Argentina - anyone been?
Discussion
After watching series 2 of Race Around the World, we quite fancy the idea of Argentina.
Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
Boxster5 said:
After watching series 2 of Race Around the World, we quite fancy the idea of Argentina.
Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
I’ve been many times and love the country. First thing I will say is don’t underestimate the size of it. Depending on how long you’re planning to go for, you’ll need to select where you want to go, and IMO consider flights rather than driving. Also Google “dollar blue” for spending and costs.Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
Exiled Imp said:
Boxster5 said:
After watching series 2 of Race Around the World, we quite fancy the idea of Argentina.
Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
I’ve been many times and love the country. First thing I will say is don’t underestimate the size of it. Depending on how long you’re planning to go for, you’ll need to select where you want to go, and IMO consider flights rather than driving. Also Google “dollar blue” for spending and costs.Anyone been, any recommendations?
Read the FCO travel advice and doesn’t seem much different to South Africa regarding security, crime etc. but are there any other issues to consider?
Did anyone hire a car - they’re not cheap but I’m led to believe that petrol is really cheap after reading a report from the Patagonia Rally.
Also hotel accommodation/apartments seem dirt cheap together with food & drink.
Initially looking at Mendoza (wine region) but open to suggestions.
I think you fly into Beunos Aires so probably would need a connecting flight.
Looking at Jan 2026 potentially (we already have South Africa in Jan 2025).
Also have they forgiven us for the Falklands War or are Brits not really welcome? Top Gear did their bit for international diplomacy (NOT!)
Say what you like about the buggers, but their strongest virtue is that they absolutely do not cater for any vegan and vegetarian nonsense.
I still savour the memory of the grill by the roadside on the way from BA to Rosario where I had to point out the specific bits of the cow on the spit in front of me that I wanted on my plate.
I still savour the memory of the grill by the roadside on the way from BA to Rosario where I had to point out the specific bits of the cow on the spit in front of me that I wanted on my plate.
psi310398 said:
Say what you like about the buggers, but their strongest virtue is that they absolutely do not cater for any vegan and vegetarian nonsense.
I still savour the memory of the grill by the roadside on the way from BA to Rosario where I had to point out the specific bits of the cow on the spit in front of me that I wanted on my plate.
Neither of us are veggies so that’s not a problem at all. We love our steaks.I still savour the memory of the grill by the roadside on the way from BA to Rosario where I had to point out the specific bits of the cow on the spit in front of me that I wanted on my plate.
Remember reading a sign in a Portugese steak house saying something along the lines “Being vegetarian is a huge missed steak”.
Two of our nieces are veggies and neither of them are what you would call thin!
I've been to Mendoza. Think it was 2017 when I went.
Getting money out was a pain, IIRC there was a daily withdrawal limit of around $80. Groceries were quite expensive, more than the UK at the time.
Bus/Coach travel was dirt cheap and internal flights were reasonable too. I never hired a car.
The people were generally friendly, very little English spoken. Those who did spoke good English but those who didn't, didn't speak a word. I stayed in hostels so can't comment on the hotels. Mendoza seemed to have quite a good backpacker community. They used to do a tour round the various vineyards where a guy would hire you a bike and a map. Had a brilliant day getting slowly pissed while cycling round the countryside.
Just don't do what I did. I hadn't realised I'd booked connecting flights from different airports in Buenos Aires. Absolute nightmare, probably the most stressful 2 hours of my life (travel wise). Had no cash so tried to book an Uber, that cancelled after a while. Hailed a local cab and after half an hour driving round he dumped me at the Britiah Embassy because he didn't want to sit in the traffic. It was 3rd time lucky but it was expensive and I made my connection by minutes.
Getting money out was a pain, IIRC there was a daily withdrawal limit of around $80. Groceries were quite expensive, more than the UK at the time.
Bus/Coach travel was dirt cheap and internal flights were reasonable too. I never hired a car.
The people were generally friendly, very little English spoken. Those who did spoke good English but those who didn't, didn't speak a word. I stayed in hostels so can't comment on the hotels. Mendoza seemed to have quite a good backpacker community. They used to do a tour round the various vineyards where a guy would hire you a bike and a map. Had a brilliant day getting slowly pissed while cycling round the countryside.
Just don't do what I did. I hadn't realised I'd booked connecting flights from different airports in Buenos Aires. Absolute nightmare, probably the most stressful 2 hours of my life (travel wise). Had no cash so tried to book an Uber, that cancelled after a while. Hailed a local cab and after half an hour driving round he dumped me at the Britiah Embassy because he didn't want to sit in the traffic. It was 3rd time lucky but it was expensive and I made my connection by minutes.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Sunday 9th June 21:25
A workmate has been over to Argentina on his own, on a whim, this year......twice!
He loves the place and wants to move there, plus he's fallen for a local girl in BA.
He did a camping/walking tour of Patagonia too and won't stop talking about it
As you are not going until 2026, get started on learning Spanish. It'll be a great help.
