Know before you go: Argentina

Argentina has one of the most open visa policies in South America. No visa is required for visits of 90 days or less for citizens of the US and dozens of other countries, and this 90-day visa-free allowance is standard for nationals of the EU, UK, Australia, Japan and most of Latin America as well.

If your country normally requires a visa for Argentina, check whether you qualify for the AVE (Autorización de Viaje Electrónica), Argentina’s electronic travel authorization. The AVE is an official document that allows eligible foreign nationals to travel to Argentina exclusively for tourism purposes. Eligibility has traditionally hinged on holding a valid US visa: you must hold a valid U.S. visa in one of the following categories: B2, J, B1, O, P (P1–P2–P3), E, or H-1B. However, the rules keep shifting: as of 2026, citizens of India or the Dominican Republic traveling for tourism can enter without an AVE as long as they hold a similar US visa, and China was removed from the AVE requirement altogether for US-visa or green-card holders. If approved, the AVE is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, allows a stay of up to 90 consecutive days from first entry, with multiple entries and exits, and can be extended once for another 90 days from the DNM. Crucially, only the Electronic Travel Authorization itself is accepted for entry, and you must carry a printed copy before boarding your flight.

Because eligible nationalities, fees and document categories change often (and have changed multiple times in 2025 to 2026 alone), always confirm your specific requirement directly on Argentina’s official migrations site and your nearest Argentine embassy or consulate before booking, rather than relying on third-party blogs.

In Buenos Aires, the backbone of public transport is the Subte (subway, six lines: A, B, C, D, E, H), an extensive bus network of colectivos, and suburban trains. There’s the Subte for crossing central Buenos Aires quickly, an enormous network of colectivos, commuter trains reaching the wider metropolitan area, taxis and ride-hailing apps, and an extensive network of cycle lanes.

For years the rechargeable SUBE card was mandatory, and cash payments to drivers are not accepted on buses. That is still largely true, but the system has opened up: contactless Visa and Mastercard payments now work across the Subte and Buenos Aires’ bus network, including cards issued abroad, though SUBE is still useful, particularly for trains and transfer discounts. A practical 2026 strategy is to combine both: use the Subte, buses and walking for everyday sightseeing, since a contactless Visa or Mastercard is enough for most city transport, while a SUBE card remains the safest option for commuter trains, and use Uber, Cabify or DiDi when public transport isn’t convenient. If you prefer a physical card, SUBE cards are available on arrival at Ezeiza airport, at subway stations, kiosks and payment locations, and you only need your passport to buy one, no Argentine ID required. Outside Buenos Aires, intercity buses are the main long-distance option, and domestic flights connect Patagonia, the northwest and Iguazú efficiently.

The currency is the Argentine peso (ARS). Argentina’s long-running multiple exchange rates (official, “blue” informal, and MEP) have converged significantly since 2025: as of early September 2026, the official exchange rate sits around ARS 1,535 to the US dollar, while the blue dollar trades roughly ARS 1,545, a gap of only 1–3%. The practical upshot is that a foreign credit or debit card will typically get you a rate close to the old blue dollar rate, with none of the hassle of street changers. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express is accepted at fewer places, and you should always pay in pesos rather than your home currency when prompted, since dynamic currency conversion rates are poor.

A useful perk: if you pay by card you avoid the 21% VAT that applies to cash payments at VAT-registered hotels (check with your hotel, as this exemption is specifically for foreign tourists paying by foreign card). ATMs exist but are not ideal: foreign cards at ATMs face low withdrawal caps, often around USD 100 to 200 per transaction, with fees of roughly 5 to 10% plus a fixed charge. If you bring cash, note that cash of US$10,000 or more must be declared on arrival, and changing money requires a passport. Overall, a debit or credit card with no foreign-transaction fee, supplemented by a modest amount of US dollars in cash for taxis, tips and small shops, is the simplest approach in 2026.

Argentina is enormous and spans the Southern Hemisphere’s full climate range, so “best time” depends heavily on where you’re going. October to November and March to April are the best all-round windows, with Patagonia open, Buenos Aires and Mendoza at their spring or autumn best, and Iguazú comfortable. For Patagonia specifically, peak trekking season runs December to February, when El Chaltén and El Calafate should be booked months ahead, while ski season runs June to September in Bariloche and the Andes around Mendoza. The region’s infrastructure is seasonal: Patagonia’s parks, refugios, boats and buses mostly run October through April, with much closing outside that window. For Iguazú Falls, April to June and August to October balance strong water flow with bearable subtropical heat, while December to February is sauna season and coincides with Argentine holiday crowds. Buenos Aires itself is most pleasant in the shoulder seasons rather than at the height of summer.

The nationwide emergency number is 911. In Argentina, police is 101, ambulance is 107, fire is 100, civil defense is 103, forest fire is 105, and coast guard is 106, and 112 redirects to 911 on mobile phones. In Buenos Aires City specifically, ambulance can be reached on the free number 107, 24 hours a day. For theft, lost documents, or help contacting your embassy, Buenos Aires has a dedicated Comisaría del Turista (Tourist Police Station): located at Av. Corrientes 436, it takes theft reports, handles lost documents and helps visitors reach their embassy, with staff who speak English among other languages.

On overall safety, the US State Department rates Argentina at Level 1, its lowest advisory tier, with only Rosario carrying a higher warning. The main risk for tourists is petty crime rather than violence: the real risk is petty theft, pickpocketing, the mustard scam, and occasional express kidnappings in a few crowded areas. Canadian and other government advisories recommend some common-sense precautions, including avoiding informal settlements: avoid visiting vulnerable neighbourhoods (villa miseria) in major cities, including in Buenos Aires, even if they are in tourist zones, since violence and organized crime are prevalent there and police assistance is very limited. It’s also wise to buy travel medical insurance before you depart, since Argentine public hospitals treat emergencies but private clinics generally expect upfront payment from foreign visitors.