Travel Guide

Fast Facts, Holidays                                   Getting Around

Lay of the Land                                          Money

Climate and Best Time to Go                      Food, Clothing and Modes of Dress

Passport or Visa?                                       Packing Tips

Health and Safety                                      Helpful Websites

Fast Facts

Capital City: Buenos Aires

Population: 40.3 million

Language: Spanish

Religion: Roman Catholic (92%) Protestant (2%) Jewish (2%) Other (5%)

Currency: Argentine Peso

Dialing code: 54

Electricity: Standard European style 2 prong and Australian slanted plugs on most outlets, 220 V, 50Hz.

Airport Codes: EZE (Buenos Aires), COR (Cordoba)

Holidays

New Year’s Day (January 1)

Good Friday and Easter (March or April)

Labor Day (May 1)

May Revolution of 1810 (May 25)

Malvinas Day (June 10)

Flag Day (June 20)

Independence Day (July 9)

Dia de San Martin (August 17)

Dia de la Raza (October 12)

Christmas (December 25)

Lay of the Land

As the second largest South American country, Argentina extends between the Andes Mountain range and South Atlantic Ocean. It borders Paraguay and Bolivia to the North, Brazil and Uruguay to the Northeast, and Chile to the south and west. Its southern tip, known as the Patagonia Region, almost reaches Antarctica. Here you will find breathtaking ice glaciers and snowy hiking trails. The country can essentially be divided into four regions: the sub-tropical flatlands of the Gran Chaco in the north, the rugged Andes Mountain range on its western border with Chile, the fertile plains of the Pampas in the center, and the steppes of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the south. Each of these regions are unique in climate making Argentina a great place to go exploring.

The official language of Argentina is Spanish, although you shouldn’t be surprised to hear bits of Italian or French. Many different ethnicities have influenced the development of Argentina over the centuries. With the majority of citizens being of European decent, one can easily see why they call Buenos Aires the Paris of South America. At the end of the nineteenth century many Europeans migrated to Argentina from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, and Poland. Their influence can still be seen today in architecture, music, art, and food.

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Best Time to Go and Climate

Argentina has many different climates given its topography, hemispheric location, and extended surface area. Their winter lasts from May to September and days can be a bit cold and rainy. During the summer months of December through March, it is hot and humid but in most places temperatures will not exceed 85°. The best time to go is either in the spring (September to November) or fall (March to May) when temperatures are moderate and comfortable.

No matter when you choose to visit this amazing country, you will always find something to do. From the magnificent ski slopes in San Carlos de Bariloche to the Wine Harvest Festival of Mendoza in February or March, there is never a dull moment!

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Passport and Visa?

All U.S. citizens with a passport valid at least 6 months after arrival are able to enter Argentina on a 90 day tourist visa. Once in the country, you can renew your tourist visa for another 90 days, totaling 180 days, through the Direccion Nacional de Migracion in Buenos Aires prior to your initial 90 day expiration. If you are staying longer, you are required to obtain a visa. Please visit www.embassyofargentina.us for specific details and to locate the consulate in your jurisdiction.

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Health

In all the major cities, you will find multiple hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. In smaller towns or rural areas, there will be fewer clinics nearby, but all still have the basic amenities. The Argentine health care system is comprised of three sectors: public, private, and mutuals (employer plans), with more than half utilizing public care.  Foreigners may take advantage of private or public hospitals, although the cost may range from $17-$50 a visit.

It is very easy to access general medicines in the many farmacias throughout the country. Many are small businesses and often you have to ask for everything from the pharmacist behind the counter. Most times you will not be given a whole pack but instead will purchase only the amount of pills you want. Costs normally range from 5 cents to 50 cents per pill.  

You should plan to see your doctor or health care provider at least 4-6 weeks before your departure date to allow vaccines or other medications to take effect. Do not take preventative medication or get vaccinations unless recommended by your health care provider, as he or she will be able to determine how you should prepare based on prior medical history and any health conditions you have experienced. Specific vaccines for travelers going to Argentina are:

Yellow Fever (north and northeastern forest zones, Iguazu Falls)

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Typhoid

Rabies

Antimalarial medication can be taken before your trip if you are traveling to affected regions near the Bolivian and Paraguayan borders. Chloroquine is most commonly suggested for Argentina. We highly recommend that you visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for updated information about health precautions, travel notices and vaccinations.

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationArgentina.aspx

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Safety

Travel in Argentina is relatively safe, but petty theft is not uncommon, especially in the large cities. Keep a close eye on your belongings at all times, and be sure to keep your valuables and money close to your body, such as in a money belt. Avoid keeping anything valuable in your purse or backpack. It is always important to be alert and aware of your surroundings, but especially at night in large cities such as Buenos Aires, when it isn’t always safe to walk alone at night. Opting for a taxi is a better idea if you are out alone.

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Getting Around

Although Argentina is quite large, inter-country travel is easy to navigate. Whether you are moving from town to town or just trying to find your way around Buenos Aires, never be afraid to ask a local Argentine to help point you in the right direction!

Bus

Traveling by bus is the most economical way to get around. For travel between Buenos Aires and other cities, you can ride on an Omnibus. Two types of service exist: common and differential. If you ride common service, the fares are cheaper but seats are not guaranteed ahead of time. Differential service is a bit more expensive but offers more amenities. Buses that run within one city are referred to as micro omnibus or colectivos and are plentiful. Make sure you have exact change of around .80 ARS or $0.28.

