Argentina is the kind of destination that can make your travel bucket list grow instead of shrink. From tango-filled evenings in Buenos Aires to wine country in Mendoza and the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia, there is plenty to explore.

But Argentina is a huge country, and your travel health needs can vary depending on where you are going and what you plan to do.

A city break in Buenos Aires is very different from trekking through Patagonia or visiting Iguazú Falls. That is why travel health planning should be based on your itinerary, activities, length of stay and personal health history, rather than simply the country name on your plane ticket.

At Virtual Travel Clinic, Canadians can meet virtually with a travel health professional to review their destination, discuss recommended vaccines and medications, and prepare for potential health risks before heading abroad. 

Planning a trip to Argentina? Ideally, book your travel health consultation 2 to 4 weeks before departure. If your trip is coming up sooner, do not panic. Last-minute appointments are still encouraged because some protection is better than none.

Argentina Travel Health at a Glance

What Vaccines Do Canadians Need for Argentina?

There is no universal vaccine list that applies to every Canadian travelling to Argentina.

Your travel health professional will consider your previous vaccinations, medical history, itinerary and planned activities when determining which vaccines or medications may be appropriate. 

For travellers to Argentina, Hepatitis A is an important vaccine to discuss. Hepatitis B may also be recommended depending on factors such as the length of your trip, activities and potential exposure risks.

Your routine vaccinations should also be reviewed before international travel.

These can include routine protection against illnesses such as:

• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
• Influenza
• Polio
• Chickenpox
• Pneumococcal disease
• Meningococcal disease
• Shingles, where appropriate

Your vaccination history matters. If you are not sure which vaccines you have already received, bring your available immunization records to your consultation.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and can be spread through contaminated food or water and close personal contact.

Virtual Travel Clinic’s Argentina destination guidance recommends Hepatitis A vaccination for travellers because the infection has widespread distribution in Argentina. 

You may be wondering:

“But I am staying in a nice hotel. Do I really need to worry?”

Travel-related illnesses do not exclusively affect backpackers or travellers staying in budget accommodation. Exposure can happen in a variety of settings, which is why destination-specific prevention is worth considering.

Along with vaccination when recommended, good hand hygiene and careful food and drink choices can help reduce your risk.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is another vaccine that may be recommended depending on your travel plans.

The virus primarily spreads through exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids. Your travel health professional may recommend vaccination based on factors such as:

• Longer trips
• Working in healthcare
• Potential medical treatment abroad
• Activities involving possible exposure to needles
• Intimate contact with new partners
• Other individual risk factors

Not every traveller will have the same recommendation, so your personal itinerary and circumstances matter.

Visiting Iguazú Falls? Your Itinerary Matters

Iguazú Falls is one of Argentina’s most spectacular attractions, sitting near the country’s border with Brazil and Paraguay.

It is also a good example of why where you are travelling within a country matters.

Virtual Travel Clinic’s Argentina guidance notes that yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting Iguazú Falls and for travellers aged 9 months and older visiting the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes. 

If Iguazú Falls is part of your itinerary, mention it specifically during your travel health consultation.

A trip to Buenos Aires followed by Iguazú Falls may have different health considerations than a trip limited to Buenos Aires.

What About Yellow Fever in Argentina?

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause serious illness.

The risk is not the same throughout Argentina, which is why your exact destinations matter.

If your trip includes areas where yellow fever vaccination is recommended, discuss vaccination well before departure.

Travel health professionals can also discuss mosquito-bite prevention and other precautions that may be relevant to your itinerary.

A quick reminder

If you are travelling somewhere that requires or recommends yellow fever vaccination, do not leave it until the last minute.

For travellers who need the yellow fever vaccine, it is important to allow enough time before departure for the vaccination requirements applicable to their trip to be met.

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses in Argentina

Mosquitoes may be tiny, but they can cause some very un-fun travel memories.

Argentina has health considerations involving mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Virtual Travel Clinic’s destination guidance recommends protecting yourself against insect bites when travelling. 

Depending on where you are travelling, practical mosquito protection can include:

• Using insect repellent
• Wearing long sleeves and trousers when practical
• Choosing accommodation with screens or air conditioning where possible
• Taking extra precautions in areas with greater mosquito activity
• Following destination-specific recommendations

Mosquito protection is particularly important when you are spending time outdoors, hiking, camping or exploring rural areas.

