Essential Argentina Travel Preparations and First Day Arrival Tasks You Can’t Miss
🧳🧳🧳 Pre-trip Preparation
1️⃣ Book popular restaurants in advance
Securing a table at the hottest spots in Buenos Aires, like the renowned Don Julio, can be a real challenge. Plan ahead and make your reservations a few weeks or even a month in advance to avoid disappointment.
2️⃣ Book and pay for popular activities in advance
Experiences such as glacier hiking in Calafate or penguin walks on the beach in Ushuaia are must-dos, but they fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
Ensure you book these adventures at least a month ahead to secure your spot.
3️⃣ Prepare a domestic SIM card
Stay connected with a local SIM card, but if you need internet access right away, consider using your domestic SIM with a daily charge cap of around 30 RMB. Alternatively, if your home country’s SIM offers affordable data roaming, that’s a convenient option too.
4️⃣ Print out the Argentine e-visa, visa payment receipt, and accommodation bookings
Customs officials will require your e-visa and payment receipt, and it’s essential to register your accommodation in Argentina. Have all your booking details printed and ready to go. While they may not check additional documents like a US visa, it’s wise to bring them just in case.
5️⃣ Insect repellent and anti-bite ointment
Trust me, you’ll regret not bringing these. The bugs can be relentless, and having the right protection is crucial. For more details, check out my previous post on this topic.
6️⃣ Mid to high-cut waterproof hiking shoes
If you’re planning to hit the trails, invest in a good pair of mid to high-cut, waterproof hiking shoes.
The popular paths can get incredibly muddy, and you don’t want to end up like the girl I saw, whose sneakers were swallowed by the mud. Trekking poles are available for rent locally at a very reasonable price, so no need to bring your own.
7️⃣ Hundred-dollar bills in US dollars
Many currency exchange places in Argentina prefer hundred-dollar bills in US dollars and offer better rates for them.
Smaller denominations and Euros might not be accepted or could result in a poor exchange rate. A waist pack or crossbody bag is ideal for carrying cash, as it won’t fit comfortably in your pants pockets.
8️⃣ Make sure Uber is linked to your credit card
For seamless travel, ensure your Uber account is linked to a credit card.
This will make getting around much easier and more convenient.
🛬🛬🛬 Must-dos on the First Day of Arrival
1️⃣ Start by purchasing and topping up a SUBE bus card at the 25H convenience store in the airport. While you can find these cards in many city center stores, it’s surprisingly tricky to get one when you need it most. Avoid exchanging money at the airport, as the rates are usually unfavorable.
2️⃣ We highly recommend taking an Uber from the airport to your accommodation, which typically costs around 15 euros. Navigating public transport with luggage in an unfamiliar place can be a stressful experience, especially on your first day.
3️⃣ Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, head out to buy a local SIM card. It’s best to go to a Claro store, where you can purchase and activate the SIM card on the spot, making it easy to top up as needed. On my arrival, which was a Sunday, the store was closed. After asking around, I found that most shops only sold the cards without activation.
Although online activation is possible, to avoid any hassle, I opted for a shop that offered activation services, even though it came with a small additional fee.
4️⃣ Exchange some cash for the local currency. A great tip is to visit a Chinese-run supermarket nearby, where communication is smooth, and you can easily compare rates. Ask around a few places and choose the one offering the best exchange rate. Don’t exchange too much at once; better rates might be available later in your trip.
After completing these four essential tasks on your first day, you’ll be all set to enjoy your adventure!
