our journey through gay argentina begins with a comprehensive exploration of buenos aires. our city tour will highlight plaza de mayo, the city's iconic square, offering photo opportunities of surrounding historical buildings, including the cabildo, once a colonial municipal building and now a museum.
however, plaza de mayo's most recognizable structure is la casa rosada, the pink house.
it has served as a backdrop for political rallies. within the square, you might encounter madres de plaza de mayo, relatives of individuals who disappeared during the former military regime, advocating for the continued search for their missing loved ones.
we conclude our buenos aires introduction with a drive through vibrant traditional neighborhoods like san telmo, and upscale areas such as palermo, barrio parque, and recoleta.
before heading back to our hotel, we'll visit the remarkable tombs of recoleta cemetery, including evita's.
lunch will be enjoyed together at a local restaurant. early the next morning, we'll transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to el calafate, located on the patagonian andes plateau.
upon arrival, we'll head west to los glaciares national park's southern slopes to witness perito moreno glacier, situated on lago argentino.
this unique glacier, one of the few in the world still advancing, acts as a natural dam, separating a branch of the lake from its natural outflow.
the water pressure eventually overcomes the glacier's wall, causing it to break and release enormous ice fragments into the water.
we'll have a late lunch in el calafate, followed by free time to explore the town at your leisure. the following morning, we'll drive to el chalten, north of los glaciares national park.
this small, remote town, known as the trekking capital of argentina, sits near the challenging granite climbs of fitz roy and torre mountains.
the afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the surrounding area. we'll hike through the forest, enjoying spectacular views of fitz roy and torre mountains.
we'll also visit lago del desierto and rio las vueltas, with a picnic lunch along the way. our two-night stay in el chalten will be at a modern lodge designed in the architectural style of the region's early settlements, offering impressive views of fitz roy.
we'll partake in a wine tasting and dinner at the lodge that evening.
after breakfast, we'll go to bahia tunnel and board a ship to sail on the western part of lake viedma. this pristine lake is fed by viedma glacier, part of the southern patagonian ice field.
we'll disembark and walk to the glacier's edge, where crampons will be provided for a guided walk on the glacier, providing exceptional views of the lakes and mountains.
we'll return to the ship and then to bahia redonda, arriving mid-afternoon, and enjoying a packed lunch along the way.
the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or enjoy short walks. we'll depart el chalten early the next morning and drive to el calafate airport for our flight to ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, located on tierra del fuego.
the area was named tierra del fuego (land of fire) because the indigenous people lit fires along the coast, visible to explorers like magellan from a distance.
today, you can choose from two options to explore this unique landscape at the continent's tip.
lago esmeralda trek: a 7-hour excursion in tierra del fuego national park, includes transportation from town and easy trekking, with a packed lunch provided.
walk through forests and marshlands, observing small, multi-hued lakes created by beaver dams. hike to laguna perdida for a packed lunch.
after the hike, we'll return to our hotel. harberton ranch excursion: this leisurely tour begins with a boat ride on the beagle channel, offering potential sightings of sea lions and various bird species.
weather permitting, we'll also make a brief stop at a penguin island rookery.
the excursion features an introduction to the coastal marshes and wooded hillsides of the historic 19th-century harberton ranch, followed by a van ride through the foothills back to ushuaia.
the following morning, we'll visit the main section of tierra del fuego national park, located 11 km from the city.
this is argentina's only national park encompassing mountains, forests, glaciers, and the ocean. we'll walk along roca lake and lapataia river, near the chilean border, passing green and black lakes.
the walk concludes at lapataia bay, passing beaver dams introduced from the usa, now considered a pest threatening the native forest.
the afternoon is free to explore ushuaia independently or try other activities, such as riding the martial glacier chairlift, if operational.
the following morning, we'll transfer to the airport for our flight back to buenos aires, then transfer to our hotel. the rest of the afternoon allows you to wander and shop in buenos aires, or rest up for the tour's finale.
in the evening, we'll visit barracas for a farewell dinner and a tango show in the city that made the dance famous.
we'll return to the hotel after midnight. the next day is free until your flight home. for those with evening flights, hotel check-out is at 11 am, but late check-out might be arranged.
if there's sufficient interest, we'll offer an excursion to the northern suburbs, including a boat trip in the tigre delta of rio de la plata and lunch.