He loves the place and wants to move there, plus he's fallen for a local girl in BA.
He did a camping/walking tour of Patagonia too and won't stop talking about it
As you are not going until 2026, get started on learning Spanish. It'll be a great help.
We hired a car and drove from Punta Arenas to Puerto Madryn, across and back down through Patagonia etc.
- it’s bloody massive. You drive for a day and you’re a thumb width of the map further on
- main roads generally good, some main roads are in fact not tarmaced though
- fuel was available at all but one petrol station we tried so not an issue
- speaking Spanish would have helped a lot
- being ready to sleep in the car is not ideal but may be helpful
- mostly it was refreshing being off grid and in such remote beautiful places, they really are untouched and unbothered by humans
- also a fair bit of it (this was 2015/16) just isn’t geared toward tourists which is either refreshing or startling depending on the situation!
- us being English never an issue and everyone was always friendly
- food, malbec and pisco is good
- some of the Arg industrial coast towns did not seem like places to be stopping
- it’s bloody massive. You drive for a day and you’re a thumb width of the map further on
- main roads generally good, some main roads are in fact not tarmaced though
- fuel was available at all but one petrol station we tried so not an issue
- speaking Spanish would have helped a lot
- being ready to sleep in the car is not ideal but may be helpful
- mostly it was refreshing being off grid and in such remote beautiful places, they really are untouched and unbothered by humans
- also a fair bit of it (this was 2015/16) just isn’t geared toward tourists which is either refreshing or startling depending on the situation!
- us being English never an issue and everyone was always friendly
- food, malbec and pisco is good
- some of the Arg industrial coast towns did not seem like places to be stopping
Edited by Dg504 on Monday 10th June 07:20
My brother has lived there nearly 20 years. I was there in February and we're going back for Christmas. I've been to several regions, though never yet Mendoza. There is excellent wine available all over the county so unless you want to visit wine producers then don't feel you have to go there to drink it! My brother has moved down to San Martín de los Andes, at the northern end of the Patagonian Lake District. The whole of Patagonia is wonderful. The scenery is stunning, and there is lots of kayaking, hiking, riding etc if you want that. Bariloche is the biggest city there, but the smaller places like San Martín and Villa La Angostura are nicer. You can easily fly to Bariloche and drive to San Martin - the road of the 7 lakes is a well established tourist route and is glorious. Don't rush it. The glaciers of El Calafate further south are also pretty dramatic.
The north of the country is quite different, higher and dryer, more like the Bolivian high Andes. People other talk about the welsh colonies of Patagonia, but this is mainly limited to a small area near Puerto Madryn, and as a tourist consists chiefly of some terrible tea rooms.
Great country generally, no issues with Brits, Falklands not really a topic that ever comes up. I know you eat meat, but just for the record vegetarians are easily catered for these days, my brother has been veggie for years. Just understand that the "carne" section on the menu only covers beef and lamb - pork and chicken are not listed in the same category, so if you say you don't eat "carne" (literally "meat" in Spanish) then they may assume you still eat chicken, pork and fish. But say you are a vegetarian and they have no problem.
As mentioned, distances are massive but the cross country roads are generally good and most of the popular tourist routes are now paved. Food and drink is not so cheap like it used to be - inflation is rampant. Dollars are king, and you get a better exchange rate for large denomination mint notes.
The north of the country is quite different, higher and dryer, more like the Bolivian high Andes. People other talk about the welsh colonies of Patagonia, but this is mainly limited to a small area near Puerto Madryn, and as a tourist consists chiefly of some terrible tea rooms.
Great country generally, no issues with Brits, Falklands not really a topic that ever comes up. I know you eat meat, but just for the record vegetarians are easily catered for these days, my brother has been veggie for years. Just understand that the "carne" section on the menu only covers beef and lamb - pork and chicken are not listed in the same category, so if you say you don't eat "carne" (literally "meat" in Spanish) then they may assume you still eat chicken, pork and fish. But say you are a vegetarian and they have no problem.
As mentioned, distances are massive but the cross country roads are generally good and most of the popular tourist routes are now paved. Food and drink is not so cheap like it used to be - inflation is rampant. Dollars are king, and you get a better exchange rate for large denomination mint notes.
I've been a couple of times, the last visit was November. It's brilliant, and they love the English, but they will tease you about football. La mano de dios is a phrase you'll hear a lot.
Also, they have a saying in Argentina, paga como un ingles. He pays like an Englishman. Basically, to describe someone who can be trusted.
Buenos Aires is a fabulous city, but stay in a nice area. Somewhere like Recoletta. On a Sunday morning, be sure to wander thru the market in Defensia, and in the afternoon, visit La Boca. The ferry for the day over to Montevideo is also a must do.
Unfortunately I've never had the time to venture outside BA, but I've heard the south is amazing. But as said, it's big!
Also, they have a saying in Argentina, paga como un ingles. He pays like an Englishman. Basically, to describe someone who can be trusted.