Metro

The metro, commonly referred to as the subte, is a quick and efficient way to get around in Buenos Aires. It typically costs around .70 ARS or $0.25. Although it is the oldest subway system in Latin America, it is often quite convenient when traveling from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Taxis and Remises

Taxis are a very common way to get around in Buenos Aires, especially at night. There are plenty on the streets so you should always be able to flag one down. In smaller cities like Cordoba and Mendoza, taxis are always available but you may have to call in advance or walk a few blocks to find one. Fares are calculated at the end of your ride depending upon number of passengers and distance traveled. A remise is a different type of taxi, often cheaper as the fare is arranged in advance.

Car

Renting a car in Argentina is possible but very expensive and not highly recommended. You can use your regular driver’s license but it is suggested to also carry an international one. The expressways surrounding major cities have many tolls and are very congested. When you head towards more remote areas or small towns, the roads are bumpy and sometimes not paved.

Air

Most flights to Argentina will arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, commonly referred to as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), which is located about 45 minutes from the center of Buenos Aires. Since Argentina is such a large country, the quickest way to get from city to city is on a domestic flight. Flights can be somewhat expensive ranging from $125-$350 USD each way. The most convenient and reliable airlines are Lan Argentina and Aerolineas Argentinas. Make sure you book your flight in advance since flights often fill up quickly, especially during high travel season. 

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Money

The basic unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentine Peso (ARS). The average rate of exchange is approximately 1 US dollar to 3.15 ARS.  For current exchange rates visit www.xe.com

ATMs are widely available and provide an easy way to convert your money. You can also exchange your money at banks and cambios (currency exchanges). Debit cards and major credit cards are accepted in many stores, restaurants, and hotels. Be aware that if you are traveling to a small town off the beaten path, there may not be banks or ATMs to exchange your money. If you can help it, you should always avoid carrying large sums of cash in highly populated areas or on buses. Petty theft does happen and you must take precautions to safeguard your money. Buying a money belt is not a bad idea, especially if you are frequently traveling around the country. 

Bartering can be common in some markets and on the street but department stores and those frequented by the local population tend to have fixed prices. It is customary to leave a 10% tip at restaurants and the leftover change for your taxi driver if it is small.

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Food

The food in Argentina is unique to South America as much of it is greatly influenced by Italian, French, and Spanish cuisine.  Beef is a staple of the Argentine diet and its abundance has given rise to all sorts of recipes. A favorite is asada, or barbequed meat.  Breaded and fried meats, milanesas, are a common snack and empanadas are popular for a quick bite on the go. You will love the taste of chimichurri sauce that is typically used to season steak or chorizo. Also popular is locro, a type of stew made with corn, beans, potatoes, and peppers. Pasta dishes are also very common and Argentine pizza boasts some of the best dough around (it closely resembles an Italian calzone). If you have a sweet tooth, you could not have picked a better place! With dulce de leche, a sweet paste, one can fill cakes or spread it over breakfast toast.  On every street corner you can pick up an alfajor, a delectable chocolate covered cookie sandwich filled with dulce de leche, yum!

Trying mate (mah-tay) is a must while in Argentina. Mate is a traditional drink that is often shared in homes or at parties with family and friends. The dried leaves and herbs from the yerba mate plant are placed in a small cup and hot water is poured in. Often times mate can be sweetened to hide its bitter flavor.

In many of the northern regions of Spain that closely border the Andes mountains, you will find food more typical to South America including humitas, tamales, plantains, corn, potatoes, and quinoa, although European inspired food is still very popular.

Clothing and Modes of Dress

Almost everywhere you travel in Argentina, Western European style of dress is commonplace.  In the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, casual clothing is acceptable during the day. If you are dining out or attending a party at night, you might want to put on some nicer attire. You will always want to dress in layers as temperatures vary throughout the day. It is only in the pampas region that you may still see some of the traditional gaucho clothing including a wide-brimmed hat, poncho, and trousers tucked in to high boots. If you are traveling to the northern region, lighter cottons and linens are recommended for the higher temperatures. If you plan to be in the southern region toward Patagonia, you will find people bundled up braving the cold temperatures. 

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Packing Tips

-camera plus extra batteries and memory cards

-sunglasses

-sunscreen

-insect repellant if you are traveling outside of Buenos Aires

-light and airy clothing if you are traveling to the northern regions

-lots of layers!

-adapter for electrical outlets to fit European two prong standard

-money belt

-ATM card

-Any prescription medications you might need

-Extra pair of glasses/contacts, if you wear them

-copy of your passport (to leave at your place of residency)

-alarm clock

-over the shoulder sturdy purse (for women)

-a few little trinkets to bring to your host family that represent your culture or where you come from

-pictures of your family and friends to share with your host family

-comfortable shoes for walking

-a nice outfit or two for nights out

Keeping in touch

While abroad, email is the easiest way to keep in touch with your family and friends back home. In all major cities and some smaller towns you will find an abundance of internet cafes that cost around $0.80-$2.00 per hour to use. If you need to reach home via telephone, the cheapest and most convenient way to do so is by using the cabinas, phone booths.  There may be cabinas in many of the internet cafes or it may be a storefront on its own. A typical call to the U.S. will cost you anywhere from $0.15 to $0.50 per minute. Phone cards are another option but make sure you have the international access number for Argentina before you leave home!

Helpful websites

Health information/updates: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationArgentina.aspx

Visa and Passport: http://www.embassyofargentina.us

Travel Information/Warnings: http://travel.state.gov

General Info and sightseeing: http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/menu.htm

History and Country Info: http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Argentina/History

 Quick Facts: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Resources

http://www.allaboutar.com/travel_facts.htmhttp://argentina.gotolatin.com/eng/Info/Hbook/basicdata.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina

http://www.embassyofargentina.us

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