Argentina is the world's largest Spanish-speaking nation. With a legendary soccer heritage, unique geography dominated by the towering Andes Mountains, national parks, a bustling nightlife, and friendly culture, it is truly a tourist's dream come true.

The capital, Buenos Aires, is a gracious and welcoming city, which makes it one of the most-visited metropolises in South America. There is much to enjoy and plenty of activities to keep you busy, and a vacation in Argentina will never be a dull one.

Things to Do for Travelers in Argentina

There are a plethora of reasons why Argentina is one of the top South American tourist destinations. The variety of landscapes, the enchanting populace, and a vibrancy hard to find elsewhere make it attractive for travelers from all over the globe. Here are just a handful of attractions to visit during your time there:

Talampaya National Park

The Talampaya National Park covers over half a million acres. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of its main features are enormous reddish stone rock formations from the Triassic period. There are also prehistoric drawings that make it an extraordinary archeological as well as a paleontological site. The nearest town is Villa Union, located about 60 km away, and the best time to visit is in July during winter (it's in the southern hemisphere).

Carlos Thays Botanical Garden

A tranquil and verdant 18-acre sprawl guaranteed to soothe your nerves in the middle of busy Buenos Aires, the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden was set up by a botanist and landscape artist of the same name. It features more than 5,000 species of plants and a stunning greenhouse. If you have an hour to spend and nothing to do, then drop in and be enchanted by the myriad trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

Cerro Catedral

Also known as Cathedral Alta Patagonia due to its enormous, granite structures, Cerro Catedral is a ski resort located beside the town of Bariloche. Fully equipped with lifts and other winter sports-related infrastructure, it is a splendid location for skiing and snowboarding. There are about 75 miles (120 kilometers) of slopes divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. You could stay in the village itself or just a short distance away in the town of Bariloche.

Plaza Dorrego

You can't miss spending a Sunday afternoon at Plaza Dorrego, the colorful open-air market of Buenos Aires. Located in a large public square, it opened in the 18th century and still operates today. Initially a farmers market, it now is better known as the place to browse and purchase antiques and souvenirs. Located throughout the plaza are several cafes for resting your tired feet and watching tango dancers entwine to the soulful strains of nearby street musicians.

Tigre Delta

Want to get away from the hectic pace of Buenos Aires? Escape to Tigre, a city located in Parana Delta, which has hundreds of tiny resorts and hotels. The name Tigre is Spanish for tiger, evocative of the jaguars found in the surrounding jungles. The waterfront is exquisite, and it also features an artisan market selling local arts and crafts. The Tigre Art Museum displays a superb collection by Argentinian artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Travel Risks for International Travelers in Argentina

Travel is meant to be stress-free. Sadly, this is not always the case. Though rare, there may be incidents that disrupt your plans and cause you a headache. From sudden bouts of tropical disease to an instance of street crime, your travel can go awry if you do not plan adequately—and sometimes, even if you do. Without a doubt, Argentina is safe, but there are certain issues you must be aware of.

• Skiing on the slopes of Cerro Catedral is an exhilarating experience, but a nasty fall could wreck your body and vacation. For beginners and experts alike, skiing is hazardous and could result in injuries like cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Be careful to rent professional-grade equipment before you speed down the slopes.
• Mount Fitz Roy is a hiker's paradise. An adventure-filled day on the trail could turn to a nightmare if you were to slip and fall onto sharp jagged rocks. Nature is beautiful; it is also merciless and does not forgive errors. Ensure that you are in adequate physical condition and wear comfortable, broken-in hiking boots. Blister prevention balm would also be a useful addition to your backpack.
• Do not fall into the trap of local tour operators who promise to take you to exotic locations at cheap rates. They would almost always vanish with your advance, and you would have a hard time tracking them down and prosecuting them. Even if they show up, the "exotic location" will likely turn out to be an ordinary camping trip in the middle of an underwhelming prairie.

Argentina Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

Falling ill in the middle of a vacation is entirely possible. Argentina is known for typhoid and dengue outbreaks. Public healthcare in Argentina is good but patchy. In large cities, you can go to public hospitals, but the most that many smaller towns and cities can offer are clinics that can bandage a wound. More often, you would have to resort to private medical care, which is more dependable and developed.

Do I need travel medical insurance for Argentina?

There is no mandatory requirement to buy travel health insurance before you visit Argentina. However, it is advisable to equip yourself with one in case you fall ill and have to be hospitalized or evacuated.

Why buy travel medical insurance for Argentina?

If you want to enjoy peace of mind, you should buy travel medical insurance before you depart. Imagine the expense if you had to be evacuated by air ambulance or needed a month-long stay at an Argentinian hospital for a bout of malaria.

It is better to be safe than sorry, and travel health insurance helps take care of these expenses, allowing you to savor your trip and feel reinvigorated.

Argentina Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

If your trip had to be canceled for reasons beyond your control, you would face quite a large financial loss. After all, you have already booked hotels, flights, and maybe even tours. Those investments would be in peril.

Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Argentina?

Most of the expenses of a vacation, excluding food and souvenirs, are paid in advance. This is especially true if you are using the services of a tour operator. Trip cancellation insurance for Argentina would be able to replenish the entire or partial loss if you have to cancel for a reason explicitly mentioned in the policy's certificate wording.

What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for Argentina?

There are many situations that are covered by trip cancellation insurance. These usually include –

• Death of family members
• Injury of self or an immediate relative
• Damage to your residence
• Inability to take leave from work
• Many similar reasons, including weather and other unfortunate events.

Remember to buy travel insurance to protect yourself against financial loss in these unfortunate situations.

Before You Travel to Argentina - Do This

Touring Argentina is a thrilling and fun-filled experience. However, never forget these three guidelines:

1. Always be careful that no one steals your visa, passport, or any other essential travel documents.
2. Make decisions with your head, not your heart. Impulsiveness is your worst enemy in a foreign land.
3. Understand your risks, and purchase travel insurance to cover yourself against any potential financial losses during your trip.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.