Yes, Argentina is generally safe to travel. It’s one of the safer countries in South America. That said, like anywhere, you need to use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings in big cities like Buenos Aires and try not to walk alone at night (especially in certain areas like Retiro. Petty theft like pickpocketing and phone grabbing is not uncommon and scams happen too, so keep your valuables secure and close. In smaller towns and Patagonia, safety is rarely a concern. Overall, if you’re reasonably careful, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Yes you do, but depending on where you start your Argentina trip, you can get it there. Many places accept cards, especially in cities, though some charge a small fee for card payments. Using Western Union to get cash gives you generally the best exchange rate, which is significantly better than what you’d get using ATMs or paying by card.

But Western Union offices can run out of cash, especially in smaller towns. El Calafate is notorious for this, and El Chaltén doesn’t even have a Western Union. So my advice: withdraw cash at Western Union in bigger cities when you have the chance, or carry some USD with you to exchange and don’t wait until the last minute. Carry enough cash to cover a few days, but not so much that you’re stressed about losing it. In touristy Patagonia towns, cards work fine everywhere if you run out of cash, you’ll just get a slightly worse rate.

Honestly? As long as you can spare. Argentina is huge and there’s so much to see. If you’re just hitting the highlights (Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Mendoza, Bariloche, El Chaltén, El Calafate), plan for at least 3-4 weeks. A full month is better. Two months lets you explore more extensively. If you only have 2 weeks, pick one or two regions and do them properly instead of trying to see everything. Remember, overnight buses eat into your time, so factor in travel days.

It depends on where you’re going. For Patagonia and the south, visit during summer or autumn (November to April) when the weather is best for hiking and trails are open. For wildlife watching at Peninsula Valdés, timing depends on what you want to see. Northern Argentina (Salta, Iguazu, Los Esteros del Iberá) can be visited year-round, though summer (December to February) can be brutally hot and humid. Mendoza can also be visited year round, but is especially great in autumn (March to May) for wine harvest. Buenos Aires is best in spring and autumn, when it’s not too hot, nor too cold.

Knowing some Spanish definitely helps, especially outside of major tourist areas. In Buenos Aires and Patagonia’s main towns, you’ll find English speakers at hostels and tour agencies. But in smaller towns and on buses, speaking a little bit of Spanish goes a long way. Argentinians are friendly and patient with language learners, so don’t be afraid to try. Download a translation app and learn some basics before you go, it’ll make your trip much smoother and more rewarding.