Recommendations on Argentine site to visit in addition to BA on 9 day march trip?

We did a cruise around the Horn of South America from BA to Chile in 2014. We flew in five days in advance and did our touring on our own, walking or taking public transportation. We did't go to Mendoza, but did a day trip to a scenic area NW of the city were there were a number of canals, etc. It was interesting.

The cruise around the Horn was fabulous, it was two weeks and we stopped in several ports in Argentina and Chile.
The most amazing were the 2-3 ports near the Horn.

Greetings, I am recently back from a tour, 2 weeks, that included Patagonia and concluded with a day and a half in Buenos Aires. With a nice bus waiting and local guide for efficiency we saw the major highlights of the city AFTER the 3+ hour flight from El Calafete- because it was on time to BA. The next day was a full day, and then an architectural walking tour the last morning. It's a gorgeous city and absolutely huge.
From Seattle via Delta to Atlanta and then BA was pretty much 24 hours, factoring in ride to the airport and etc. Ditto for the way back.
Just something to consider with your very short timeframe. A couple on my tour we're going on to the falls. Or the desert?
Suggesting to look carefully at realistic travel times as you consider options.

We did 10 days in Argentina a coupe of years ago and had an unforgettable experience. I definitely would recommend a visit to Iguazu Falls, there are frequent direct flights from BA and package tours. Perhaps the most exciting and most memorable thing we did was walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier from Calafate. It was also very impressive to watch and hear the Glacier's frequent calving from the observation deck, across the Glacier lake. Also from Calafate you can take a bus to the small town of El Chaltén, the base for trekking in the beautiful Andes with amazing views of Fitz Roy and other peaks, as well as aquamarine glacier lakes. Another option is to fly beyond Calafate to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the hemisphere (and perhaps in the world). We used a local travel agency called Argentina Traveller (yes, that's the way it's spelled); they were great. Enjoy your adventure.

If you only have time for one thing outside of Buenos Aires, I would definitely visit Iguazu Falls- there's nothing quite like it. You might also have time to visit the pampas which are just outside of BA. You might enjoy a "dia en el campo" where they show you around a ranch, you can ride horses, have a nice BBQ dinner, etc.

Thank you everyone for the great info and recommendations.

A quick question- I have heard that the flights from Buenos Aires to Iguazu can be unreliable and subject to frequent delays and cancelations, has anyone had experiences with that?

I just got back from a three-week tour of Argentina and Chile. You can’t go wrong with any of your ideas - Iguazu, El Calafante or Bariloche - they’re all amazing. But I would only choose one in your short timeframe since there’s lots to see in Buenos Aires itself and travel to any of these (and back) will eat up a lot of time.

Our flights to Iguazu were on time. They were on Aerolíneas Argentinas. Our guide told us that other airlines were “budget” and have a poor record, so our tour company sticks with the flagship airline.

If you go to Iguazu Falls, you should definitely go to both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. This will take two days. If American, you need a Brazilian visa.

I loved both Bariloche and El Calafante. They are farther from BA, but worth the trip. Another possibility, if you have more days actually in BA, is a day trip to Uruguay.

Have a wonderful time!

I took a day trip to Colonia in Uruguay in October. It’s very easy to take the ferry and it’s a very walkable place.

I also really enjoyed El Calafate and the Perito Moreno glacier. But this is an almost 4 hour flight from Buenos Aires.

Hello again,
Thank you everyone for the good information!

So i think i finally narrowed down a general itinerary for where id like to visit, and wanted to get the opinion of others on its feasibility, and pace (I.E. Too much too quickly etc); This is going to be a Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls - San Carlos De Bariloche itinerary.

March 3rd-6th Buenos Aires (arrive early morning from LAX via DFW or IAH likely (0500-0900,March 3rd) Hotel location TBD. Several activity ideas include a tango show, guided city walking tour, food tasting tour, and a day trip to a Goucho Estancia, outside of Buenos Aires. Possibly a guided walking tour of La Boca if time permits (day time only of course.

March 6th-8th or 9th Puerto Iguazu- i plan to see both sides of the falls, probably on separate guided tours as ill be traveling solo, and would like company( not sure if i should leave 8th or 9th)

March 8th or 9th Depart Puerto Iguazu for San Carlos De Bariloche- i realize there's a connection required in Buenos Aires, will avoid FlyBondi due to bad reliability. This will be mostly my desire to just relax in a nice hotel or lodge on the lake shore of one of the lakes. Maybe do a Circuito Corto guided tour one day.

March 11th depart San Carlos De Bariloche, via Buenos Aires, leave the same day back to LAX.

I would appreciate any feedback, or tips or advice, on this rough itinerary.

Thanks

I lived in Montevideo a year and visited BA a handful of times, as well as a long trip through Argentina late Dec-mid Jan. That trip started as 2 weeks but turned into 4 when my wife tested positive for Covid new year's day on our planned ferry return to MVD. We took flights and rented cars at each location except El Calafate and Bariloche, each of which had lots of tours available.

Top at the list for us...El Calafate (EC). I highly recommend that over Bariloche, which we found too touristy and not that impressive for scenery (however, we were there early Jan which is apparently the busiest time of year). From EC, 2 days exploring the glacier by water and on-ice is very worthwhile. I've seen a lot of mountains/glaciers in my time and found that quite accessible and amazing. Between El Calafate and Bariloche, the latter pales in comparison. If you are hikers, El Chalten a few hours north by bus from El Calafate is a hiking mecca with a highlight the Fitz Roy. Side note, I am a fly fisherman and fit in a guided day float from Bariloche on one of the crystal clear rivers, but it was a cool day with no luck other than 1 small fish.

If a wine lover, Mendoza was our next highlight. Had amazing views of the Andes while sipping wine with great winery lunches. We also did a river float in the mountains.

Iguazu falls were worth a full day. Water was low so seeing it from Brazil was not considered worthwhile when we visited.

We also enjoyed Ushia which is a chill town reminiscent of some alaskan towns, with national parks and history (prison train). Salta also good for wine and Arizona like scenery day trips.