Argentina Five days cover the Buenos Aires core plus Iguazu Falls. Days 1-3 are the city essentials; Day 4 flies to Iguazu for an overnight at the falls; Day 5 sees the Brazilian side and departs.
Five days hits the sweet spot for Buenos Aires — three days for the major districts, plus two days for nearby destinations that show a different side of the country. The pace stays relaxed, you get more variety in your photo album, and the day trips break up the urban intensity nicely.
5-Day Total Budget at a Glance
Budget
$741
Per person, flights excl.
Mid-Range
$1,778
Per person, flights excl.
Luxury
$3,852
Per person, flights excl.
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Day-by-Day Detailed Schedule
Arrive + Plaza de Mayo + Café Tortoni tango show
ArrivalActivities
- 13:00 Plaza de Mayo + Café Tortoni (1858) 5h
The historic core, then coffee at Argentina's oldest café.
Cost: USD $30-80 TIP: Ease into the city after the long flight. - 20:00 Café Tortoni tango show 2h
A classic first-night tango show.
Cost: USD $30-80 TIP: Reservations recommended.
Meal Recommendations
Café Tortoni
Avenida de Mayo · USD $10-25
Coffee and churros at the classic café.
Dinner
Tango dinner-show
Avenida de Mayo · USD $30-80
A first-night tango show.
Airport shuttle.
DAY 1 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
La Boca + Recoleta + Don Julio
Signature dayActivities
- 09:00 Caminito + Recoleta Cemetery + Floralis Genérica 8h
The brightly-painted tango street, Eva Perón's tomb, and the giant flower sculpture.
Cost: USD $50-150 TIP: Caminito is daytime-only. - 20:30 Don Julio — World's 50 Best No. 1, the honeymoon pick 3h
The signature dry-aged steak dinner.
Cost: USD $50-100 TIP: Reservations essential, 1-2 months ahead.
Meal Recommendations
Lunch
La Brigada (1985)
San Telmo · USD $40-80
A Maradona-era parrilla.
Dinner
Don Julio (World's 50 Best)
Palermo · USD $50-100
The signature steak dinner.
Uber.
DAY 2 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
San Telmo Sunday + Faena Rojo Tango
Honeymoon highlightActivities
- 10:00 San Telmo Sunday market + Teatro Colón + El Ateneo Grand Splendid 8h
The Sunday antiques market, the landmark opera house, and the grand bookshop.
Cost: USD $50-150 TIP: The market runs Sundays only. - 20:30 Faena Rojo Tango — the honeymoon pick 3h
The Faena Hotel's world-class tango show.
Cost: USD $200-400 TIP: Reservations essential.
Meal Recommendations
Lunch
Parrilla Peña
Recoleta · USD $20-40
An old-school value parrilla.
Dinner
Faena Rojo Tango
Puerto Madero · USD $200-400
The top honeymoon tango show.
Uber plus walking.
DAY 3 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Buenos Aires → Iguazu Falls (1.5h flight) + the falls
Iguazu FallsActivities
- 06:00 EZE → IGR flight, 1.5h, USD $150-300 (one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature) 1.5h
An early flight to Puerto Iguazú.
Cost: USD $150-300 TIP: Flying is far faster than the long overland route. - 10:00 Iguazu Falls, Argentine side + Garganta del Diablo (the Devil's Throat) 5h
The Argentine side, including the thundering Garganta del Diablo.
Cost: USD $40 entry + shuttle TIP: The Garganta del Diablo is the must-do. - 16:00 Tres Fronteras + Macuco Trail + sunset 3h
The three-borders marker, a rainforest trail, and the sunset.
Cost: USD $20-50 TIP: Time it for sunset. - 20:00 Overnight in Iguazu + dinner (USD $50-100) 2h
Stay near the falls (Loi Suites Iguazú or the Sheraton inside the park, USD $200-500/night).
Cost: USD $50-100 TIP: An overnight is recommended.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Early hotel or in-flight
Transit · USD $10-30
An early start.
Lunch
La Selva café in Iguazu Park
Iguazu · USD $20-50
A lunch inside the park.
Dinner
Iguazu hotel or local
Puerto Iguazú · USD $50-100
A local dinner.
Flight plus park shuttle.
DAY 4 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Iguazu Brazilian side + Buenos Aires → departure
DepartureActivities
- 08:00 Iguazu Falls, Brazilian side or a helicopter tour (USD $150) 5h
The panoramic Brazilian side, or a helicopter flight over the falls.
Cost: USD $50-150 TIP: The helicopter ride is a splurge worth considering. - 14:00 IGR → EZE flight, 1.5h + a last look at Buenos Aires 1.5h
Fly back to Buenos Aires for the final stretch.
Cost: USD $150-300 TIP: Allow time at the airport. - 20:00 EZE → departure (20-30 hours via a US or European hub) 20-30h
Depart on the long-haul connection home.
Cost: Included TIP: Build in jet-lag recovery.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Iguazu hotel
Puerto Iguazú · USD $15-30
An early breakfast.
Lunch
En route or EZE airport
Transit · USD $20-50
A light lunch.
Dinner
In-flight
Transit · Included
On the flight out.
Flight plus departure.
DAY 5 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
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Packing Checklist
- ✓ Five days = the city core plus Iguazu
- ✓ March-May and September-November: short sleeves plus a jacket; a rain poncho for Iguazu
- ✓ Passport (visa-free 90 days)
- ✓ USD $500-1,500 in cash
- ✓ Type C/I 220V outlets — bring an adapter
- ✓ Travel insurance, including for the Iguazu day
- ✓ Smart-casual dress for the Faena, Alvear, and Don Julio; avoid La Boca after dark
- ✓ A rain poncho and waterproof shoes for Iguazu
Buenos Aires 5-Day Itinerary FAQ
Is Iguazu Falls worth it? ▼
How does the Buenos Aires + Iguazu 5-day work? ▼
Should I add Mendoza? ▼
Why book Don Julio 1-2 months ahead? ▼
Is the Faena Rojo Tango worth it? ▼
How does the 'blue dollar' rate work? ▼
Is there a car-and-flight package? ▼
What about travel insurance and safety? ▼
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Why you can trust 5-day itinerary
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.