Traveller’s Diarrhea: Protect Your Holiday From an Unwanted Souvenir

You may be excited to try Argentine cuisine.

Your digestive system might need a little convincing.

Traveller’s diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses affecting people travelling internationally and can occur after consuming contaminated food or water. Virtual Travel Clinic notes that it can affect up to 70% of travellers over a two-week period. 

You can reduce your risk by practising good food and water hygiene.

Food and drink tips

When travelling, consider:

• Washing your hands regularly
• Choosing food that is thoroughly cooked
• Eating food while it is hot
• Being cautious with raw foods
• Being mindful of ice and drinking water
• Using safe drinking water when appropriate

Even travellers staying at higher-end hotels are not completely immune to gastrointestinal illnesses.

If you are concerned about traveller’s diarrhea, Virtual Travel Clinic also offers a specialized travel medicine consultation that can include advice, prevention strategies and prescriptions where medically appropriate. 

Travelling to Patagonia?

Patagonia is a dream destination for hikers, photographers and anyone who has ever looked at a mountain and thought, “I need to be there.”

But remote travel comes with its own considerations.

If you are planning:

• Multi-day hikes
• Camping
• Remote excursions
• Adventure activities
• Rural travel
• Extended trips away from major cities

your healthcare access may be different from what you would have at home.

Pack thoughtfully and consider what medications and basic health supplies you may need.

It is also worth discussing your planned activities during your travel health consultation so recommendations can be tailored to your trip.

Argentina Travel Medications

Vaccines are only one part of travel health.

Depending on your itinerary and individual needs, you may also want to discuss travel medications.

Virtual Travel Clinic offers travel consultations for medications and prescriptions, including options related to traveller’s diarrhea and malaria prevention when appropriate. 

Your travel health professional may consider:

• Your destination
• Your activities
• Your medical history
• Existing medications
• Allergies
• Previous vaccinations
• The length of your trip

This helps ensure recommendations are based on your actual circumstances rather than a generic packing list.

What Should You Pack in Your Argentina Travel Health Kit?

Your suitcase probably already has the essentials:

👟 Comfortable shoes
🕶️ Sunglasses
📱 Phone charger
🧴 Sunscreen

Now add a few health essentials.

Consider packing:

• Your regular prescription medications
• Any recommended travel medications
• Insect repellent
• Basic first-aid supplies
• Hand sanitizer
• Medication for common travel ailments
• Copies of important health information
• Your vaccination documentation, where applicable

If you take prescription medication, keep it properly labelled and bring enough for the duration of your trip.

Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú or Patagonia?

Argentina is not a one-size-fits-all travel destination.

Buenos Aires

Planning a city-focused trip? Your health considerations may differ from someone heading into remote areas.

Mendoza

Wine, mountains and beautiful scenery make Mendoza a popular stop. If you are combining city visits with outdoor activities, mention your full itinerary during your consultation.

Iguazú Falls

This region has specific health considerations, including yellow fever recommendations noted in Virtual Travel Clinic’s destination guidance. 

Patagonia

Planning to hike or spend time in remote areas? Your activities, accommodation and access to healthcare can all be relevant to your travel health plan.

The takeaway: tell your travel health professional everywhere you plan to go, not just the country you are flying into.

Your Argentina Travel Health Checklist

Before you head to the airport, run through this list:

☐ Review your routine vaccinations

☐ Ask whether Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended

☐ Discuss whether Hepatitis B vaccination is appropriate

☐ Check whether yellow fever vaccination applies to your itinerary

☐ Plan mosquito-bite prevention

☐ Review food and water safety

☐ Consider traveller’s diarrhea prevention and treatment options

☐ Review any medications you may need

☐ Prepare a basic travel health kit

☐ Bring your immunization records if available

☐ Check your itinerary for rural or remote travel

☐ Book your travel health consultation

When Should You Book Your Argentina Travel Consultation?

Ideally, Canadians should plan their travel health consultation 2 to 4 weeks before departure.

This gives you time to review your itinerary, discuss recommended vaccines and arrange prescriptions before you leave.

But what if you are leaving next week?

Book anyway.

Last-minute travel does not mean you should skip travel health planning. Your travel health professional can work with the time you have available and help identify the most important precautions for your trip.

Some protection is better than none.

Virtual Travel Clinic consultations are completed online, and prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy coordinating your travel medications. 

FAQ’s