We’ve been interested in visiting Argentina for a number of years — in fact, we intended to go in 2012, but award flights weren’t available so we went to Chile instead. For various reasons we hadn’t yet visited, so when we found premium economy seats available for the long overnight international flights we booked a February trip in and out of Buenos Aires.

Argentina is a big country, so we needed to be strategic about where we would go – the tip of the continent? mountains? wine regions? tropics? After lots of research we decided to spend a week around Bariloche (Northern Patagonia lake district) and two days seeing Iguazu Falls, with the rest of our time in Buenos Aires.

On our return to the US, we planned for an overnight in South Florida so we also took in a few Miami sights. Altogether our trip included 8 flights, 2 rental cars, and 5 accommodation check-ins.

Some notes on Argentina:

• Money and inflation: Argentina has had a well publicized inflation problem for many years, so looking at prices from more then 2-3 months ago is generally out of date. On top of that, there are at least 6 different exchange rates. Recently, the official rate and the unofficial rates have converged, making things a little easier (but more expensive) than previous years. We went prepared with several options, including crisp $100 USD bills to exchange, and a Western Union account as backup. In Feb 2025 the blue dollar exchange rate was 1160/$1.
• With one exception, every time we used a credit card to pay at a grocery store (and only at grocery stores), they asked for an ID number. Leandra got quick at this on self-checkout machines!
• You can’t pump your own gas. We had to wait in line for 30 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively, each time we filled the tank. Just say “completo” to fill it up.
• Toilets – most of the toilets had the flush button on the side of the tank, not something we’d seen before.
• We are convinced that Argentines like things dry — the red wines are generally dry, the famous alfajores desserts are dry, the bread is dry…
• Many maps were oriented to the south, with Antarctica at the top, a unique way for us Northern Hemisphere folks to view the world!
• Our domestic flights within Argentina featured clapping on each landing, and everyone standing up before the plane was fully at the gate leading to crowded aisles. Prepare to use your elbows to create space.
• There are signs claiming ownership of the Malvinas (Falklands) all over the place, including airports and along highways. Each had the distance to the islands as well.

waiting in line for gas

 
sorting through all the cash; sample restaurant check

 
Falkland Islands signs in Port Iguazu and Villa la Angostura

using the self-checkout like a pro