The healthcare system in Argentina is notably one of the best in Latin America.
If you are concerned about what will happen if you get sick or injured here, don’t worry.
You’ll be in great hands.
And I would know. I’ve spent five days in the hospital with pneumonia here, done fertility treatments, had a baby, endured a root canal and countless dental treatments, and basically used every ounce of care my local insurance plan provides.
I am a fan of healthcare here.
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Do you need travel insurance in Argentina?
For me, the question isn’t whether you need travel insurance in Argentina, but do you need it at all? And the answer to that question is always a resounding yes.
Anything can happen, anywhere. It is always best to be covered in case of any unexpected injury or illness. My mom fell off a horse and broke her arm in Argentina. I’ve gotten pneumonia in Argentina twice over the years, once at the beach in an unfamiliar city.
Things happen. Be prepared.
You’ll hear a lot that healthcare is free in Argentina. And that is true, to an extent. Public hospitals are free. You can use them in an emergency, and I have (plenty of times). But this is a strained system, I don’t recommend relying on it.
In the city, especially, they are strained, underfunded, and understaffed. In Buenos Aires, where you’ll likely be at some point during your trip, private hospitals are plentiful. Come with travel insurance to access them or pay out of pocket.
🇦🇷 Is it an entry requirement to have travel insurance? In May 2025, Milei made an announcement that it will be an entry requirement for tourists and immigrants to have health insurance. Check to see if your credit card provides travel insurance and if so, be sure to bring proof to show upon entry. If you don’t have travel insurance, SafetyWing offers an affordable plan that meets the requirements. Keep reading for more information…
Why Get Travel Insurance for Argentina
Even though it’s an entry requirement at the moment, it’s always been a good idea to travel insured.
Anything can happen and even though we might disagree, we’re not invincible.
Besides covering emergencies like broken bones (it happens, my mother fell off a horse at an estancia and broke her arm!), unexpected illness, and even emergency evacuations, proper travel health insurance plans also cover things like lost luggage, trip delays, and theft.
So even if you don’t envision yourself falling down a mountain and requiring life flight, you may very well need help with a delayed flight or stolen phone.
Because theft in Argentina is a real concern you should take into account. I find it to be as safe as all major cities, but pickpockets and quick, petty theft are common.
Don’t leave your hotel with your passport, all your valuables, etc. And for those you do take, be insured.
Read More: Is Buenos Aires safe for tourists?
The Best Travel Insurance For Argentina
At the moment, the best Argentina travel insurance is SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance.
If you’re coming on vacation, I recommend SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance – the Essential plan. It covers emergency medical coverage for unexpected illnesses or accidents, medical evacuation & repatriation, and trip coverage (for delays or lost luggage). They offer add-ons for adventure sports and electronics theft.
If you’re planning a longer stay, are a digital nomad, or are considering a move to Argentina, then I recommend SafetyWing’s Complete Plan. This plan covers everything the Essential Plan does along with routine check ups, mental healthcare, and even maternity care.
Argentina isn’t the easiest country to live in, so if you’re planning a move here I recommend coming on a trial basis. Get your feet wet, see if you like it. For that trial stay, use SafetyWing.
Once you’re settled, if you decide Argentina is also your true love (like it is mine), then you should select a plan with a local provider like OSDE or Swiss Medical.
But arriving already covered will remove a lot of stress in a situation where everything is new and unfamiliar.
Argentina Travel Resources
- BOOK A CONSULTATION | I offer one-on-one travel consultations to help you plan your trip to Argentina. Pick my brain to get a local’s insight. Click here for more information.
- MY MAP | Buy my interactive map with 300+ pins to have access to the city as I see it. It is an invaluable resource. See more here about how it works.
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS | Having a driver waiting for you is ideal for a stress free arrival, Welcome Pickups is the best option for a driver from Ezeiza or Aeroparque.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE | Always travel insured. Anything can happen anywhere and it is scarier and costlier in an unfamiliar country. SafetyWing’s Essential Plan covers unexpected travel and medical emergencies and even offers add-ons like electronics theft or adventure sports. It is the best if you’re coming on vacation. If you’re coming as a digital nomad or an extended stay, you need their Complete Nomad Plan which also covers routine check ups, maternity, mental healthcare and more. Read more: Health Insurance in Argentina
- PHONE PLAN | These days, traveling with data is essential. Especially in Argentina where everything is managed on Instagram and WhatsApp. I recommend this E-SIM card. It’s hassle-free and affordable, for more read how to get an Argentina sim card.
- ACCOMMODATION IN ARGENTINA | booking.com is the most common hotel site used in Argentina and it’s where you’ll find the most options.
- RENTAL CARS | I love to travel Argentina via road trip, I’ve always used rentalcars.com, now they are operating under the umbrella of Booking.com’s car rental system.
- BUS TICKETS | Check Busbud for long distance bus routes and tickets.
- VPN | If you’ll be using a public WiFi connection and want to secure your data, I highly recommend using a VPN, I personally use and have had a good experience with ExpressVPN. I also use it to access Hulu and American Netflix from Argentina.
- FLIGHTS | Always check Google Flights and Skyscanner for flights to and within Argentina. Aerolineas Argentina is the local airline with the most routes. FlyBondi and Jetsmart are two budget airlines with dirt-cheap prices (but expect to pay for every add-on like luggage).