we'll provide transportation to the international airport for your flights home. the price includes airport-hotel transfers on arrival and departure days and on other days when extra nights are reserved as part of the tour; all ground transportation within argentina; entrance fees for all sightseeing; deluxe hotels with private bathrooms; daily breakfast, 5 lunches (including mid-day dinners and picnic lunches), and 4 dinners (including wine at welcome and farewell dinners); wine tasting at el chalten; services of a knowledgeable he travel tour host (with a minimum number of participants) and local guides; all hotel service charges, government taxes, porterage, and gratuities for drivers and included meals.
the price does not include international airfare or domestic flights within argentina.
the extension price includes four nights in a shared hotel room with breakfast; guided tour of iguazu falls including gran aventura boat at the falls' base, and a 4-wheel drive jungle excursion; local bilingual guide; national park entrance fee; transfer from buenos aires hotel to the domestic airport at the extension's beginning; all transportation at iguazu for airport transfers and activities; transfer from buenos aires domestic airport to the international airport after returning from iguazu; and services of an he travel tour director (subject to minimum participation).
consider arriving early to visit iguazu falls from march 14 to 18.
day 1 involves flying into buenos aires where we'll transfer you to your hotel for a day of leisure. the next day, we'll take a mid-morning flight to iguazu falls.
upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy our new surroundings. puerto iguazu, argentina, borders paraguay and brazil, situated at the confluence of the iguazu and parana rivers, creating natural borders between the three countries.
transfer to the sheraton international hotel, located inside the national park and a short distance from the rainforest, offering a wonderful view of iguazu falls.
the hotel provides a natural environment inhabited by pumas, jaguars, alligators, and colorful birds.
enjoy your leisure time and dinner on your own. we'll offer a boat ride through the rapids at the bottom of the falls for an up-close experience.
we'll then journey further downriver, returning to the hotel through the jungle in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
potential wildlife sightings include tapirs, toucans, vultures, capybara, monkeys, and even jaguars. the next day, we'll visit the brazilian side of the falls.
this immense waterfall system straddles the border between argentina and brazil. from there, you can also explore el chalten and laguna capri, the wilderness of estancia cristina, and cerro torre and mount fitz roy.
as the world's largest waterfall system, iguazu falls is a natural wonder that is essential to experience in argentina.
the best way to take it all in is by hopping on the green train, an eco-friendly train circuit winding through the jungle. argentina is famous for its excellent wines and vineyards.
mendoza, the wine capital of argentina, is the perfect place to taste the best of their grape offerings.
the lake district is known as one of argentina's most beautiful locations, providing lots of outdoor activities. here, you can stay at some of the most luxurious hotels, go hiking, see wildlife on nature walks, and go kayaking.
indulge in a sunset sailing trip, explore victoria island and los arrayanes national park, relish gourmet picnics with argentine cuisine, and tour the lake district towns, including bariloche and villa la angostura.
the northwest is packed with nature, archaeological spots, charming towns, and cultural activities.
travel the calchaqui valleys circuit to take it all in. start in salta, where you can adjust to the high altitude.
argentina holds incredibly diverse ecosystems and wildlife. in the wetlands, you can take boat rides through the jungle to observe capybara, alligators, caiman, marshland deer, neotropical otters, howler monkeys, and several kinds of birds.
visit during spring (september to november) to increase your chances of spotting them.
originating in buenos aires, the tango is a sensual dance performed in halls throughout the city. rural life and gaucho culture are a big part of argentina, especially in the pampas, a large piece of farmland.
a gaucho is a horseman from the argentine and uruguayan pampas.
their culture has spread across music, literature, clothing, food, and values like loyalty, courage, and freedom. horses are also important to gaucho culture.
stay on an authentic estancia ranch in the pampas to learn about ranch life and gaucho culture and ride horseback across the scenery.
argentina has lots of variety, including waterfalls, vineyards, glaciers, wetlands, mountains, and desert.
with its many regions and seasons, argentina offers something all year. autumn (march to may) is the best time to visit wineries, and the foliage turns stunning red and orange colors.
winter (june to august) is great for skiing in the lake district, while spring (september to november) has pleasant temperatures for the whole country and wildlife watching.
for a monthly look at the weather and events in argentina, check out a when to go to argentina guide.
your packing list will depend on the regions you visit and the season. the country ranges from tropical to mountain regions, so you might need to pack for different climates and activities.
avoid wearing flashy jewelry, clothes, and shoes. wear light clothes that you can layer for protection from the heat and bugs.
take sturdy hiking boots if you plan to hike.
make sure your shoes are broken in. bring swimwear, clothes for water sports, and waterproof shoes. take a travel adaptor, since argentina uses plug types c and i and a v voltage and 50hz.
