Find and book motorcycle tours to Argentina

Motorcycle Tours and Shipping in Argentina

When it comes to motorcycle tours in Argentina, it’s hard to imagine a better place to explore on two wheels. Scenery that is simply out of this world, roads and off-road trails to get your fill of adventure for a lifetime,and unique culture that transports you both in place and time: motorcycle riding in Argentina is a true bucket list item for any rider, especially if you dream of riding the Pan American highway.

Argentina is a vast country stretching for thousands of miles, and the landscapes here vary just as much as the weather and culture. From the hot, dry lands in the North to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains, the desolate Southern plains and the mysterious Tierra del Fuego, Argentina has it all: some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet, thrilling mountain twisties and endless off-road trails, and some of world’s most recognizable landmarks such as the Perito Moreno glacier or the legendary Land of Fire.

Argentina motorcycle tours are all about the freedom and the feeling of exploring a faraway land unspoiled by noisy cities and busy highways. Riding here, whether you’re shipping a motorcycle to Argentina or joining a guided tour, is like going on an expedition into uncharted territories and wild places that are rarer and rarer to find in this day and age. Tackling Andean mountain passes with jaw-dropping views, traversing the legendary Patagonian pampas, visiting local haciendas, sampling the famous Argentinean steak and wine, and exploring the natural wonders of Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine feels like you’re venturing into a different world. Sightings of wild guanaco (llama-like creature of the Patagonian plains) and ostrich, traveling the notorious Ruta 40, and catching a glimpse of the Southern Cross in the unpolluted Patagonian skies are all on the menu when you ride your bike in Argentina, and one thing is for sure: it’ll make memories to last a lifetime.

Because the country is so massive, going on a guided motorcycle tour in Argentina may be your best bet. Carefully scouted out routes to give you the best of the Argentinean roads and dirt trails, authentic stays, and off-bike activities will be pre-planned and booked in advance, so all you’ll need to do is get on your bike and enjoy the ride. On the other hand, if you’re planning to ride for a few months, motorcycle shipping to Argentina is an excellent option to give you more freedom and flexibility. For the most part, you can either ship your motorcycle to Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and set off on your two-wheeled adventure either from South or North. Generally, we recommend selecting a motorbike tour in Argentina if you’ve only got a couple of weeks to spare, whereas if you can get away for several months, shipping your own bike might be a better option.

Argentina Motorcycle Tour Highlights

If this is your first time in South America, Argentina is an excellent place to start because it’ll throw everything the continent has to offer at you. Whether you’re thinking of booking a guided motorcycle tour in Argentina or going on your own, here are some of the highlights you’ll see:

Ruta 40
Route 40 is probably one of the most iconic motorcycle roads in the entire world. Stretching for over five thousand kilometres from the borders of Bolivia down to the Southern plains of Patagonia, Ruta 40 has long become a rite of passage and a must-ride road for motorcycle travellers. Although now mostly paved, Ruta 40, especially its Southern part, still offers a feeling of unbridled freedom and adventure as it skirts the turquoise-blue glacial lakes, the foothills of the Andes Mountains, and the endless great plains of Patagonia. In Argentina, Ruta 40 is also a part of the world-famous Pan American highway connecting Alaska and Ushuaia.

San Carlos de Bariloche
Situated at the very heart of Ruta 40, San Carlos de Bariloche is a motorcyclists’ Mecca in Argentina. This charming mountain town is famous for its Swiss-like architecture, picturesque surroundings, and motorcycle-friendly culture with excellent food and lodging options. Bariloche is a must when you’re riding Ruta 40, and we highly recommend taking a couple of rest days here to truly immerse yourself in the local ways of life and enjoy Argentinean hospitality at its best.

Perito Moreno Glacier
Probably one of the most famous landmarks in Patagonia, Perito Moreno glacier is an incredible feat of nature. No motorcycle tour in Argentina would be complete without visiting this massive, 30 km-long glacier shimmering in a myriad shades of blue and white as it creeps ever forward across Lago Argentino, corralled by the peaks of the mountains. Looming 170 metres above the water, Perito Moreno appears like a giant ocean wave forever frozen in a wall of ice. On your Argentina motorcycle adventure, make sure to ride to El Calafate and visit the glacier on your rest day riding the scenic little road into the Perito Moreno Glacier Park.

Tierra del Fuego
Shrouded in mystery, legend, and lore, Tierra del Fuego is a magical name that attracts thousands of motorcyclists to the Southern tip of Argentina each year. An island with awe-inspiring scenery, gorgeous mountain twisties, and unique nature, Tierra del Fuego is home to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Riding your motorcycle to Ushuaia and getting that photo of the „Fin del Mundo“ – „The End of the World“ – sign is another bucket list item on your Argentina motorcycle tour.

Practical Information for Touring Argentina

If you‘re planning a motorcycle adventure in Argentina, keep in mind that the seasons here are reversed. This means that summertime in the Northern Hemisphere is wintertime in Patagonia, so the best time of year to ride Argentina is early December through to early March. Expect heavy snowfall, harsh winds, and subzero temperatures between late March and November. Between December and march, however, the weather is dry and mild, but pack some warmer layers: Patagonia is famous for its notorious, gale-force side winds, and the temperatures in the deep South like Tierra del Fuego are always lower, even in the summer.
When it comes to the best motorcycle routes in Argentina, a good rule of thumb is to stick to Ruta 40. Easily the most scenic road in the entire country, Ruta 40 offers plenty of thrills, otherworldly landscapes, and adrenaline-inducing twisties. If you prefer riding off-road, Ruta 40 intersects countless of dirt trails shooting off in all directions, and you can explore to your heart’s content.

Whether you’re going on a guided tour or shipping your own bike, keep in mind that Argentina is generally a cheap country to travel. Its currency, the Argentinean peso, is usually quite volatile and the prices may vary from week to week, but overall, expect to spend $40-$60 a day for fuel, food, and accommodation. If you’re gong on a guided motorcycle tour in Argentina, $400-$600 for two weeks will be more than enough to cover your beers, lunches, and souvenirs.

South America has a reputation for being a somewhat unstable continent, however, Argentina is one of the safest countries to travel here. Argentineans are friendly, generous, and hospitable people, and traveling here is generally quite safe, especially in Patagonia. It’s best to always park your motorcycle safely, not to wander into the sketchier parts of Buenos Aires at night, and keep an eye on your belongings, but this is true everywhere in the world. With a little bit of common sense, riding motorcycles in Argentina is as safe as it is in Italy, Oklahoma, or British Columbia.

If you’re not sure what type of motorcycle would work best for Argentina, keep it simple and choose a sturdy, reliable allrounder. Adventure motorcycles such as the BMW GS or Honda Africa Twins are ideal for Argentina where you’ll inevitably ride some off-road sections, tackle high-altitude mountain passes, and brace against the Patagonian winds. Lighter dual sport bikes are also an option, and if you’re hoping to ride Argentina on a cruiser-type motorcycle, expect a bit of a bumpy ride: tarmac here isn’t always perfectly smooth, and you may want to ride something a little more adventure-capable, especially if Patagonia is on your route.

Whether you choose motorcycle shipping to Argentina or join other adventurous souls going on a motorbike tour, we know you’ll have an adventure of a lifetime, and we’re stoked about your upcoming travels!