Argentina
Spring & Fall: September – November & March – May. These months offer comfortable temperatures throughout Argentina. It is a great time to visit Buenos Aires and avoid crowds in the Patagonia.
Summer: December – February. The summer offers longer days. Perfect for maximizing your days during your visit. However, it can get very hot in northern Argentina – in regions like Iguazu. Summer usually brings a lot of rain.
Winter: June – August: Winter can be cold in Argentina but it can be perfect to visit the north – places like Iguazu Falls. You can also get the Patagonia with less crowds during these months.
I never had an issue using a credit card anywhere in Argentina. However, I always carried cash just in case when visiting smaller cities, such as El Calafate. Cash can be helpful when buying street food in Buenos Aires (try Choripan) or buying small souvenirs.
The Urban/Wild Divide: In major hubs like Buenos Aires, my international roaming plan through our US carrier worked perfectly with 4G and 5G coverage. However, Argentina is vast, and the service drops off a cliff once you enter the national parks.
Off-Grid Strategy: This is a “Download Everything” destination. Before heading south to Patagonia or north to Iguazu, make sure your offline maps (Google or AllTrails) and playlists are synced.
Power & Plugs: Argentina uses Type I plugs (the three-flat-pin style also found in Australia and New Zealand). You will also frequently see Type C (the standard European two-pin) in older guesthouses. The standard voltage is 220V.
The Field Kit Tip: If you’re doing the multi-day treks in the south, bring a rugged, high-capacity power bank.
Buenos Aires doesn’t just have a nightlife; it has a morning-life. I walked out of a club at 6:00 AM, ready to call it a night, only to run into local friends who laughed at the idea of sleep. They led me to a nondescript warehouse where we descended several floors into a basement “after-hours” spot. Time becomes irrelevant when you’re moving to the rhythm of cumbia and the bitter-sweet taste of Fernet y coca. When the staff finally opened the heavy doors at the top of the stairs to signal the end, I stepped out into the street expecting dawn. Instead, it was 11:00 AM on a Sunday. The city was fully awake, families were grabbing brunch, and I was just realizing that in Buenos Aires, the “night” only ends when the sun is directly overhead.