bring supplies for local community projects.
check out pack for a purpose page to see what you can bring to donate to local organizations. argentina has lots of luxurious places to stay. you can stay in nuss hotel, a historical convent, or estancia la eloisa, a ranch in the pampas.
many hotels offer full-board stays with food, drinks, and activities included so you can relax and enjoy.
argentina is a large country, so planning your trip can be stressful.
most trips include time in buenos aires, and from there, your trip will depend on your interests, such as trekking, wineries, or wildlife. here are some trip ideas to get you started.
stay in luxurious hotels and enjoy private service on a luxury argentina tour.
you'll hike perito moreno glacier, have picnics by the lake district, and see the rojo tango show in buenos aires.
see the wonders of argentina with luxury. from the tango halls of buenos aires to the wineries of mendoza, argentina is the destination for romantic travels.
an argentina honeymoon can take you to picnics and sailing in the lake district and horseback riding in the pampas.
argentina is great for family trips. an argentina family holiday can explore the history of buenos aires, iguazu falls, the lake district, and the pampas, with luxurious hotels.
known for its culture, argentina is a great destination.
an argentina wildlife holiday can let you explore the wetlands to spot animals. learn about the culture and customs of argentina, along with information about traveling there.
we suggest staying in buenos aires for at least two nights to see the culture, history, and food.
international flights aren't included, but we can arrange them for you.
to enter argentina, your passport must be valid for six months after your stay and have two blank pages. you also need a return ticket. without proof of onward travel, you may be denied entry at the airport.
passport holders from many countries can enter argentina without a visa for 90 days, including citizens of australia, the uk, the usa, canada, new zealand, and the european union.
for those visiting iguazu falls, it is common to visit brazil or paraguay.
visit your doctor four to six weeks before you leave to make sure you have all your shots. you need to use bug spray and wear light clothes to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses like yellow fever, dengue fever, zika virus, malaria, and chikungunya.
it is suggested to get a yellow fever shot if you're traveling to misiones (iguazu falls) or corrientes (wetlands).
malaria is present in the northern rural areas near bolivia and paraguay, and you may need to take anti-malarial medications.
make sure you have travel insurance before you travel that covers activities like hiking, boat rides, and skiing. argentina uses the argentine peso, and us dollars are accepted by businesses, but you should carry pesos.
you can see exchange rates on xe.
atms are available with english translations. withdrawal limits might be low, but you can withdraw multiple times a day. withdrawal fees can be high and charged for each transaction.
exploring the lgbtq+ scene near el calafate
while el calafate itself might not boast a thriving, visible gay nightlife scene, understanding the broader context of lgbtq+ rights and acceptance in argentina provides valuable insight.
argentina is widely recognized as one of the most progressive countries in latin america regarding lgbtq+ rights. the country legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, and anti-discrimination laws offer significant protection. this legal framework fosters a generally accepting and tolerant environment, particularly in larger cities like buenos aires, where a vibrant and diverse gay scene flourishes.
considering day trips and excursions
travelers interested in experiencing lgbtq+ nightlife while based in el calafate might consider the feasibility of day trips or excursions to larger cities.
while a direct trip specifically for nightlife might be impractical due to distance and travel time, it's worth exploring whether planned travel routes coincide with opportunities to spend time in cities known for their lgbtq+ scenes.
connecting with local resources
the internet can be a valuable resource for connecting with local lgbtq+ individuals and communities.
online forums, social media groups, and dating apps can provide insights into any informal gatherings or events that might be happening in or around el calafate. remember to exercise caution and prioritize safety when meeting with individuals you've connected with online.
respecting local customs and culture
while argentina is generally progressive regarding lgbtq+ rights, it's essential to be mindful of local customs and cultural norms, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
displays of public affection might be perceived differently depending on the location. exercising discretion and respecting local sensitivities can help ensure a positive and comfortable experience.
enjoying argentina's natural beauty
even without a bustling lgbtq+ nightlife scene in el calafate, the region offers breathtaking natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventures.
focus on exploring the stunning landscapes, hiking to glaciers, and enjoying the unique experiences that patagonia has to offer. sometimes, the most memorable travel experiences are found in unexpected places, away from traditional nightlife settings.
remembering safety and awareness
regardless of location, it's always crucial to prioritize personal safety and be aware of your surroundings.
avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and be cautious when consuming alcohol. trust your instincts and don't hesitate to remove yourself from situations that feel uncomfortable or unsafe.