Essential Apps for Argentina Travel
At a glance
Uber, DiDi, maps, translation, payments — 13 must-haves for Argentina.
TL;DR – install these right away
| Category | Apps |
|---|---|
| Taxi | Uber, DiDi, InDriver |
| Maps | Google Maps |
| Translation | Google Translate, Papago |
| Payments | Wise, Revolut |
| Food delivery | Rappi, PedidosYa |
| Booking | Booking, GetYourGuide |
1. Taxi & transport
Uber
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Operating in Argentina's major cities including Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario, and Mendoza. In Buenos Aires, Uber occupies a legal gray area and has faced intermittent pushback from taxi unions, but it's now widely used in practice. After requesting a ride, tell the driver your destination out loud or show them your phone screen when they arrive. It works well across tourist areas including downtown Buenos Aires, Palermo, San Telmo, and Recoleta. UberX and Uber Comfort tiers are available, and registering a card ahead of time lets you skip cash transactions entirely. Fares tend to be relatively cheap due to Argentina's economic situation, though prices adjust frequently due to inflation.
⚠️ Buenos Aires taxis: official taxis (yellow body with a black roof) use a meter, but some overcharge tourists. Always prioritize app-based rides instead.
DiDi
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
A ride-hailing app operated by China's DiDi, and a strong alternative to Uber in Argentina. Available in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, and more, often with fares 5–15% cheaper than Uber. Local users also note that its pricing tends to be less volatile than Uber's during periods of Argentine economic instability. It's wise to keep both apps open at once and pick whichever is faster or cheaper. Also usable in the town of Puerto Iguazú near the falls.
InDriver
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
A fare-negotiation app growing rapidly in Argentina too, expanding service coverage nationwide from Buenos Aires all the way to Ushuaia. Especially useful for negotiating leverage at spots prone to overcharging tourists, like airports and bus terminals. Argentine travelers typically start negotiating at 80–90% of the app's suggested fare. Useful in areas with fewer Uber/DiDi cars, like around Iguazu Falls.
2. Maps & navigation
Google Maps
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Provides real-time transit information covering Buenos Aires's subway (Subte) and bus (Colectivo) lines. Buenos Aires has one of the most complex bus route numbering systems in the world, and Google Maps accurately guides you through stops, transfers, and travel times. It makes it easy to find the best route connecting tourist spots like Palermo, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Recoleta Cemetery, and La Boca. Download offline maps in advance for Iguazu Falls, Ushuaia, and Patagonia, useful in remote areas with no Wi-Fi. For Patagonian trekking routes (Fitz Roy, Perito Moreno Glacier), we recommend using Maps.me alongside Google Maps.
💡 Buenos Aires buses: the Colectivo can only be boarded with a SUBE card (a prepaid transit card). Foreign tourists can buy a SUBE card at select kiosco (convenience stores). Combining Uber/DiDi with public transit smartly can significantly cut your transport costs.
3. Translation
Google Translate
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Argentina's official language is Spanish, spoken in a distinct dialect called Rioplatense Spanish. It's known for using the "vos" pronoun and distinctive "ll/y" pronunciation. Download Google Translate's Spanish offline pack to use it without a data connection. Essential for communicating with locals at tango shows, restaurants, and markets. The camera translation feature lets you instantly decode an Asado menu, a winery's wine label, or train/bus schedules on the spot.
Papago
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Often produces more natural Spanish translations than Google Translate. It also has a built-in travel phrasebook, letting you quickly find phrases like "How much is a tango ticket?" or "What wine would you recommend?" Useful when ordering at a local parrilla (grill house) or understanding an explanation on a bodega (winery) tour.
4. Payments
Wise
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Argentina is one of the world's leading high-inflation economies. There are times when the gap between the official exchange rate (Tipo de cambio oficial) and the unofficial dollar rate (Dólar blue) widens substantially. Foreign tourists should use an official exchange house (casa de cambio) or take advantage of card payments that apply the "Dólar tarjeta" exchange rate. A Wise card settles Argentine peso (ARS) payments based on the mid-market rate, but this can still be less favorable than the unofficial "dólar blue" rate. Local ATM withdrawal limits are low and fees are high, so rely on card payments as much as possible, and use an official exchange house at the airport or downtown if you need cash.
⚠️ A note on Argentina's economy: exchange rate policy changes frequently in Argentina, so be sure to check the latest policy before your trip. Carrying some USD cash is useful for emergencies.
Revolut
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Offers a multi-currency wallet that includes the Argentine peso. In a country with unstable exchange rates like Argentina, it's advantageous to hold your balance in USD or EUR and convert automatically at the moment of payment. Revolut's real-time exchange rate alerts help you convert at a favorable moment.
5. Food delivery & dining
Rappi
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
A widely used super-app in Argentina too, offering food delivery, supermarket delivery, and pharmacy delivery across Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Mendoza. Restaurants specializing in Argentine classics like milanesa (cutlets), empanadas, and asado (barbecue) are also on the platform. In Buenos Aires's Palermo neighborhood, delivery from upscale restaurants is also available. The interface is in Spanish, but translating the screen with Google Translate makes it easy to order.
6. Tours & activity bookings
GetYourGuide
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Book Argentina's core activities: a Buenos Aires tango dinner show, an Iguazu Falls boat tour, Perito Moreno Glacier trekking, a Ushuaia Beagle Channel cruise, or a Mendoza winery tour. Cancellation policies are flexible. Many Patagonia tours run only seasonally (November–March, the Southern Hemisphere summer), so book ahead based on your itinerary.
Booking.com
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Compare and book accommodations across Argentina — Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Ushuaia, Mendoza, and more. During Patagonia season (November–March), accommodations fill up fast — we recommend booking at least 3–6 months ahead. Smaller towns with fewer options, like Ushuaia, sell out even faster. Use the "free cancellation" option to stay flexible if your plans change.
App installation checklist
- Uber or DiDi (getting around Buenos Aires)
- Google Maps (saved offline, including the Patagonia region)
- Google Translate (Spanish offline pack)
- Papago (supplementary Korean↔Spanish translation)
- Wise or Revolut (peso payments and currency exchange)
- Rappi (food delivery)
- GetYourGuide (tango show and glacier trekking bookings)
- Booking.com (accommodation bookings)
Why an eSIM matters for an Argentina trip
Calling an Uber, navigating with Google Maps, using Google Translate, and checking tour tickets — data is essential for a trip to Argentina. Given Argentina's volatile exchange rates, having data on hand to check rates in real time matters too. Install an eSIM from home in advance, and you'll have data the moment you land at Buenos Aires's Ezeiza International Airport. Signal can be weak in the Patagonia and Iguazu regions, so download offline maps ahead of time.
👉 Compare the best South America eSIM prices on esimoa
Note: app details are current as of 2025 and service policies may change.
