Essential Tips I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Argentina for the First Time
Just wrapped up an incredible 12-day adventure in Argentina, exploring the vibrant Buenos Aires, the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, and the breathtaking Patagonia. After diving into extensive research on xhs, here are some invaluable tips that I only discovered after my trip:
1. 🧳 If you opt for Aerolineas Argentinas (many travelers warn against Flybondi due to its unreliability), you’ll find that they rarely check the weight of your carry-on luggage. The check-in staff will simply ask how many pieces you want to check in. On one occasion, they even allowed us to check in two extra bags for free, which was surprisingly casual.
Therefore, it’s a smart move to purchase additional luggage tickets at the airport check-in counter. The price is the same as buying online, and if the counter doesn’t bring it up, you can skip it entirely!
2. 💵 It’s highly recommended to exchange enough cash in Buenos Aires. In El Calafate and El Chalten, paying with cash often grants you a 10% discount. Plus, there’s no Uber in Iguazu and Patagonia, so you’ll need cash for taxis or having the hotel arrange a car for you. Additionally, taxi fares and meals in Iguazu, El Calafate, and El Chalten tend to be pricier than in the capital.
There’s no need to seek out black market exchanges; Western Union transfers followed by cash pick-up is the most convenient and secure method. I’ll share a detailed guide on this later.
3. ✈️ For those with red-eye flights, be aware that there are no lounges in the domestic departure area of Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)! Many early morning flyers end up sleeping on the floor overnight, so plan your arrival at the airport wisely to avoid this uncomfortable situation.
4. 🍴 If you’re planning to stay at the luxurious Gran Melia in Iguazu, make sure to book half board when you make your reservation! Adding dinner at the hotel later will cost about twice as much, but it’s worth every penny—the dinner is absolutely delicious and one of the best I’ve ever had! Apart from the high cost, Gran Melia, known as “the best hotel in Argentina,” is flawless. I’ll write a separate post with more tips about Gran Melia soon.
