of indigenous Quilmes people and notably, is the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina.  

Located where the mountains meet the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia sprawls across a hillside at “The End of the World.” This legendary outpost thrums with a rugged, frontier ethos. It’s a jumping-off point for many Antarctica cruises but Ushuaia also stands as a destination unto itself.  

• Dine on some of the freshest centolla (king crab), plucked straight from the Beagle Channel.
• Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the fascinating Museo Maritime y Presidio. The cells in wing four of this infamous former prison exhibit haunting details of the notorious criminals who occupied them.
• Go hiking in Bahía Encerrada Urban Natural Reserve, hit the ski slopes at Cerro Castor, and enjoy Patagonian hiking trails all to yourself.   

With outrageous natural beauty and marine life, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Península Valdés is one of the world’s great wildlife hotspots. Witness orcas beach themselves to hunt sea lion pups, see southern right whales lingering mere feet offshore, kayak past sea lions, and come face-to-face with colonies of Megallanic penguins and southern elephant seals. 

• Time your trip to view the wildlife you want to see the most. Southern right whales are there from June to December, and while the orcas are present year-round, they tend to beach during March and April. See Megallanic penguins from September to April, and spot dolphins from December to March.
• The weather in northern Patagonia is less dramatic than the south, so paddle a kayak through tranquil seas as you paddle among southern right whales, elephant seals, sea lions and penguins.
• Pay a visit to the Centro de Visitante Istmo Carlos Ameghino cultural center to see its awe-inspiring full-size whale skeleton. The views from the observation tower are incredible, too.  

Head to San Antonio de Areco—just 70 miles outside Buenos Aires—to immerse yourself in gaucho culture. As you wander the colonial streets of the prettiest town in the pampas, it’s easy to imagine that time has stood still. Marvel at the fine silverwork and saddlery of the town’s artisans, visit the Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes, dine on asado barbecue, and pull up a stool at one of the town’s pulpería bars to imbibe rustic vibes and a glass of Argentine wine.  

• You can visit any time of year, but the months of October, November and December are particularly pleasant. Even in the heat of January and February, the town is a little cooler than Buenos Aires.
• This is one of the best places to visit in Argentina if you want to shop for belts decorated with coins (rastra), leather boots, or mate gourds. 
• If you’re lucky visit San Antonio de Areco in November, check out the town’s Fiesta de la Tradición. See the rodeo, witness gauchos strutting through the cobbled streets in all of their finery, and when night falls, gather around a campfire to watch the traditional performances.  

“Iberà” means “shining waters,” and the second largest marshlands in the world are a shining example conservation. Argentina was on the brink of losing this vulnerable ecosystem before the Conservation Land Trust stepped in to reintroduce endangered native species such as pampas deer and giant anteaters. Venture into the region’s swamps, forests savannahs, and lagoons for an opportunity to spot alligator, capybara, giant otter, caiman, and armadillo. With more than 380 species of birds, this is one of the best places to visit in Argentina if you love birdwatching. 

• The Iberà Wetlands are beautiful year-round, but the best time for birdwatching is between September and April, when many migratory birds pass through.
• The Wetlands are relatively close to Iguazu Falls, so it’s easy to combine the two on a single luxury Ibera-Iguazu itinerary.
• Treat yourself to a night safari drive and you may see gray fox, brocket deer, chinchilla, and crab-eating raccoon. 

According to the New York Times, Bahía Bustamante is “Argentina’s Secret Answer to the Galapagos.” Sitting within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this vast private property is comprised of unspoiled beaches, a petrified forest, coastal canyons, steppe, and craggy bays that attract a plethora of seabirds and marine mammals. Originally a seaweed farming outpost, Bahia Bustamante has become one of the best places to visit in Argentina if you yearn for get-away-from-it-all coastal Patagonia adventure.  

• Set out to tour the Gravina Peninsula on foot, by bike, or in a 4×4. Tour wild coast, visit sandy beaches with crystal-clear water, and swim in protected rock pools with ocean views.
• Visit a secluded colony of Magellan penguins situated on a small island that’s only accessible on foot and during low tide.
• Venture to the petrified forest, a lunar-like landscape where fossilized trees from 60 million years ago have transformed into colorful rocks. Along the way you might encounter Steppe wildlife such as lesser rheas, guanacos, and maras).  

Cradled within the Sierras de Córdoba mountains, retreat to an authentic Argentine estancia (near the city of Córdoba) for a distilled dose of ranching culture. At our favorite properties, gauchos aren’t a cliche; they’re hardworking, skilled horsemen who embody the heart and spirit of the estancia.  

• Slow into the pace of rural ranch life, slumber in a rustic-luxe suite, and feeling the warm embrace of estancia hospitality. 
• Whatever your riding experience, saddle a surefooted criollo or a Peruvian paso and set out alongside a gaucho guide. Amble through hidden valleys, pass waterfalls, and visit swimming holes. Then, try your hand at bringing in the foals and rounding up cattle, or take an introductory polo lesson. 
• Pair malbec with traditional sizzling asado and scratch-kitchen sides during an unrushed ranch-to-table dinner that’s just as much a social ritual as it is a meal. 

Sitting in the mountains on the eastern shores of Lago Lácar, the chilled-out town of San Martin de los Andes is the quieter little sister of Bariloche. It’s also the starting point for hikes to the summit of Lanín Volcano, as well as the most northern point of the famous Ruta de los Siete Lagos. When you’re not hiking to Cerro Falkner or kayaking on Lake Machonico, relish in a little downtime on the town’s pretty beach, soaking up the alpine atmosphere on the Plaza San Martin, or checking out the town’s eclectic dining scene. 

• The most pleasant temperatures for spending time outdoors happen in January and February. 
• If you want to hit the slopes in Cerro Chapelco, time your trip for between June and September.
• Visit Pastera Museo del Che, a small museum housed in a barn where Ché Guevara stayed in 1952. He wrote about the experience in The Motorcycle Diaries.