Buenos Aires is a fabulous city, but stay in a nice area. Somewhere like Recoletta. On a Sunday morning, be sure to wander thru the market in Defensia, and in the afternoon, visit La Boca. The ferry for the day over to Montevideo is also a must do.
Unfortunately I've never had the time to venture outside BA, but I've heard the south is amazing. But as said, it's big!
grew up there initially - amazing place- richest natural resources of anywhere i the world wrecked for generations by the politicians... We came back to the UK just before the Falklands war but had many friends still there during that time - and in fact the Brits carried on running their railway and much of their fuel infrastructure during the war!
Some good advice above - BA is awesome - one of the most vibrant cities around, people go out to dinner 9-11 onwards, then roll into a night club and then back to work! No issues with the brits - but as others say, learn some Spanish (one of the easiest languages to learn) - they will respect your trying. The national parks in the south (intermingle with Chile's land) are stunning - Chabut / Puerto Madryn is superb for wildlife for a very small part of the year, Cordoba Hills are very beautiful - if you can ride then consider spending time on an Estancia, I have spent weeks on one riding / playing Polo - one of the best times I have ever had - Bariloche for the ski season! Medoza for wine - but also consider visiting the Salta region in N. Argentina - and even popping up to the Iguacu waterfalls which are stunning...
Some good advice above - BA is awesome - one of the most vibrant cities around, people go out to dinner 9-11 onwards, then roll into a night club and then back to work! No issues with the brits - but as others say, learn some Spanish (one of the easiest languages to learn) - they will respect your trying. The national parks in the south (intermingle with Chile's land) are stunning - Chabut / Puerto Madryn is superb for wildlife for a very small part of the year, Cordoba Hills are very beautiful - if you can ride then consider spending time on an Estancia, I have spent weeks on one riding / playing Polo - one of the best times I have ever had - Bariloche for the ski season! Medoza for wine - but also consider visiting the Salta region in N. Argentina - and even popping up to the Iguacu waterfalls which are stunning...
akirk said:
but as others say, learn some Spanish (one of the easiest languages to learn) - they will respect your trying....
My Spanish is reasonable but I'm totally lost in Argentina. They talk at a million miles an hour, you ask them in Spanish to slow down, they say "claro, lo siento" (of course, I'm sorry), and then carry on speaking at exactly the same speed!!! Plus they use the usted form constantly. Really, my Spanish was next to useless. In Spain, I get by pretty well!Thanks guys - lots of good advice and plenty to consider.
Will await our Lonely Planet guide coming today then match up what advice has been given.
There’s some great accommodation to a very high standard and really good value on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.
Quite looking forward to learning some Spanish (I can get by with French so another language to my bow).
Much appreciated.
Will await our Lonely Planet guide coming today then match up what advice has been given.
There’s some great accommodation to a very high standard and really good value on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.
Quite looking forward to learning some Spanish (I can get by with French so another language to my bow).
Much appreciated.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
akirk said:
but as others say, learn some Spanish (one of the easiest languages to learn) - they will respect your trying....
My Spanish is reasonable but I'm totally lost in Argentina. They talk at a million miles an hour, you ask them in Spanish to slow down, they say "claro, lo siento" (of course, I'm sorry), and then carry on speaking at exactly the same speed!!! Plus they use the usted form constantly. Really, my Spanish was next to useless. In Spain, I get by pretty well!
but yes there is quite a difference between Argentine and Madrid Spanish - Argentina is a bit more of the cockney perception to the Madrid spanish speakers - with different pronunciations and emphasis...
TwigtheWonderkid said:
good summary - I was living out there in 78 when they won the world cup in Argentina - I was only 6 but remember it well - the whole of BA emptied onto the streets for the biggest party I have ever seen - the noise was phenomenal!TwigtheWonderkid said:
My Spanish is reasonable but I'm totally lost in Argentina. They talk at a million miles an hour, you ask them in Spanish to slow down, they say "claro, lo siento" (of course, I'm sorry), and then carry on speaking at exactly the same speed!!! Plus they use the usted form constantly. Really, my Spanish was next to useless. In Spain, I get by pretty well!
My Spanish is pretty basic, but I find Argentine Spanish far easier than Spanish spanish. More gentle and much slower! As with English vs American English, pronunciations have some major differences and there are also grammatical and vocabulary differences.Boxster5 said:
Thanks guys - lots of good advice and plenty to consider.
Will await our Lonely Planet guide coming today then match up what advice has been given.
There’s some great accommodation to a very high standard and really good value on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.
Quite looking forward to learning some Spanish (I can get by with French so another language to my bow).
Much appreciated.
If you make it to San Martín let me know - I can highly recommend my brother's AirBnB! Will await our Lonely Planet guide coming today then match up what advice has been given.
There’s some great accommodation to a very high standard and really good value on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.
Quite looking forward to learning some Spanish (I can get by with French so another language to my bow).
Much appreciated.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff