One Week in Argentina: Buenos Aires, Iguazu and Mendoza

One week in Argentina fits three contrasting experiences into a single trip: the European-flavoured streets and steakhouses of Buenos Aires, the thundering cascades of Iguazu Falls, and the sun-drenched vineyards of Mendoza. This itinerary uses two domestic flights to cover the ground efficiently, with named hotels, specific restaurants, and real costs as of 2026.

Route Overview

Days	Destination	Highlights
1–3	Buenos Aires	San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo, tango
4–5	Iguazu Falls	Argentine side, Brazilian side, boat ride
6–7	Mendoza	Bodegas, Malbec tastings, Andes views

Budget Overview

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Hotels (7 nights)	USD 120–200	USD 350–600	USD 1,200+
Domestic flights (2)	USD 120–200	USD 180–300	USD 300–500
Food (7 days)	USD 70–120	USD 180–300	USD 500+
Activities	USD 30–60	USD 80–150	USD 250+

All prices approximate as of 2026. Argentine peso values fluctuate — we quote both ARS and USD where practical.

Where to Stay

Buenos Aires (Nights 1–3)

Budget: America del Sur Hostel (Chacabuco 718, San Telmo) — dorms from ARS 10,000 per night (approximately USD 10). Private rooms from ARS 30,000.

Mid-range: Legado Mítico (Gurruchaga 1848, Palermo Soho) — from ARS 65,000 per night (approximately USD 65). Boutique hotel in a converted townhouse with themed rooms named after Argentine historical figures.

Luxury: Four Seasons Buenos Aires (Posadas 1086, Recoleta) — from ARS 250,000 per night (approximately USD 250). Belle Époque mansion with a modern tower, rooftop pool, and Elena restaurant.

Iguazu Falls (Nights 4–5)

Budget: Hostel Inn Iguazu (Ruta 12 Km 5, Puerto Iguazu) — dorms from ARS 12,000 per night. Pool and jungle garden setting.

Mid-range: Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel (Selva Iryapú s/n) — from ARS 80,000 per night (approximately USD 80). Set within subtropical forest, a 15-minute drive from the falls.

Luxury: Gran Meliá Iguazu (inside the national park) — from ARS 350,000 per night (approximately USD 350). The only hotel inside the park, with direct views of the falls from some rooms.

Mendoza (Nights 6–7)

Budget: Hostel Lao (Arístides Villanueva 247) — dorms from ARS 10,000 per night.

Mid-range: Huentala Hotel (Primitivo de la Reta 1007) — from ARS 55,000 per night (approximately USD 55). Central location with a rooftop pool and mountain views.

Luxury: Park Hyatt Mendoza (Chile 1124) — from ARS 200,000 per night (approximately USD 200). Occupying a restored 19th-century facade on Plaza Independencia.

Days 1–3: Buenos Aires

Day 1 — San Telmo and La Boca

Walk the cobblestone streets of San Telmo starting at Plaza Dorrego. If this is a Sunday, the Feria de San Telmo market runs 10am–5pm. Visit the Iglesia de San Pedro Telmo (free), then head south to La Boca and the colourful Caminito street museum.

Lunch at El Obrero (Agustín R. Caffarena 64, La Boca) — traditional bodegón with steaks and pastas. Mains from approximately ARS 12,000.

Evening: walk along Puerto Madero docks. Dinner at i Central Market (Alicia Moreau de Justo 202) — market-style dining from approximately ARS 15,000 per person.

Day 2 — Recoleta and Palermo

Morning at Cementerio de la Recoleta (free entry, open 8am–5:45pm). Find Eva Perón’s black marble tomb in Section 10. Walk to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free, closed Mondays).

Afternoon: taxi to MALBA (entry approximately ARS 5,000, half-price Wednesdays). Continue into Palermo Soho for boutiques and cafes along Plaza Serrano.

Dinner at Don Julio (Guatemala 4699) — world-renowned parrilla. A bife de lomo with Malbec costs approximately ARS 40,000–55,000 per person. Book well ahead or arrive early and queue.

Day 3 — Palermo Parks and Tango

Morning walk through Bosques de Palermo (free) and the Jardín Japonés (entry approximately ARS 3,000). Visit the Museo Evita (Lafinur 2988, entry approximately ARS 4,000).

Afternoon: free time for shopping or visit the Teatro Colón guided tour (Cerrito 628, approximately ARS 8,000, 50 minutes, multiple languages).

Evening: tango show at El Viejo Almacén (Av. Independencia 299, San Telmo) — dinner-and-show from approximately ARS 50,000 or show-only from ARS 30,000.

Day 4–5: Iguazu Falls

Getting There

Fly Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Puerto Iguazu (IGR). Flight time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Aerolíneas Argentinas and Flybondi operate this route — fares from approximately USD 60–150 one-way as of 2026. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for better prices.

From Iguazu airport, taxis to Puerto Iguazu town cost approximately ARS 15,000 (20 minutes).

Day 4 — Argentine Side

Enter Parque Nacional Iguazú (entry approximately ARS 25,000 / USD 25 for foreign visitors as of 2026, payable in pesos or by card). The park opens at 8am — arrive early to avoid crowds on the trails.

Walk the Circuito Superior (upper trail, 1.7 km) for panoramic views across the falls. Then take the Circuito Inferior (lower trail, 1.4 km) for close-up views from below.

Ride the Ecological Train to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) walkway — the most powerful section where 14 falls merge into a thundering curtain. Allow 2 hours for the round trip including the 1.1 km boardwalk.

Optional: The Gran Aventura boat ride takes you directly into the spray beneath the falls. Approximately ARS 30,000 (USD 30) as of 2026. You will get soaked — bring a dry bag for your phone.

Dinner in Puerto Iguazu at La Rueda 1975 (Av. Córdoba 28) — grilled surubí fish and river prawns. Mains from approximately ARS 12,000–18,000.

Day 5 — Brazilian Side (Optional) and Transfer

If you have the visa requirements sorted, cross to the Brazilian side for the sweeping panoramic view that the Argentine side lacks. A taxi from Puerto Iguazu to the Brazilian park entrance costs approximately ARS 20,000–25,000 each way. Brazilian park entry is approximately BRL 90 (USD 18) as of 2026.

Alternatively, spend the morning on trails you missed — the Sendero Macuco (7 km return, free, no crowds) leads to a hidden waterfall in the jungle.

Afternoon: fly Puerto Iguazu to Mendoza. Direct flights are rare — most route through Buenos Aires (AEP) with a total travel time of approximately 4–5 hours. Fares from approximately USD 80–180 one-way.

Days 6–7: Mendoza

Day 6 — Mendoza City and Maipú Bodegas

Morning: walk Plaza Independencia and the surrounding tree-lined avenues. Visit the Museo del Área Fundacional (Alberdi and Videla Castillo, entry approximately ARS 2,000) to see the excavated colonial-era foundations.

Afternoon: rent bikes from Mr Hugo Bikes (Urquiza 200, Maipú, approximately ARS 8,000 for the day) and cycle the Maipú wine route. Key stops:

• Bodega La Rural / Museo del Vino — free tour and tasting, museum entry approximately ARS 3,000
• Trapiche — tastings from approximately ARS 5,000 per person
• Familia Zuccardi (Maipú location) — guided tour with tasting from approximately ARS 8,000

The Maipú route covers approximately 15 km on flat roads. Bike rental shops provide maps.

Dinner at Azafrán (Sarmiento 765, Mendoza) — contemporary Argentine cuisine with an extensive Mendoza wine list. Three courses with wine from approximately ARS 25,000–35,000 per person.

Day 7 — Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo

Option A — Uco Valley full-day tour: Book through a local agency (from approximately USD 80–120 per person including transport, 3 bodega visits with tastings, and lunch). The Uco Valley is 90 minutes south of Mendoza city and produces Argentina’s finest high-altitude Malbecs.

Top bodegas: Salentein (grand cathedral-like cellar, tastings from ARS 10,000), Andeluna (Andes views from the terrace, tastings from ARS 8,000), The Vines of Mendoza (tastings from ARS 12,000).

Option B — Luján de Cuyo self-guided: Take a remis (approximately ARS 8,000 each way) to this closer wine region. Visit Bodega Catena Zapata (pyramid-shaped winery, tours from ARS 15,000 including premium tasting — book online in advance), Bodega Norton (free basic tour, premium tastings from ARS 8,000), and Luigi Bosca (tastings from ARS 6,000).

Lunch at Siete Fuegos at The Vines Resort (Uco Valley) — Francis Mallmann’s open-fire restaurant. Tasting menu from approximately ARS 60,000 per person. Reservation essential.

Evening: return flight to Buenos Aires (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, from USD 50–120 one-way).

Transport Summary

Route	Mode	Duration	Cost (approx.)
Buenos Aires → Iguazu	Flight	1h 50m	USD 60–150
Iguazu → Mendoza	Flight (via BA)	4–5h	USD 80–180
Mendoza → Buenos Aires	Flight	1h 45m	USD 50–120
Airport transfers	Taxi/remis	20–40 min	ARS 10,000–20,000

Bus alternative: Buenos Aires to Iguazu by bus takes approximately 18 hours (semi-cama from ARS 30,000, cama suite from ARS 50,000). Buenos Aires to Mendoza is approximately 14 hours (semi-cama from ARS 25,000). Buses save money but cost significant time on a one-week trip.

Packing Notes

This itinerary crosses three climate zones. Buenos Aires is temperate (layers needed), Iguazu is subtropical (hot, humid, pack rain gear and insect repellent), and Mendoza is dry and sunny (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses). Pack a light waterproof jacket — you will get spray at Iguazu regardless of the boat ride.

Essential Tips

• SUBE card: Buy one on arrival in Buenos Aires for metro, buses, and trains. Approximately ARS 3,000 for the card as of 2026.
• Domestic flight luggage: Flybondi is a low-cost carrier — checked bags cost extra. Aerolíneas Argentinas includes a checked bag on most fares.
• Wine tastings: Many bodegas require advance booking, especially premium tours. Book at least 48 hours ahead.
• Cash: Iguazu and Mendoza have fewer ATMs than Buenos Aires. Withdraw pesos before leaving the capital or bring USD to exchange.